Minutes of July 14, 2014 Meeting

Announcements

David T introduced POD leader for July/Aug will be Rick Sulker.  Arrangements for Beer Fest on Thursday were reviewed.  All volunteers have been lined up, TV Auction banner will be hung, Int'l banners will be hung, R'Hill Rotary pamphlets and info will be on display table.  David acknowledged Peter Szoke who is doing a great PR job on Beer Fest with coverage in The Liberal and SNAP and other media.

David O suggested that next year we contact TV Auction donors and offer them free tickets as a thank you.  To be carried forward when planning next event.

David T announced our club has been given 6 awards: President Citation Award, President Distinction Award, Rotaract Community Award, Rotary International Central Award, Rotary International Community Service Award, Highest / Unique District Engagement Award for best performance.  Congratulations to our club and also to Nash for his "amazing work in 2013/14 and the driving force behind the achievement of these awards``. 

Nash announced he will be going to the York Club on Tuesday to promote Beer Fest.  It was agreed that he should offer the York Club $5 for every ticket they sell.

Jason announced he saw a notice that Florence Sherman passed away -- her husband Bill was one of our charter members.  Arja will send memorial information out to club members.

Paul T presented Pres David with a cheque for over $3,000 for our club`s portion of the funds raised at the joint Newmarket/Richmond Hill Golf Tournament.  Well done to the organizers!

Jerry read aloud a thank you letter he received from one of our recent scholarship recipients.  Aherthy Jeyasundaram graduated from Richmond Green Secondary School and she founded a Mental and Physical Awareness Club at her school.  

SPEAKERS:  DAVID TATE AND NEW BOARD: PLANS FOR 2014/2015

David opened by defining the words RICHMOND HILL, ROTARY, and CLUB.  He then summarized by saying all of us are special because we live and work in a special community, giving of ourselves for the common good in our community and abroad.  Rotary gives each of us the opportunity to serve both locally and internationally with this amazing organization and we have an amazing club that has done some great work.  But there is room to do more and serve more.

He would like in the coming year to increase our club's focus on our community, and he asked each member to give thought to any activity, no matter how big or small, that will raise awareness of our club and work within the community.  He would like to: update our club brochure; increase PR opportunities; leverage the TV Auction to promote us more; grow our new satellite club; plan for membership growth as well as keep up our regular work and fellowship activities.

In conclusion, David added a few general observations: He would like to emphasize club decorum during our meetings - ie no side conversations or interruptions when someone else has the floor.  Secondly, he would ask everyone to think about "Why Did I Join Rotary" to make sure all members are achieving their personal goals of membership.  Last but not least, to HAVE FUN!

The new board members then each briefly summarized their plans:

Glen - Foundation:  The Fdn is the fuel that funds humanitarian projects.  Part of the funding is used worldwide but some also goes to district which funds the grants and matching portions of local projects.   Part of it is from the $100 EREY, Polio donations, Fdn Walk and benefactors.  Goals for this year are to have 100% benefactor rate and a successful Foundation Walk  which is coming up soon.

Glen - Secretary:  Glen also will be Club Secretary - doing minutes of meetings, maintaining our insurance, reporting to RI and other administrative duties.

Richard - Treasurer:  Richard looks after our billings and club budgets.  Proposed plans include a yearly membership billing system and giving a semi annual budget review to the club at large.

Ted/Paul V - Community Service: Plans are to increase efforts in our community to show the Town who we are and what we do.  All regular activities will continue but plans are to add maybe a recycling event, community BBQ etc.

Jason - Vocational:  Jason proposes more vocational/business interest speakers.  Become more involved in the Chamber Business After 5 program -- perhaps host.  Review all member's classifications to see if we can target new members in categories we are missing.

Gordon - International:  Proposed  review of existing projects.  Will look to set up a committee to see if there is a need in any country(ies) often overlooked.  Please contact Gordon if interested in joining his committee.

Nash - Club Service: Assist President with weekly meetings.  Nash says fellowship very important so increased focus on social events including spouses and family members.  If anyone has ideas for different social events, please advise.  Nash also says very important to let him know if you are not coming to the weekly meeting...it wastes valuable money we work so hard to raise.

Steve - Youth:  Steve was absent but will be working with Interact and Rotaract clubs.

David O - Membership:  A membership night is in planning stage for the end of August.  More to follow.

Thank you to all Board Members for your plans - it will be a great year!

50/50 Winner - Hira Joshi

​Reminders:
- No meeting next Monday
- Beer Fest Event on Thursday
- Next meeting will be a Fireside at London Pub on July 28 - topics are post-mortem on Beer Event, TV Auction update, Terry Fox Run discussion