The Rotary Club of
Ridgetown
Membership Newsletter
March 04, 2024
2023-24
President
: Ron Bolohan
President-Elect:
Past President
: Kees Boeters
Treasurer
: Reinout von Martels
Secretary
: Paul Brown
Sergeant at Arms
: David Klatt
Directors:
David Klatt, Brian Pasmore, Ben Van Heeswijk and Bob Wilson
Attendance:
Members: 13
Guests: 0
Birthdays:
Joel V, 30, Feb. 26
th
; Murray S, 95 years young, Mar. 14
th
; Paul B, 76, Mar. 19th
Anniversaries:
0
Meeting Date: Mar. 4, 2024, in the Anglican Parish Hall.
Program:
After the usual wonderful meal prepared by the ACW, Ron started this business meeting by thanking the ladies in the kitchen.
1. Ron: Presentation of the polling results about the future of the club, and discussions
Ron used a PowerPoint presentation (which involved quite a bit of work!)
At the end of it, after questions and discussion, he gave a plan
He thanked those who submitted a filled-out questionnaire
He asked the question: If we do nothing, what will become of the club?
He asked what it would take to fill the executive positions
He went through several of the observations and feelings
Below are some of what members suggested
There was a thought by some that if forced to be president, they would resign
They were happy to serve in other positions, but not president
Some like coming to meetings for a good meal and some socializing
There was a discussion about PETS
As President-Elect, you do not have to go but would miss meeting other Rotarians and training
Is the club beyond requiring an executive?
What has to be done?
Perhaps a team of 2 or 3 could serve, rotate relate and rely on each other
A procedure on how to rotate would need to be established
These 2 or 3 Rotate would rotate going to PETS
Is the four-way test still valid? The consensus is yes
Going to the district conference is expensive ($1000)
Perhaps the club could pay
As president, must be willing and able to delegate/designate duties
In winter months, perhaps not as many meetings or Zoom meetings
Ron then asked if anyone who has not been president willing to serve: no one said yes
If all fails, the Board will have to step in and develop a plan to fill all positions
Perhaps drastic changes are needed with no executive structure.
Dissolve the club and combine it with another
Ron then presented his proposal
Every 2 months for the 6 periods during the year, a different member would lead the club
For 5 of those 2-month periods, a different past president would lead the club
For the other 2-month period, a member who has not been president would lead the club
There was a discussion about Ron's proposal
There will be a vote on this proposal at the next meeting
2. Ron: Peace Presentation in Tibury on Apr 2
nd
and our Rotary meeting on April 1
st
Our April 1
st
meeting is cancelled
The Peace Presentation will be at noon in Tilbury.
Lunch will be $17
Members will travel sharing rides
Correspondence:
1. Paul received two letters in November, which unfortunately stayed in his leather jacket since November
Diabetes Canada and The CK Children’s Treatment Centre were both looking for donations
The members agreed that we would not be sending them any funds now
Committees:
1. Paul: RYLA
We will not be sending any students to RYLA this year, despite Deb. R at RDHS trying to find interested students
We will not be having a Zoom presentation in March from the D6380 RYLA chair
.2. Brian: The Easter Egg Hunt
It is pretty much all set up
The golden egg will be for 5 – 6-year-olds with the finder getting a bicycle provided by the Ridgetown BIA, through the local Home Hardware
Paul will pick up coffee from Tim Horton’s and Ben Bits from Pinnell’s Pastries, compliments of Ben V, for those members helping at this event
Gift Bags for the kids will be filled after the Mar. 18
th
meeting
3. David B: The Pancake Breakfast
Posters have been put up around town
All of the supplies necessary have been arranged for purchase
We will meet at the Hall on Friday night to set up tables, chairs and place settings
We received a $150 donation from Ben V from Pinnell’s Pastries
New Business
1. Ron: East Kent Celebrates requested a donation to support their summer concerts in the Legion parking lot
M/C: Ron/Paul: That the Club donate $500. Carried
2. Kees: Presented Paul Harris Pins with 2 sapphires in each to Ben V and Brian P
Sergeant-at-arms
Happy Bucks:
$2 for Ron’s presentation, $1 for Paul having his brother visit on the weekend
President Ron asked if there was “Anything for the good of Rotary?”
Ron closed the meeting at 8:15 pm
The next meeting is on
Mar 18
th
at Anglican Parish Hall. Classification talks – Beatrice Gedion and David Brian
Ben Van Heeswijk with Kees Boeters
Brian Pasmore with Kees Boeters
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