New President Cynthia Plouche opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the "Star Spangled Banner". She followed with an invocation hoping that this would be a good year for the Club and that we would be able to continue doing good work for the Community and the world at large.

 

A reminder went out to the Club about the Golf Outing on August 14^th.  Registration has begun. Please see our website or Facebook page for information.

 

Special Happy Birthday wishes to Mari Barnes (6/29) and Skip Jacobs (7/2).

Rhoda Pierce, guest of Dan Pierce

Robert Mardirossian, Winnetka/Northfield Club

1^st Place:  Robert Mardirossian (donated back to the Club)

2^nd Place: Larry Block

3^rd Place: Ghida Neukirch

Happy Dollars were given by Joanne Gordon, in honor of her son's imminent return from Japan; Karen Dennis, who visited with 3 of her grandchildren who live in St.Louis and Bogota,Columbia; Pete Koukos who broke 100 in his latest round of golf; Dr. Manu Khodadad and Dan Pierce in honor of our new President; Larry Block in memory of Bill Peterson, father of Alice Peterson, wife of Paul Munk; Ghida Neukirch with thanks to Joanne Gordon, Mike Babian, and Cynthia Plouche who worked the Rotary table at the 4th of July Celebration in Highland Park; Cynthia Plouche gave happy dollars in appreciation for Ghida Neukirch helping the Club secure a table and then joining them; Cliff Bregstone in honor of Paul Munk's leadership in the year just completed.

The program was a Club Assembly.

     President Cynthia Plouche handed out the budget for the coming year and discussed the income and expenditures.

     A discussion was held about the Community Projects Committee led by Karen Dennis. Mike Babian suggested that we devote more time to the Moraine Township Food Pantry. It was felt that this would help increase community awareness of Rotary. A lively discussion ensued. Points made were that the Township is a tax sponsored organization; that our current High School weekend food program is probably a better "bang for the buck", and that we are solo in this endeavor as opposed to Moraine where multiple groups are involved. Karen Dennis is happy to have any ideas sent her way.

     It was requested that all Committees develop a Work Plan for the coming year.

    We should work to enhance our public image.

    Larry Block, Membership Co-Chair, stated that success of our Club is dependent on 3 m's - Meetings, Marketing and Membership. He is requesting that each core member (about 20) bring in a new member. He then asked the new members why they joined and attend meetings.

    Mike Babian said that it is to learn from others and grow his business and relationship skills. Yesim Sonmez said that she was a member of Rotaract which serves as a nice transition to adult Rotary.

    We have an Interact Club at the High School, but not a Rotaract Club. We should work to encourage those Interact members who are attending college to seek out a Rotaract Club if one is available in the vicinity of their school.

     Ghida Neukirch suggested that we conduct a survey of members with +75% attendance and those that don't come to meetings to determine the "whys" and "why nots" of attendance. We could follow up by contacting a sample of respondents.

    Finally, Neil Dahlmann reviewed our Constitution and By-Laws, and pointed out where these documents can be located on the Club's website.