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“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” - John C. Maxwell As most of you know, our Rotary Club of Canton, as well as many Rotary Clubs in North America, is shrinking. Once, we had a membership of around 300 members; we are now down to fewer than 100. Of course, size is not the 'end-all-be-all', but we also all know that with more members comes more resources, more energy, more opportunity to fulfill our mission as Rotarians: to improve our community and our world and to enjoy each other's company while we do that. As you may also have observed, our attendance at our regular Friday meetings is also very low, averaging 30 or less attendees each week. This in spite of the fact that we've had some excellent speakers and programs. With all this in mind, your Executive Committee and Board of Trustees have had some discussion as to what we can do to try to reverse these trends and to 1) recruit new members who will be active and 2) provide the opportunity for current members who have not been attending meetings to get together. One of the things that your officers have decided is to CHANGE UP THE MEETING SCHEDULE - Starting in February, * ON THE 1ST & 3RD FRIDAYS OF EACH MONTH WE WILL HAVE OUR REGULAR FRIDAY MEETINGS @ Christ Presbyterian Church at 11:45 AM * ON THE 2ND & 4TH WEDNESDAYS OF THE MONTH, WE WILL HAVE AN EVENING MEETING FROM 5 TO 6 PM AT THE CONESTOGA ROOM, lower level of the Onesto Hotel & Lofts on 2nd Street NW. (No meeting on those Fridays). - These evening meetings will start with social/fellowship time, followed by a brief Rotary "business" portion. - Families will be welcome and encouraged. - All are welcome to stay later if they choose. - Visitors, prospective members, Rotarians from other clubs are all encouraged to attend. Food and drink is optional and paid by each individual (off menu). Canton Rotary committees are encouraged to possibly hold meetings around these Wednesday meetings, with a goal to get more people involved. (On any 5th weeks of a month with no pre-scheduled meeting, then special programs, social events, off-site meetings, or service opportunities will be planned.) Here is a link to Frequently Asked Questions about this change of meeting schedules: Here is a link to a calendar showing the new schedule: We will be very intentional at informing all members of each week's meeting schedule until everyone can get used to it. You can help by contacting any of your fellow Rotarians on a regular basis to let them know when and where the meeting is each week. And, of course, any questions, you can contact President Rick, VP Jennie George, PP Drew Pelger, or any of our officers or board members. Beyond this step of a meeting schedule change, Past President Karen Brenneman will be leading an effort starting this month for us to complete a strategic/long term plan in order to address our concerns about Canton Rotary 'losing it's mojo'! At some point soon, we will ask for your open and honest input on your opinion of our club and how it might be improved. I encourage you all to start thinking about that now, and discuss it with your fellow members. “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” - John D. Rockefeller "The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." - William Arthur Ward |
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