Notes from Rotary Meeting of March 11, 2013
President Deb Varnak called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test of Rotary. After a moment of silence in honor and remembrance of our friend and fellow Rotarian Sister Judian Breitenbach, Mike Sutton offered a prayer in her memory and an invocation for the meeting.
Happy $$’s – Ron Gigliotti, Ted Taylor, Deb Varnak.
Sergeant-at-Arms – Mitch Feikes has agreed to serve as Sergeant through July 1. Today he continued the tribute to Sister Judian by asking questions about her religious order.
Announcements –
Executive Spelling Bee – May 2 (note new date) – Silver Palace – 6:30 PM
Yvonne Lindborg has volunteered as Captain of Rotary’s team and Leigh Morris as member. Stacey Moody, who is Rotary’s liaison to the La Porte County Literacy Council, is seeking additional volunteers for the team.
Meal Costs – will increase effective Monday, March 18. Meals will be $11; a seat at the table for those not having lunch will be $3.00 (includes water, tea or lemonade)
Spring Clean up for Rotary Gazebo – Jason Day is working to coordinate this effort as an Eagle Scout project. Stay posted for date and volunteer opportunities.
Vern Sikora is serving as Greeter to take money and track attendance through March. A volunteer is needed for April.
Purdue North Central Project – Guest Rotarian Rick Schweitzer donated from Rackham Oil safety equipment for students to take on their trip to West Virginia for their Habitat for Humanity project. Contact Rebecca Turner, student council president, at Purdue North Central for more information, or to make a contribution, at rtucke00@pnc.edu
Presenters for Ms. Woods classroom – needed on March 19 on the subject of “Budgets and Retirement”. Sessions are at 1:45pm and last approximately 20 minutes. If you could do this, call Deb at 362-0826.
Rotary District Conference – April 26 and 27 in Merrillville.
Mark Your Calendars – June 17 is the date for the annual family picnic/Officers and Board of Directors installation/scholarship awards – and this year – the installation of Christina Dougherty as District Governor.
Program – Tyler Smith, incoming President as of July 1, reviewed the results of the recent online survey conducted by District 6540. Because 14 La Porte Rotarians were among the 585 total respondents, statistical information on our club was made available. Survey results highlighted areas of the club’s strength as being a welcoming and caring club; a sense of comradery among members; diversity of membership; involving new members in activities; organization of service projects; communications; decision-making; ability to make a difference in the community; participation in club activities and projects; financial support from members; and pride in Rotary.
Areas of opportunity for potential growth/improvement/change were identified as number and types of service projects, including international projects; the need for a faster pace of change; involvement in Rotary benefiting members’ families; and inviting others to join Rotary.
Members present commented on several of these issues –
Members want Rotary to be a big part of what makes the community better.
Fundraising is a challenge because club members have demonstrated that they do not like to sell tickets but the amount of money raised is just enough to cover costs. Perhaps online fundraising efforts need to be employed. Perhaps a committee or group needs to be dedicated to marketing all events and fundraisers.
Tyler said he and the Board would develop a formal plan for the coming Rotary year (July 1 through June 30, 2014) to address this research for our club. He welcomes member input for that plan.
Rotarians in attendance were: Mike Arnett, Mitch Feikes, Ron Gigliotti, Marv Goad, Judy Hamilton, Bill Hedge, Brad Hindsley, Norm Juday, Yvonne Lindborg, Neil Mangus, Glade Montgomery, Dale Parkison, Vern Sikora, Tyler Smith, Mike Sutton, Ted Taylor, Kregg Van Meter, Deb Varnak. Visiting Rotarian: Rick Schweitzer from Crown Point. Guests: Michael Gazdick and Josh Aaron from La Porte High School.