Lori Martinez took notes tonight. Thanks Lori!
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION
Our Club had the honor of inducting our newest member, Issac Elliott, who attended our National Night Out and expressed a strong interest in joining. Sponsor Lou DiPrima informed Issac that he would become a member of not only Irondequoit Rotary but also a worldwide association. Issac was reminded of the Service Above Self motto and repeated the Four-Way Test. We are looking forward to his New Member Signature Project.
PASTA DINNER UPDATE
To date, sales have been good. Bob Spatola leads as far as money turned in. Both he and President Dan emphasized the huge opportunity with new sponsorships. For example, Debbie Renna-Hynes shared that she succeeded in selling sponsorships to two attorneys she works with. There is also the inverse of sponsor recognition, where some prefer to remain anonymous. Bob Scheidt informed us that this year, something new will take place. On the Saturday before the Pasta Dinner (11/4), we will be filling 700 bags with pre-approved brochures, business cards, and other printed material. It is the sponsor’s responsibility to take care of the printing and get it to us before that Saturday.
The next key milestone is finalizing the member assignment schedule, which includes pre-cooking pasta as well as cleaning and filling buckets by 10 a.m. Meals are to be ready for St. Joseph’s early delivery. Jersey Mike’s has been secured for lunch. New members can bring friends to help. We have to make sure there are shifts and relief. Scouts and other volunteers will assist with cleanup. Weather should be 62 degrees and sunny. There is a need for a 10x10 pop-up tent, which Lily Lynch agreed to bring, along with a bucket for hand washing (our Pasta Dinner chair asked, in a tongue-in cheek fashion, “is there a hole in the bucket, dear Lily?”) Sand weights and tie-downs will also be on hand in case it is windy.
President Dan asserts that we will have the permit in time. Members should respond to BobScheidt’s email only if unavailable on Pasta Weekend.
MAJ. GEN. RAPPL BENCH DEDICATION
Bob Spatola reports that he has seen caution cones in the area where the bench will be displayed at the Town Hall. The pad should have been placed by now and the project will move along. The back panel for the emblem was found at Lou DiPrima’s workshop. Last week, the American Legion meeting took place and the Commander spoke to Dick Butler about program inclusion between 11 and 11:30. Club members need to be in front of the Town Hall by 10:45 and the bench dedication will be interwoven into the ceremony. BJ Cunningham suggested contacting Don Alhart to promote our event, since he has been a staunch Rotary supporter.
The Veterans’ Day Parade will take place on the same day as the other celebrations rather than the day before, as it has been done previously. President Dan reminded everyone of the possible light luncheon at the library before heading to Tryon Park for the highway naming ceremony. At least 20 members will attend. Dick mentioned that in the past, there has been hot chocolate and donuts at the library, which may or may not pose a conflict.
MAJ. GEN. NORBERT RAPPL HIGHWAY PROJECT
According to an email from Assemblymember Sarah Clark, everything is moving forward for the Tryon Park ceremony. Rotary’s only role is to be present.
DURAND TRAIL PROJECT UPDATE
There was some deliberation regarding the best Saturday date to carry out more work on the Durand Trail Project, which depends on amount of wood, weather, and people involved. About 7 members would be available on 10/21, but not the Scouts, and weather might be rainy (66% chance). The work cannot be done rain or shine due to literal “slippery slopes,” and no one should be hurt before the Pasta Dinner. The following Saturday, 10/28, Brandon Barnhart and construction colleagues will be able to assist, along with at least 10 Club members and Scouts. A third possibility would have been to postpone until the spring as long as we got off to a good start. A consensus was reached for a 10/28 work date. Tom Kosanke stated that it would be a simple process consisting of drilling a hole, screwing wood in and laying it down. Lou has a generator to charge the electric drills if needed. Lunch will be provided, and even coming for an hour to carry wood down to the site would be appreciated. President Dan thanked Tom for his leadership on this project.
CLUB SURVEY SUMMARY
There are 17 results in all, and rather than going through responses during the meeting, President Dan redirected members to the website, where responses may be viewed. In summary, our Club would like to see a more international flavor at the levels of projects, grants, and student exchange. Many references were made to integration of Interact into the Club, and overwhelmingly, the project we care most deeply about is the Irondequoit Food Cupboard. President Dan plans for us to reinforce our commitment to the IFC.
FINANCE REPORT
Treasurer Lynn Wozniak handed out a concise 1-page document, which she explained with precision. She was applauded for her efforts. Highlights are as follows:
• All dues are paid and District dues have been paid for the 2023-2024 Rotary year. Registration for PETS training was paid in advance.
• Weekly dinner revenues are exceeding expenses.
• Budgeted revenue for Happy Dollars/Conscience Fines is $4,500 a year and so far we have collected about $1,000.
• All technology (Zoom, Club Runner) has been paid.
• Dictionaries have been ordered and are under budget (actual expenses $1,800 vs. $2,300 amount budgeted)
• District Matching Grant (Ukrainian resettlement) is ongoing: 9 families receive up to $600 each, $150 at a time, and must show receipts (bus passes, gas, school supplies, among others) to be given next installment.
• Polio and Foundation monies will be sent to RI twice a year.
• Club donation was sent to RI in memory of Joanne Mendick, with points for John.
• Bocce and Steak Night made money.
• President Dan moved money to interest-bearing savings account, equivalent of CD (5%)
• Pasta Dinner receipts go to Foundation for the first time this year. Foundation will give us net profit after this event. Foundation Board will vote and, as previously stated, Bob Scheidt will draft MOU.
NEW BUSINESS
President Dan informed the Club that we were pivoting to testing something new on fifth Wednesdays. Our Recruiting Social will be held on 11/29 from 6-8 p.m. at Irondequoit Brewery. As an incentive, members who bring a guest will get a free cocktail, whereas those who come solo have to pay $10.
Thought for the week: The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.
- Michelangelo
President Dan encourages us to set our marks high on selling tickets!
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