The Scoop...July 8, 2013

President Mike Schoenhofer called the meeting to order at 12:08 and invited David Runk to the head table to give the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.  Carl Berger sang the first line of his ‘theme song,’ Love Potion #9, getting a chuckle out of the group before leading them in the Four Way Test.  Sgt. At Arms Matt Otto reported 62 members in attendance, and welcomed guests to the club including Chuck Ferguson, Director of the Lima Rescue Mission, who received a check for last quarter’s Rottery proceeds - $829.

Fellowship was interactive.  The tables had to share their proudest moments – either from work, church, or in their communities, then three of the tables chose one of those stories to share with everyone.  Interestingly, each of the stories was about a service the member had performed for someone else.

Harold Bischoff used a Power Point presentation to encourage everyone to make a $100 contribution to Every Rotarian, Every Year, and pointed out that contributions can be made online at rotary.org under the ‘contribute’ tab.

When most people make a charitable contribution, it’s either by cash or by check, but there are many other options that could give you tax advantages.  Michael Hoffman from Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund was the guest speaker and he told Rotarians that despite the soft economy, charitable giving has increased in the last ten years and people are interested in getting more involved in their communities.  “There are so many different ways to get involved.  The opportunity might be financially, a volunteer opportunity, or just talking about an organization you like.”  When supporting an organization financially, Hoffman encouraged Rotarians to consider ways they may not have thought about, such as donor advised funds, foundations, trusts, securities, and real estate.  Hoffman told the group that if they donate a publicly traded security, or a non-publicly traded security like real estate, they can avoid paying capital gains and get credit on their tax return for making a charitable contribution. 

Fidelity Charitable is the second largest charity in the United States, helping donors manage their charitable contributions.  Since its inception in 1991, Fidelity Charitable has helped donors support over 160,000 nonprofit organizations
with more than $14 billion in grants.  “Often times charities are the most important things in our life.  People are out there to help you in your giving.  It all starts with action…somebody wanting to do something.”

Prior to adjourning, Tim Stanford was the excited winner of $126 in the Rottery drawing.