As promised, below are more ideas generated at the April 12th Table Talk session. 
 
Fundraising – Blake Babcock, Leader
 
Strengths:  Leadership:  Mella Castner; Simple:  The Four Way Test is an easy message to communicate to potential donors and members; Concrete:  Rotary Camp is a physical asset to show people; Radical:  There’s no other event like the Chili Open!
 
Priorities:  Develop Planned Giving; Maximize Chili Open Sponsorships; Clarify the Foundation’s Role; Hold more events at Camp to build awareness; Engage college and high school students.
 
Potpourri – Bob Pacanovsky, Leader
 
  • Narrow the focus on club’s service projects
  • Be more than a “wallet” and be willing to say No from time to time
  • Have a conversation with the Akron Public Schools about helping them out in other ways?  Possibly provide leaders and mentors for students?
  • Follow up with student scholarship recipients to provide any mentoring
  • Investigate awarding scholarships to local students study abroad. 
  • Get more members engaged with Rotary Camp; give more Camp updates at lunch; remind Rotarians about Thursday and Sunday Camp visits
 
Programs – Amanda Barna, Leader
 
Hold joint meetings with other groups, i.e. Kiwanis, Kent Rotary during Akron/Kent football game.  Have coaches or mayors speak.  Meeting location could alternate same as home game.
 
More field trips, especially Rotary Camp.
 
Bring back favorite past speakers: Terry Bowden- UA football coach, ABJ reporter who talked about Akron demographics (Price?)
 
Speaker Ideas:
  • Akron Children’s Hospital; the DWTS event was mentioned
  • Akron General CEO
  • Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan
  • Akron Public Schools - David James
  • Akron Snow Angels- Erin Victor
  • Akron Symphony Conductor/Detroit Conductor
  • Akron Police Chief James Nice
  • Bit Factory
  • Directors from ADM Board, DD Board, Children Services
  • Haven of Rest
  • Kyle Kutuchief
  • Leadership Akron - Mark Scheffler
  • LeBron James Family Foundation
  • New Goodyear CEO
  • Polar Bear Club
  • Summa CEO
  • Summit County Health Department
  • United Way- Jim Mullen
  • University of Akron
  • WAKR to give an update on what is happening in Akron, in Ohio and the region
  • Spotlight a Rotarian at each meeting allowing 3-5 minute presentations.
  • If it’s important to our community, Rotary should be engaged, i.e. heroin epidemic
 
Rotary International Foundation – Cathryn O’Malley, Leader
 
  • Educate Akron Rotarians about Rotary International (Quarterly)
  • What projects are there?
  • What’s our role in deciding on international projects?
  • Introduce new members to Paul Harris Fellowships – explain financial commitment and lottery.
  • Create new ways to give
  • Grow the International Committee
  • Where do Paul Harris Funds go?
  • Broaden fundraising beyond the Camp and Chili Open
  • Define local/district/international role in service projects and RI
  • Raise Akron Rotary’s service project awareness – focus on Internal speakers throughout the year.
 
Some of these terrific ideas are already becoming a reality!  Moving forward, President-Elect Jeff Sitz will transition into 2016-17 and even more will take shape.  Regardless of who’s leading Akron Rotary, the goal remains—create an amazing and personal fulfilling experience for Akron Rotarians!
 
 
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