GUEST SPEAKER: BUSINESS MEETING – UPDATE OF CLUB ACTIVITIES SO FAR THIS ROTARY YEAR
President Ted Morrison gave a report about our club’s progress towards the 2017-18 Rotary Citation. As of now the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood has met the minimum requirements to receive the Citation. There are additional items that we could still do that would take us above and beyond.
There are activities to Support and Strengthen the Club with growth in membership, especially adding women and members under 40. We can carry out an environmental project which may be the tree planting April 22 . We could do a project such as Kids Against Hunger partnering with the Rotaract Club. We could host a forum about a community issue, possibly a provincial election forum. We could hold a networking event for community leaders such as the Ethics Breakfast we have proposed to the Chamber of Commerce.
Past President Lennis Trotter reported on the progress on the building at the Kids’ Safety Village. The shell is up, the roof is on. They are finalizing the costs for finishing up, and renovating the existing part. The target is to be ready for the end of March, and a Grand Opening will be held. Costs are up $50,000 from the amounts budgeted.
Past President David Andrews reported on the Public Image Committee. The goal is to increase the awareness of Rotary and our Rotary Club in our community, by way of our Club Website, social media, and press releases to the external media. Ongoing efforts include making sure that our website is kept up-to-date, keeping our Club Facebook page updated, keeping our Twitter account updated. Other Social Media platforms such as Instagram and Linked In are being investigated. We are working with Oshawa Express and each month have an article –thanks to Sandy and Kim. We also send press releases to other media as required. We are making copies of the Club Brochure available at all meetings and events. Dave encourages all Rotarians to raise awareness of Rotary – by wearing your Rotary pin, by being ready to answer the question “What is Rotary?”
Treasurer Devon Biddle presented the Interim financial statements, and responded to a few questions.
Vice President Linda Porritt presented the Community Service and Youth Committee reports on behalf of Director Kim Boatman. Kim’s report outlined the Community Service projects that the Club has supported this year. To Support and Enhance Community Service and Child Health – Participation House Christmas Party, Mary Street Public School food initiative (milk), Sharon’s Kids camp, Simcoe Hall Settlement House Christmas Hampers, Salvation Army Christmas Hampers, Kids Safety Village Easter Egg Hunt. Partners in Service Project. To Foster Education and Literacy Awareness: Commencement Award RS McLaughlin, Trillium Gift of Life and promotion of Organ Donor Awareness. Kids Safety Village is a signature project. Proposed projects for the remainder of the year: Kids Against Hunger Canada, a Tree for Every Hero, partnering with Oshawa Rotary Club to get two 4 way plaques placed at City Hall in Oshawa.
Kim’s report on the priorities of the Youth Committee included Partnering with UOIT/DC Rotaract, reinstituting an Interact Club, and Reinstituting the Youth Exchange Program in partnership with Rotary Club of Oshawa.
Vice President Linda Porritt reported that the Membership Committee is working on a plan. Tonight as one of the immediate actions, President Ted Morrison distributed “Be Our Guest” cards, one to each member in attendance. Members can use the cards to invite potential members to a meeting. The committee will be meeting again in February to work on more ideas for attracting new members.
Vice President Linda Porritt, in the final report, summarized the progress of the club toward the goals of the Strategic Plan 2017-2020. Highlights of the actions taken to date included the increase in participation at District functions such as the District Walk, having every member donate at least $20 towards the eradication of polio, increasing the number of Paul Harris fellows, following up promptly on all new Membership Leads sent by the District, ensuring that new members are welcomed to committees. International Services Committee is working on a Global Grant application with a club from India. The Ways and Means Committee is going to be established to create a plan for fundraising.
President Ted Morrison summarized the evening, concluding that we are doing very well, and have a lot to be proud of for the service our Club provides and the many activities that we have undertaken.
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