Highlighting the PROGRAM for this meeting was the ceremonial induction of three new Rotary Club of Lincoln members conducted by President Joanne Serkeyn, Past President Brenda Kell-Kotwa & Lincoln Rotarian & Assistant Governor, Area 5, Sue Foster. With open arms, everyone welcomed the inductees Dale Hatch, Todd Overholt & Nour Hage.
With a quorum of 60% of active club members in attendance, President Joanne Serkeyn conducted the club’s business meeting as follows:
Election of 2024-25 RCL Board of Directors
President Joanne presented the following slate, which she had previously circulated by email to RCL members on January 29, 2024:
Officers
President: Joanne Serkeyn
President Elect: John Kralt
Vice President: Dale Hatch
Secretary: Lindsay Dressel
Treasurer: John Maynard
Directors
Rotary Foundation: Rob Foster
Public Relations: Sue Foster
Club Administration: Barb Mitges
In accordance with the Rotary Club of Lincoln’s Bylaws, Article 3 Section 1, the Board of Directors includes Immediate Past President, Brenda Kell-Kotwa.
Motion: Approve the 2024-2025 board slate.
Moved by: Anna Murre; Seconded by: Rob Foster; APPROVED unanimously
Treasurer’s Report - John Maynard
Based on the financial statement previously circulated by email (February 13, 2024) to RCL members, John reported that revenues & disbursements are in line with the approved 2023-24 RCL budget. He noted that the Board of Directors had recently approved a donation to the Lincoln Soapbox Derby & the purchase of two Pathstone Wellness Kits (https://shop.pathstonefoundation.ca/wellnessstallskits/) for installation in the washrooms at West Niagara Secondary School.
John also reported on recent talks, which he, Martha Kralt and Terry Kotwa have had Principal Mat Miller, West Niagara Secondary School (WNSS) regarding Lincoln Rotary’s partnership with WNSS involving both financial support for and use of the new performing arts theatre. The state of the art theatre with capacity for 750 audience members is expected to be completed by the end of March 2024.
Currently, it’s proposed that RCL will make a donation of $50,000 to the theatre fundraising campaign with an additional $50,000 to be allocated for augmenting community support. John explained that there are other District School Board of Niagara secondary schools, specifically in Welland & Fort Erie with similar performing arts facilities. These schools regularly host community based events so there is a precedent for Lincoln Rotary to stage concerts, drama productions, etc. at WNSS in the future.
Motion: Move forward with the principle of the proposal regarding the partnership with WNSS.
Moved by: Rob Foster; Seconded by: Martha Kralt: APPROVED unanimously
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A formal MOU is now in place between the Rotary Clubs of Lincoln & Grimsby regarding shared responsibilities for the sponsorship of one outbound and one inbound Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) student in 2024-25. With appreciation, Joanne recognized Rotarian Martha Kralt for her leadership in the development of the MOU.
West Niagara Interact Club is meeting regularly with the support of their teacher advisers and Lincoln Rotarians Sue, Lindsay & Gayle & Grimsby Rotarian Jeanette. A focus for the club’s service is mental health to be supported by the Pathstone Wellness Kits as referenced in the Treasurer’s Report.
