Before the minutes actually start, there are a couple of things to clarify as far as the business part of the meeting.
We did not have a quorum to vote on the changes in the by-laws this morning and fell short just by a couple of people. Please make every effort to be present next week so that we can finalize the vote. The proposed changes are attached for your convenience.
People have been having trouble signing on with zoom. We are hoping for some more specific directions next week, but in the meantime, if you are using the link attached to these minutes, open the link and then right click on the link and click on “open hyperlink”. That should take you to zoom. If you are using the link at the top of the page when you open Clubrunner, you may have to then click “open in external application” and you should be able to get in. Also, if you are involved in anything that lists the zoom link, please remove anything that is different from the link below, realizing that this is a link that changes regularly. Thank you!
After President, Mary Parr opened the meeting by leading in the Pledge of Allegiance, Carrie Malotte offered our invocation.
PROGRAM: Retired Police Chief, Jeff Film, presented our speaker Chief Heather Prusha, who was sworn in as our chief in November of 2025 after serving as one of our police officers since 2005. Prior to that she earned both her bachelor and masters degrees from Kent State and was part of the City of Kent's Police Department until she came to Stow. She is also an instructor atthe Kent State Police Academy, in both mental health crisis and domestic violence work and is very involved in officer wellness. Chief Film stated that “Everything she does is golden.”
She went on to describe recent changes within the department. There has been a traffic stop initiative in response to the community's concern about speeding and other traffic violations. There is now more of a group effort to manage this. There has been a change in firearm technology and an officer recognition program for service years was created. School resource officers were increased, Loki became the newest canine officer and weekly updates about the community as it relates to the police department are released.
Chief concerns of the community are traffic safety, and safety in the schools. Both are being continually addressed. Two of Chief Prusha's main concerns for the future are officer wellness and maintaining a healthy department while they continue to manage critical incidents. She also hopes for a strong interaction between the community and the department.
She shared some statistical information including that there are 22,000 calls for service a year. Officers patrol in 12 hour shifts with generally 9 on each shift. Nights have smaller numbers than the daytime shifts. An interesting fact is that at the Dispatch Center, AI answers the non-emergency calls but eventually it is a human that responds. There are a total of 46 officers who respond to a city of 35,000 residents, all with unique situations and needs.
BUSINESS MEETING:
By-Law Revisions: President Mary highlighted the proposed revisions in the by-laws that are attached to these minutes. They are the same that the membership already received. A major issue is how to handle the terms of board members who become president to keep the staggered terms and also honor the term limits. Another issue is the president becoming an ex-officio officer, only voting when there is a tie. It is suggested that members again look at the proposed revisions and be prepared to vote next week if we have a quorum. Your attendance is very important.
Budget: Rich Bedell presented the information only budget since it has already been approved by both boards. The people who worked together to prepare the budget are Mary Parr, Linda Trevorrow, Annette Oborn, Dave Christman, De-De Mllligan, Gail Moseley and Rich. After going through expected income and expenses. For 2026-27, it is predicted that this will be a break-even budget. Club dues will go from $200 to $225 per year. The cost of breakfast will remain the same with the club subsidizing between $2 and $3 per week. For the future there needs to be a cleaner way to handle donation requests that come in during the year. The Foundation Board needs to come up with this system.
THANK YOU:
Mary thanked Steve Dunton and Dave Renninger for checking us in this morning. and for welcoming Chief Prusha.
CELEBRATIONS AND CONCERNS:
Happy Buck: Bob Sweitzer shared that the staircase on their new home is now 99% finished, and that grandson, Robert, is eight months old today.
Rotary Anniversary: Congratulations to Jeff Film who is observing 12 years as a Rotarian this week.
Wedding Anniversaries: Leslee and Gary Salhany are celebrating 43 years of marriage and Dr. Felisha Gould and her husband, Michael are also observing their anniversary this week.
Birthdays: Wish a happy birthday to Christine Faranda whose birthday is the 10th.
Concern: Dick Hall is recovering from surgery. The surgery went well and now we hope that it is a speedy recovery!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Chamber of Commerce: Julie McLain explained three current efforts of the Chamber. 1.) To support restaurants south of the bridge construction in Munroe Falls, submit a receipt from breakfast lunch or dinner at any of seven different restaurants to office@smfcc.com for a chance to win during the bridge construction. There is also a chance to have lunch with SMF Chamber Staff on 8/19 at Spice Delight and 9/2 at Lemongrass. Don Coughlin reminded us to support other businesses there as well. 2.) The Chamber's Golf Outing is Friday August 28. 3.)On August 20 they are hosting a Leadership Development Session “Role of the Board”. For further information about any of these experiences, go to smfcc.com.
Back to School Bash: Dr. Felisha Gould hopes the community will gather at the Fieldhouse on Saturday, August 15 from 10:00 to 1:00 for family fun to celebrate the start of a new school year. Meet staff, and enjoy games and activities. It is fun for everyone!
Reverse Raffle Tickets: In Dick Hall's absence, Dave Christman will be selling the tickets for the October 14 event. Cost is $160 including 2 dinners or $100 for a virtual option.
Football Book Money: Steve Frye explained that he is collecting money for the football books and also is taking any books that have not been sold. Get the money and the stubs to Steve NOW!
Foodbank: Steve Dunton reminded us that Foodbank Volunteer Time is from 4:30-6:30 at the Foodbank next Wednesday, August 12. Help if you possibly can.
Stuff the Bus: We need more people to sign up to help gather supplies that fill our Teacher Supply Cupboard. From 10:00-noon and noon until 2:00 on Saturday August 15 and Sunday the 16th. People are needed at the Kent Rd. Plaza and at Marcs on Graham Rd. Plan now to sign up as you sign in next week.
50/50 prize: Maria Ferrara said that the last table that won the 50/50 drawing will be getting the checks soon. Changing banks has caused the delay.
Summer Sunset Blast: Next week Steve Dunton will have a sign-up sheet for Summer Sunset Blast. Plan to help sell 50/50 tickets during that Labor Day Weekend Celebration.
Drawing: Ray Evans' table had the winning number but drew the five of spades, so the pot will continue to grow.
Respectfully submitted,
Andy Denton
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Wednesday, August 12, 7:30 regular morning meeting at The Center with Brad Ruth will talk about “AI for Business”
Wednesday, August 12, 4:30-6:30 Foodbank Volunteer Time
Friday, August 14, 7:15 a.m. Board Meeting at City Hall. Minutes of the July meeting are attached to these minutes.
Saturday and Sunday August 15 and 16 from 10:00-2:00 Stuff the Bus for the Teacher Supply Cupboard
Monday, August 17, 7:00 p.m. Combined Board Retreat
Saturday and Sunday 5 and 6 Summer Sunset Blast where we sell 50/50 tickets.
Wednesday, October 14, Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction