It's December already and Light Up Naples is coming soon! We numbered twenty-four this noon with two guests - our exchange students Anna and Uryu.

 

President Karen welcomed us and led the Pledge. Jack picked America the Beautiful for this snow dusted day.

Karen gave an invocation encouraging us to get up, dress up, show up and never give up.

 

Announcements: From the Light Up Naples committee - posters and brochures are ready and available on the back table for distribution to local businesses and other places of gathering, with details of Saturday, December 14th activities. Additional copies are at Artizanns. The tree at Memorial Town Hall is up and lit already! We will decorate at Town Hall this Saturday 12/7 at 10am. Please dress warm and bring electric cords and step ladders if you can. Setting up the tents, etc. on 12/14 will be at 3:30pm with clean up after LUN events at 8pm. * Kristina Saucke has been approved as our newest Rotary member. Her induction will be scheduled soon. * Liz Yee is still away but has asked for ideas for programs. * Skip needs reservations today for our holiday dinner next Monday evening. 

 

John French was the speaker today about the Rotary Foundations; both the Rotary International (RI) and ours in Naples. RI has 7 areas of focus: peace, disease, water, moms and kids, education, environment and local economies. There is an Annual Fund, started in 1917 with $26.50 by Arch Klumph. Today it is worth over $1.3 billion and has donated more than $4 billion to date. The Fund is recognized by Charity Navigator as Four Star, giving 91% of funds to causes. The Annual Fund holds donations from clubs for three years then returns the money to Rotary Districts in the form of grants for projects. There are also an Endowment Fund (earning interest) and a Polio Fund (which is matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation). Projects can be anything a club wants to do within the rules of RI. These District Simplified Grants must be in an area of focus, of minimal size, may have international partners, fill a valid need and be sustainable and measurable. Our District 7120 has received a number of grants, used for local and international projects. They usually range from $2000 - $3500 each. John encourages everyone to bring ideas to the Rotary Board for application for the District Grants. Deadline is April 1st each year.

 

To make a donation to RI Foundation we can go to MyRotary.org. Options are readily seen there - $25 to $1000. Accumulated giving of $1000 over time earns a Paul Harris Fellow designation. Larger amounts can be made over time or through wills and memorials.

 

Our Naples NY Rotary Club Foundation was originally funded by a donation from member Llewelyn Bassett who gave $73,000 to the Club and $73,000 toward Rotary Camp Onseyawa. To date, we have given $105K to Camp O and $65K to Walk of Life (benefitting Hospeace House and Marjery Pawlak Cancer Fund). In total, $271K has been paid out and $167K received in donations. The Naples Club Board determines how the Foundation funds are used. It is a 501(c)3 - making donations tax deductible. The Naples Foundation board meets about quarterly, has fiduciary responsibility with decisions documented in the Board Meeting minutes. MyRotary.org is only for RI Foundation donations. Naples Foundation donations are made directly through the treasurer. 

 

The Ace of Hearts was $53. Ticket #6164 was Jo Anne's and she chose the Ace of Hearts! Congratulations!

Happy Bills went to John for an informative program, welcoming Sue back from a long trip abroad, a new truck for Laurie, and it's nice to see newer faces here.

Laurie inquired about the missing gavel! We were reminded that no one sits alone at Rotary meetings and it's good to mix up who you sit with. 

 

Late breaking announcements:

BVT has a show on Friday night where we will join local non-profit orgs, doing a wine pull fund raiser. 5-7 pm * Naples Historical Society Cookie Sale and Boutique is Saturday, 12-5pm. 22 Mill St. Cookies (6 to a bag) can be donated at 11am. * The Community Concert at St. J's is on Sunday 12/8 at 2 pm. Cookies welcomed and enjoyed! * Laundry Love had its first event with a few participants. They will continue to advertise for more.

 

The Four Way Test was led by Karen and we adjourned.