Rotary Informer

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Petoskey. President Christian Smith officiated the meeting.

If you did not get the chance to attend, you can read about it in this newsletter.

Pledge/Anthem:  Howard Richards led us in My Country tis of Thee

4-Way Test:  Walt Byers      

Invocation:  Jeff Wynder

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” Leonardo da Vinci

Calendar Winners:  Read off by Bill Collins  

Calendar Winners December 11, 2024               

International Insight:  The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), of which Rotary is a spearheading partner, funds 91% of all immunizations staff in the World Health Organization’s Africa region.

Visiting Rotarians:  None

Guests:  None

Life Events:  Please keep Herb Carlson in your prayers as he recovers from a hospital stay at home.

Birthdays:

Jeff Wynder

Anniversaries:

Kam Culbertson – 6 Years  

Singing/Song:  Howard Richards led us in Happy Birthday and Smile.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Winter Sports Park All-Seasons Pavilion Update:  Rotarians are encouraged to keep voicing their support for the All-Season Pavilion at the Winter Sports Park. The Petoskey City Council will again discuss this issue at their meeting this coming Monday at 6:00 PM. Please be there in person to show your support.

Rotary Member Spotlight:  None Today

Salvation Army Bell Ringing:  The Salvation Army bell ringing will take place on December 13th and 14th from 10 AM to 6 PM outside the Katydid. Please sign up to help spread some holiday cheer while supporting a great cause.

Toys for Tots:  Let’s make this holiday season magical for kids in need! Join us in spreading joy by donating to Toys for Tots. Whether it’s a stuffed animal, a set of blocks, or that perfect action figure, your gift can light up a child’s face this year.  You can participate by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to our next Rotary meeting and drop it in the Toys for Tots bin at the Perry Hotel. If you’d prefer to make a financial contribution, please see Dave Thomas for details.

Madrigal Singers:  The Madrigals are performing December 18 at Rotary Club of Petoskey. If you would like to sponsor a Madrigal for lunch please let John Scholten know. The cost is $20.

Calendar Sales:  Please be sure to return your money to Karen by next week so that your raffle tickets can be entered into the drawing. There will be no more Club meetings after the 18th because of Christmas on Wednesday the 25th.

PROGRAM Club Assembly

ANNUAL ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Today the Club voted to appoint Sharon Schappacher as President Nominee. The Club also voted to appoint Megan DeWindt, Kendall Klingelsmith, and Andrea Koch to the Board of Directors. Congratulations to all!

Today President Christian Smith gave a presentation on "Unifying Petoskey Rotary's Charitable Giving."

Back in July, the Rotary Board blessed an investigation of the Club's charitable giving efforts via the Rotary Park Fund and PRCCI Fund, both held at Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation (PHSACF).

Christian reviewed the current structure of each fund, as well as presented a proposal that was developed following completion of the investigation.

In a nutshell, the proposal recommends that Rotary Park Fund and PRCCI Fund be combined into one singular charitable fund that would support a mix of capital projects and program initiatives.

The proposal also recommends that this combined fund follow the spending policy of PHSACF, which is to grant no more than 5% of a 12-quarter rolling average fund bal-ance. This approach is designed to preserve the corpus and promote natural growth.

The proposal also recommends that PHSACF take over the administrative aspects of soliciting and vetting qualified grant applicants. Those applicants would then be pre-sented to a new grants committee (to be created by PRCCI) made up of the PRCCI board and several Rotary Club members, to make grant funding decisions.

Q&A followed the presentation. Christian said he will also be available for individual Q&A before Rotary next week, from 11:00 - 11:55 AM.

Following a reflection period, the Club will vote on this proposal on January 15, 2025.

Next Week’s Program:  Madrigal Singers

There will be no Rotary Meetings on December 25th and January 1st because of the Holidays.