Spring Lake Rotary Club Assembly notes:  March 9 Meeting

 

This Scribes Report is somewhat abbreviated since it is reconstructed from a memory approach rather than the actual recording of comments and reports.  The regularly scheduled scribe came up with a pain in the posterior from too much exercise, activities, and twists and turns following the action in a District basketball game won by Spring Lake…

President Holly led off the Club Assembly with a glowing report of the successful financial results from the Snow Jam Festival, which is the MAIN fundraiser for all the Rotary Club Services through the coming year.   Over $19,000 was raised by the combined efforts of many in the Club.   Also, budgeting for the expenditure of those funds for worthy projects, both locally, in the schools, district wide, and for RI international projects will be the subject of continuing discussions.  

An initial congratulation was provided to Lisa Ashcraft, for her 18 years as Club Treasurer, and efforts for our Rotary Club!   As many know, she has served her employer as a banker, until recently, served her community as a school board member, and continues to serve Rotary.  Lisa exemplifies Service above Self!   We all look forward to the next 18 years with her club service..

We also were introduced to 2 very capable young ladies who are part of the Interact Club at Spring Lake.  They reported on a planned service trip to Northern Florida in June to volunteer with 40 other students and chaperones physical labor to pick up after Hurricane damage to communities in that part of the country.  At present a budget for the travel by bus has been initiated, requiring about $26,000 for the entire group, with over $13,000 already raised by community fund raising projects.  They would love to have additional donations made to Spring Lake Public Schools, Relief Project Fund to help with costs yet to be covered for this effort.  Pres.  Holly announced the Exec Bd of our Club donated $500 of the funds it has for this worthwhile Project by the Youth Interact Club.  Tracy Straight can be contacted for further information about the Interact Club and its activities. 

Membership Chair Cara reported that the club membership is steady at 52 regular members and 13 Honorary members, with 2 recruits being in process for membership.   Each member was encouraged to keep the Club in mind when becoming aware of possible members.   A new application form is being developed and Cara will be more than willing to share info with you about the types of interests, involvement and costs that are associated with being a Rotary Club member.

Barry Cram reported on the international club service projects.  The projects in Tanzania are underway with additional efforts being sought from local Rotary Clubs in that country.   Ginny Ryan is keeping her fingers crossed to see that the equipment planned for installation in the hospital will be in place at the hospital by late September.  There are also efforts underway to follow up with equipped maternity wards in Uganda, along with clean water available from new wells being located in remote villages.   Please see Barry and Ginny if you have an interest in these areas, along with ongoing projects in the uplands of Honduras for clean water and agricultural supply chains.  For newcomers to Rotary, the experience and ability that Barry and Ginny have provided over the years can be introduced to those who want to continue this form of Rotary Service.

Chris Burns reported on the local service projects related to US Flag placements along M-104 in Spring Lake on Holidays.  She can be contacted to sign up for scheduled dates to place and retrieve the flags.   Also, the Heritage Festival will be coming in May, with the opportunity to meet and greet the area residents in a festival setting.   Our Club will again be involved in handing out free ice cream to young people attending the Festival at Mill Point Park.  It was suggested that the open tent shelter have a Rotary emblem placed in a way to show the presence of Rotarians and the service to the community.  Other suggestions for the Exec. Bd to consider for community service included helping build a home in Ferrysburg with Habitat for Humanity, and to keep our Rotary interest in a housing project for Special Needs individuals as the opportunity for Service presents itself for this possible Ferrysburg located project.

There is a need for another Scribe to handle on a rotating basis (once a month or so) the reporting in the Bulletin of club meetings, plus members interested in being involved in Membership, Vocational, World, and Community Service. Greeters were reminded to come early to meetings to set things up and Greet.   The meeting concluded with the drawing of a 50/50 winner…and it was Lisa Ashcraft!!  Wonderful lady and part of theclub’s volunteer services for more than 18 years.   See you all next week, and Pres Holly reminded us to invite a guest to see what we do, and enjoy the Club fellowship!!  Many of our members will be leaving soon to go to Toronto for the annual meeting of RI.  A train is leaving from Windsor full of Rotarians from our area districts headed for Toronto, so feel free to ask Kathy Hegedus about arrangements to travel. 

Your Fill In Scribe,  Tom Boven J