Attendance

Members present included Aubree Hanks, Bill Dunnington, Brent Yauchler, Dana Fager, Dave Reed, Dr. Steve Salerno, Elizabeth Grabe, Gary Tree, Heidi Kopras, Jon LaVenture, Keith White, Laura Armstrong, Melissa Lease, Paul Christiansen, Russ Christian, Sarah Straka, and Susan Smith. Guests included Julia Straka and Lorelei Lawry.

Rotary Priorities and PETS Takeaways

Liz shared the Rotary Action Plan graphic presented at PETS, highlighting four priorities for the club: increasing impact, expanding reach, enhancing participant engagement, and increasing the ability to adapt. One key focus under increasing impact is eradicating polio and leveraging Rotary's legacy. The group discussed how polio has become one of the defining efforts of Rotary and how the organization may continue to build on that legacy once eradication is achieved.

Members were encouraged to consider these priorities when working within their committees and to recognize that much of the club's existing work already aligns with Rotary's international goals. The framework can also help members identify new opportunities and better communicate how the club's activities support the broader Rotary mission.

Happy Bucks and Member Updates

Members shared a variety of personal and family updates. Russ celebrated his daughter's involvement in marching band in college and shared that Django is preparing to return to football after recovering from a growth-plate injury (we're wishing him luck!). Bill learned through genealogy research that he is related to Ralph Waldo Emerson. Susan shared highlights from a family wedding in the Berkshire Mountains, a visit to Tanglewood to see Judy Collins, and Lily's first day at Mendota Mental Health Institute. Paul shared that his daughter Sophia has recovered from a tibia and fibula fracture and will be able to swim again during the family's upcoming trip up north!

Dave highlighted the group's work completing improvements at the library, which received positive community attention on social media. Bill was also recognized for his handcrafted furniture business, Dunnington Design, which creates custom pieces including tables, chairs, desks, beds, and armoires.

Sarah shared an update about Katherine moving into a better living situation and celebrated Julia placing first at the Arrowhead glow meet. Julia and Lorelei also shared updates about the start of the school year, including increased homework and sports commitments, the fun atmosphere of the Arrowhead glow meet, and preparation for an upcoming musical.

We Love You, Peggy!

This section is for Peggy. We love you, and we look forward to supporting you in your health journey. <3

Membership, Leadership and Succession

The club is beginning to think ahead to elections and leadership succession. A major goal is making officer and leadership positions more accessible to younger members and people who may not have significant amounts of free time for administrative work.

The board discussed creating a shared digital dashboard or Google Doc that would organize the information and systems needed to manage club responsibilities. This would make it easier for someone to step into an officer position, including serving temporarily when necessary. The approach would also help the club remain flexible and support continued growth by making leadership roles more manageable for working members and younger Rotarians.

Treasurer's Report and Budget

Keith reviewed the club's 2025–26 budget and explained that fundraising income totaled $29,615.82, very close to the $30,000 budgeted amount. The current allocation structure is 5% for unanticipated operating expenses, 5% for savings, 10% for unanticipated community needs, 35% for New Generations, 33% for grants and giving, 10% for outreach, and 2% for the Rotary Foundation.

Some expenses appear higher than budgeted because funds from the previous fiscal year were carried over and paid during the current year. This particularly affected grants and giving. New Generations was also essentially on budget, although student exchange expenses can create timing differences because costs are budgeted across two fiscal years.

Operations appears to have a surplus that needs further review. Keith plans to provide each committee with a detailed budget overview so members can better understand what funds are available and ensure money raised by the club is being used effectively.

The club discussed whether surplus funds should be redistributed using the same percentage model used when fundraising falls short. No final decision was made, and any changes would be subject to board discussion. Members generally agreed that the percentage-based approach provides consistency and reduces conflict over available funds.

Grants and Community Giving

The Kurikavi trash compactor grant continues to move forward, although Rotary International requested additional metrics to demonstrate sustainability and impact. The local partners were working to determine how materials would be measured and reported when record rainfall created additional challenges. Communication with the local contact has been limited, and Rotary International has indicated that the grant could be cancelled if progress is not made by the end of September.

The club also discussed reconstituting the Scouts program, which ended during COVID. Scott Right is interested in restarting the program, and the club has been approached about supporting badges. Competitive grants and district grants may provide potential funding opportunities.

Outreach and Community Engagement

The club will continue emphasizing outreach and showcasing the work Rotary is doing in the community. The 10K event was particularly successful for outreach and polio awareness, with positive community response to the club's involvement.

Members also thanked everyone who participated in the Ed Futa event. There was interest in holding similar events more frequently, potentially twice a year, and in collaborating with other smaller Rotary clubs. The group agreed that collaboration can increase the impact of these events while strengthening connections among clubs.

Fellowship and Membership Growth

The club is planning another Fifth Wednesday gathering at the Viking on the 30th, with the time still to be determined, likely around 5–6 p.m. with appetizers. Another Fifth Wednesday opportunity is scheduled for March 21. These gatherings are intended to strengthen fellowship and attract new members.

The group discussed the importance of balancing fellowship with charitable giving. While social events are an important part of Rotary and help reinforce the sense of family within the club, members also want to ensure available funds are directed toward scholarships and community grants when appropriate.

New Generations and Youth Exchange

The club will continue promoting opportunities for students, including outbound Rotary exchange students. A youth exchange student placement needs to be finalized by the end of October. The New Generations committee also continues to support programs such as the World Affairs Seminar and RYLA.

Looking Ahead

The overall message of the meeting was that the club is growing, accomplishing meaningful work, and looking for ways to become more sustainable and inclusive. Members were encouraged to use Rotary's four priorities as a framework for committee work while continuing to strengthen fellowship, community outreach, youth programs, leadership development, and charitable giving.