Rotary Log for November 20, 2014: Visioning update

Posted by David Underhill

Rotary Log by Ben Babcock

Photos by Jim Rini, complete slide show here:

http://www.clubrunner.ca/portal/Journals/JournalDetails.aspx?accountid=6644&jid=61613

President Tricia Cummings presided over today’s meeting and brought the club to attention with a resounding ring of the bell. Judy Ringer led the club in singing “God Bless America”. Jim Rini led the four way test and Rev. Gordon Allen provided the invocation.

Five guests joined the club at today’s meeting. President Trish announced birthdays: Fred Pettigrew with 29 years in Rotary and the Rev. Allen with 37 years in Rotary. Perfect attendance awards followed and several Rotarians were honored- Walter Liff with 12 years perfect attendance, Luis Melchor with 27, Jim Rini with 28, Guy Buesing with 28 and Carl Brage with 29.

President Trish was happy to inform the club that five potential new members had been approved by the board at their most recent meeting. Sarah Youngclause Smith and Albee Sampson were put on 7 day notice.

Fine Master Neil Ouellett took to the podium to levy fines. He doled out several Thanksgiving themed assessments and ended by fining all Rotarians who were happy to be in the club. The buckets were quickly filled.

Happy Dollars followed. Several Rotarians expressed their gratitude for not being in or around Buffalo, New York given the exceptional amount of snow that had recently fallen there.

Next up were club announcements. Charlie Bourdages updated the club on the Construction Committee’s plans for the Christmas Tree Sales set-up. Additional volunteers were requested. Janis Reams informed the club on the status of the Christmas wreath orders. Priscilla MacInnis extended a heartfelt thank you to all of the sponsors and fellow Rotarians who have contributed to the club’s Thanksgiving programs. Judy Ringer requested volunteers to ring the bell for the Salvation Army in Market Square on December 19^th. Justin Finn provided a belated report on the Thunder Chicken Road Race. The club exceeded goals for sponsorship donations and netted over $9,500.00 from the event. Justin thanked the many sponsors that helped to make this year’s race a success along with the Rotarians who served on the race committee.

President Trish introduced the day’s speaker – the club’s own Aileen Dugan, who was to present the results of the club’s Vision Survey. Aileen first spoke about her own introduction to the club and her many fond memories of her involvement in Rotary. She noted the recently celebrated 25^th anniversary of women being officially recognized by Rotary International and the important role Rotary has played in her life.

Aileen thanked all 114 Rotarians who had completed the eighteen page Vision Survey. She expressed that the purpose of the survey was not to re-invent Rotary but to align our club’s vision with the vision of Rotary International. She also spoke on the need to think about the sustainability of the club. Aileen noted the club’s current age demographics and the need to attract and involve younger members.

Aileen emphasized the need for engagement from the club in planning its course for the future. The club will need to be tolerant, open minded, and involved. There is room for everyone at the table.

Aileen presented a one page summary of the survey results highlighting both areas of strength and areas where the club should look to improve. Here is a link to that summary report, which is available on our website:

http://www.clubrunner.ca/Data/7780/6644/HTML/233303//Summary_of_Vision_Study_Findings_2.pdf

The next step for the Visioning Committee is to draft a plan of action based upon the results of the survey. Meetings will be held with the Membership, Program, and Communication Committees. All club members interested in participating are encouraged to get involved.

The raffle was for $60 and Rotarian Connell Tarr had the winning ticket. Alas, there was no match.

Before bringing the meeting to a close, President Trish reminded the group that there would be no meeting next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Anyone interested in attending the Senior Luncheon the first week of December should RSVP to Deb Grabowski.

A very happy Thanksgiving to all!

Ben Babcock