December 4, 2019

The first hint that the 2019 Club Assembly meeting would be a bit different was when members selecting their name badges were each handed a numbered ticket stub. After the Assembly was called to order they learned that their ticket might match several drawn numbers making them a winner of numerous gift cards from local retailers and restaurants. The opening inspirational message was also unique as pianist Joan Knoertzer  introduced and then provided background music to a video “Lessons from Geese.” A model for leadership and teamwork.

President Rosemarie, thanked the day’s meeting set-up and operations team and pointed out that with snow in the air, a second coat rack has been provided in the meeting room. She pointed out table flyers requesting Chap Stick and Kleenex packets to be donated at our Dec. 4 and 11. They will be used to complete Dopp Kits to be presented to Veterans at the VA Hospital for their personal use. We are seeking 100 of each. She also reminded members that nominations are still being accepted for our Club’s Robert Northrup Award.

The Assembly was called to order and Past President Stejskal, chair of the Nominating Committee, presented the list of officer nominations previously announced. After thanking the committee he turned the microphone over to Secretary Barbara Eichmuller, who conducted the election. There were no nominations offered from the floor and the following officers for 2020-21 were elected by unanimous voice vote.  President-elect, Joanne Pierson: President-elect- nominee (2021-22), Susan Froelich: Secretary, Barbara Eichmuller: Treasurer, Mark Ouimet: Board of Directors (2 year terms), Lauren Heinonen, Steve Pierce: Sergeant at Arms, Karen Wasco. A motion was entered to adopt a Bylaw revision of the definitions of our Emeritus and Honorary Members. It was supported and passed with a unanimous voice vote.

Norman Herbert then presented an update on the financial health of the Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation, our perpetual charitable fund initiated in 1985. He noted how the fund is separate from The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and is invested permanently to build long-term, stable support for our many humanitarian projects adopted by the Club. He reviewed a projected graphic showing the source of funds for the Club’s current Community Service Budget of $271,089 and the projects supported by the Community Service funds. He reported that in the last 15 years the fund has distributed a total of $778,000 and the annual Foundation’s distribution has increased by approximately 6.8%. He noted the Foundation’s current market value is $2,151,188 and provides about 33% of the Community Service Budget. It is anticipated that if the total rate of return continues, the Fund will reach a valuation of $2.5M in 7 years that in turn will produce an annual distribution return of $100,000 for community service projects. He noted that if our members’ annual donations to the Fund increases just $21,000 the $2.5M value will be reached in 5 years. He pointed out that the second part of our 1,2,3 fall Club invoices can be used to grow the Fund Balance. David Shotwell, chair of the Foundation Investment Subcommittee described how the Foundation’s investments have regularly equaled or surpassed investment benchmarks. He reviewed how the subcommittee regularly reviews and adjusts the Foundation’s investments to maintain positive returns. At his request, changes in the Rotary Foundations’ Bylaws wording were moved and unanimously approved by the members. The changes were to replace several Bylaw references of Endowment to Foundation. He closed his report echoing Herbert’s plea to members to consider increasing their contributions and/or designating bequests to our Club’s Foundation.

Following the drawing of a few more winning tickets for gift cards, Bev Seiford quickly charged each table group to select a topic for a brief brainstorming session. Each table took her challenge and in 10 minutes had one of their group report out to all their topic selection and what suggestion(s) they had for accomplishing such. The table reports were collected and will be shared with Club committees for consideration. (Click here to read Bev’s report.) The meeting ended with the drawings for 4 more free gift cards. Departing members left Webers knowing that next week’s program will be the Pioneer High School A Cappella Choir. The narrow hallway out of the ballroom made it very difficult to form a moving V formation in response to the lessons learned in the Assembly opening Inspiration.

Cub Reporter:  Downs Herold