Rotary Club of Owego, NY ROTATELLER
Tuesday, February 8, 2005 Gary Williams, Editor

Opening:

Judy Kip, our president, opened the meeting with the Pledge. We sang the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Laura Costello gave the inspirational thought. The pianist entertained with Love songs in honor of the upcoming Valentine’s Day.

Guests:

Al Bingley introduced Lois Bingley. Jose Rojas Bojallil fresh from Spencer, NY was introduced by Laura Costello. Andres was absent – that tooth is bothering him again.

Music:

We sang the “Welcome Song”. Then Carl led us in “Tell Me Why.”

Exchange Student Report:

Jose reported on attending the Inbound Exchange Student Orientation Session. Wilma reported that Staci celebrated her birthday and Carnival this weekend.

Announcements:

• Laura thanked all the Club members who hosted or helped with the Orientation in any way. Judy thanked Laura Costello and Mychael Willon for their efforts.
• Laura presented a photo collage to Mychael. The collage was prepared by Cathleen Adler- Matt Adler’s wife. Judy, Michael, Laura and Mary Breuninger – district Youth chairwoman – all received one. Each exchange student received a group picture.
• Laura announced that on March 13th the Owego Club has the privilege of hosting the outbound students and parents Orientation Session.
• Harry announced that Gary Williams’s son has returned from Iraq.
• Judy reminded us to send in reservations for the 100th Anniversary Dinner Dance on the 19th.
• Harry and Laura were instrumental in hanging the plaque at the Owego Treadway that our club received from the Chamber of Commerce.
• Look in the Sayre newspaper for an article that mentions the Owego Rotary Club.
• Carolyn Wright reported we had 63 members at the end of January. 30 members participated this weekend.
• Orv Wright announced that the next two meetings will be:
1. New member talks
2. Past Presidents – their goals and plans if they were going to be president next year.

Fines:

Michael Slavetskas fined us for not saying hello as we entered the room. He also fined us for not saying good bye as we left our previous environment.

Happy Dollars:

Many were happy today.

The Program:

Judy announced a club assembly. Then she introduced Hal Abrams who presented some thoughts about improving the club raffle.

1. Expand to sell 250 - previously 200 were sold
• We now earn $35.50 for each ticket. We could expand to $38 for each.
• Expand the number of prizes.
• Increase amount raised from $7100 to $9500.
2. Hold the drawing at a carnival, picnic or other event, not noon time meeting
• One thought was to do this at the Family Picnic.
3. Hold the drawing in August – not so close to the poinsettia sale.
4. Expand the activities at the drawing to include 50/50, Silent and Chinese Auctions, etc.

Objectives of the Raffle

1. Raise money
2. Spread our Rotary Story
3. Fraternalism – discussion was held at our table about the sexist connotation of this word.

Discussion was held. Some of these ideas were presented:

1. handouts (brochures, reverse side of tickets) with the tickets
2. family picnic shouldn’t be changed
3. Hold the event on another evening with a theme (barbecue, clam bake….)
4. Family picnic was to get acquainted with the exchange students
5. Family picnic is already full of events
6. Return envelopes improved – print them
7. list of club projects
8. More prizes

Respectfully submitted,
Wilma Betcher (substitute note taker)

It was a challenge writing the notes and playing the piano at the same time. I didn’t catch everything.

There was so much to report on I probably shouldn’t add a recent book that I read, but here goes….

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