Weekly Newsletter for December 2, 2009

ROTARY INFORMER for December 2, 2009 Cloudy, cool but no snow!!!

President John greeted and welcomed the group and called on Russ Langs for the 4 way test, we sang God Bless America and John Smith read an invocation from Camp Daggett.

Following lunch, Kristy introduced our only visiting Rotarian, Bob Elcoate. The only other guest was Hilda, Woody’s guardian Angel.

Kendal and Angela led as we sang Roll Rotary and Smile.

Bob Howse introduced Capt Darrin Spencer and Roman Hank from the Salvation Army. Darrin gave us a little history of the Army. Founded in 1865, locally in 1901. They lend a helping hand to those in need. The kettle drive is a big fund-raiser and we help a lot. They were with us to kick off the sign-up for doing the bell-ringing on the weekend before Christmas. We will be manning the north and south Walmart doors on Friday December 18, and Saturday December 19 at JC Penney. This is an every member responsibility, so pick your time and location.

John announced that there will be a retirement parry for Tim Dykstra at NCMC next Wednesday from 3-4:30 PM.

Jim Wibby spoke about the calendars. You own whatever you have as of today. He explained his black eyes and forehead scuff as not a good way to stop a hockey puck.

John Myers mentioned that there will be a party on December 16. He was asking for sign-ups since we have lots of guests. Please note this will be a CHRISTMAS Party, Santa will be there at 11:30 for the kids and all, of whatever persuasion are welcome at the Rotary Club of Petoskey CHRISTMAS party.

Today the program was a club assembly. President John started off with a little history. There are approximately 33000 clubs in about 200 countries with 1,200,000 Rotarians. To become a member of Rotary you must be invited and sponsored. There was a form today to update your personal information such as name address, e-mail, sponsor (if you remember), spouse and club activities/committees and offices held. John also reminded us the RIP John Kenny speaks of the Family of Rotary. That includes all members as well as all alumni such as ambassador scholars, Paul Harris Fellows and friends of Rotary.

He mentioned that there are certain responsibilities we take on as members

Buy or sell at least 10 calendars,
Sell or give away packet of tickets for the annual Spaghetti Dinner
Attend 50 % of meetings, although there are many opportunities for make-ups. We are fortunate here with the Sunrise Rotary that meets at the Methodist Church on Tuesday morning at 7:30, but also attending a Rotary meeting anywhere or participating in a work project also count for attendance.
You also are expected to pay your dues on time.

Any questions can probably be answered by going to the club website www.petoskeyrotary.org. He urged us all to attend the many fellowship activities such as the Billy-Duff outings and this Friday there will be the Hi-striker set up at the Petoskey Downtown Christmas open-house. The Quartermaster committee is in charge of set up and tear down and will help cover operations if no Rotarians show up to help, please come down and have some fun with fellow Rotarians. He also urged us to become Paul Harris Fellows and take part in Every Rotarian Every Year.

Diane then came up and gave us an update on the Park fund. Since it was established in 2005, they have given 11 grants totaling $66,138. Grants are based on 80% of the excess over the corpus which was originally $533,257. Because of market shrinkage, we are unable to give grants this year. Fund is overseen by a committee made up of the president, president-elect and 3 other club past presidents who serve for 3 years. Steve Brown is the current chair. Grants are for capital projects, minimum amount of $5,000 and must be completed. Applicants can be from Emmet, Charlevoix or Cheboygan counties.

Next week will be a second club assembly for the directors to give updates and answer questions.

Election: Jim Wibby President-elect, new board members, Bill Winslow and Steve Brummeler. PRCC directors, Jim Erhart and Russ Langs, At-large on nominating committee, Marty (Sledge) Engel and Reg Smith.