Thursday’s meeting was both informative and topical – our 2018-2019 President, Jon Ridler, gave a summary of club finances and led a discussion about changes the board plans to implement this Rotary fiscal year. Finances are remarkably good compared to years past: we have significant balances in our accounts. These balances have been built up in part through the change in member fining for charity. Other changes were discussed. Our Fine Manager of Happiness welcomed Happy Fines and tested us with summer fragrance of an entertaining quiz. For more of the club changes, discussion and the Quiz, click / "read more”.
We've been trying a different approach to raising money during the meeting -- we’ve been paying Happy Fines which will go toward one’s contribution to the Rotary Foundation under the club’s commitment to Rotary’s “Every Rotarian Every Year” program. In years past, the club paid these. Our giving has increased seemingly by emphasizing individual philanthropy. Other planned changes for this year include “a moment of silence” instead of an invocation. This is an effort to avoid having any Rotarian feel uncomfortable because of someone’s choice of invocation. Another is to expand the professional services outsourcing – the club will be paying someone to coordinate our major fund raiser, the Santa Run, and to do public relations work (e.g., news releases, social media, advertising). We’ll also be experimenting with our membership categories and the dues structure related to them.President Jon said these initiatives were undertaken by the board in part due to Rotary International’s encouragement to clubs to experiment. In response to the presentation, there were several questions raised and comments shared. These included the effect of volunteering verses that of paid staff, the value of alternative perspectives as expressed through invocations, and the usefulness of asking the club for qualified volunteers before using club funds for paid staff. In short, the comments reflected a desire for the board to be more transparent. One suggestion was for the board or the president to periodically report to the club on what is being done.
Several club members expressed strong feelings on these issues. Jon reminded us that board meetings are open to members.
What a better time for “Flower Trivia” that Summer, a time for mulling over the arcane and enjoying some trivia.
- Who in the 1700’s invented the Seed Drill? Hint – also the name of a modern musical group.
- What flower can be used as a replacement for onions in cooking?
- Which roses do women prefer – red or pastels? Which do men buy?
- In 1986 what did Congress name as the National Flower?
- What flower has been a national flower for 4,000 years, and in what country?
- What state is especially well known for peaches?
- How many roses are purchased in the U.S. each year?
Answers:
- Jethro Tull (there may be tickets available this summer at Ravinia).
- Tulip bulbs.
- Pastels for women, though men buy red roses.
- And the Rose is our National Flower
- The Water Lilly has been Egypt’s national flower…seemingly forever.
- Delaware was the Peach state, with over 800,000 peach treas, and the peach blossom being the state flower since 1895. Guess what the State Pie is.
- 1.2 billion !