A Club Assembly Is What? by Sue Vogl
It was time for our Club Assembly, which according to one member, we are supposed to have twice a year. So, in a few words, this was an opportunity for those of us who showed up 15 minutes early (responding to an email from President Cedric Tuck-Sherman), to reflect on the previous six months and plan for the next six months.
We each picked a number, went to that table (only three folks at mine but more showed up). Then Kathleen Terry, talking while strolling, gave us our icebreaker assignment from “questions that shaped our year.” Since our small # 7 group had two new members, we focused on the question – “Do new members feel supported?” Some thoughts: It is hard to get to know people in a large forum. Perhaps add 10-minute Craft Talk updates to learn about new things in people’s lives. Have a LinkedIn page for MB Rotarians.
Larry Johnson’s thought for the day focused on what we choose to bring to the new year. President Cedric was next at the podium, saying we are thriving in many ways and the goal for this meeting is how we can do even better for the next six months.
Our facilitators were Larry Johnson, Kathleen Terry, Kelly Stroman and Richard Montgomery.
Now to our homework – each group was asked to pick one or more of our overarching objectives, assign a notetaker and a spokesperson. Thinking that most people would start with number one, Tarek Shaer suggested objective 6, Continuing Fun and Fellowship, fitting since, along with Martha Mansfield, he’s in charge of social events. Monthly Wine Arounds are on tap for the next six months. The Comedy and Magic Club event sold out, which was a relief to Tarek, since he fronted the cost of the tickets. (Our group thought our club should have that responsibility.) Suggestions for the future: Events for a specific group such as members and grandchildren, members and their college-age kids. What about a Dine Together, where a group picks a restaurant to try? Then we pivoted to number 5, Public Image, again appropriate since Wimberly Meyer, director of marketing and development, was in our group. Again, Paul Rudy’s idea of the LinkedIn page to build club engagement with photos and videos was a popular suggestion.
At tonight’s board meeting, voting members only will go over the notes from each group and chart a path for the next six months.
After several members shared their group’s ideas, President Cedric gave us a member challenge. Take a Rotary coin from the table and then fill out a card with a personal commitment. You keep the coin until you have completed your commitment. And then what do we do with the coin? I’m not clear on that, but several shared their commitments. And then it was time for the raffle (no winning marble) and the meeting was adjourned.
For more meeting photos, go to SmugMug. 
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