For those of you who were not able to make the January 20 combined meeting with Saco Bay, I wanted to emphasize one date related to the auction. It is FEBRUARY 26, 2016. That is the firm dateline for passing in all of your solicited items for the auction. It is not the date to start soliciting. It is not the date from which we will determine the real deadline. It is the real deadline. As Jackson and Tony said on the 20th, there is a lot of work that has to be done once all the items are turned in and if people procrastinate and don’t get items in until much later a lot of other people suffer. So, please, please get out there and get your solicitations done right away and make your life easier and the lives of a whole bunch of other people easier as well.
As far as solicitations go, if you work for a company that does not sell a product or service that can be auctioned please consider asking your company to sponsor a Quickie Board ($175.00) or a Bid Board ($600.00) . Those sponsorships are a great way to support a bunch of fantastic causes while getting some publicity at the same time. We will also sell sponsorships to anything in the studio, including but not limited to the phone bank, auctioneer table, MC table, display area, and the “pick and pay” area. So if you have a business or work for a company that is willing to contribute but doesn’t know how, think of a sponsorship and talk to Jackson. Of course, your company can always sponsor an item or two by giving you the money to go out and buy an item or a gift certificate, but cash is always king.
Our auction is our biggest fund raiser and it is a lot of work, but if you figure we have about 70 members and we need to bring in about 205 items, that is 3 apiece. If we all do that and Saco Bay does that same, we will have another great event.
Thank you in advance for your help and remember we have a lot of members of our club who have run the auction and know the process very well so if you have questions sing out and I am sure someone will know the answer.
Opening:
Today’s joint meeting with the Saco Bay club began with the Pledge, which President Bill Kany started before anyone had a chance to stand. The Patriotic song, God Bless America, was ably led by Paul Deschambeault. Paul, the Saco Bay President, led the 4 Way Test. The invocation was offered by Laurie Jo Ready. Members moved (slowly) through the buffet line (or, at least what was left of it after Joe M. made his way through).
Guests and Rotarians:
President-elect Lucie Kay introduced visiting guests and Rotarians:
Saco Bay Club
Sabine Mcgelrath (I spell it as well as Lucie pronounces it)
50/50:
Sabine won, and donated the money toward something that I couldn’t hear.
Steve M. reminded everyone about the 10th annual wine tasting. Everyone is invited (at $25 a head). The event is from 6:30-8:30. There will be a raffle and silent auction, too. Tickets available online and at Madden Beverage.
Jim G. announces no work on Rotary house this week, and Red Ribbon will meet next week.
The ramp at the ballpark is permitted, awaiting drawing revision. Whoever announced this was in the other room, and I couldn’t see him.
Thank-yous
Thanks to Matt Simmons for leaving the meeting to get a computer cable.
Thanks to Jackson and Tony for helping with the auction prep.
SAA Joe Moreshead took the stage; Karen, Keith, and Chris were too embarrassed to join him so Joe flew solo.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
•Steve gave two happy dollars for help with wine tasting, and for his daughter going back to college. He’s glad to drink and get away from his children, essentially.
•Karen is happy having taken her last test, and for earning her bachelor’s degree.
•Sarah had 4 happy dollars: in 4 months she’ll be in Maui! Bill Kany expresses willingness to carry Sarah’s luggage.
•Bernice is happy that her son made it to Hong Kong. She’ll be even happier if he makes it out with his GI track intact.
FINES:
•Bill $1 because he had to remind Joe that he is SAA
•CJ was charged $1 for trying to sell Real Estate during a meeting
•Heather had to pay $1 for the custom salad
•Julie was fined for not posting the tack, but she did! They were masterfully written and edited by Chris.
•Lucie was fined for mispronouncing Sabine’s name.
•Joe charged everyone a dollar to cover all of their screw-ups when dropping off auction materials at his warehouse (forgetting slips, etc.)
Details about the auction were reviewed by Jackson and Tony. April 3rd is this year’s auction from noon to 9PM at the Martin Community Center in Biddeford. Next meeting is next Tuesday the 26th at 8AM and SBSI in the community room on the first floor. Enter from rear parking area. Deadline to donate items is 2/26. Goal is 410 items.
If you have a company or individual that would like to donate a service of some type but doesn’t have the time or energy to make a gift certificate (if they don’t already have some), then Julie Villemaire can produce a gift certificate for them. The certificates have an embossed seal along with Julie’s signature on them so the business owner/individual will know they are originals and not copies. They can view the certificate ahead of time for their approval if they would feel more at ease.
Bid Numbers: Auction participants should call ahead to receive a Bid Number so they are all set for the day of the auction. We typically have over 500 people bidding. Bid Numbers help make the whole process much more efficient. The more numbers we can hand out ahead of time, the less phone calls Julie receives prior to the auction and the less phone calls the Pic N Pay area receives the actual day of the auction. If you had a Bid Number last year, you will be all set for this year. Julie will be sending a mass e-mail out to last year’s bidders to remind them of the upcoming auction as well as to give them their number for this year’s auction. If you did not have a Bid Number last year, please get in touch with Julie at villemaire@maine.rr.com so she can add you to the e-mail list when the time comes. Reminders will be sent out as we get closer to the event. Always remember to “Bid High, Bid Often!”
Inventory Slips: Please be sure to fill out the inventory slips as completely as possible! Attached is a sample slip for your reference. If you have any questions please don’t be afraid to ask. Out of 10 slips received so far, only 4 of them had complete information.
PP Steve Morin was the recipient of President Bill’s “Thanks” today for all of the work he has been putting in to get the 10th annual wine tasting event up and running.
PP Steve took the floor to update everyone on this exciting event happening on 01/30/16 at the Pepperell Mill Campus’ new function room. This is an excellent location from what we hear. Steve is in need of HELP to SELL TICKETS! An account with Event Brite has been established so people can purchase their tickets right on line. There is an additional charge of $2.50 to get tickets this way.
Why not save your friends and family money and have them buy tickets directly from their favorite Rotarian. Steve has more than enough tickets that he will be more than happy to share. Tickets will not be sold at the door. He is also in need of silent auction items and wine table sponsors. Table sponsors have been in the $100 range. If you or your company would be willing to sponsor, please get in touch with Steve Morin. If Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate on the 30th, then 02/06 has been set for the snow date.
The below list of nominations were read. No nominations were heard from the floor. Paul Dechambault made a motion to accept the slate of nominations, Jeremy Ray seconded the motion and the club voted unanimous.
Peggy Bean needs more volunteers! Please let Sarah Neault know if you are available to serve as the Tack Reporter on October 14 and October 21. Thanks.
Invocation: Joe Bassett
PROGRAM IDEA???? PLEASE CONTACT Brian Dallaire, PROGRAM CHAIR or a member of the Program Committee. Remember it is the responsibility of every member to help get Programs for our meetings.
Fill up those green bags. If you need more bags and/or labels, just let Julie Villemaire know and she can hook you up…no charge!
Simple fill with returnables and drop off at any Hannaford.
Alternately, if you already have a CLYNK account of your own, you can designate you funds as a donation. Hit the Donate button and search for Rotary and you'll find our account.