Gregg Smith called an official meeting of the Rotary Club to order to elect open positions on the board of Rotary Charities.  Gregg called to order the meeting.

The previous week’s special joint meeting and minutes of last year’s joint annual meeting of Rotary Camps and Services, and Rotary Charities were approved.   

The election of the trustees to the Rotary Charities’ board was held. Ballots were cast during the meeting to vote for the three open positions. Allison Beers, Beth Karczewski, and Marlene Bevan held their positions on the board for another three year term.

 The election of the trustees to the Rotary Camps and Services board was held, and a motion to cast a unanimous ballot for Krista Goode, Dave Millross, and Phil Rosi. 

Moved by Randall Kamps, with support by Marsha Minervini.

After a year of service to the Traverse City region, Rotary’s 2014-2015 Annual Report was released, detailing the funding and strategic direction for the next year. 

While the Traverse City club’s revenues are noted for its basis in oil and gas royalties, sound investments and building networks have created a sustainable, and healthy model for the future.

President Dale Chilcote introduced Marsha Smith, Executive Director of Rotary Charities, and Gregg Smith, Chair of the Rotary Charities Board.

THE YEAR IN REVIEW:

Marsha Smith and Gregg Smith presented a thorough, annual report on Rotary’s three organizations:  Charities, Camps and Services, and the Club.

“When most folks think about Rotary Charities, they think about our financial assets,” Mr. Smith said.  “… We provide a lot more than just grants to make our communities better.”

While the total portfolio for Rotary Charities of Traverse City is down from an all-time high of $48 million to $47 million, Mr. Smith noted that “we’ve paid out over two million dollars in grants this last fiscal year.”

Once focused on funding primarily “bricks and mortar,” Rotary Charities has evolved over the years to also support programs and capacity building through both grants and NorthSky services. Charities has also expanded their scope, working to not only support nonprofits, but networks and communities.

Last fiscal year, 42% of grants were awarded to Health and Human Services initiatives, including $250,000 to the End Polio Now campaign. Add that to other efforts, including donations directly from club members, plus matched dollars, and a total of over $870,000 was raised to end polio.

The Arts and Culture sector was another big beneficiary, including funds going towards SEEDS’ efforts to help at-risk youth, program funding for the Inland Seas Education Association, and a grant towards the beautiful restoration of the Historic Barns Park.

When Cherryland Humane Society recently needed a new Executive Director, they experienced the impact of Rotary Charities via the NorthSky program.

 “Northsky consultants not only helped the board organize for the new (Executive Director) search, but placed a new interim director”, Mr. Smith said Rotarian, and NorthSky consultant, John Noonan was recognized for his role in bridging that gap in leadership at Cherryland Humane Society.

Marsha Smith gave examples of Rotary’s impact on our region, and the future of Rotary Charities’ efforts.  She presented four key strategies to be employed in the next few years: 

Foster and provide leadership; promote community collaboration; increase the capacity of organizations, networks and systems; and unlock, leverage and attract resources.

Ms. Smith shared an example of supporting networks with the input of a phenomenal resource, June Holley (Gates Foundation, United Nations) and other consultants to provide “real-time learning, as we go” to share best practices on growing networks and getting better outcomes.

She also shared Rotary’s recent refinancing agreement with the Great Lakes Children’s Museum as a shining example of unlocking resources to make a big impact.

Improvements to facilities at The City Opera House, and projects at the Boardman River (with $100,000 coming from the Annual Gourmet Game Dinner) were other examples of how all three organizations (Charities, Camps & Services, and the Club) utilized both financial resources and “people power” to create sustainable change in our community, and internationally. 

 

 

 

 

 

Activity:  Work on Boardwalk, fencing and clearing trail of storm debris

Date:  Friday, October 2 (Oct 9 rain date)

Time:   1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location:  Meet at the Mayfield Road/East Creek Crossing (off Mayfield Road – call 941-4010 for directions)

Dress:  Work clothes, work gloves, boots and waders if you have them

Social Hour: We’ll wrap up with fellowship, a campfire and treats!

Please RSVP to sfoster@rotarycharities.org or 941-4010. Please include your cell phone and email address