I’m back. Your Elk Rapids Rotary President has been in hiding for the last six weeks, Five weeks hibernating from the Michigan weather and one week recuperating from the long absence. I hope no one thinks I’m complaining. Again, Thank you to Doug VanCura; and thanks to Doug, most members didn’t even realize I was gone!
My time away reminded me of the fact that our Rotary members are very diverse. We have many members who are not in town for much of the year yet stay connected to our Community. Its laudable that so many of you, in your absence, stay involved with the Elk Rapids Area Community. It’s equally laudable that we have meetings with 20 or so in attendance despite the beautiful Michigan weather. Many of us are retired yet we realize that we continue to have an obligation toward our fellow man. Elk Rapids Rotary is alive and well.
Please know that you can continue to be an active member of Rotary, even a Committee Chair and still enjoy your winter residence.
February 10 meeting.
David Tait, our new Elk Rapids Village Manager and a newer member of Rotary, was our presenter. We learned that David is not new to Rotary and not new to being a Village Manager. David shared many of the projects ongoing and in the future within our Village. Dave is proud of our dig once policy in fixing our sewer system.
February 17 meeting
Jack Moran the Commander of the Elk Rapids Amvets Post 114 was our presenter. Amvets has many projects that help our area Veterans. Just like Rotary, to fund these projects takes revenue and Amvets has many fundraising projects. In addition to the regular membership Amvets also has a Ladies Auxiliary and a Son of Veterans membership. It is always good to learn of other organizations in our area doing good things. Working together we can all make a positive difference.
February 17 Board meeting.
We authorized our Treasurer to purchase CD’s or a money market account so we can earn interest on some of our financial reserves.
We approved Kevin Hoch as a new member. Contingent upon his meeting with our Membership Chair. Every new member meets with the Membership Chair to fully understand what we are about, and to understand what we expect of our members.
Good Works Committee
We approved the following funding requests.
“Those Dam Fisherman”: $200
“Easter Egg hunt at Village Market”: $500 (previously approved by the President and Good Works Committee)
“Empty Bowl”: $5,000. This amount will need to be approved by the membership since it exceeds $3,000.
Other business.
Library, since we have donated $100,000 we have some naming privileges. Given our options the board decided that the Vestibule would be our choice. This gives Rotary the best exposure and shows our support for the entire Library.
The board also took care of miscellaneous business and individual board members shared their thoughts and ideas.
