President Adam Manning welcomed everyone to the Centerville Rotary Club and led reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Brian Hayes provided the prayer.
Today’s quote provided by Don Overly: "The way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement." Charles Schwab
Lee Hieronymus led singing of God Bless America.
Adam shared information about the new Rotary International President’s plans for the year. President Francesco Arezzo is from the Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy.
You can find President Arezzo’s full bio
HERE.
You can learn more about Rotary’s Action Plan
HERE
Today’s announcements:
- Thanks to greeters Boyd Preston & Socks Bowersocks
- Welcome today’s guests; Brad Huffman’s daughter, Bella; Ron Tringali, future member; Jeff Senney’s goes Greg Stephens, the newest Park Commissioner for CWPD, and Matt Carter, with the Army National Guard and Globe Life.
- District 6670 at the Dayton Dragons - July 9 is the ticket deadline, $14 per ticket and of that, $7 will go to End Polio Now. Here is the LINK to purchase tickets.
- The Fire Truck is all set for Americana and several people volunteered to ride including President Adam, squirt guns and bucket of water will be ready. Ours is the second to last in the parade.
- Board meeting is on Monday, July 21 5:30 pm at Woodbourne Library. All are welcome to attend.
- Next Pancake committee meeting July 24, 11 am at YT
- Lisa Goris May is heading up the Pancake Posse fundraising subcommittee. She said we need 3-4 more people for successful fundraising.
- Rotary information will be included at Lisa’s tent at the Americana Festival in front of Glass House Realty on Main Street.
Happy Bucks this quarter will go to a charity decided by the Board at the next Board meeting.
Pat Beckel was the Sergeant at Arms with assistance by Brian Hayes.
Happy Bucks were generously given for:
- Lisa GM/Glass House Realty was recognized as the Best in Dayton winner for Real Estate Agency/Team. Congrats to Lisa!
- Pat B reminded all to come out for the Americana Festival, expecting to draw 85,000-125,000 people, 5 stages with live music, food trucks, local vendor village and more
- Wyatt T started with $20 happy bucks for his son, Palmer turned 2, and he missed a few meetings
- Carol K gave thanks to Boyd for taking notes last week while she was in Chicago for granddaughter Kaycee’s dance nationals followed by tours of Frank Lloyd Wright houses.
- Gina S for successful book events locally and Columbus, GA, and invited all to visit her booth at the Americana Festival behind Agave & Rye.
- Brad H said it was great to have daughter Bella back at Rotary, celebrated Bella’s successful softball season, and noted she will be walking with her team in the Americana Parade
- Elda GG was happy Bella was here
- Harvey S was happy
- Jake H invited everyone to bring their kids/grandkids to the Kid’s Play area at the Activity Center Park during the Americana Festival. CWPD will have 40 staff working the event, 6 inflatables, kid-friendly DJ, Kona ice, food trucks, civil war encampment, and the spray ground.
(This first table set the example of a full table giving $20 donations each! Thanks for your generosity!)
- Lee H’s Farm Report announced next week is the Montgomery County Fair. Wednesday afternoon students start selling animals. Come out to help support the Fair and the kids there learning leadership, responsibility, and how to become outstanding citizens.
- Boyd P said that was a good farm report, Wow!
- Ron H reported Design Outreach has been in business for 15 years, and in that time they installed 500 water pumps in 14 different countries, providing clean, accessible water to over 500,000 people.
- Chuck K was happy.
- Uriah A had a great camping trip, and recently found out he was awarded a grant to purchase a new mobility vehicle.
- Rand O saw Dan Sortman recently and invited him back to the club.
- Jeff S was happy to be here with all the guests.
- Jim H for guests, and the uplifting meeting today.
- Dale B reminded all the Montgomery County Fairgrounds is located at 645 Infirmary Road.
- Mark K is happy his son is flying in from Budapest for a visit. He teaches music there.
- Lisa GM was happy her daughter graduated with her masters, got to go to Disney to celebrate, and encouraged all to visit her booth at the Americana Festival.
- Jackie D for Lisa’s recognition.
- Arnie B announced it is the 50th anniversary of Rotary Youth Exchange. Video done by RI includes our past exchange student Saloni Bagwani. Watch it HERE.
- Adam M for today’s guests.
- Kelly M gave thanks for all the golf volunteers and donors. The Board voted to donate $15,000 to Operation Warm. Coats are being ordered in July to be in place at HTC when families are shopping for winter. It is our club’s largest donation so far, providing more than 700 coats.
- Mike W noted he has been in Rotary over 40 years, and observed how relaxed the dress code is today. Years ago, the Dayton club fined him for removing his suit coat.
Adam Manning was our speaker today sharing the club goals for the 2025-26 Rotary year.
Adam noted he, Pat and Uriah met recently to discuss the year’s goals.
Adam shared information about this year’s Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo, who is an Orthodontist from Italy. He stepped in at the last minute when the President-elect unexpectedly had to step down. This year’s theme is Unite for Good. Focus on how we lead with humility, humanity, and heart.
Adam noted the RI President’s three key priorities, and shared how our club is already working on these priorities:
Membership - we have a strong base, we support each other and have a welcoming club
Polio - Rotary is still making strides to eradicate completely
Peace - Clean water, youth exchange, every maternal health project is a step toward peace
Adam asked, are we ready?
Club’s strengths
- We have been a consistent leader in District 6670 in per capita giving
- Fundraising (golf, pancake) is successful - we are always exceeding expectations
- Relationships with schools is strong (Interact, RYLA, Environmental Club, Youth Exchange)
- Online Presence is strong (excellent website, active social media)
- Service projects continue to be strong - we had at least 12 last year
Opportunities
- Gaining new members - invite someone who might enjoy what we do
- Gain more female members
- Youth Exchange - not having an inbound this year but hopefully can again in the future. But we will continue to have an active presence with the Interact Club - plan to attend a meeting of theirs (just not all at once!)
- Getting to know each other: goal to have 12 service projects and 5 social gatherings - opportunities to get to know each other better.
Established Club Goals for 2025-26
- Increase membership: Currently have 59 active, 1 honorary, 3 on leave of absence (Have 32 members here today)
- Meet or exceed our past goal of $20,000 in donations to the Annual Fund
- At least 2 people attend district seminars
- Review by-laws, update as needed
- Produce a Strategic Plan for the club’s future
- Send students to RYLA
- Club members attend the district conference/dinner
Our Centerville Club has good participation at the district level with many having served as Assistant District Governors, District Governors, and other leadership positions.
This year’s Golf Outing raised $7,800 net (more than last year), had more golfers, and this was the first time aligning with a specific charity. With the establishment of the non-profit arm of our club, there is an opportunity for more donations.
A separate Fundraising Committee is needed in order to be more successful.
President Manning thanked everyone, lead reciting of the 4-Way Test and wished all a great week.
