Director: Holly Nowak
Fine Master: Ed Hacherl for Steve Blass
Table/Split: Ron Levea
Ken Writer: Donna DiFrancesco for Bob Patterson
Invocation: Larry Coon for John Coogan
President Holly’s first meeting was called to order at 12:24 p.m. with a little change up. Larry led us in prayer and then we recited the Pledge to the flag.
Announcements:
Ed – Volunteers are needed for Paddle Up’s beer tent on July 26th at Beaver Island Park, Shelter A from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be more information coming as Ed will need help transporting supplies to the park the day of. He passed around a sign-up sheet at the meeting and if you are interested in helping, please reach out to him.
Steve & Holly-Sunshine Day is Wednesday August 13. Dinner will be at 5:30 and games run from 7-8:30 p.m. Sign-up sheet will be passed around closer to the event.
Holly-Calendars were sent out by email and she will have some available at meetings. Also, the Buffalo club will be holding their chili cookoff on October 27 and they are looking for sponsors.
Cathy-The new Chamber book came out and there is a 2-page layout honoring Kenmore Rotary on our 100th Anniversary.
President Holly was our speaker as she held our first general meeting of the year- “Unite for Good.”
She previously sent out a survey to the club membership highlighting 3 key points: Meetings & Attendance; Causes; Social events and promoting the club. 19 members completed the survey which equates to 50% of the club.
Key points:
- Most of the respondents prefer information by email
- More frequent meeting reminders
- Speaker updates
- Board updates
- Interest in meeting at an organization that we have granted funds to was mixed-depends on where it is
- Improvements-recruit more members, meeting content, mentor new members, increase member involvement, increase meeting attendance, start meetings on time
- Most impactful-community involvement, fundraising, social gatherings
- Will possibly have a club meeting on using Club Runner so members can update their profiles and see what’s on there
- 7 members showed interest in chairing a project to support their cause or organization
- Score of 65-very good-to recommend our club to other people
- 100% responded to interest in participation in social events-1 time per quarter
- Best ideas for social events were: Bisons game, happy hour, wine tour (possibly not in that order)
Foundation Update Meeting
Mike Hettler conducted as proxy for President Chuck Patterson.
Last year, the foundation granted $38,650.
- Final payment to KMH of $10K to satisfy our $25K pledge; Boy Scouts pavilion $9,150; Satellite club canal project $9,000; Elmlawn Stained Glass Windows $6,500; First-Tee Shed $4,000.
- Pickleball Court has become a no-go. There are other ideas for the use of the $40K.
- Through the years, Kenmore Mercy is the biggest recipient of our grant money, followed by the Boy Scouts.
- Please keep our foundation in mind as a charity to donate to for any occasion. Donations made to the foundation get invested, not spent. Grant money is given based on interest income.
- Two foundation board members terms are expiring-Patrick Griffin and Edward Markarian. Both agreed to remain for another 3-year term. There were no other candidates for nominations when asked. Mike then presented them 3 times as remaining on the board. Rick Graham moved to close nominations and cast 1 vote, Cathy Piciulo 2nd. Motion passed.
Ed Markarian, Treasurer for the Foundation, presented:
- From 1998 to the present, the foundation has granted $669,556 to the community.
- The foundation account will hit $1 million this year.
- The re-purposing of the $40K earmarked for the Pickleball courts is the possibility of a nice dedicated picnic shelter located on the Brighton Golf Course for use by the First Tee youth program and league golfers. There will be signage and our club could reserve it for club events.
- Quality grant applications are needed for capital improvement projects (brick and mortar). If you know of any, please have them fill out an application found on our website.
Mike Hettler asked for a motion for adjourn the foundation portion of the meeting. Ron Levea made the motion, Donna DiFrancesco 2nd. Meeting closed.
Split Club & Ace of Spades:
Alex won the split of $9 and Donna won the chance to win $85 but picked the 7 of Hearts from a brand-new deck of cards.
Fine Master:
Ed H asked for confessions.
On July 2nd, Ed M became a grandpa to his first grandchild, a boy. Unfortunately, I didn’t get his entire name, but his first name is Oliver, he’s a healthy baby and very much loved. Congratulations to Ed and Linda! Ed also donated $100 to the 100/100 campaign.
Cam had to leave early so he donated $10
Ed quizzed us on July trivia. Some were difficult but all were interesting.
President Holly then asked if there was any more information for the good of the club. She would like to have a meeting at some point to go over what the foundation does, who they have donated to, etc.
Larry commented on a change in focus. Getting away from selling tickets to joining and volunteering. Gary stated most people don’t like to sell and end up buying tickets themselves.
Cam said mentorship is important to let new members know the ropes and to have someone to go to to answer their questions easily.
Gary said over 100 people were served at our July 4th party at Elmlawn. The most ever! As always, the food was delicious, the weather perfect and the camaraderie wonderful.
Upcoming Speakers & Events:
July 21 – Buffalo Museum of Science
July 25 – Board Meeting at 8:30 a.m. at Olympic Restaurant
July 28 – Blessings in a Back Pack
August 4 – No meeting at the Golf Dome
August 6 – Evening meeting at Joey’s Place-no speaker
President Holly adjourned the meeting at 1:30 with a recitation of the 4-Way Test.