On the final day of the month of April our club had 212 Active Members. Attendance for March’s meetings was 58% (up 6% from last month). The average attendance at each meeting was 119 members and 6 guests. Our Engagement Ratio for the month was 65% (up 2% from last month). ** Please note that these numbers are unusually high. We are investigating an issue with our attendance scanner. A number of people who have not attended the meetings are showing as having attended.

April’s membership saw one termination: Linda Carter (deceased); however, we were pleased to induct one new member: Kofi Gyan.

The board also approved the following three membership nominations:

• Meghan Armstrong (Sponsor: Joanne Pierson)
• Melissa Foster (Sponsor: Mark Foster)
• Larry Gray (Sponsors: Leo Shedden and John White)

Our club financial highlights include Foundation’s total assets of $2,923,009 and Club’s operating cash balance of $52,421.25.

The board reviewed the Draft Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation Budget for fiscal Year 2024-2025. The draft budget includes an allocation to participate in the City’s A2Bicentennial Project. Discussion occurred regarding having a contingent plan for the GPO in case of a weather event. Our budget for 2024 is conservative at $80,000 (we brought in more than $100,000 in 2023). The board also reviewed the budget requests from the various committees. No increases were considered this year; however, each committee will receive the same funds as the previous fiscal year. This was based on the budget before knowing the GPO actual revenue.

A motion was made and the board voted to adopt the budget presented as the final budget for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

The District Conference is May 17 and May 18. President Mark Foster is encouraging everyone to attend this “backyard” event!

President-Elect Joyce Hunter discussed her goals for the upcoming year. They include holding listening sessions, collaborating with other organizations in the area, and a focusing on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging as well as reclaiming and retaining members.  The theme for the 2024/2025 year is “The Magic of Rotary.”

Dawn Johnson is leading the club’s Strategic Plan and will identify strategic priorities that align with the community, our District, and Rotary International. Our members must be engaged in this plan (not simply a top-down approach). Dawn is developing a Strategic Plan committee that will start on July 1 with a goal to complete the plan by the end of the year.

Incoming Directors Sam Kottamasu, Leo Shedden, and Ugur Cetin attended the meeting and discussed what they will focus on for the 2024/2025 year.

The Golf & Pickleball committee has held several meetings and reach outs to prior sponsorships have begun. The event date is Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, at Barton Hills Country Club.