Posted by Wes Baumann
There were 28 members and no guests at the meeting that was scheduled as a Club Assembly.  No birthdays or club anniversaries were celebrated this week.  President Tom reminded members that there would be a memorial service for long-time member Luvie Owens on Friday, August 11 at 3:00 p.m. at the chapel adjoining the Community House.  Tom also announced that the there will be a Rotary tailgate party at the September 16th Northwestern football game with Bowling Green, more information will be forthcoming.  Robert Mardirossian announced that his final day at the Counseling Center of the North Shore will be September 28th.  The agency is holding a reception for Robert from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on that day at the Community House.  All Rotarians are invited.  Robert also said he will remain a member of our club at least through December, hopefully longer!
 
Tony Kambich was recently in Prague for a peace conference.  He went to a restaurant for dinner and someone noticed he was wearing his Rotary pin and invited him to have dinner with the Rotary club that was meeting that evening.  “Its good to be a Rotarian,” so wear your Rotary pin proudly.  Tony also made a contribution in honor of his 55th wedding anniversary.  Congratulations to Carolyn and Tony!  In the same vein Bill Leske also announced and contributed for his 30th anniversary.  Fred Schwimmer heard from last week’s speaker, ex-NFL referee Jerry Markbreit, expressing how much he enjoyed talking to our Club.  The feeling was mutual and Fred was encouraged to book him again in the future.
 
The main purpose of this week’s meeting was to hold a Club Assembly.  President Tom began by going over the recently conducted Club survey.  Of the suggestions that came up were to have more involvement with our community through local service projects, perhaps joint projects with local Rotary clubs, as well as other service organizations.  It was also suggested that we consider quarterly fellowship meetings, someone even said we should consider such a meeting at the new restaurant where Fred’s garage use to be.  Another suggestion is that we make more clear some of our customs and culture, e.g., making a special donation on one’s birthday, throwing in $2 every week for Dig ‘n Grin, etc.  Club members need to be more responsible for the weekly assignments and get a substitute if they are unable to attend the meeting that they have an assignment.  Another suggestion is to have a large sign that states the organizations that our club supports through grants from the club’s foundation and the special fund-raising we commit to.
 
Rich Lalley gave a financial report and stated that our Club had a $4700 operating deficit in the 2016-17 fiscal year.  He said that Donna has agreed to a lower number of guaranteed lunches each week, which will make a significant dent in that deficit in the future.  Another step is the Club will not budget for the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) but will conduct a special appeal for funds to sent high school students to the special weekend program.  The Club’s Board will also discuss consideration of a small increase in in the quarterly dues.
 
It is critical to build our membership, which has been gradually decreasing the past several years.  All members must make a greater effort to recruit new members.  We are all charged with bringing at least one potential new member to a meeting.  It is also important that members make an effort to greet and welcome any of our guests and engage them in conversation.  If we have the names of potential new members we are to get the names, and if possible, the contact information to Patti Van Cleave.  We should also make a better effort to wear our Rotary pins in the community as the pin may attract a question about Rotary.
 
Let Us Grow the Winnetka/Northfield Rotary Club Together!”