At our meeting October 31:
- District Governor (DG) Diane Fejes was the program this week. Advice she expressed that resonated with me is to consider a satellite club which meets outside of the Wednesday lunch period. She thinks this might be a good way to attract younger members. She senses change in what Rotary meetings will look like in the future.
- DG Diane encouraged us to consider corporate memberships whereby a company can send a designated person to lunch and other Rotary events.
- DG Diane expanded her vision of our District’s scope of giving to include the fight against human and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
- DG Diane also encouraged us to keep in touch with former members of our club. These folks might rejoin, and they might also be ambassadors for Rotary to attract new members.
- I welcomed Sheila Lomboy back to our club after an extended absence. She is co-chair of the membership committee with Shawn Florio.
- Sergeant Rich reported he attended a Rotary Club in Belgium which has no women members. He said the club was open to the concept!
- Robin Dublin asked for a show of hands who might want to attend the social event on November 8. Based on the small showing, this event will be cancelled.
- Robin also asked us to keep in our minds the victims, family and friends of the shooting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Mike Zahare announced certain changes in his practice of law, and donated $100 to his Paul Harris.
- Jim Olson repaid his debt to Rich Mystrom.
- Shirley Nelson announced again our ongoing reading project at Baxter Elementary, 9:15a – 10:30a on Thursdays.
- Lynn Allingham was back from being in the Carolinas.
- Rick Mystrom announced that he now has six grandchildren.
- Jay Jackson told us that the Rotary District encompassing Nepal invites our District 5010 to their district conference in late February.
At other times:
- On Wednesday Adam Szabo our exchange student and I showed up for the East High Interact Club. It looks like the club will re-form from scratch. Another teacher brought in some students from the International Club who talked about how they attract members and the kinds of activities they do. It looks like Random Pies of Kindness might be a project for the Interact Club this year. There was also discussion how to get the word out about the Interact Club, including the use of social media.
- I was speaking with Robin Dublin who mentioned that pond hockey might be a good social event. This involves a sort of hockey game at Westchester Lagoon or Cheney Lake where the ice is cleared.
- On Thursday I attended the reading project at Baxter Elementary with Maxine Froemling and Shirley Nelson. I helped a first grade teacher with one of her learning centers.
- On Thursday the Beer Fest met at Adam Sikorski’s home. Present were yours truly, Lance Wilber, Jess Gutzwiler, Kelly McCormack, Jim Arlington and Rich Dyson. Arrangements appear to be well underway for a successful 2019 Fest.
- On Thursday Bob Cox, chair of the Foundation Committee, held a rescheduled meeting at his home. Attending were Charlotte Tharp, Mary Rohlfing, Lynn Shaver and Woody Angst. The focus was on the upcoming Foundation auction.
- On Tuesday the West High Interact Club met. This week is Interact Club Week and our Chair of Youth Service Karen Smith celebrated by bringing cupcakes for the students. There was discussion of the order for hoodies, the upcoming food drive and the candlelight vigil in November.