President Lundin then reviewed the results of the two surveys recently sent out to members (45 members responded, approximately half of the club membership) concerning their personal engagement in club activities, goals, priorities, and the degree of urgency we apply to these. She stressed that opportunities for fellowship and the five areas of service within our communities and the world top the Rotary priority list. Strengthening membership to achieve these purposes continues to be a goal as well. Club committees are key to meeting three objectives; first, Rotarian engagement in the club’s work, second each committee selecting at least one of the five areas of service promoted by Rotary, and third each committee should make a commitment to one of the three top priorities identified by survey responses.
Three priorities were, first (as reported as a first priority by 36% of the survey responders), leadership development within the community in a time in which engagement within the wider community is in decline; the second priority (82% of respondents listed this among the top five priorities) was in favor of student and youth mentoring to encourage greater, and more meaningful community engagement; and the third priority (62% of respondents listed this among their top five priorities) was community workforce development.
President Lundin then discussed each of these and the remaining priorities in detail and challenged membership to greater engagement in all of these goals.
Committee chairs then reported on their activities to date. Vision Committee Chair, Kurt Johnson, described the committee’s work as determining the club’s priorities and soliciting local and international proposals for members of our club, recommends grant approvals and awards to the Board of Directors and seeks District 7090 collaboration in projects when possible.
Diana Meckley, literacy committee chair, described basic education and literacy as key goals, one of Rotary’s seven Avenues of Focus to reduce poverty, enhance community health and employment prospects, specifically within the local community, most notably maintaining three local “laundromat libraries,” distributing beams that encourage getting library cards for children, and collaborating with other committees to achieve overlapping goals.
George Harper, cochair with Doug Conroe of the Environmental Committee, described Southern tier Expressway cleanup projects as well as along Riverwalk and other areas throughout the community. Expansion of the committee’s activities is being contemplated including sustainable agriculture initiatives, other ecological projects, and community education concerning these issues.
Mike Roberts, cochair of the Auction Committee, invited all members to get engaged with planning for next year’s auction and to focus on high value auction items because the work of Rotary is so important that we should think very seriously about ever stronger financial commitments to achieving our goals locally and internationally.
Sharon Hamilton, chair of the Club Service Committee, encouraged membership engagement and strengthening clubs through volunteering for weekly club initiatives and activities, and a great way to meet and get to know each other, fulfilling the fellowship initiative so important since Rotary’s founding.
Joni Blackman, Rotary Foundation chair continued discussion of the Rotary Foundation funding. She reported that the Jamestown Rotary club contributes approximately $8000 per year to the foundation, now totaling $428,496. She described the many local, regional, and international projects which the foundation supports, including grants with our available for the Jamestown club to apply for, as large as $2 million for major projects. One of the foundations key international projects to which we contribute regularly is the Polio Plus Project to eradicate polio from Planet Earth.
Paulette Klein, Invocation Chair, her commitment to development of mind, spirit, and body, which she experiences deeply consistent with Rotary’s goals and activities throughout the community. She is thankful for those who have been willing to volunteer to offer invocations at the beginning of each club meeting.
Dan Heitzenrater, chair of the Program Committee discussed the opportunity to invite guest speakers each week to present information and challenges of interest to the club. He is always open to suggestions and requests for speaker engagement.
A final remark was offered by Russ Dietrich in appreciation of the work, commitment, and passionate spirit of all club members
The remaining committee chairs (of the 25 committees) will report next week, to include a summary of all committee work to be presented then, presentations now being limited by time. Members are encouraged to view details and more in-depth discussion by viewing the Zoom meeting recorded and available on the YouTube tab on the website.
