7/31/14 Ann Blackburn and Judy Budi

8/07/14 Tom Zobrist and Bill Abrams

8/14/14 John Beals and Dale Berry

8/21/14 Sally Beals and Pat Beckel

 

If you cannot greet on the day assigned, contact Kitty and she will schedule a replacement.

 

7/24/14  

Vice President Ron Hollenbeck, in the absence of President Vas Appalaneni and President-Elect Brad Thorp, opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at noon at The Clubhouse at Yankee Trace.  Lee Hieronymus led the song and Don Overly led the prayer.  Ron thanked the Dons- Gerhardt and Overly- for filling in for absent greeters.  

 

Guests at the meeting were Cindi Klinck, retired WCPL director and past Rotarian; her husband Andrew Humphries; their guest from Japan, Hinawo Kurachi, and Joyce Young’s brother John.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Ron reminded members about the Young Professionals Summit to be held on September 26/27 in Chicago and Trilogy to be held at Normandy Church on August 16 from 9 a.m. until 2:15 p.m.

 

Ron suggested to the board that the club’s holiday party be held in the evening so that the high school group, Forte, could perform (students are no longer able to leave school during the day). Ron found support for the meeting change in a show of hands.

 

PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS:

Harvey Smith presented information about the Rotary Foundation.  The annual fund of the foundation supports most of Rotary’s projects around the world and is not used for operations; those are supported by income.   Since 1986, $1.2 billion has been directed to the eradication of polio.  Last year, our district contributed $160,000 to total foundation contributions of $118 million  One-half of what was contributed by our district comes back to the district for project grants.  Centerville Rotary has the distinction of being the second highest in the district for per capita giving with contributions of $12,500.  Harvey recognized, with a pinning ceremony, Paul Harris Fellows giving $1,000- Ram Nunna (second award) and Rand Oliver (fourth award).

 

HAPPY BUCKS:

Sergeant-at-Arms Erich Eggers collected money for Operation Warm.  Member announcements included welcoming Cindi, Andrew and Hinawo to the meeting- Hinawo is interested in attending school in the states and may be a future Rotary exchange student; Irene Ullmer fell this morning and is at the hospital having tests performed- keep her in your thoughts; Carol Kennard is retiring as CWPD director after 33 years with the park district,17 as director- she is looking forward to a second career, as yet unknown, and was encouraged to become Rotary district governor; Joyce Young’s brother John is visiting and she will be gone for a couple weeks; Don Stewart took oath of office this week for two city committees and was promised by Greg Horn that they would not take much of his time; Ram and Rand were congratulated as Paul Harris Fellows; Pat Beckel will be fined $100 for leaving meeting early to play golf last week and another $100 for not being at the meeting today: Judy Budy and Ann Blackburn offered to serve as greeters next week since scheduled greeters will be out of town.

 

SPEAKER:  Marcie Longenecker, Regional Representative for Josh Mandel.

 

Ron introduced Marcie as one of seven regional representatives for Ohio State Treasurer, Josh Mandel.  She represents SW Ohio including Hamilton, Butler, Montgomery, Clermont and Warren counties and describes herself as “the ears and eyes on the ground in SW Ohio”.  Marcie works as a direct extension of the Columbus office and serves as the first line of contact for local chambers, elected officials, community leaders and small business owners.  Prior to joining the state treasurer, Marcie was Special Assistant to the CEO, followed by Manager of Event Services at Duke Energy in Cincinnati and has served on a number of boards.  She lives in Indian Hill.

 

Marcie said her presentation would provide an overview of the Treasurer’s Office since many are unaware of its primary duty to collect, protect and invest taxpayer dollar. Josh Mandel is the state’s chief investment officer.

 

As a regional representative, Marcie handles around 15 calls week, some applicable to the office and some not.  Her job is to direct people where they need to go for help and said Columbus moves more quickly on issues brought to them by regional representatives.

 

Marcie described Mandel’s Transparancy Project to put office expenses on line because, as Mandel believes, “if you hold a light on something it will be held more accountable”.  The website includes information on salaries, unclaimed funds and also has an interactive Ohio map. 

 

The office can set aside 12% of its portfolio for community programs and has three development programs for businesses (GrowNOW, ReEnergize Ohio and Ag-Link) and two for individuals (ECO-Link and SaveNOW).  They provide interest rate deductions or bonuses and a flyer describing each was distributed. There was a time that the office provided a list of banks participating in the programs but since it changes frequently it is best to call Marcie and she will provide a current list.

 

Marcie also described and distributed a flyer on half-day personal finance conferences to be held in Dayton on August 1 and Cincinnati on August 8.  The office also has programs for veterans and schools.

 

Marcie closed her presentation discussing the Ohio Strong Initiative and the “quiet crisis for manufacturing skilled trades.”  The office developed an award for exemplary employees in manufacturing and is holding “Manufacturing Day” on October 3 with 50 business open houses to promote manufacturing careers.