50/50 RAFFLE:
ZACH BROWN announced the winning ticket for today's 50/50 Raffle. VICKI BURCH was the owner of the ticket! Unfortunately the Ace of Diamonds eluded her. She received a $10 gift card from Purdue Federal as consolation prize.

PROGRAM:

Today's Annual Recognition Meeting (known as "Pass the Gavel Meeting" in some circles) began with DICK RAHDERT thanking the members who are always present, week after week. TOM MORAN and BOB VERPLANK wear several hats each week. He thanked Club Board Members, noting that WES MC DIVITT has a big job and does it with quiet competence. The Budget and Governance committees as well as the Financial Task Force have put in many hours. He thanked outgoing board members, SUSAN HYCHKA, JAYNE FEATHERS, JACK KELLEY AND DON GUSTAFSON for their service. And he thanked the backpack crews for their work each week. DICK feels receiving the District Governor's and the Presidential Citations represented a high point of the year. Our clubs work at the District Level, being the lead team for the Gift of Life Uganda doctor training program and awarding 24 Paul Harris Fellows this year makes us important players in the work of Rotary. Even though our club is not bigger, we are better and bolder.

DICK installed TIM LUZADER as President for the Rotary year 2011/2012 and handed him the gavel.

TIM thanked DICK for a great year and presented the plaque and past president's pin, along with a year's worth of Ripples.

TIM introduced JACK KELLEY to give us an update on International Projects. He highlighted the laundry equipment to the orphanage in Mexico; the burn unit in San Salvador; the microscopes for Liberia, an EKG machine for Zambia and the team of doctors from Riley Children's Hospital that train doctors in Uganda. That is a lot of "bang for the buck".

GORDON COPPOC reviewed the Open World team from Ukraine that we hosted.

GREG KAPP, chair of the Salvation Army bell ringers, noted that on December 4th there was a snow-storm. We lost the competition with Kiwanis. Next year we intend to raise more money than Kiwanis on December 10th. Mark your calendars!

CATHY BARRON reminded us that the Backpack Project has been our signature project for the past three years. She recognized the crews who procure the food, pack the backpacks and distribute the backpacks to grateful children. She also thanked University Plaza Hotel for providing two pieces of fresh fruit for each pack and Lafayette Carpet Cleaning for cleaning the backpacks each summer. Finally CATHY thanked the membership for financial and physical support of the project.

TIM honored past president by asking them to stand. He quoted Robert Burton by saying "I light my candle from their torches."

This year's 50-year member is BYRON ANDERSON. Unfortunately, BYRON was unable to be present today to receive a rousing ovation.

LETA KELLEY reported for Family of Rotary. There have been 4 - 6 euchre parties with a maximum of 16 participants. The trip to the Opera with dinner following was a big success and will be repeated. The committee also plans the Christmas meeting entertainment.

TIM introduced RAY PEETERS who introduced Pat Kepler, widow of REX KEPLER. She said that REX'S life centered around music and Rotary. She thanked JIM HOBBS and RAY PEETERS for transportation provided to REX.

CHIP RUTLEDGE gave us an update on Ginny Tyler, widow of TIP TYLER. Unfortunately she was unable to attend today.

FRITZ COHEN reported on Linda Cohen, widow of ARNIE COHEN. Her conflict today was related to helping someone in need. Truly in the Rotary spirit.

DICK RAHDERT surprised JIM KLUSMAN with the Rotarian of the Year Award. JIM'S service to the club goes back at least ten years. He has served as chair of the Planning Committee, the Governance Committee and the Gus Macker committee. Recent accomplishments include incorporating the club, writing new bylaws and developing policies.

TIM introduced ZACH BROWN, who talked about recruiting a new Rotarian. Three steps are involved:
1. Talk to friends, family and co-workers. There are an amazing number of people who know nothing about Rotary.
2. Tell them specifically what you like about Rotary. Talk about the wealth of knowledge in this room.
3. Encourage them to come to a meeting. Invite them to play Euchre.

TIM then defined SURF for us. He developed this acronym after much thought. It boils down to:

S for Service Above Self.
U for You.
R for Relevancy.
F for Foundations' Success.

He then asked University Plaza Hotel representative Heidi Gutheri to come forward to be recognized for the cooperation and contribution from the hotel, week in and week out.

He also thanked BOB VERPLANK and BOB GRIFFITHS for orchestrating today's meeting. With that said, he adjourned the meeting by using the gavel so recently handed to him.

GUESTS:

Shari Rahdert, wife of DICK RAHDERT; Kevin Robbins, guest of JIM IRVINE; Pat Kepler, widow of REX KEPLER and guest of the club.

THANKS TO THOSE WHO HELP WITH
MEETING FUNCTIONS:

Money Collectors: DON GENTRY and BILL HEATH; Greeter: VICKI BURCH; Invocation: FRED KUIPERS; Pianists: HARRIET COPPOC and BOB GRIFFITHS; Song Leader: ARVID OLSON; 50/50 Raffle Ticket Sellers: ZACH BROWN. Help with attendance and facilitating a smooth meeting: JO WADE. Help with Ripples: BILL FULLER.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

PDG SALIM NAJJAR presented a Woodruff Key to DG NANCY MADRU. This key fits into the center of our Rotary Wheel gear, enabling the gear to turn something larger.

 


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