Meeting Summary – Rotary Club (Woodstock, Ontario) – 2025-10-14
Key Updates and Announcements
- Milestones:
- A member marked 25 years in Rotary on October 2.
- Birthday mentions, including someone celebrating “39” again.
- Fundraising Event (Tomorrow Night):
- Ticket sales: Approaching 50 sold; 15–20 tickets still out; door sales will be available.
- Last year’s attendance: Approximately 125.
- Vendors confirmed; price list being finalized.
- Live music for 2 hours.
- Technical hiccup: Online ticketing issue over the long weekend; ordering link/messages were re-sent this morning.
- Positioning: Event serves as a kickoff for the fall fundraiser.
- Food Rescue Hub will attend and speak; collaboration highlighted.
- Scheduling and December Meetings:
- Several members have travel/vacation conflicts next Thursday and for two weeks following; meeting hosting to be covered by others.
- Discussion to move the December meeting/auction:
- Consensus to shift to the first Tuesday in December (tentatively December 2) and send an email confirmation/reminder.
- Option to adjust if key participants are away (some joked about holding it in Florida).
- Shoebox initiative to be included; December will likely have only the one meeting focused on the auction.
- Need to confirm speaker and invocation; potential volunteers mentioned (Linda/Brenda).
- Volunteers:
- A call for a volunteer to serve (context unclear due to audio quality), possibly related to a Tuesday commitment.
District Governor Visit
- Introduction:
- District Governor Suzanne visited as part of “Governor Suzanne’s Grand District Tour” (stop 27 of 44).
- She thanked members for service and attendance and presented the district banner: “Unite for Good.”
- She brought club items (banner/pins); a pen was provided to each attendee.
- Personal Story and “Why”:
- Suzanne shared a personal story involving her partner Richard, a former firefighter who volunteered at Ground Zero after 9/11, later developing serious health issues (aggressive liver tumor leading to transplant; bladder cancer), likely linked to toxic exposure.
- A Rotary event on diabetes led to a connection with Dr. Gary Lewis, which ultimately helped uncover the liver issue and contributed to saving Richard’s life.
- Message: Rotary events—big or small—can change, improve, or save lives. Every contribution counts.
- Club Goals and Guidance:
- Unite for Good: Encourage collaborations with other Rotary clubs and community organizations (noted the club’s work on food insecurity).
- Try at least one new event or project this year; learn and iterate.
- Incorporate Rotary’s Action Plan elements where feasible; set and track 3-year goals in Rotary Club Central (goals can be adjusted).
- Succession planning: Identify and prepare future presidents early; encourage the current team to secure a president-elect.
- Membership:
- Welcome to two new members (membership growth noted).
- Consider a “companion club” model for those unable to meet at Tuesday lunches (e.g., alternate meeting times while staying part of the club’s projects).
- Rotary Foundation and Giving:
- Make the Rotary Foundation a charity of choice; $100/year sustains membership support. Annual Fund gifts return 50% to the district in three years for grants.
- Legacy giving: Consider bequests to the Endowment Fund; options include wills, insurance policies, and stock donations.
- PolioPlus Society: Commit $100/year until polio is eradicated; Paul Harris Society also encouraged.
- Emphasis on having fun while serving; enjoyment sustains engagement.
- Million Dollar Campaign:
- The district (with Endowment Chair Richard and the Foundation Committee) is launching a $1,000,000 campaign (new cash and bequests; gifts ≥$10,000).
- Celebration event planned for Spring 2026.
- Stock donations highlighted for tax efficiency (avoid capital gains; receive receipt for fair market value).
- Matching challenge: Suzanne and Richard will match donations this year—cash up to $25,000 total and bequests up to $500,000 (US). Current progress ~US$85,000 in bequests; room remains for matches.
- Upcoming District Item:
- Rotary Epic Day of Service planned for May 16, 2026; more details to come.
Decisions and Action Items
- Fundraiser (tomorrow):
- Proceed with door sales; continue promoting remaining tickets.
- Finalize and circulate the price list; ensure vendors and live music are confirmed on-site.
- Coordinate Food Rescue Hub speaking slot.
- December Meeting/Auction:
- Move the December auction meeting to the first Tuesday in December (tentatively Dec 2).
- Send an email announcement and calendar invite; confirm venue and timing.
- Confirm invocation volunteer (Linda/Brenda) and any speaker needs.
- Plan Shoebox initiative details within the December meeting.
- Administration:
- Confirm coverage for meetings during members’ upcoming travel.
- Begin/continue entering 3-year goals in Rotary Club Central.
- Discuss succession planning for next year’s president.
- Foundation/Giving:
- Share information on giving options (Annual Fund, PolioPlus, bequests, stock gifts).
- Inform members about the current matching opportunity; invite interested members to speak with Richard for details.
Open Items/Questions
- Clarify the volunteer role requested for Tuesday (audio unclear; follow up needed).
- Confirm the exact December meeting date (first Tuesday) and logistics.
- Monitor ticketing system reliability post-fix and respond to any attendee issues.
Closing
- Appreciation extended to the District Governor for the visit and presentation.
- Emphasis on collaboration, trying new initiatives, setting trackable goals, and keeping Rotary service enjoyable.