President Gail Moseley opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and Program Host, Dave Christman followed with the invocation.
After she thanked Steve Dunton for getting us checked in this morning, Gail welcomed our visitors, Tony Malorni and Mark Gerberich, our speaker.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction: Annette reminded us that she has the tickets for the Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction which will be at Guy's Party Center on October 12. Tickets are $125 if you are attending in person and $100 for virtual attendance. The in-person ticket includes two meals.
Silent Auction: Annette also said that she needs to have names now of people who will be on the Silent Auction Committee with her, or there will be no Silent Auction. Contact her at aoborn@att.net if you can help. Remember that many hands make light work!
Dues: Dues are due now! Get your check to Annette either in person or by mail.
Football Books: The books are all out, but there are still people who need to pay. Please get your money to Pat Messmore as soon as possible.
Summer Sunset Blast: Steve Dunton reminded us that this annual event will be the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. He still needs more volunteers to sell raffle tickets. Contact him at sdunton707@gmail.com to tell him when you can help. Shifts go from 4:30 to 7:00 and 7:00 to 10:00 each day. Tickets are available now and they are $5 each or $20 for 5.
Adopt-Spot: Marty Tass told us that if we weed our spot, to be sure to deadhead the marigolds. It looks great right now but could use a little more weeding.
Clean-Up-Stow: People who are participating in this project should meet at Sto-Nut Donut at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. Dinah Henderson has your shirts if you are volunteering. You may reach her at st_henderson@smfcsd.org.
NO MORNING MEETING NEXT WEEK but instead we will have a picnic in the evening at Lakeview Shelter at Silver Springs Park. Bring families! Cost is $5.00 per person or $10. per family and a side dish to share. We will begin at 5:00 and end at dark.
Bulldog Bags: The September items, due September 7, are fruit cups, microwave pasta cups, toothpaste and toothbrush and a 24 or 32 oz. pasta sauce with a one pound box of pasta. Drop your items off at the lobby of City Hall or at the Stow Public Library.
DRAWING: Carrie Leising's table had the winning ticket, but she drew the three of clubs. So, the pot will continue to grow but is over $200 already.
PROGRAM:Program Host, Bill Choler said that working at the Salvation Army Bell Ringing has been one of his favorite volunteer activities with the club. He particularly likes meeting other members and their friends and having a chance to talk while they are ringing.
Bill then introduced Mark Gerberich, the President and CEO of the International Soap Box Derby, where they hold more than 200 events per year. He has his graduate degree in Sports Management from the University of Akron and is a member of the Professional Bowlers' Hall of Fame. He talked with us about both the Soap Box Derby and leadership. A handout is attached to these minutes.
He reported that they came through the pandemic pretty well thanks to their main sponsor, First Energy, who continued their sponsorship even in 2020 when the Akron race could not be held. Their sponsorship goes through 2024. Other revenue streams include sanctioning races, selling parts for the cars, sponsorships, donations and grants. He explained that it took until 1971 for the first girl to race in the derby and 1975 for the first woman to be a winner. Now the winners are split about evenly between males and females. Like any other business, the derby faces challenges of rising costs, elimination of products, shipping fees, supply chain issues, and staffing. It takes leadership and creativity to face all of those issues.
Leaders can only make decisions based on the information they have at the moment. The challenges listed above are continually forcing leaders to make difficult decisions. He emphasized that in the economic situations of today, people need to have sympathy for each other, recognize the value of an on-line presence, learn how to use QR codes and recognize that short-staffing often requires sitting back and relaxing rather than being demanding.
There are many more events at the track than then widely publicized Akron Soap Box Derby. It is not just a place to race, it is a place to learn. Leadership is currently trying enhance the 200 events that they already have yearly, as they embark on a capital campaign that could help to make Akron a destination for people interested in racing or seeing the track. The International Soap Box Derby already has a presence in other countries and continents as it continues to grow. This is a valuable asset to the whole area.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Saturday, August 27, 7:30 a,m, Clean up Stow
Wednesday, August 31, 5:00 p.m. until dark, evening social at Silver Springs Park. No morning meeting.
Saturday September 3 and Sunday September 4, 5:00-10:00 each day, Summer Sunset Blast at Silver Springs Park
Wednesday, September 7, 4:30-6:30 Volunteer time at the Akron-Canton Foodbank.
Wednesday, October 12, 6:30, Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction at Guys Party Center
Saturday, November 12, 10:00-2:00 Interactions at the High School
Wednesday, November 30, Evening at E.J. Thomas Hall for "Tootsie" Tickets are only $15.00.
Thursday, December 15, Holiday Helping Hands at City Hall in the evening.
Wednesday, December 21, no morning meeting
Wednesday, December 28, no morning meeting
Friday April 28 and Saturday, April 29, 2023, District Conference in Orange Village
Submitted by Andy Denton