Notes from Rotary Meeting of September 16, 2013
President Tyler Smith called the meeting to order and led members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test of Rotary. Dale Wratchford offered the invocation. Leigh Morris led in singing.
Happy Birthday– Mitch Feikes, Ron Gigliotti, Ted Taylor, Vern Sikora, Deb Varnak, Beth Irwin, Dale Parkison, Dale Wratchford, Norm Juday, Keith Schwingendorf.
Sergeant-at-Arms – Kregg Van Meter raised money for the club with questions about this day in history. Among other events on this date, the Mayflower departed for the New World with 102 brave and hardy people aboard.
Announcements – President Tyler Smith extended the invitation from Michigan City Rotary to join them on Thursday, September 26 for an after-hours gathering from 6pm to 8pm at Vegas, Baby at the Blue Chip Casino.
He also reported that the repairs and refurbishment to the Rotary Gazebo in Soldiers Memorial Park began today.
He reminded us of the 2013 Rotary District 6540 Foundation Dinner to be held on Friday, October 4 at the South Bend Century Center, beginning with social time at 5:30pm. The $120 per person cost includes a $55 donation to the Rotary Foundation. If you make your reservation directly with the district, indicate that you want to be seated at the La Porte table. Keith Schwingendorf donated two Purdue basketball tickets for the evening’s silent auction fundraiser.
Volunteers are needed for the check-in table and the sergeant-at-arms responsibilities for each weekly meeting over the next several months. Contact Tyler for dates available.
Program – Carrie Kosac from 1st Source Bank
Ms. Kosac presented information on the Small Business Administration’s Veterans' Pledge and Patriot Express loans for which 1st Source Bank is one of the largest provider banks in the state of Indiana. SBA was established in the 1950's to provide small businesses with more access to financing by providing loan guarantees to banks. Ms. Kosac spoke about the SBA’s program to support loans to start or grow veteran-owned businesses. Citing 2007 statistics, she stated that more than 9% of U.S. business is veteran-owned, employing more than 8 million people. Advantages of SBA-supported loans include interest rate caps, lower down payment requirements, and reduced fees.
Parker Finn, Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center at the University of Michigan –
Mr. Finn talked about the business assistance grant program available through these federally funded centers. This is a 25-year old program which helps manufacturers facing the loss of business through imports. Q ualified companies receive a business assessment and up to $75,000 matching grant funds for projects that help them become more competitive. Examples of projects current clients are undertaking include: sales and marketing, skills training, ISO and other certification, inventory control, process planning, and general services such as cost accounting, management training, IT system implementation, and succession planning. For more information, visit www.gltaac.org Aero Metals in La Porte was cited as one local business that has used this program successfully.
Rotarians in attendance were- Gene Burrows, Mitch Feikes, Ron Gigliotti, Judy Hamilton, Bill Hedge, Beth Ingram, Norm Juday, Yvonne Lindborg, Leigh Morris, Dale Parkison, Mike Rosenbaum, Joseph Rosenblum, Keith Schwingendorf, Andy Serafin, Vern Sikora, Tyler Smith, Mike Sutton, Ted Taylor, Kregg Van Meter, Deb Varnak, Dale Wratchford. Guest/Prospective Member: Randy Thorpe, La Porte Community School Corporation.