Here are the highlights of the November 9th board meeting.
Call to Order Jeff Fitzgerald
President Fitzgerald called the meeting together at 11:39 AM with the following members present:
Elizabeth Brown-Ellis, Carol Buettner, Andy Farley, Lesley Fry, Andy Wannemacher and John Ficorilli. Also present were Treasurer Dan Best and Secretary Rita Brown.
Secretary’s Report Rita Brown
Approval of October 12, 2021 Board Minutes
Buettner made a motion to approve the Minutes of the October 12th meeting as submitted. Farley seconded the motion. Board approved.
Attendance report for October
The month of October ended with 144 Total Members with 4 Honorary and 140 Active Members – down 2 for the year. Meeting Attendance for the month was up by 2.47% and up by 5.57% compared to October 2020.
President’s Report Jeff Fitzgerald
Civic Center Hall Computer Request from the Lima Rotary Club.
Complaints regarding the quality of the sound at Club Meetings when the Speaker is on Zoom were reviewed.
At this time, Fitzgerald will work with Sammie at the VMCC to see if improvements can be made.
Club Fundraiser – Jail ‘n Bail 12/10/2021 at VMCC North Hall - 12 noon – 4 PM
The upcoming Club Fundraiser – Jail ‘n Bail will be held on Friday December 10 at the VMCC from 12 noon- 4 PM. Cat Sarno and Judge Richard Warren will manage the event. Proceeds will go to the Lima Rotary Foundation. Complete Details of the Plan will be posted on the Club’s website and shared with Club Members at upcoming Club Meetings. A GET-OUT-OF-Jail card option is available to purchase for $50. It must be purchased by noon on December 9, 2021.
Fall Blood Clinic held Saturday November 6th at the Senior Citizens Center on West Elm Street
Early reports indicate attendance was between 240 -250. Those attending received an email from the Hospital by Sunday evening. Reports could be accessed through the patient’s Lima Memorial eHealth Hospital Patient Portal.
Social Committee Update
The Club held a Social Meeting on October 27th at the home of Tracie Sanchez. It was a very successful event. The next Social Meeting will be after January 1, 2022.
MESA working with Mercy Health/Lima Memorial regarding Equipment Donations
Lima Rotarian Dave Frost reached out to the hospitals about working with MESA. Mercy Health has expressed interest. Frost and Bob Ruehl will share details with the hospital. Buettner indicated ProMedica has donated to MESA in the past so Memorial Hospital may be involved through ProMedica.
Christmas Gifts for Milano’s Wait Staff and VMCC Staff
Farley made a motion to acknowledge the Milano Wait Staff and the VMCC Rotary Support Contact at the Club’s Christmas Party on December 13, 2021. Brown-Ellis seconded the motion. Board approved.
Options for Placemats
Rather than continuing with the cost for Placemats, the Club will order 100 reusable Table Tents that feature the 4-Way Test along with various photos of Lima Rotary Club’s members, projects and events.
Acknowledgement of Dick Riggs
Long-time Rotarian Dick Riggs passed away on October 30, 2021. He had been an active Rotarian for 55 years. He served as Club President during 1973 – 1974 and as Club Secretary for many additional years. His dedicated service was acknowledged by the Board of Directors.
Board Reports Carol Buettner
The Special Needs Children’s Christmas Party will be held on December 4th.
Currently volunteers are signing up to participate. The Drum Line is not available this year but Super Heroes will attend. Santa Claus, played by Lima Rotarian Russ Decker, will also be there.
Rotary Christmas Party – December 13, 2021 Andy Farley
Farley indicated planning for the Christmas Party is underway. This year’s party will include such activities as the Club Auction, The Awarding of Elvis to a Club Member for the upcoming year and the Rotary Club Raffle. Farley will be sharing details with the Membership.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing Dec 11th 9 - 5 – Joe Watson Rita Brown
The volunteer roster is nearly filled. Four Rotaract Students will also be participating.
Treasurer Report Dan Best
Fitzgerald/Best met with the Rotary Foundation Board on Monday October 25th.
Topics of their discussion included the extraordinary challenges of 2020 – 2021.
During the year, the Club was able to pay the Foundation $11,000 that had not been paid from a previous years’ charity event. However, this year could result in a deficit for the Club. The Club is currently down 20 – 25 members and may need to consider raising dues. Discussion also followed regarding applying the proceeds of the Ohio State Memorabilia Auction to the Club in order to bridge the gap. Discussion followed regarding the $1,250 yearly accounting fee the Foundation approved paying to the Rotary Club. Currently that payment is one year in arrears. The Foundation Board voted to approve the payment to get them back on schedule.
In the future, the yearly accounting fee will be an agenda item for discussion during the Joint Meeting of the Foundation Board and Rotary Board in the Spring. The Group also discussed a payment to the Salvation Army by the Rotary Foundation. A payment of $5,000 will be made at the Club’s Christmas Party on December 13, 2021.
IRS EZ Form 990 filing
Filing has been completed and filed ahead of plan. CPA Tracey Regula completed the Short Form of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990 EZ).
Monthly Financial Reports
Best reported that the October 2021 month-end net worth increased $8,260 compared to October 2020. For the current fiscal year to-date, net income decreased by $548 compared to the time period in 2020. Dues’ income increased by $2,466 but expenses for meal costs and District 6600 dues increased by a total of $7,600. These increases are due to the increase in member meetings compared to the 2020 pandemic year. Best also reviewed aged Accounts Receivable and stated nothing extraordinary is evident. Wannemacher made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report as submitted. Fry seconded the motion. Board approved.
New Business: Jeff Fitzgerald
Diversity Recruitment Initiatives
New Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith has expressed interest in becoming a member of the Lima Rotary Club.
She will be invited to come as a guest. Fitzgerald will reach out to her.
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Resignations Rita Brown
The following resignations were received:
- Esther Baldridge
- Roy Baldridge
Farley made a motion to accept the resignations of Esther & Ray Baldridge with regret. Buettner seconded the motion. Board approved.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:58 PM.
Respectfully submitted
Rita Brown, Club Secretary