When Rotarians Talk Great Ideas Happen!
Posted by Sandy Naragon
on Jun 20, 2016
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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