Notes from Rotary Meeting of April 1, 2013
President-Elect Tyler Smith called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test of Rotary. Marv Goad offered the invocation for the meeting.
Happy Birthday – Mitch Feikes (in honor of Syracuse’s win over IU in the NCAA basketball tournament)
Sergeant-at-Arms – In honor of Opening Day, Mitch Feikes (assisted by Mike Arnett with the basket) raised money for the club with questions about Major League Baseball.
La Porte Day of Caring – May 18 is the date designated by the La Porte Ministerial Association.
Rotary is working with the City of La Porte to secure a hands-on project in downtown La Porte to participate in the Share Fest happening that day. Volunteers will be needed on that date for the project selected.
Rotary Ramble Grocery Scramble – Tyler Smith emphasized the importance of this fund-raising event. Its unqualified success could make it the only fundraiser needed each year. He sees the potential to raise $10,000 to $20,000 which would not only fund La Porte Rotary’s current projects, but enable it to take on more. Tickets should be an easy sell because everybody benefits.
Members offered the following suggestions –
- Earlier promotion efforts – beginning in the summer and peaking just before the Scramble in November.
- Advertising – print advertising has had little return for the cost. Billboards (possibly near Al’s Supermarkets) in September or October might be more effective.Partnership or Cooperative advertising with Al’s – in their weekly advertising inserts or as a flyer included with the insert.
- Flyer – Develop an more eye-catching flyer to use in promotions Perhaps an art student could develop
- In-store promotion of ticket sales. Work with Al’s to get cashiers informed and promoting ticket sales. (Person who sells the winning ticket gets $100 – whether a Rotarian or not). TV screens needed to run the videos of prior scrambles to help explain the event. Tail gating in Al’s parking lots to raise visibility and sales.
- Free promotions; Breakfast Showcase on radio station WLOI; Chamber of Commerce news blasts to its members; “Take Back La Porte” Facebook page; “What’s New La Porte” website
- Internal Organization; Specific Rotarians will be in charge of this event; Specific Rotarians will be in charge of recruiting Rotary volunteers for in-store sales at Al’s East and West (which are crucial to success).
- Give Rotarians help in selling; Develop selling scripts (Such as, “you could own this store for 106 seconds”); Develop lists of objections potential buyers have raised and develop specific responses Rotarians can give.; Develop lists of Rotary’s projects and accomplishments in La Porte supported by its fundraising. (Potential ticket buyers want to know what the money will be used for.)
- Contact PNC's student marketing group for additional ideas.
Board Meeting – This Wednesday April 3 is an important meeting as the Board will be discussing a potential grant opportunity from the Rotary District. Please let Deb Varnak know if you will be in attendance.
Polio Plus Update – Rotary International continues its efforts to eradicate polio world wide. To date in 2013 just 16 cases have been reported in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria. Contact Norm Juday if you would like to be on the distribution list for the weekly email update.
A small but mighty group of Rotarians were in attendance: Mike Arnett, Mitch Feikes, Ron Gigliotti, Marv Goad, Judy Hamilton, Bill Hedge, Brad Hindsley, Bonnie Miller, Keith Schwingendorf, Vern Sikora, Tyler Smith, Cindy Waelbroeck