Rotary Board Meeting 

Rotary Board Meeting November 11, 2025
Present:  Ted Beynen, Ifhan Hudda, James Stewart, Joe Odumodu, Lisa Wells, David Harris, Mike Page, Don Folkerson
Opening and Invocation:
  • Meeting opened with the “Four-Way Test.”
  • Grace offered; thanks, expressed for community and country.
  • Lunch concluded; brief Remembrance Day noted.
Member Updates and Milestones:
  • Upcoming birthdays: John Curry (Nov 13), Lisa Wells (Nov 17), Frances Stevens (Nov 23).
  • Spousal birthdays: Michelle (Nov 4), Chris’s husband David (Nov 18), David Cunningham
  • Anniversaries: Brenda and Rick celebrating 27 years (Nov 7).
  • Rotary tenure: Don Folkerson—15 years (Nov 22). Congratulations extended.
  • Health updates: Rose was hospitalized; reports indicate she is doing better though may still be in hospital. Frances Stevens’ health is stable; she was seen out recently. Follow-up and support were discussed.
Club Care and Bereavement/Recognition Process:
  • Discussion on improving responsiveness for member support (flowers, donations).
  • Aim to establish a consistent, substantial arrangement and on-hand Rotary-branded items for timely acknowledgments.
  • Note that a local florist contact has retired/sold; vendor arrangements need revisiting.
Board Meeting Called to Order – Financial Report:
  • Dues: Most member dues are paid; a few outstanding items to be collected.
  • RI dues timing: Lower than last year due to member additions recorded July 1 after the June 30 RI cutoff.
  • Dragon Boat event finances:
  • Revenue and apparel accounted; apparel reflected as both income and expense.
  • Preliminary profit approximately $17,000–$18,000 before paying Ben and Kim; payments still pending.
  • Vendor income and fundraising split clarified; insurance (~$500) will be applied against gross for partner splits.
  • Wine Night (wine and cheese) results:
  • Intake $1,525; payout to South Gate $617.50.
  • Net profit to club: $907.50.
  • Plan to keep in operating initially (to cover insurance/shortfalls), then transfer profit to service account.
  • Bank Balances:
  • Operating: $6,613 (higher than usual due to recent inflows).
  • Dragon Boat: $20,818.
  • Service: $3,488 (recent expenditures include $50 for wreath).
Fundraising/Allocation:
  • Current fundraising framed under “food insecurity” broadly rather than a single organization, to allow flexibility.
  • Idea to time a donation/presentation with the community kitchen ribbon-cutting (target late January; dates mentioned include Jan 26–27).
Community Food Hub and Foundation Funds:
  • City support: $100,000 granted by the city (reported as doubled support); an additional $10,000 and a prior $20,000 referenced. Funds are sitting with the foundation until requested.
Communications gap:
  • Limited updates from Food Hub leadership; clarity needed on leadership (Carol Erickson cited as chair), board composition, meeting frequency, and location status.
Action items:
  • Reach out to Carol Erickson to establish regular communication (suggested biweekly Zoom updates) and request status on location, governance, and timelines.
  • Email John Curry to confirm board representation and expectations (meeting frequency, format). If John is unavailable, James may consider stepping in depending on travel.
  • Emphasize Rotary’s desire for a presence on the Food Hub board and clearer coordination, especially given significant funds held.
  • Sustainability considerations discussed; suggestion to consult Paul Beaton (retired, experienced in county/community services) for guidance on securing stable funding and navigation with local agencies. A call to him is planned.
  • Program ideas for future involvement:
  • Potential snack programs at schools aligned with child-focused initiatives.
  • Team-building activities in the soup/community kitchen (e.g., making soup).
 
Event Debrief – Wine Ordering and Rotation Event:
  • Rotation event largely successful; feedback captured for early 2026 planning.
  • Key learning: Simplifying beverage options (e.g., four wines plus prosecco) improved logistics; earlier ordering deadlines (November) should be enforced next cycle.
  • Orders for fundraising are coming in, including from non-Rotarians who attended the event.
Community Engagement:
  • Social media reactions to city funding were positive; Rotary support was noted publicly.
  • A community member (rutabaga farmer’s family) expressed interest in donating surplus produce at season’s end; follow-up to explore Food Hub integration.
Next Steps and Assignments:
  • Don/Finance: Finalize payments, apply insurance adjustments, manage transfer of wine night profit to service account, continue dues collection.
  • Carol/Leadership Contact: Request regular updates and clarify board details and location timeline.
  • John Curry: Confirm willingness for Food Hub board seat; if not, James to assess availability after meeting details are known.
  • Outreach: Call Paul Beaton for advice and potential involvement.
  • Bereavement/Support: Identify new florist/vendor and establish a standardized process for timely recognition/support.
  • Ribbon-Cutting Coordination: Align food insecurity donation/presentation with community kitchen opening (late January target).
Adjournment:
  • Board meeting concluded with agreement on follow-ups and emphasis on improved communication with the Food Hub given current funds and upcoming initiatives.