This was an in-person meeting and a recording is not available.
President Elena welcomed all to the meeting today.
Online Auction
All members have now received their Online Auction Tool Package. Members are reminded to customize the Request Letter with their own contact information and and are encouraged to start soliciting items for the auction if they have not already done so.
Our official Kick Off for the campaign will be next Monday, September 22 at KidsAbility.
Holiday Social
Plans for our annual Holiday Social are almost complete, and more information will be provided soon. For now be sure to reserve the date in your calendars – Monday, December 8.
Our program today was the annual “The Rotary Year Ahead” presented by president Elena.
Elena began by reminding us that the Presidential Theme for this year is:
For which there are three key aspects:
- Unite for the good of our communities – both locally and globally
- Unite for our own “good” — fostering safety, belonging, and shared values of justice and equality.
- Unite for good — building unity that is lasting, strong and sustainable
What resources do we possess to drive meaningful changes?
1. People (human resources)
2. Financial resources
3. Knowledge & Information
4. Values
Human Resources
Our most precious resource is our members. Although, unfortunately we lost 13 member over the past year, historically our membership has fluctuated as shown here:
We are on track to induct three new members in the next month or so.
Although we still have a large number of more senior members, the age distribution is improving as is the gender distribution.
Elena next reviewed the current committee structure for the club with committee chairs.
First for Service Projects and Fundraising:
And then for Club Operations:
To ensure effective communication board members are assigned as liaison to committees where the committee chair is not already a director:
Financial Resources
Last year our primary fundraiser – the Online Auction raised $22,800.
The Service Committee Chairs have been instructed to submit their budget requests by the end of September. The Board will then decide on the most equitable and effective distribution of the fundas available
A renewal of the In Vino Caritas Fundraiser for this year is being considered.
Elena then spoke about some additional sources of funding we could be exploring:
- Micro-fundraising & crowdfunding (Birthday gifts, party lottery & auction,
family, friends and colleagues’ contribution)
- Our additional personal donations
- Partnering with other cubs for District or Global Grants (we did this successfully last year with our Ukrainian project through our local Rotary Project Partnership Foundation – RPPF)
Knowledge & Information resources
- Our Club Committees, leaders and experts:
- educational lectures (Our program committee is planning a series of educational sessions drawing on the expertise within our club)
- guidance and coaching
- District committees, officers & experts
Our values are a powerful source of energy, strength and resilience – shaping our actions and amplifying our impact.
Elena then reminded us of the Rotary Four Way test:
And introduced us to the new Rotary Five Way Test:
To conclude Elena took us back to the theme for the year Unite For Good with the thought that:
Not only is there strength in our values, but there is also value in our strength !
Kitchener Rotary e-Newsletter
