The Ken- June 8
Attendance: Barb Henry
Split Club: Ron Levea
Invocation: John Coogan
Ken Writer: Audrey Meyers
Finemaster: Ed Markarian
President Paul called our meeting to order at 12:36pm with the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag. Barb Henry led us in singing “God Bless America”. John Coogan gave our invocation. Other than our guest speaker, Anne Enger from Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP), there were no guests or visiting Rotarians.
Ted Purvis announced he is looking for volunteers Saturday July 11th (3 shifts) and Sunday July 12th (2 shifts) to sell tickets at the Taste of Buffalo to help the Kevin Guest House. It will give you an opportunity to get outside and see the taste of Buffalo and help a good cause. See Ted if you’re interested.
Chuck Patterson announced the President and Officer Installation Party will be this Sunday, June, 14th, from 5-10pm at his house (644 North Forest Rd, Williamsville, NY 14221). Food for the party will be provided by One-Eyed Jacks. Please send your payments in and make checks payable to Kenmore Rotary Charities. Chuck also announced that his church, Deerhurst Presbyterian, is having a Chiavetta’s Chicken Dinner Saturday June 13th, from 5-7pm.
President Paul announced the Board Meeting Thursday June 11th at 8am at The Plaka. All new and existing board members invited.
Our Fine Master, Ed Markarian, took confessions from Jay Geasling who was fishing again, Rick Graham who was on a National Park Tour and missed the Wine Event, President Paul for not organizing his June POD, John Coogan who WON the Riviera Theatre Golf Tournament, John’s fine was matched by Jim Pritchard (because it was his Golf Tournament and he should’ve found better golfers), and Audrey Meyers for completing her first half marathon. Fine Master Ed then fined everyone $1 for betting on Audrey to win a distance race with Tom, but Tom was fined $2 because he bet on himself.
Jim Pritchard won the split club and Mike Austin had a shot at the Ace of Spades.
President Paul introduced Anne Enger from Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP) of NY. Paul has known Anne for 11 years (we’re sorry Anne), and they met at the Ken-Ton Chamber of Commerce. Anne started the South Buffalo Chamber of Commerce which has seven districts in South Buffalo. Anne has now decided to run the EAP for NY State. EAP has five centers across NY State and they are grant funded but they have two partners, IBERO and Medaille College. Medaille College acts as their host as they provide office space, classroom space, and more. EAP has been in Buffalo since 2008. They provide a 60 hour class schedule for those that are interested in starting a business, or those who currently have a small business and want to take it to the next level, or look to improve their business. EAP looks to get in 30 classes in the 60 hour program. The classes can range from laws specific to their business, how to handle accounting, software, HR, etc. EAP is currently looking for experts in fields that have anything to do with helping businesses (ex. Insurance Experts, Banking Experts, Business Lawyers, etc.) to be guest speakers at their classes. EAP has another session starting again in September and will run for about three months. NYS tracks the progress of the businesses that come through this program. EAP is different than the Small Business Development Center as they work with the business owner for more than one to two Saturdays or a series of Saturdays. They work more consistently with them for a full 60 hours. If you are interested in volunteering please email:
EAP@esd.ny.gov and if you would like to check out the website go to
WWW.esd.ny.gov.
Larry announced RYLA’s start date of June 15th at Fredonia. June 18th in the evening at Fredonia, all friends of Rylarians and Rotarians are invited to a social night.
Meeting adjourned at 1:19pm
