President Will asked Bill Sibeon to lead the Rotarians in the singing of O Canada.
Peter Redwood introduced guests: Nina Ross and Lynn Strickland. He welcomed new member Brian Thompson.
Club Business:
Jamie Thompson reported on DockFest. The tubs were in good shape, no complaints. He thanked his team who had been working since January. They had spent a lot of money on promotion this year, but won't need to in the future. We have a really good website and a video that can be used for promotion. Net earnings $33,728.71.
Will presented the Board of Directors for confirmation:
President - Will Gibson
President Elect - no one yet
President Nominee - no one yet
Treasurer - Bob Gibb
Secretary - Bill Prichard
Director - Charles Bridle
Director - Jen Simpson
Moved - Bill Sibeon; Seconded - Ron Strickland. Carried
There are still a couple of vacancies to be filled - Environment and Fellowship. Debbie has taken on Speakers.
Will presented the draft Policy on Community & International Donation. Peter Redwood questioned section 3.2 - Ineligible requests from individuals citing Youth Exchange and Bursaries
Brian Thompson also questioned in the same section - religious activities saying that sometimes we may work with religioius institutions for the good of all.
Liz Behrens asked that when the Board looks at high profile donations that they consider the housing and doctors needs.
Acceptance of the policy as amended was moved by Peter Redwood, seconded by Brian Thompson and passed.
Treasurer, Bob Gibb presented the budget from last year:
Operating: Although there is a deficit in the operating budget, we have a large reserve fund that covers it. It was agreed that raising the fees at this time would be detrimental to attracting new members.
Service: Bob pointed out that Bingo is represented in the club budget, but It has its own budget. We invested $151,00 in GIC's last year. It was agreed that we should be spending more.
Bob moved the passage of last year's budget. Mary Rashleigh seconded. Passed
Budget going forward -
Operating: Ron Strictland mentioned that, in the past, we have transferred some money from the Service account to Operating. Paul Evans suggested that we investigate other options to the GIC's.
Service: Jen Simpson spoke to 2 items in the Service account - Youth and International. Due to rising costs, we have increased the host and student stipends in the Youth budget and added a new programme for youth "Adventures in Understanding", a cultural canoe trip for young people from our community and indigenous youth. We are exploring a new programme, "Storybook Trail" which will probably be on the Fairy Vista trail. In International there is some money carried over from last year in grants for the Guatemala project. Money will go to projects such as HAART and Shelter Box. A little money has been put into reserve for more acute problems (eg. wildfires)
Will announced that the Board has decided to bump up Rotary's donation from Dockfest to the hospital's 'Raise Muskoka' campaign to $50,000. This does not include our annual donation to the hospital of $10,000.
We have been giving $5,000 to each of the food banks. Added in the budget is $5,000 each to Community Living and Hospice and $2,500 to YMCA.
We have been getting help with our projects from the other two Rotary clubs so $2,000 each will be given to help them with their projects.
Bob moved the adoption of the budget. Lou D'Alissandro seconded. Passed.
Jen Simpson announced that our inbound exchange student, Laura will be arriving on August 17 and will be welcomed with a BBQ at Debbie Kirwin's home on August 19.
She also announced that District Governor, Drew, has planned a special evening at Canvas Brewery to kick off the District Conference on September 24. More information to follow.