In recognition of Membership Month as declared by Rotary International it was only fitting that we spoke on this subject today. Mary Murray kicked things off by speaking to a formal PowerPoint program about this important subject. Mary sits on the District’s Membership Committee while Rod Pender and John B. are this year’s co-chairs of the club’s membership committee this year.
Growing our membership, Mary said, only helps us to have that much greater impact on what Rotary does worldwide! It is in keeping with the RI theme for this year – Rotary – Making a Difference! Mary asked the audience why they joined Rotary. There were many responses and it all boils down to “fellowship” and “serving the community”.
Rod said that years ago, if a member worked for an employer, their dues were generally paid for and were told to get involved. Today, with the growing number of small business owners and self-employed people, it’s a bit more difficult since members are paying their own dues and when they attend meetings it takes them away from their jobs.
John B. said that if you take the 49221 zip code area, there are approximately 1,200 businesses in that geographic location. Half are businesses that have 1-4 employees. It’s a tough segment to grow inside of Rotary, he said, because of the reasons Rod mentioned. He said that as he and Rod set out to increase club membership, they will be looking at “mission”, “strategy”, “operations”, and “tactics”. They know what the role of Rotary is, now they need to devise a strategy to impact membership locally and then come the tactics to further identify what needs to be done.
Rod Hokenson shared with us that he was inspired to join Rotary in southern Indiana because he’d heard about the polio effort internationally, had a passion for the issue and, more importantly was asked to join! Mark Murray shared that he was attending a Kiwanis meeting in Hawaii and felt it to be not the type of environment he liked, went to a Rotary meeting and found it to be much more energetic, welcoming, enjoyable and fun! Helen Bendes said she joined because members were very friendly and you don’t always find that when you move to another community. The other reason Helen said she joined was that when we say we’re going to do something we do it!
Mary said that a new member doesn’t have to be someone you work with necessarily. It could be someone from your church, even a family member and cited the Tobey’s and Simay’s. Think outside the box, she said. We have to increase our membership so we can expand the good work we’re doing in this community and globally.
Mary then posed the question: “Why do you think people leave Rotary?” Very simply – oftentimes there’s nothing to do, the meeting quality is poor or the club is no fun were among the most reasons cited. Retention is key to any club, she said. “In order to compete with other service clubs we have to be just as involved as they are”. Members have to be happy, meet new people, and have their needs met.
It’s also important to work on retention. Mike Tobey suggested that we devote a meeting solely to discussing membership. The next Club Assembly, Kathye said, was October 5th. Both Rod and John offered suggestions on how we should approach prospective members. Mary promoted the New Prospect Brochure that will be updated shortly and finished with doing our part as we “Join leaders, exchange ideas and take action” – That’s what this organization is all about!
Pathways Grand Opening – Was a huge success this past Friday at 5pm. State Rep Bronna and Mayor Berryman were on hand along with the following Rotary Club members: John Elchert, Mark & Mary Murray, Jim Hartley, Dave Maxwell, Nate Smith, Sue Lewis, Kathryn S. and Yours Truly! I counted about 75-100 people. Congrats to Kathryn and her staff and all of the Rotarians who helped on the project.
Lenawee Bike Tour Evaluation Meeting – Sue Lewis made members aware of what was discussed last Tuesday at the Flying Otter. It was agreed that we have the 2nd Annual Tour next year and promote family enjoyment. The committee agreed that it would be wise to tie in more closely with next year’s Art-A-Licous event. More info coming. Thanks to all who attended this meeting.
Fluency Friends 2017-18 School Year – Chairperson Mary Murray reported again that this program will begin soon at Michener Elementary. We’re looking for another great turnout that has lasting effects on the children that read to. Recruitment for volunteers is officially over. Thanks to all who have volunteered.
Christmas Wreath Sales – Nathan Salazar, committee chair. Announced that flyers are available; price per wreath of $21 remains the same as last year; numbers you sell need to be reported by October 26th. An electronic image of the flyer will be sent out so that members can post them to Facebook. You will also need to place the sheet with your orders in them in an envelope with your name on them like last year and turn them in by the 26th of Oct. Be sure and hand out the flyers to interested parties. Delivery of the wreaths is scheduled for November 21. Let’s make this another huge fundraiser!
Comstock Christmas Tree River Walk Project – Chair Mark and Mary announced that the program is ready to “GO”!! All we have to do as a club is simply to sell tress for $50 to individuals, businesses, etc. that they decorate themselves. We will have 160 trees available this year starting December 1st . The trees are set up and ready for decorating as they are sold. Our club particularly needs to sell 50 of them this year. Flyers are ready to display or hand out to interested parties. An electronic version will also be sent for posting to your social media pages. We just need the customer’s name, address and check for $50 and drop off to Mark or Mary or at City Hall. The tree lighting will culminate the event. Date to be announced. ALERT! – Patty Clark announced that Midwest Energy will be purchasing 5 trees and graciously offered each of the Rotaract presidents in the room today their own for their clubs to decorate!! Thanks, Patty.
Memorial Space at the Armory – Mark Murray announced that a meeting is planned for Saturday the 7th at noon at the Armory for veterans to discuss possible space to be used as a memorial.
October 6 – Dedication - On this date the grand opening of the Pathway’s/Interconnections office will be held. The time will be 4:30pm. Please plan to attend.
October 10 – John B. announced that the Lenawee Chamber is planning their first annual Business Expo on this date at the Tobias Room on the campus of Adrian College from 1-6pm with After Hours starting about 4:30pm. There will be approximately 40 booths for people to visit and all are encouraged to stop by. More info in John’s weekly Chamber article in this Sunday’s Daily Telegram.
October 12 – Monthly Rotary board meeting following the regular meeting.
October 14 - Bissel’s Empty the Shelters Event – Patty announced this to members to benefit the Lenawee Humane Society. Adoptions are free that day (paid by Bissel) but people must have an application on file to qualify.
October 14 – Adrian Festival of the Arts Thank You Party – Brent Mercer announced that this will be a Ho-Down! It will be at Patty’s brother’s barn next to the Water Sports at Devil’s Lake. Allie Louise, the female singer, will be the features performer. Brent brought with him one free ticket for a couple who would like to go which we had a drawing for at the end of the meeting.
October 21 - Lenawee Humane Society Halloween Ball – Patty announced the date of Saturday, October 21st and she has 2 free tickets for anyone who would like to go. Doors open at 6pm; $55 per person ; $500 for prestigious table of 8 guarantee your seating arrangement in a prime location at our event. LOCATION: Adrian Tobias Center, 110 S. Madison St., Adrian, MI 49221
October 24 – World Polio Awareness Day –
World Polio Day is fast approaching and thanks to chair John Elchert, we have some exciting things happening that we would like to share with you:
The official day is Tuesday, October 24th. We will be passing around a sign-up sheet at next Thursday’s meeting for an idea on the number of Noon Club members who will be attending a luncheon at 12 noon at the Evans Street Station in Tecumseh to commemorate this special event. Past District Governors Bruce and Sue Goldsen will be the speakers. Please plan to attend. John and his staff at the Daily Telegram will be publishing and releasing an article on World Polio Day that day as well!
However, prior to that here is what our club is planning. At our regular meeting next Thursday, the 12th, we will all be asked to donate $5 to the World Polio Day Celebration Fund in exchange for a purple ribbon that we will all be asked to wear during the meeting and for a group photo at the end of the meeting. All money raised from our fine session as well as Happy Bucks that day will go to this cause. The amount raised will then be submitted to District 6400 (to the Goldsen’s on October 24th at the luncheon at Evans Street Station).
At our regular meeting on Thursday, October 19th, we will all be asked to wear our ribbons again at that meeting. We will be contacting the respective Rotaract Clubs at AC and Siena encouraging them to plan a fund raising event to commemorate World Polio Day as well between now and the 24th.
Attached is a graphic we are asking that every member who is on Facebook to post and share with others so that they know through RI what we have done to virtually eradicate this dread disease.
So, please mark these important dates on your calendar now!!!
November 2 – Official Visit by DG Rick Caron
Upcoming Club Program Presentations October 12 – Eric Driver from Missions Sports Performance
October 19 – Joe Williams - One Lenawee
October 26 - Kathy Williams - Women & Children Homeless Shelter November 2 - DG Rick Caron visit
November 9 - TBA
November 16 - Michael Sullivan, Attorney
GUESTS: Evan Papuga - President of the Siena Heights Rotaract Club, guest of Barry Reinink; Michael Burkhart - President of the Adrian College Rotaract Club; Amanda - former AC Rotaract Club president.
It's Rod's turn this month and fined these folks: Kathryn S. (2), John B., Mary M. (2), Herrera, M. Tobey, Lewis, Hokenson, Lewis (2), P. Clark (2), Sack, Douglass (2), Maxe, Pizana, Chase (2), Mercer.
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In recognition of Membership Month as declared by Rotary International it was only fitting that we spoke on this subject today. Mary Murray kicked things off by speaking to a formal PowerPoint program about this important subject. Mary sits on the District’s Membership Committee while Rod Pender and John B. are this year’s co-chairs of the club’s membership committee this year.
luency Friends 2017-18 School Year – Chairperson Mary Murray reported again that this program will begin soon at Michener Elementary. We’re looking for another great turnout that has lasting effects on the children that read to. Recruitment for volunteers is officially over. Thanks to all who have volunteered.
October 24 – World Polio Awareness Day – 
