President's Report – October 2013
Winter, she is coming and if the fall is any indication it’s gonna be a doozy. I am so thankful to the membership for the awesome engagement we have had so far this year. 72% of our active members have Engaged Rotary and Changed Lives this year. However we can’t rest on our laurels. We have a lot of work still unfinished; so get involved on a committee. In about a week, I will be sending you our new updated by-laws. At the December 7th club assembly, we will be voting to update our by-laws. There will be more details on the exact changes in that email. I will also have hard copies for you next week. At the December assembly, we will also be voting for Vice President (Program Chair), President-Elect and board members. Christina Johnson is still looking for a Vice President (Program Chair) for the 2014/2015 year; so here is a chance to get involved. Be sure to introduce yourself to our new member Janette Sparks, the manager of JCPenney.
Looking Back
Vickie Elliott, Berniece Collis and Tina Combs, with the help of Bev Hoffmaster from Berkeley County Schools, hit a home run with the Andy and Elmer’s Literacy project. For a first time project, this went over better than expected. We got great coverage from the Journal as well as got on TV with WHAG. Our members who volunteered included Gary Kelley, John Overington, Kathy Mason, Charles Connelly, Marilyn Schoon, Bill Wortley, Chris Johnson, Kresha Hornby, Pete Mulford, Buzz Poland, Manuel Washington, Jay Rutkowski, Layne Diehl, Todd Johnson, Dennis McCormick, Pat Woodson, Jonathon Bodwell, Maria Lorensen, Marie Keegin, Bill Yearout, Chris Knight, Doug Arndt, Phil Knoll, Berniece Collis, Ryan Perks, Brian Joliff and Pam Wagoner. We still have about 40 books for sale for your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews.
Looking Forward
November is Foundation Month on the Rotary calendar so the board has decided just for this month we will credit your foundation giving with a matching credit to your foundation account up to $500. This is your chance to get a 2-fer and earn that Paul Harris Fellowship. We are earmarking our foundation giving to the Ecuador Project this year, but we can’t forget about the END POLIO NOW campaign with the recent Polio outbreak in Syria. Dr Kamath has assigned team leaders for each school, and they are to rustle up volunteers to pass out dictionaries this month. If you have not already, please sign up for this amazing opportunity to change lives. On November 14th we will be judging the little libraries that each high school art department has decorated. Obviously, there will not be a meeting on Thursday the 28th for Thanksgiving, plus it falls on my birthday this year so we will meet Wednesday the 27th.
Club Snapshot
| Membership (As of Oct 31) | 140 | No Change |
| Attendance | 49% | Gain of +1% |
| Foundation Giving (As of Oct 31) | $1,152 | 8% of Goal |
| Dues Paid (As of Oct 31) | 4 members past due – 35% of members still owe for this past quarter | 65% of Membership |
| Engagement (YTD) | 72% | 72% of Goal |
Vocational Service
- A big thanks to Herman and his committee for outstanding programs and an awesome tour of Quad Graphics. We also presented a $1000 check to Berkeley County Schools Business Education Partnership to help our youth leaders get mentored by local business professionals.
Club Service
- Our By-Law action committee finalized their report and had the changes approved by the board for a member vote on December 7th.
- Doug Arndt is STILL working on updating all the birthdays and pictures on www.DACDB.com
Youth Service
- The Spring Mills Interact Club has been chartered and started thanks to Tina Combs and Jessica Salfia.
- November is Musselman month for our student guests.
International Service
- Buzz Poland is still in need of a host family for the first 6 months of next year for our exchange student.
- Our foundation giving will be supporting the Ecuador project, and we will be having a program in December outlining details.
Community Service
- Past President Pam Wagoner, Gail Moxley, Kathy Mason and their abundant committees for TOP 2014 are full steam ahead with our Signature fundraiser for the year. We are still needing sponsorships and auction items.
- Bill Bowen, Doug Frye and Vonda Miller ran the Bob Elmer Sports Breakfast without a hitch and have raised an impressive $
3200. - Ryan Perks has completed the District Simplified Grant application for Catholic Charities.
- Penny Porter has started her planning for the Santa Breakfast and Kevin Knowles may have made it on the cover of a local magazine in his Santa suit.
Yours in Service ,
Da Prez
304-851-7461