This week at Rotary we were visited by our District Governor Tom Hankard. Tom was curious about our recent projects, like our DCF Picnic, LifeBridge meals, scholarships, and other awards. He reminds us that these are things that nobody else does, and asked us to imagine the city of Salem without its Rotary Club (or the world without Rotary International). What we do makes a difference.
At the District installation, Tom requested that every single one of us introduce at least one person to Rotary. He reiterated this request at our meeting. About 65% of Rotarians do not bring a guest to Rotary. Obviously the goal of this is to increase membership one by one. For Tom, this is about introducing people to Rotary who share our passion for helping our communities. He also went into depth on the failures of Rotarians in retaining members by not properly introducing them to what it is exactly that we do.
Tom also asked us to think of ways to increase our impact on the city of Salem as well as new ways of connecting with the community. There are ways to increase our reach as well as our ability to adapt. Even the Rotary of 2020 is not the same today's Rotary. The concept of the Magic of Rotary, this year's motto, initially came from a service project of constructing a well that President Stephanie Urchich was working on. When the well started working, local kids considered it magical. Tom invites us all to create our own magic.
Speaking of the Magic of Rotary, the Salem Rotary just hosted this year's DCF Picnic at Salem Willows Park.
Contact Ryan Guilmartin if you cannot open the link above.
Past President Jen Close received a citation for our accomplishments last Rotary year.
Matt Ingram gave an update on the Birthday Fund. It is a discretionary fund for one time donations for those in need. Apparently we are above the expected amount given but with fewer than expected donations. In other words, a huge thank you to those that go above and beyond in funding this.
There was a Board of Directors meeting prior to this week's Rotary dinner. The Board approved of the year end financial report for the last fiscal year as presented by our Treasurer. Funds Allocation recommended a $1,500 contribution to the NSCAP Golf Tournament and a $1,000 contribution to Salem Academy for the Reach Gala. Both recommendations were approved by the Board. Yamilis Cruz had her membership application approved.
Dutch Drinks
The Phoenix School's An Evening at the Gables
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