Park Ridge Rotary Club Meeting
October 14, 2022
DG-Ray Cywinski club visit
Dean Mansion Park Ridge
FLAG SALUTE – Led by Terry Ciulla
FOUR-WAY TEST – Peter Wells
INVOCATION – Pastor Marc Stutzel
MEMBERS PRESENT – Terry Ciulla, Steve Fox, Dan Antokal, June Bertini, Harriet Kallart, Phil Wells, Vicky Meo, Marc Stutzel, Fay Logan, Pete Jacobsen, Linda Wells, Peter Wells, Diane Saccoccia
VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS – District Governor 7490 Ray Cywinski
ROTARY UPDATES - President Terry Ciulla gave a brief Club report on who we are as a club to DG Cywinski. We stand out as being one of the most welcoming Clubs-whether it is a new/potential member, other visitors or our guest speakers, many leave with the desire to join Rotary. We are an extended family. Efforts result in new members. One of our key Focuses is branding our club so that “Everybody knows ore name” within the community. Collaboration or sponsorship of events like Bergen Passaic Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the school backpack drive increase our visibility and help keep our name in the public eye. Terry discussed how our club is using good accounting practices, financial transparency and maintaining set budget.
GUEST SPEAKER – DG Cywinski began by asking everyone to introduce themselves and provide a brief bio, stating that he is a 25 year member of Rotary. As District Governor his main focus is working towards financial transparency for the entire District. He is taking a hard look at finances to clean up redundancy, maintain a tight rein on spending with a lean budget. DG was happy to hear that our club is working on our branding, as doing events gets the Rotary name out there and noticed. Good branding can lead to increased membership – Oradell Rotary has been visiting senior citizens, and Fair Lawn has increased the number of events they do. The key is to grow – retaining members while adding new ones. Maintain club growth by 1-5% of your club’s current membership. The Governor mentioned Rotary International will withdraw club charters if membership not maintained.
Education and mentorship of members to become leaders is how to keep clubs strong. Institutional knowledge needs to be shared and passed down. Rotary offers opportunities for members to learn and become leaders.
The Rotary Foundation is a key component of Rotary. Every member should be encouraged to donate to the Foundation – this money can flow back to the individual club and communities via grant opportunities. Donating to the Foundation allows us to do more! As an example, Polio has been confirmed in nearby Rockland County. Rotary International is working to combat Polio and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are matching donations for Polio eradication. Up until April 30 of this year, Foundation funding was used for assisting Ukraine and refugees. After April 30th money is going into the General Fund. District is looking into connecting with hard hit disaster areas by reaching out to Rotary club in the disaster locality, Rotary to Rotary - we would facilitate a collection of basic needs or money into the right hands . This would be a way to help victims in Florida hurricanes and flooding.
Our District and District 7475 were planning a joint conference, but there were issues with 7475 being un-districted by Rotary. Governor Cywinski was pleased to announce that the joint conference will be going forward and held in Skytop PA, on May 5-7 2022. A District Directory is being worked on and he will let everyone know when it is available.
Club members showed appreciation for DG’s visit and his narration of our District Goals, Budgeting, Education, and membership..
