Happy Jar
Adrian DeCoo was happy that he and a group of friends participated in their 44th annual canoe trip last week.
Bill Proctor reported record sales of $1,650 at the market on August 31 achieved along with Adrian DeCoo.
Shawky Fahel was please to have hosted the District Governor long with president Paul at a luncheon last week.
Lumi Mironescui was delighted that Bianca Andreescu won the US Open in tennis, adding to the great Canadian victory of the Raptors.
Bell Ringer(s)
President Paul recognized all members who have helped with equipment set-up and ticket sales at the Market so far this year as Bell Ringers this week.
President's Wine Quiz
All members who downloaded the ClubRunner app at our meeting on August 26, and have used it since got to fill out a ballot.
Question: What District Training Event, in October, has Louise Gardiner just emailed members about?
Answer: The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI)
Club Announcements
Secretary Bill reminded members that once that get their new Police Check they need to send him a copy. At the request of several members, Bill will resend the information about how to apply for the Check.
President Paul reinforced the information about RLI sent out by Louise and encouraged all members to attend.
Adrian DeCoo provided an update on Car Draw highlighting that sales at the Market are going well and reminding members that when using the Sign-up sheet to please be aware of the separate sign-up sections for Ticket Sales and Equipment Set-up. Dates are still available in September for sales at the Market.
President Paul also announced that we will be having a special meeting on Friday, October 4. We will be joining the Rotary Club of Kitchener Conestoga and the guest speaker will be Grace Acan, one of the first young ladies we sponsored through the Rotary African Women's Education Fund. The meeting of September 30 of that week will be canceled.
50/50 Draw
Our pot is getting up there and is now at $722! Once again Jack eluded Richard Bruckeder, Neil Swayze and Lew Ford so it will be even bigger next week!
Program Highlights
Our program today was a Kick Off for our 2019 Online Auction Fundraising Campaign, led by committee chair Neil Swayze. Neil began by recognizing the members of the committee: Jim Brown, Lumi Mironescui, Gary Parker, Bill Proctor, Darren Sweeney, Paul Rostrup, Russ St. Louis and Ray Taylor. Neil also thanked Howard Pell and Martin Jones who will be assisting with the data inputting as well as Hubert Singh who will be helping out with the sign distribution for our Sign Blitz day on October 26th.
Last, year, building on the success from previous years, our goal was to have a 20% increase in net profits to bring our total to $10,100. However, we did an outstanding job and ended up with a 54% increase for a total in net profits of $12,974. This was achieved in part by having the target of each member of the club bringing in at least $500 in product.
Our goal this year is a modest 12% increase in net profit for a total of $15,000 and again we are setting the target for each member to bring in at least $500 in product or sponsorships. However, President Paul pointed out that our success last year was due primarily to only a small percentage of the club members as illustrated in the following chart.
Value of Product & Sponsorships Number of Members
$0 21
$1 - $499 10
$500 - $999 7
$1,000 - $1,400 0
$1,500 - $1,999 1
$2,000 and above 5
As indicted in the chart, 13 members met or exceeded the $500 goal but 31 members did not, with 21 members not contributing any amount. Paul stressed that for this fundraising activity to grow it is essential that ALL members do their part and meet the $500 target!
Neil then provided some ideas and suggestions on how members can achieve this.
Ideas for Sources of 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
Ideas for Sources of Product:
- 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
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
Tools Available to Help You (Copies available in the Member Documents folder)
- 2019 Tip Sheet (You really need to read this!)
- 2019 Customizable Sample Letter of Request
- 2019 Sponsorship Form
- 2019 Donor & Item Information Form
- 2018 Auction Items by Donor
- Lists all of the items procured last year
- Please review and re-contact donor for a donation this year
- If unable to, let someone else on the committee know
Here is how we will be promoting the Auction, with your help:
- Send email with link Auction Site to colleagues, friends, family
- Distribute the Auction Promotion business cards to colleagues, family, friends, service providers, store owners, strangers . . .
- Place a lawn sign on your lawn or at your office location
- Participate in the Sign Blitz on Saturday, October 26
Closing Remarks & Reminders
President Paul reminded members that there is no meeting next week and we will back together here at the hotel on September 23 when our speaker will be Mary Jane Patterson from REEP Green Solutions.
