Club Meeting Recap--December 1, 2014

Club President Chuck Grodnik rang the bell calling to order the December 1^st meeting of the Elkhart Rotary Club. Stu Barb offered the invocation and led in the pledge.

Lauura Ezzel introduced student guests from Central High School:

• David Gaff
• Scott Harberg
• Lexi Jacobs
• Alexandra Smith

Announcements:

There will be no meetings on 12/22 and 12/29.

The meeting next week with be a combined meeting with the Kiwanis. Day and time will be confirmed by email sent to all members.

Tony Warning announced an update on Interact. 35 kids will be participating in the bell ringing for the Salvation Army. Their food drive brought in 2500 pounds of food. There are 8 high school seniors going on the trip to Costa Rica.

Terry Rickel announced the availability of Wellfield Botanic Gardens calendars and gift cards . Calendars are $15 and gift cards are $5.

Nic Montgomery from the Salvation Army thanked Rotary for helping with the Thanksgiving meal. He talked about the Red Ribbon campaign that is currently underway and had baskets available for members to take and fill with personal and cleaning products to be donated to those in need. 

Mike Lobeck gave an update on the bell ringing sign up. Next week is the last week before the bell ringing. Mike mentioned that ClubRunner will have instructions for those ringing bells. He said the goal this year is $35,000. He reviewed the previous two years results: 

2012--$30,815

2013--$32,319

Jeff Peat announced the Friday night caroling and "bar hopping" dinner on December 12^th and asked anyone interested in attending to please sign up.

Dick Kallenberg gave the foundation minute highlighting illiteracy. He encouraged everyone to consider year-end giving to the foundation. 

Anthony Hunt was the Sergeant for the day. Monies gathered from fines assessed throughout the year go to local charities.

Stacey Anderson and Meghann Sullivan were our featured speaker. They are co-chairs of The greater Elkhart Young Professionals group. 

The "YPs" are a group of career-focused individuals (primarily but not exclusively ages 21-44) who collectively choose to have a positive impact on the Elkhart community. They are involved with the Elkhart Chamber and have helped on area projects including the Chamber golf outing and “Taste of the Gardens” at the Wellfield Botanic Gardens. They also put on the Explore Elkhart Series and developed Cheers for Charity which benefits area charities.  They have also hosted events in many local restaurants. One of their biggest fundraisers of the year was a black tie “whodunit,” which was an interactive mystery dinner held at the Lerner.

Chuck Grodnik asked the trivia question for the week. There was some confusion about who answered it first.

The meeting was adjourned.