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THIS FRIDAY'S MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE "BALLROOM" AT MEYER'S LAKE 
This Friday's meeting will be held in the "BALLROOM" at Meyer's Lake Ballroom.  We are anticipating a large crowd for our speaker and we want to make sure we have adequate seating space. Thank you!
RSVP YOUR GUESTS FOR FRIDAY'S MEETING!
If anyone is planning on bringing guests to FRIDAY'S meeting on January 13, 2017, PLEASE contact the Rotary office ASAP (330) 452-2882! We want to ensure there is sufficient seating and food available for everyone.  Thank you!
 
 
 
LEN KOMOROSKI, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE THE NBA CHAMPION CLEVELAND CAVALIERS AND QUICKEN LOANS ARENA ORGANIZATION TO SPEAK THIS FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2017
Len Komoroski is Chief Executive Officer of the NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena organization. The organization includes the Calder Cup Champion Cleveland Monsters (AHL), Cleveland Gladiators (AFL), and Canton Charge (NBADL). In addition, he plays a leadership role for business operations and business-related endeavors for Cavs majority owner Dan Gilbert’s family of sports and entertainment interests in Ohio. He is also a principal in JACK Entertainment, which operates JACK Casino Cleveland and JACK Thistledown Racino. In addition, Komoroski played a significant leadership role in securing Cleveland as the host city for the 2016 Republican National Convention.
 
With more than 30 years of experience in pro sports and entertainment, Komoroski’s leadership has helped set a solid business foundation from which the Cleveland Cavaliers, Lake Erie Monsters, Cleveland Gladiators, Canton Charge and Quicken Loans Arena have flourished into one of the most successfully operated sports and entertainment organizations in the country.
 
Komoroski joined the Cavaliers organization in 2003 as president. In his first year, he restructured and transformed how the Cavaliers approached the business community; assembled a team of top sports marketing pros; transformed the organization’s communications efforts; and oversaw the development of one of the most dynamic game experiences in the NBA.
 
Other accomplishments at the helm of the Cavaliers business operations include playing pivotal roles in developing one of the top cable television relationships in the NBA with Fox Sports Ohio, as well as securing the entitlement of the Cavaliers new state-of-the-art player development center - Cleveland Clinic Courts. Komoroski also played a leadership role in the acquisition of the Monsters (AHL), Charge (NBDL) and Gladiators (AFL). Additionally, he was instrumental in establishing The Q’s new relationship with Cleveland State University to promote CSU Vikings basketball and book events at the Wolstein Center.
 
The Cavaliers franchise is consistently recognized within the pro sports team industry (NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and MLS) as a business model for “best practices,” and has been a finalist for Sports Business Journal’s prestigious “Sports Team of the Year” award several times in past years. The award recognizes excellence, creativity and innovation in franchise business operations. The Cavs strong business model was also recognized at the 2016 NBA Sales and Marketing meetings, where the team brought home a league-high six awards, including the coveted Game Experience Satisfaction award.
 
As one of the seven Principles of JACK Entertainment, Komoroski played an instrumental role in bringing first-class, full-service casino gaming to downtown Cleveland and Cincinnati along with thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of positive economic impact for local and statewide communities.
 
Very active as a community and civic leader, he serves on the board of directors of AXS/Veritix, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, Destination Cleveland, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Cleveland chapter of the United Way. He is also a trustee for Cleveland Clinic’s Hillcrest Hospital and Cleveland State University.  Komoroski was named Sales and Marketing Executives of Cleveland’s (SME) 2013 Business Executive of the Year, and in 2014 received the PRSA John Hill Award for his outstanding understanding and support of communications by an organization's president or chief executive officer.
 
Prior to joining the Cavaliers organization, Komoroski was the Senior Vice President and Chief of Business Operations with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles (1996-2003). There, he played a pivotal role in the Eagles’ growth and business success, which included bringing the Eagles Television Network in-house and helping to develop the Eagles training facility and then broker the record-setting, multi-million dollar naming rights deal for the NovaCare Complex.  He also helped lead the development of Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles state-of-the-art stadium and secured a 20-year, $140 million naming rights agreement with Lincoln Financial Group which, at the time, was one of the largest such agreements in pro sports history. 
 
Prior to the Eagles, Komoroski was the Senior Vice President and COO of the International Hockey League’s (IHL) Cleveland Lumberjacks (1994-96). The team was one of three profitable IHL teams in 1996. His first stint in the NBA was with Minnesota Timberwolves as Vice President of Sales (1988-1994), there he played a major role in the start-up of the team and its arena, the Target Center. Komoroski is a 1982 cum laude graduate of Duquesne University.  He and his wife Denise have three daughters – Kristin, Kelly, and Jamie, and a son, Zachary.
 
 
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LUNCHEON MENU & ASSIGNMENT FOR JAN 13TH
CHICKEN PARMESAN
PASTA W/MARINARA
GREEN BEANS
 
SPEAKER CHAIR - SHARON SIRPILLA
INVOCATOR - SHARON SIRPILLA
SONG LEADER - BOB MYERS
GREETER LEADER - BILL MADDOX
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"UNEVENT" RAFFLE IS HERE!!
The “Unevent” Raffle is here! Don’t miss out on your chance to win fabulous prizes. Grand prize is $500 cash! This low-maintenance fundraiser can bring in several thousand dollars to the club with minimal effort. All members need to do is sell tickets to family, friends and co-workers!
 
Tickets are available for $25. Checks made payable to the Rotary Club of Canton. Members may take as many as they think they can sell. Winners do not have to be present to win.
 
Drawings will begin January 27. We will hold drawings during our regular Friday meetings. Three names will be drawn each week and shown live on Facebook. The final “unevent” will take place on February 28 at 5:30 at Canton Brewing Company. Join us for fellowship and a cash bar.
 
Thank you to the Rotarians who stepped up and donated prizes to help make our event more successful: Adrian Allison, Dave Beule, Julia Dick, Lynn Hamilton, Michelle Mullaly, Tom Schervish, Ernie Schott, Jeff Scott, Tim Shetzer, Rick Taylor, Greg Triner, Paul White and Craig Young.
 
The following prizes will be awarded:

Week 1:  - Gift Bag from Canton Brewing Company ($50 value);
                 -$50 gift certificate to Mr. Mike’s Catering;
                 -Young Truck Sales Cooler with 18 craft beers ($65 value)

Week 2:  - 2 bottles of wine from L.A. Dick ($65 value);
                 -2 Canton Symphony Orchestra tickets ($70 value);
                 -1 quart of ice cream per month for a year from Taggarts ($78 value)

Week 3:  - 1 pound of meat per month for a year from Kennedy’s ($84 value);
                 -$50 Scott Talbot Salonspa gift card and $50 worth of products;
                 -2 $50 gift certificates to Kozmo’s Grille

Week 4:  - McKinley Gift Bag from Canton City Schools ($100 value);
                 -Center Ice birthday skating party for 10

Week 5:  - 6 month YMCA regional family membership;
                 -$500 cash
 
***TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK
 
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PASSING OF LONGTIME ROTARIAN, WARD A. SCOTT
Ward A. Scott, age 86, of North Canton passed away Tuesday after a brief illness. Born in Canton to the late Ward A. and Grace E. (Smith) Scott, he was a life resident. Ward was a 1948 graduate of Lehman High School and also of Kent State University. He was a long time member of Christ Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and Elder, and sang in the choir for over 50 years. He was a member and past president of the National Costume Assoc. Ward was the retired owner of Scott Costume. His memberships included Rotary Club of Canton, Downtown Canton Assoc., Palace Theatre Assoc., Canton Preservation Society, Stark County Library Board, VOCI, and Players Guild, where he acted in many productions and directed many productions at area high schools. He also sang with the Canton and Cleveland Symphonies, was a member of McKinley Lodge # 431 F&AM, Retired Executive Club, and was active with Meals on Wheels. Ward enjoyed gardening, traveling, music and friends.
 
He is survived by his sister, Elaine Savage of Canton; nephew, Bruce (Kristi) Savage of St. Louis; numerous great nieces, nephews and cousins.  
 
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Music Fund of Christ Presbyterian Church 530 Tuscarawas St., W. Canton, OH 44702.
 
 
 
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ENDOWMENT FUND CONTRIBUTIONS
The following Endowment Fund contributions have been made in memory of the following:
 
Ken Weber
 
  - Rick and Kristina Taylor
 
Ralph Lind
 
  - E. Peter and Lennie Taflan
  - Rick and Kristina Taylor
 
Ward Scott
 
  - Virginia Neutzling
  - John and Mary Schumacher
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CHARITABLE FUND DRIVE
ShelterBox was founded to provide shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disasters and humanitarian crises around the world.  

In April 2000, the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard in Cornwall, England adopted ShelterBox as its millennium project. Little did they know that it would become the largest Rotary club project in the world, with affiliates in countries across the globe.

In 2002, ShelterBox's American affiliate was adopted as a project of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota, Fla. In 2004, ShelterBox USA was officially established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.   
 
The first consignment of 143 boxes was sent to earthquake victims in India in January 2001. Over the next three years, the project matured, and by the end of 2004, nearly 2,600 boxes had been dispatched, following 16 major disasters. On December 26, 2004, news came of the devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami and ShelterBox faced its most significant challenge, one that would change its course forever. Donations and volunteers poured in and ShelterBox was able to ramp their operations on a scale unimaginable just six months earlier.

In 2005, ShelterBox sent out more than 22,000 boxes, almost 10 times the number delivered in the previous three years. Not only were they sending aid to survivors of the tsunami, but they were also able to help those who had lost their homes to Hurricane Katrina in the USA and the massive earthquake that hit the Kashmir region of Pakistan. In just a few short months, ShelterBox had emerged as a major player in the field of international disaster relief.

Since then, ShelterBox has worked in numerous countries around the globe, responding to earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, typhoons, hurricanes, volcanoes and conflict.
 
Each ShelterBox is custom-packed depending on the needs of those affected by the disaster but often contains a family tent, water filter, blankets, cooking and eating utensils, tools, children’s activity pack, mosquito net and other items.Each ShelterBox weighs 120 pounds and the cost of one ShelterBox kit is $1,000 (US). ShelterBox does accept donations of all sizes, which are compiled with others to fund an entire box. If you choose to support a ShelterBox, you will be assigned a box number, which will allow you to see where it was delivered. 
 
Each year, the Canton Rotary Charitable Fund designates at least $1,000 to purchase 1 ShelterBox and in some years, when a major disaster has struck in the U.S. we have purchased more than 1 ShelterBox.
 
To date, we have raised $9,475.74 from Club members for the Canton Rotary Charitable fund. We have also received very kind donations from the Stark County Auto Dealers and employees of Medicine Center Pharmacy for a total of $10,100.74. Thank you all who have donated so far. We are halfway to our goal. 
 
Now that the holidays are over, if you have not contributed yet, please consider making a donation. This fund is what makes us the Rotary Club. We are here to do good in the world. Without this fund, we are just a group of people getting together for lunch and listening to a speaker. I know Rotary means more to you than that. I know you want to make a difference. Without these funds we cannot be the finest Rotary Club in the world. Let’s live up to our reputation of greatness! 
 
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"THANK YOU" CARD RECEIVED FROM KEN WEBER'S FAMILY
The Rotary office received a "Thank You" card from the Past President Ken Weber's family:
 
"May this express, as least in part, sincere and warmest thanks for your thoughtfulness ~ The family of Ken Weber"
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"THANK YOU" CARD RECEIVED FROM HELEN TROMPOWER EMPLOYEE OF MR. MIKE'S CATERING
The Rotary office received the following "Thank You" card from Helen Trompower, employee of Mr. Mike's Catering.  Helen writes:
 
"Dear Rotary Club Members, Thank you very much for your generous Christmas tip.  It was greatly appreciated.  It is a pleasure to serve you each and every week.  Thank you again and have a wonderful 2017."
 
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CONTRIBUTE TO THE RYLA GOODY BAGS!
The Rotary office received an email from Barbara Loudon, District 6650 RYLA Conference Coordinator, asking for our Club's assistance with donating items to be used in "Goody Bags", which are provided to students who attend the conference.  At the RYLA conference, which stands for 'ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS', High School students from all over District 6650 come together for a weekend of leadership development activities.
 
At RYLA, these students really enjoy receiving goody bags with giveaways provided by District 6650 Rotary Clubs.  Below is a list of ideas:
  • These bags are for 16-17 year olds.  They like pencils (especially mechanical ones), highlighters, post-it notes, key chains, small toys,  playing cards, Frisbees, fast food coupons, gum, candy bars, etc.
  •  
  • Please NO political giveaways.  We will not use them.
  •  
  • Please NO CAFFEINE snacks or drinks.  We cannot distribute them for safety reasons.
  •  
  • You will need 100 of any one item so every bag gets an item.
  •  
  • Since we assemble the bags before the students arrive, items must arrive before Tuesday, February 21, 2017.
Items should be delivered or mailed to: ATTENTION:  Janet Keene, Lyle Printing and Publishing, 185 East State Street, Salem  OH  44460
 
Janet’s business phone is 330.337.3419; her FAX number is 330.337.9550
Her cell phone number is 330.853-5114
Email:  janwel2002@yahoo.com  Please make sure “Attention Janet Keene” is on all correspondence and mailings!
 
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WEEKLY MEETING NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
At our weekly meeting on January 6, 2017, President Craig Young welcomed everyone back to the meeting following the holidays.  President Craig asked everyone to keep longtime Canton Rotarian Ward Scott's family in their thoughts and prayers.  Ward passed away January 3, 2017 after a brief illness. Ward was a 24 year member of Canton Rotary. 
 
President Craig then asked the members with January birthdays to stand and be recognized.
 
Rotarian Adrian Allison gave the Invocation.
 
Secretary Suzette Matthews welcomed the guests to the meeting.
 
The "Happy Bucks" was then provided by the following:
  • Becky Clark - to celebrate her grandson being selected as the District's Exchange Student to Germany.  Becky then announced last year at this time she had a stroke and is still here to tell about it - plus she is celebrating her 70th birthday this month!
  •  
  • PDG/PP Dave Ewing - to celebrate the fact that Rotarian Jan Baker is doing better and would love visitors at the Bethany Nursing Home, room 424.  He also was pleased to announce that Rotarian Don Coen is at home and accepting visitors.
  •  
  • Mark Clendenin - was celebrating the fact that the exchange student from France that Mark and his wife hosted 10 year's ago returned to Canton to visit (along with his mother and girlfriend).  Mark wanted to remind all Rotarians of the opportunities the Exchange Program offers;
  •  
  • Stephanie Werren - was happy to announce that Rotarian Mark Shaffer was appointed Canton Township Trustee.  In addition, PP John Werren (Stephanie's Father-in-Law) celebrated his 80th birthday recently and took the family on a cruise to help celebrate;
  •  
  • PP Dan Matthews - to recognize a potential new member in attendance, Raquel Radershak.  In addition, he congratulated Mark Shaffer for his appointment as the new Canton Township Trustee.
  •  
  • Mark Shaffer - wanted to thank all for their congratulations on his new role as Canton Township Trustee.
Chairman of Invocations, Jon Adland, made an announcement that a sign-up sheet would be coming around the room. He stated there were still many dates in need of an invocator. (*Editor's note: We are pleased to announce that after Friday's meeting all dates through the end of the Rotary year has been filled with a Rotarian providing an Invocation. Thank you!)
 
Vice President Michelle Mullaly then took to the podium to update the members on the "Unevent Raffle". She stated that tickets are available for purchase at $25.00 per ticket.  Rotarians are also being asked to take tickets with them to sell to family, friends and co-workers. The drawing will take place every Friday beginning January 27th.  The final drawing for the grand prize will take place on February 28th at 5:30 pm at Canton Brewing Company.
 
President Elect Amanda Tietze then brought the members up-to-date on the Charitable Fund Drive. To date, $10,100.00 has been raised.
 
Speaker Chair Sharon Sirpilla then introduced the speaker, State Senator Scott Oelslager.  The Senator spoke on the topic "A Look at Ohio's Budget".
 
President Craig concluded the meeting by reminding everyone of next week's speaker, Len Komoroski, Chief Executive Officer the the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers/Quicken Loan Arena.  Len's topic will be "Cleveland's Championship".
 
The following turned in a make-up during Friday's meeting: Ernie Schott (Canton South, East Canton).
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Please mark your calendar for this upcoming event:
 
     - "Unevent Raffle" - drawing beginning Jan 27th through Feb 28th
     - Fellowship Outing - February 28th @ Canton Brewing Company 5:30 pm
 
 
 
Speakers
Jan 20, 2017
Invocator - Bruce Hale
Jan 27, 2017
Invocator - Tony Pierce
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