A Message from the Club President

NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE LEWES/ REHOBOTH ROTARY CLUB MEMBERSHIP       1/12/08

TAKING STOCK:

At Our recent Club Assembly Meeting on Monday, 1/7/08, I shared the following review of our Clubs activities with the Membership. At this time, our Administrative year is half over. What have we accomplished to date and what else do we think we can achieve?

1.         We have found two new venues (Jerry’s & Beseme) which have served us well temporarily and we believe we have lined up a third which can handle our current membership and still allow for future growth (Irish Eyes). Thanks to Walt Bryan for his communications with the Owners of Irish Eyes.

2.         We have culled our membership of those who could not make the commitment to attend 50% or more of our meetings and we have added four new Members. Thanks to former member Jo Wilkins and her Membership Committee for their completion of this delicate task.

3.         We have reenacted one of our former fund raising events (Chicken Barbeque) which has earned us $2,000 +/-. Thanks to Jack Dawson and his hearty band of volunteers.

4.         We have established a new fund raising event (“Great Walks & Trails in Sussex County” Guide Book) which has earned us $4,000+/- which can be an annual event. Thanks to Dennis Forney and his Trail Guide Committee.

5.         We have lined up three candidates for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards conference. Thanks to Georgiann Deist and her Youth/ Scholarship Committee. Thanks also to new Member Vic Amey who contributed the major funds for this venture!

6.         We are on track with our annual scholarship programs ($6,000) & Dictionary distribution program for school kids.

7.         We have established a new committee; “International Services”, which has great potential Thanks to Eric Kafka and his Committee Members.

8.         We have improved the Club Bulletin format & potential. Thanks to Walt Bryan and Family.

9.         We are getting to know our members better via the Lewes/ Rehoboth Rotary Bio Questionnaires.

10.        Our Club has gotten some press in the Cape Gazette with photos & articles. Thanks to Al Danegger and Billy Martin and the Public Relations Committee.

11.        We have strengthened our connections to the District Leadership.

12.        We have supported the Rotary Foundation by enlisting three new Paul Harris Fellows (Bill Berry, Michael Cohalan & Bob Raley).

1.         We should be able to re-establish our Bylaws and Constitution (& Club Manual?). Secretary Andrew Ratner is taking the lead on this effort.

2.         We could improve our methods of recruitment and handling of new Members. Terry Rasberry and his Membership Committee are working on this.

3.         We have discussed revising the method of nominating and electing Officers. Tom Byrne and the other four Past Presidents who make up the Nominating Committee continue to work on this process and have already nominated and had the Membership elect next year’s slate of Officers. We still need to nominate & and elect some new Board Members for next year.

4.         We could strive for more diversity in our membership (i.e. females & minorities). We are all individually responsible to grow our Membership!

5.         We should reinvigorate and give better direction to our Committees. A few Committees still have yet to meet!

6.         We have expressed a desire to make an assessment of real Community needs. Ken Mecham and the Community Services Committee have promised to address this and make recommendations.

7.         We ought to reinstate a major community orientated fund raiser to replace the two community events we’ve lost (Ham & Oyster & Senior Dinners). We may be able to achieve these at Irish Eyes.

8.         We might consider establishing Community Walks or Bike rides as an adjunct to our “Great Walks & Trails” Guidebook. This could be a fundraiser if linked to a cause.

9.         We have talked about better links with our sister Club in Rehoboth and have been discussing a shared Boat Ride event with Sunrise Club President Curt Barrows.

10.        We have also talked about stronger ties to our Lewes Community. The Board of Directors is also discussing an event which could be held at Irish Eyes.