April President's Article
Hopefully spring has finally sprung and our weekly meetings can be followed with a round of golf soon. Since my year is quickly coming to an end, I was reviewing my goals the other day. Though they seemed lofty at the time, I was surprised how close we are and want to encourage each of you to help me meet them.
Below is a summary of them and some comments:
· My main goal for the year is to keep building upon all the momentum we’ve created.
o I think we have!
· I’d like to continue to grow membership and hope to have a net increase of 10%. That probably means 20 new members as a handful will fall off for various reasons.
o Believe it or not, we are on pace to achieve both of these. We just need 4 more members to reach 20. Please try to think of someone to bring to our family.
· I want to maintain the clubs profitable situation we were in this past year. Times are tough and you should all be very proud of this.
o Less than 2 years ago, this club ran in a deficit due to many different challenges. We are headed to our 2nd consecutive profitable year and forecast for greater than $5,000 of net income.
· I would like to close out our camp capital campaign this year.
o WOW are we close on this. More importantly, look at how far it has come. You have ALL had a hand in this.
· I want to coordinate an international project.
o Our contribution to the Medical YATRA in India trip and surgeries in India might not be an official Rotary International project but Mary Weaver’s commitment to help out and represent our club should be recognized and our support was appreciated.
· I would also like to provide a dictionary to each 3rd grader in the Akron public schools.
o DONE. Book it! J Great job to Graham and his whole committee.
· We are going to move our meeting location.
o This has been nice for everyone I think.
· Chili Open to exceed $150,000.
o Shon, Mark and the rest of our club and sponsors met that challenge and beat it!
Now where I dropped the ball was on my Akron Rotarian of the Month Awards. My plan was to award this every month to the member I felt best demonstrated my theme for the year:
Get Engaged and Be Inspired!
The truth is, it is hard for me to single anyone out as so many of you have done that! I have been so inspired by so many of you that I need to do something, and I will before Lance kicks me out of office. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, keep doing what you do and take a minute to enjoy the ride.
Yours in Rotary Service,
William Manby, Jr.
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