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The Scoop - July 8, 2019
Site preparation is ready to begin on the Lima Rotary Club Community Stage and Park.
Demolition is ready to begin on the buildings currently located on the site of the future Rotary Community Stage and Park. During a project update at Monday's meeting, committee members told us that once the buildings are gone, topsoil will be spread on the site and grass seed will be planted. Construction of the amphitheater is expected to begin next year. Rich Rudolph announced that the club has raised $375,000 toward the $2.5 million project so far. It's hoped that half that money will come from state grants. Rudolph says the committee has begun soliciting the remainder of the funds from local businesses and individuals. "Exciting stuff for the city of Lima and just one more step for us as a downtown becoming more vibrant and exciting." A GoFundMe page has been established and it can be accessed by clicking the Amphitheater button in the menu of LimaRotary.com. Chamber of Commerce President Jed Metzger told the club that this project will make all the difference in the world.  "The amphitheater is really part of the livability and vitality of our community."
Also at Monday's meeting, we welcomed Dr. Kevin Casey as the club's newest member.
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Changing of the Guard
Thank you Past-President Paul for your wonderful leadership of our club, and welcome President Ken.
The Lima Rotary Club said goodbye to President Paul Swartz and welcomed President Ken Dysert at its annual Changing of the Guard ceremony.  Paul thanked his board members, leadership team and committee members and touched on some of the accomplishments of his year, including the expanded website, streaming the meetings on Facebook Live, sending text blasts to members, beginning the amphitheater project, rebuilding the All People's Trail in Kendrick Woods, raising $6,000 for new exercise equipment for the Allen County Sheriff's Office, as well as raising money and volunteering for a number of different organizations. As a parting gift, Paul donated $500 to the Buenos Noches fund. Thanks for all you have done for the Lima Rotary Club, Paul. You truly put service above self.
Following the traditional pinning ceremony, Ben Swartz, Andy Farley and Butch Kirk roasted Paul, which included dressing him up in a Mexican sombrero and poncho.
President Ken took a few minutes to introduce himself and his family and outline his goals for the coming year, which include increasing membership, getting more members engaged in club activities and providing more opportunities for members to socialize and network. 
Also during the meeting, Rotarians with more than forty years of service were recognized, as were the club's past presidents. The 2019 Avenue of Service awards were also presented. The winners are:
Rex Perry Club Serivce - Carol Buettner
Rudolph Community Service - Andy Wannemacher
Goodnight International Service - Dave Frost
Wemmer Vocational Service - Anne Decker
Hulsken Youth Service - David Runk
Congratulations, everyone and welcome to the new Rotary year!
 
 
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Neil Armstrong
The Rotary Club of Wapakoneta wants your help celebrating the 50th anniversary of  Neil Armstrong's historic walk on the moon.

On July 20, 1969, District 6600 Rotarian Neil Armstrong became the first human being to walk on the moon! To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this historic event, his hometown is throwing a parade! We would love to have as many Rotarians walking in the parade as possible! The Rotary Club of Wapakoneta 50th Anniversary Parade will take place on Sunday, July 14, 2019 at 3:00 PM in Wapakoneta, Ohio. It will feature over 100 floats, and will receive national and international attention from numerous media outlets, including a live broadcast from NASA during the festivities.

Besides growing up in Auglaize County, Mr. Armstrong was a member of the Rotary Club of Wapakoneta. We would welcome Club Members from any of District 6600 Clubs to walk with us in leading the parade. If any member of your Club is willing to participate, please RSVP to jlittle@wapakymca.org or text 567-356-6484. There is no cost to a Club Member or Club to participate – we just ask that one would wear a Rotary shirt! There will be plenty of exciting things for people to do after the parade in Wapakoneta as well.

Thanks for all you do.

Parade Information:

Sunday, July 14, 2019
Starts at 3:00 PM (be there by 2:15 PM)
Parade starting point: Auglaize County Fairgrounds, 1001 Fairview Dr, Wapakoneta, Ohio 45895
Contact – Josh Little – 567-356-6484

Josh Little
President
Rotary Club of Wapakoneta

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Board Highlights
Here are the highlights from the July 9th board meeting.
Call to OrderDysert
President Dysert called the meeting to order at 11:39 AM with the following members present:  Carol Buettner, Andy Farley, Jeff Fitzgerald, Jed Metzger, Catheryn Sarno, Theresa Schnipke, Paul Swartz and Secretary Rita Brown.
 
Attendance Report   Brown
Brown shared the Attendance Report for June and for the full year.  The year began with 166 members and ended with 167 members for a gain of one new member.  This reflects the normal level of activity for the club as during the previous year 22 new members joined and 22 resigned.  Attendance for the year averaged 42% which is down a little from the previous year which averaged 45%.  
 
The club is currently a mix of 26% female with 74% male. 
The current age mix of club members is as follows:
1%  under 29;  12% between ages 30 –  39;  19% between ages  40-49;  30% between ages 50-59,  22% between ages of  60-69; and 16% over 70 years old.  Using 50 – 59 as the median age, we have 32% under 50 and 38% over 59.
Years of Service distribution remained consistent.  The 10 – 20 year group remained the same at 24%.  The others change a bit but nothing unexpected.
 
President's Report                                                                                                                Dysert
Dysert shared the Board Member Committee Assignment Leaders and their Contacts Status Report for the upcoming year.  The Board Members will work with their Committees in order to report activities to the Board.     
 
District Governor Visit September 16, 2019
District 6600 New Governor, Carolyn Houston, will visit the Club on September 16, 2019.  A Joint Board Meeting beginning at 11 AM with the Lima Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Board of Directors will be held at the VMCC previous to the Club Meeting.
 
Officer & Paid Position Succession Plan
Dysert welcomed new Board Members Carol Buettner, Andy Farley, and Jeff Fitzgerald.   Metzger made a motion to approve the following positions effective July 1, 2019:  John Ficorilli to the position of Incoming President and Jeff Fitzgerald to the position of Vice President along with Paul Swartz to the role of President Ex-Officio. In addition, Anne Decker was re-appointed to the Social Media and Marketing position, Amy Ricker was re-appointed Treasurer’s Clerk, and Rita Brown was named Club Secretary each at the rate of $400 a month.   Schnipke seconded the motion.  Board approved. 
 
Paul Harris - Every Rotarian Every Year 
Dysert announced it will be one of the areas of major focus during the upcoming year. 
Dick Schroeder and Dave Frost will be holding monthly knowledge session discussions with the members regarding Paul Harris Fellowship.  On the First Monday of August, Dysert will greet the members at the door to hand out the blue/gold sashes. 
 
Meeting Venues - City Club- Civic Center  
Dysert is looking into rotating meetings between the VMCC and The City Club.  Communication with members will be the key.  Details will follow.
 
Board Reports                                                                                                                      All Board Members           
Golf outing                                                                                                                            Dysert
Dysert reported the recent Golf Outing raised $43,614 raised for scholarships.  A check will be presented to the Foundation as soon as all money has been sent in.                            
Grants - Amphitheater submitted                                                                    
A Grant Request in the amount of $460,000.00 for the Amphitheater project was written by Club Member Richard Schroeder and sent to District 6600 for consideration. 
 
Small Project Committee                                                                                                    Swartz   
The Club will be participating in an upcoming Habitat for Humanity project.  Members will be able to participate in construction work and meal preparation.  Mandatory safety training will be held.  In addition, another project at the West Ohio Food Bank will be held.
 
Millennial Roundtable                                                                                                        Swartz
On June 20, Swartz hosted a roundtable with a group of millennials and current Lima Rotarians.  The goal is to encourage more millennials to consider Rotary Memberships. These discussions will be continued.
 
John Hill - Membership                                                                                                      Dysert     
John Hill, from the Vermillion Club, currently a member of the District Membership Committee, will attend the Lima Rotary Club Board’s August Meeting to discuss membership challenges and also to share recruiting ideas and strategies.       
 
Treasurer’s Report                                                                                                                             
There was no Treasurer’s report as current Treasurer Kevin Bill has resigned due to travel requirements with his employment. The Board discussed replacement steps.
                                                                                                                 
New Business:                                                                                                                     Brown
Resignations
Brown shared the following two members’ resignation requests.
Mike Schoenhofer has retired and is currently traveling a great deal with his family.
Kevin Bill’s employment requires a great deal of traveling.
Sarno made a motion to accept both resignations with regret.  Buettner seconded the motion.  Board approved.
                                               
                Adjournment                                                                                                                        Dysert
There being no further business, President Dysert adjourned the meeting at 12:54 PM.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Rita Brown, Club Secretary 
 
 
 
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Locos
We have tickets for the Lima Locos game being held on July 20,2019 against Grand Lake with a 4:05 game time. Contact President Ken if you'd like to attend.
Global Grant
The Lima Rotary Club's global grant is featured in the June issue of Rotarian magazine for Central America!
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Reds Game
Join us for Rotary day at the Reds!
Rotary members,  family & friends are invited to spend a day at the Great American Ballpark for Cincinnati Reds vs. Colorado Rockies on Sunday, July 28th at 1:10pm. 
The $125 per person Fox Sports Club package includes:
Bus ride to the park and back
All-inclusive buffet and soft drinks
Access to indoor club, assigned club level seats
Stacked group seating outside between home and first plate
RSVP to csarno@limapallet.com by May 31st to join us for this fun-filled day!

 
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Rotary Connects the World
Rotary's 2019-2020 theme is Rotary Connects the World. Find out what you can do to help our club live this motto.
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Upcoming Events
Social Hour
The Met
Jul 23, 2019
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
 
Rotary Day at the Reds
Jul 28, 2019
1:10 PM – 4:00 PM
 
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Speakers
Jul 15, 2019
Ohio Supreme Court
Jul 22, 2019
Ohio Means Jobs - Employing a Region
Jul 29, 2019
Zoning for Fun and Profit
Aug 05, 2019
Allen County Fair
Aug 26, 2019
High School Football Preview
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Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
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