Club Assembly - Results of the Visioning Process

Posted by Chuck Chase 
on May 14, 2015
 
President Mary Kicked off today’s Club Assembly by telling members that the meeting would be devoted to covering the results of the evening visioning session held back in March and facilitated by three district representatives trained in leading such a process. She thanked everyone who participated and gave of their time to this important evening together as it set the direction for our club for the next 5 years.
 
Yours truly presented an overview the brainstorming during the session that was attended by some 27 club members whose suggestions were recorded on flip chart and hung across the room. The results by category are as follows:
 
What Does Our Club Stand For?
  • Service to the community (31 votes)
  • Improving quality of life (28 votes)
  • Look for unmet needs and fulfill them (23 votes)
  • Youth Support (13 votes)
Suggestions garnering less votes: Vibrant, growing club, Organization of professionals with integrity, Place to be for young club members, Stand up for homeless men and women, Economic development of community, Inviting and inclusive club, Community leadership
 
Attributes
  • Fun, laughter (14 votes)
  • Represents diversity (10 votes)
  • Action-based (6 votes)
Suggestions garnering less votes: Younger club, Help millennials involved in the club, Friendly, cooperative with common purpose, Positive, Out-of-box thinkers, Good communicators amongst each
 
Club Administration
  • New members integrated right away - active engagement (17 votes)
  • Strong committee structure - get new members involved (16 votes)
  • Fantastic, consistent membership process: recruitment to retention (14 votes)
Suggestions garnering less votes: Develop club leaders, Formal training for board members, Develop mentorship program, Diversified programs, Targeted programs, 20%-30% District Conference participation, More transparency
 
Public Image
  • More liaison with area clubs to get a larger P.R. impact (17 votes)
  • Committee dedicated to P.R. (13 votes)
  • Paint Rotary Wheel on wall in downtown (17 votes)
  • 1/2 projects have a community partner (9 votes)
Suggestions garnering less votes: Raise Rotary awareness, Wear Rotary swag at events, More use of radio shows - have radio show, Recognize a member at each meeting who promoted Rotary, More stories about Rotary projects, Subsidize dues for some new members, Use public radio for announcements, Rotary car wraps, Distribute Rotary swag, Buy a building for all service clubs to share
 
Fundraising
  • 3rd annual New Year’s Eve Gala ($50,000) (12 votes)
  • Pet Expo (Income - $30,000) (8 votes)
  • Onion Sale ($3,000) (2 votes)
  • Rotary Skit Night -Every other year - $20,000 (1 vote)
  • Casino Night - $25,000 (1 vote)
  • Christmas tree and wreath sale - $10,000, Bike road rally - $10,000
Community Service
  • Organize a visible community clean-up and involve non-Rotarians (17 votes)
  • Paint the town red program to improve homes along main thoroughfare (14 votes)
  • 3rd Day Farming Project (12 votes)
  • Partner with revitalizing Adrian (12 votes)
  • Sponsor event (social) for people with disabilities (1 vote)
Suggestions garnering less votes: Downtown center building that facilitates literacy projects, Canoe and bike rental at River Raisin, Build a community outdoor pool, Half marathon 10k race, Affordable, energy efficient to build housing - partner with others, Addiction treatment facilities for families
 
Vocational Service
  • Fluency Friends literacy program for at-risk youth (15 votes)
  • Mentorship and network with local colleges using skills and vocation (13 votes)
  • Sponsor post-secondary for disadvantaged youth (13 votes)
  • Run a professional ethics workshop (8 votes)
  • Create speakers bureau for job fairs and other community events (6 votes)
  • Quarterly 4-Way Test award (4 votes)
  • 4-Way Test Scholarships
International Service
  • Scholarship to Kenyan students that return to Kenya (16 votes)
  • Develop water projects and do other good works in Kenya based on scholarship (13 votes)
  • Go to Tinka, Romania on service project - doctor/dentist (10 votes)
  • Partner with our sister club in Kenya (8 votes)
  • Will be involved in vocational training teams (UTT)
New Generations
  • Scholarships and training for disadvantaged youth (16 votes)
  • Junior Rotarian program from high school (12 votes)
  • Bring Junior Rotarians to meetings other than top achievers (11 votes)
  • Have Interact/Rotaract clubs (7 votes)
  • Expand Student Exchange for world peace - Japan (6 votes)
  • We have an active RYLA with 6 attendees
Club Foundation
  • Revolving loan funds for projects - low income (16 votes)
  • 20% of all fundraising to club foundation (14 votes)
  • Every Rotarian donates to club foundation - average $150 (13 votes)
  • 5 Frank Dick Bequests to foundation - $5000 level (13 votes)
Rotary International Foundation
  • $150 per capita - everyone at least $50 (21 votes)
  • 10% of all fundraising to the TRF (17 votes)
  • 10% of members increase PHF level (16 votes)
  • 10% members are in the Bequest Society (6 votes)
  • 5 Benefactors (3 votes)
Presented next was the Statement of Purpose developed by Dan Buron, Sue Lewis and Bill Gross. It is as follows:
The Adrian Noon Rotary Club is a vibrant, fun, and action-oriented club that is growing their membership and financial capability with strong committed members working towards improving the quality of life within the communities we serve. 
 
President-Elect Rod Pender announced the committees that will carry over into his year in addition to three new ones and their respective chairpersons.:
 
 
He urged all members to join a committee this year and stressed the importance of having everyone’s involvement. A sign-up sheet will be passed around at the next meeting.