JIM HOBBS asked PHIL KINGER to draw the winning ticket for today's 50/50 Raffle. He drew his own number! Unfortunately the Ace of Diamonds eluded him. He received one of our assortment of consolation prizes.

SUSAN HYCHKA presented new Paul Harris pins to BOB FEUER (4 sapphires), BOB GRIFFITHS (1 sapphire), and TOM MORAN (1 sapphire). TOM pointed out that this recognition is in the name of his grandfather, THOMAS MORAN, who was the first president of this Rotary Club.

PRESIDENT ELECT TIM LUZADER introduced fellow Rotarian DON GENTRY, Chair of the Task Force studying our club's financial situation. JOHN COREY, JACK KELLEY and DON have been meeting since January, developing goals and formulating recommendations. When reviewing the assets of the club and the club foundation, they were pleased to find both in great shape. DON explained where our dues go, noting that 37% go directly to RI and the District. He also explained that funds raised from Gus Macker for the Back Pack program have been exhausted. To continue to fund this project, Club reserves and member contributions will be used until another fund raiser produces enough to cover the expenses.

The Lafayette Rotary Club Foundation's mission is to fund local projects. The Endowment funds have recovered from the serious dip in 2008. DON talked about the Distribution Policy (a Moving Three Year Average formula), which the group feels to be very conservative. Recommendations by the Task Force to create a Projects Fund and to award Golden Service recognition points for contributions to either the Endowment Fund or the Projects Fund was accepted by the Foundation last month.

The Club Board approved the Task Force recommendations and asked the finance committee to track progress and report twice a year. The Club will select no more than 4 projects to fund each year (based on funds available). Salvation Army checks will be made payable to Salvation Army, but tracked through the club. Members may pay dues or make contributions to the Foundation through their bank, but a note identifying the member needs to be made on the check. The Board will be reviewing the high school scholarship program to be sure it is serving us and the students in the best possible way.

Contributions to The Rotary Foundation are being made directly by members. The process for on line and snail mail payments needs to be explained often to club members. We need a better way of tracking individual contributions. An explanation of the matching points is needed. These requests will be made of the International Foundation Committee and District officials.

Several good questions were asked at the end of DON'S presentation. He and his Task Force members were applauded for a job well done.

Steve Hychka, husband of SUSAN HYCHKA. Last week Lee Hickam was the guest (and is the father-in-law) of JIM IRVINE.

WARREN STEVENSON, Punta Gorda, FL

Money Collectors: PAUL POST and RAY PEETERS; Greeter: MICHAEL HUNT; Invocation: BOB VERPLANK; Pianist: HARLEY FREY; Song Leader: BOB VERPLANK; 50/50 Raffle Ticket Sellers: JOHN BARRETT and JIM HOBBS. Help with attendance and facilitating a smooth meeting: JO WADE and TOM MORAN. Help with Ripples: BILL FULLER.

THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK:

"Peace is more the product of our day-to-day living than of a spectacular program, intermittently executed." Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Courage is the price that Life extract for granting peace." Amelia Earhart

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