Meeting Recording
This was an in-person meeting and a recording is not available.
Visiting Rotarians
Oladapo Oluupaiseyi, from Nigeria, currently studying at Conestoga College
Guests
Saimi Hartikainen, Our Exchange Student form Finland
President's Comments
Past-president Bryn welcomed all to the meeting while President Dave is on his honeymoon.
Happy Jar
Louise is happy to see how happy our president Dave is at his wedding and seeing all of his pictures online. She was also very pleased that at her travel association conference this past weekend she received the 2024 Active Advocacy Award.
Club Announcements
Youth Exchange
We have received the first of Ella’s reports from Japan and highlights were read. She is enjoying her large host family with mom, dad, grandma, two sisters and two older brothers. The family visit the city together on weekends and during the week play games and do homework together.
She has been at school for two weeks now which runs from 8:30 to 3:30 or 4:30 depending on the day and is taking 7 classes. Her favourites being music, mathematics, Japanese calligraphy and Japanese/Taiko drumming. For the first few days she was drive to school but now goes by bicycle and enjoys the scenery.
On her first weekend she attended her host sister Satoka’s school fair and enjoyed the teriyaki burgers and playing their whack-a-mole game. On the second weekend she visited the Higashi Chaya district in Kanazawa finding the buildings there very beautiful and she said “walking those streets makes me feel like I am in a dream.”
Her Host Rotary Club has been incredibly welcoming and very patient with her as she is learning the language. She has not done a formal presentation yet but gives brief talk at each meeting.
Finance Committee
Louise Gardiner reported that the club is moving our financial records and operations to Quick Books online. This will make our record keeping more secure and easier to keep up to date. We are also changing our banking to LIbro which will allow for more electronic actions including online approvals and e-transfers.
Special Recognitions / Presentations
Our club earned the RI President’s Citation last year and Past-President Paul Rostrup was pleased to present it to Bryn along with a book of photos and highlights from our Facebook page during his year as president last year.
Program Highlights
Our program today was the Kick Off to our 2024 Online Auction Fundraising Campaign, presented by Bill Proctor.
How It Operates
- Members solicit Items and/or sponsors
- Items are placed in the online Auction that runs from November 2 to November 16 (full description and photo provided for each item)
- The auction is promoted through social media, previous participants, lawn signs and by members to friends, family and colleagues
- 7 Other clubs are involved as well (upwards of 1,000 items in total)
- Each club earns the funds from the selling of their items
- Sponsorships help to cover expenses
The power and draw of the auction is that there are 7 clubs participating so the auction has many items with something for everyone. It was stressed that the most important aspect of the auction is the involvement of the members finding donations and promoting the auction.
We exceeded our goal last year with a profit of $25,261 and believe we can keep this momentum going to reach a goal this year of $30,000, just a 20% increase over last year. With everyone’s participation we can do it. Again this year we need all members to bring in at least $500 in product and / or sponsorships.
Sources for Sponsors:
- Employer
- Major businesses you frequent or have used recently . . .
- Major Appliance Dealers
- Home Renovations / New Roof
- Lawn / Garden Service
- Doctor / Dentist / Lawyer / Insurance Broker
- Car Dealership
- Golf Clubs
- Yourself / Friends / Family
Sources for Product Donations:
- Employer
- Retail outlets where you, or your spouse/partner, do regular business and are known to clerks/owner/manager
- Restaurants, Theatres you frequent
- New retail businesses or services looking to establish themselves in the area
- Cold Calls
- Personal Donation (you can get a tax receipt)
High Return Items:
- Gift Cards ($50+)
- Computers & Electronics
- Travel & Life Experiences
- Health / Spa / Beauty Care
- Outdoor & Backyard Items
- Clothing / Fashion / Jewelry
- Appliances & Home Décor Items
- Power Tools / Lawn Mowers / Snow Blowers
- Sporting Event Tickets & Memorabilia / Anything Golf Related
Auction Tools for members:
- 2024 Customizable Sample Letter of Request (already provided)
- 2024 Sponsorship Form (already provided)
- 2024 Donor & Item Information Form (already provided)
- 2024 Tips Sheet (provided at the meeting)
An updated package with all of the items will be sent to members. All members are encouraged to read the Tips provided when they receive it, and if they have any questions they can contact Bill Proctor (bill.proctor@bell.net)
Auction Promotion:
- Send email with Auction Site link to colleagues, friends, family
- Distribute the Auction Promotion flyer / post card to colleagues, family, friends, service providers, store owners, strangers . . .
- Place a lawn sign on your lawn and/or at your office location (be sure to collect and return signs after the event)
After the presentation, members brainstormed on possible donators and items that could be obtained making their own Auction Action List.
Closing Remarks & Reminder
Please check the reminders below for upcoming dates.
Kitchener Rotary e-Newsletter
