Special guests, President-elect Julie Carney and District Governor-Elect Ralph Brandt, came to present at our meeting! Ralph discussed the history of women in Rotary * (see below) as the current president, Jennifer Jones; the main focus of Imagine Rotary is women's empowerment. He also mentioned the district conference date and district training for presidents elects.
Additionally included in the presentation given by the District Governor Elect was a breakdown of the Rotary "Imagine" symbol and what it truly means:
In Aboriginal culture, the circle represents our connections to one another. The seven dots surrounding the ring represent not only people and society but also Rotary's seven focus areas. The circle and dots form a "navigation star – our guiding light." The line underneath represents a basic tool -- a digging stick -- a metaphor for doing hard work: indeed, Rotary In Action. The color scheme can be interpreted in several ways. For example, purple represents polio eradication; green the environment; and white represents our central mission, peace. Jennifer, the first female President in the history of Rotary International, noted that the color scheme, in part, also pays homage to the global women's suffragette movement.
Ralph touched on several other topics, including:
- More work needs to be done with polio, with education being a key prevention source.
- Adapt to attract! Ralph emphasized the importance of the club adapting to new ideas presented by members and the community to increase membership potentially.
- Having a project involving minimum effort and lasting results can increase club revenue with ease. Selling flag subscriptions is a great example, as it does not take many actions to sell subscriptions, yet once a client is secured, payments come to the club monthly!
*
Women serve their communities and hold leadership roles in Rotary. The 1989 decision to accept women into Rotary clubs worldwide was a turning point in Rotary's history. The decision followed decades of efforts by men and women throughout the globe to admit women to Rotary clubs and multiple close votes at prior Council sessions.
By June 1990, almost 20,000 women had become Rotarians. 195,000 women were Rotarians in July 2010 (approximately 16%) and 277,000 in July 2020 (23%).
Growing and broadening Rotary's membership to represent the areas we serve is a primary objective. We recognize that more individuals join us, which is why we embrace diversity, equality, and inclusion. Rotary accepts persons of all ages, ethnicities, races, colors, abilities, religions, socioeconomic levels, cultures, sexes, sexual orientations, and gender identities. 1977 The 1977 Rotary Convention will discuss three proposals to allow women as members. Brazilian club proposes honorary membership for women. The Rotary Club of Duarte, California, accepts women notwithstanding the RI and SRC constitutions. This infringement ended the club's Rotary International membership in March 1978. In September 1986, the club was re-established.
1980 The RI Board of Directors and Rotary clubs in India, Sweden, Switzerland, and the US suggest removing references to "male individuals" from RI and club constitutions and bylaws.
1983-86 In 1983, the California Superior Court favored Rotary International, preserving gender-based membership requirements in California Rotary chapters. The California Court of Appeals reversed the lower court's ruling in 1986, blocking enforcement in California. The case is appealed when the California Supreme Court declines to hear it.
1987 The U.S. Supreme Court declared on 4 May that Rotary clubs couldn't discriminate against women. Rotary states that any US club may accept competent women. The Marin Sunrise (Larkspur Landing) Rotary Club was chartered on May 28. It's the first club to admit women since the Supreme Court verdict. Sylvia Whitlock is the first female Rotary club president.
1988 In November, the RI Board of Directors recognized Canadian Rotary clubs' ability to welcome female members based on legislation identical to the U.S. Supreme Court's.
1989 The Council on Legislation decided to repeal the condition in the RI Constitution that Rotary club membership is restricted to males during its first meeting following the 1987 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Rotary clubs worldwide welcome women.
1990 As of June, 20,200 women are Rotarians. The Rotarian features Rotary women.
1995 Mimi Altman, Gilda Chirafisi, Janet W. Holland, Reba F. Lovrien, Virginia B. Nordby, Donna J. Rapp, Anne Robertson, and Olive P. Scott became district governors in July.
The meeting format has changed to meet the current challenges of the hospitality industry. After a review of our current financial situation, a quick decision was made by the group working tirelessly investigating venue options.
Until the end of this calendar year, the official Wednesday meeting time will be from 6:30-8 pm. No dinner will be served during this time. The Room at the Hampton will be open from 5:30-6:30 if any members wish to bring their meals, snacks, or beverages and eat with friends. We will continue investigating and working towards "paying back" or bringing that balance sheet category into balance. Please be on the lookout for a feedback request in the form of a survey soon.
Pasta Dinner (November 6th): Tickets have been sent to members; if you need tickets, contact Bob Scheidt. Individual tickets are $10 each. A sponsor donates or purchases $100-$240 tickets. $250 or more is a Friend of Rotary. All rotary sponsors and supporters will be mentioned on our website and in the handout distributed at the Pasta Dinner. Please send payment and sponsorship information to Lynn Wozniak, 59 Bay Knoll Rd, Rochester, 14622, 518-813-7158. The committee additionally requests that no one buy or guarantee anything for the Pasta Dinner without first consulting with the committee. Thank you very much!
Interact Club: Interact's first meeting went off without a hitch! Ten children came to work on a donation project called "Pants for Polio," kicking off on Monday, October 24th, to highlight the importance of continuing our quest to eradicate polio. During the early 20th century, polio killed thousands of American children each summer and paralyzed many more. Almost all of our students were not aware of what this disease is and how it is still relevant today. The students will collect pants in the following weeks, with new pants given to the Golisano Children's Hospital and gently worn pants for the Brothers and Sisters Salon.
Irondequoit Rotary Foundation: The foundation board is seeking new members and may relocate to a different accounting firm. More on it later.
Camp Haccamo Playhouse: Jeff Reisenberg will make the playhouse accessible, and we need to continue outfitting the inside.
Membership: Stephen Schwock has agreed to join our group! Keep an eye out for his induction day; it's always great to have a new member join us!
On October 29th, Bob Scheidt will debut as a pianist in a new band. More information to follow.
Multiple contributions towards the meeting cost deficit. All members thoroughly enjoyed Ralph's presentation, with fines highlighting aspects of the presentation. Additionally, members mentioned polio eradication, committee appreciation, and all the work done toward the pasta dinner. Contributions were also made towards the Interact Club and their new project, "Pants for Polio," and for the foundation. Lastly, members are excited for the latest member, Stephen Schwock, to join the club!
The Rotary Club of Irondequoit is a dynamic service organization made up of compassionate, action-oriented members who reflect the diversity of our community. We facilitate and inspire positive change locally and globally, all while having fun and building lasting relationships.
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