President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Alan Anderson provided the opening prayer. Bill MacLauchlan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North and on Zoom. Mark then introduced today’s guest speaker, Elizabeth Van Sant, Governor, District 6840.
Elizabeth thanked Mark Killingsworth for his endurance this year as President. It has been a very tough year with COVID-19 and all the challenges Rotary faced. She suggested we look at our current and future projects and tweak the existing projects we currently have so we can increase and expanding our reach.
Clubs need to come to terms with the digital age. As a collective district, it's time. Training will take place online. Your data management online needs to be improved.,
By Feb 21, we should have reported to International our board listing. We need to strengthen our understanding and our responsibility to Rotary International. Feel free to contact Elizabeth if you need assistance moving forward with any district training.
She invited everyone to join her online every Wednesday, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for coffee with the governor. You can join via ZOOM. This is an opportunity for all Rotarians to ask questions and raise issues for further study. All topics are open for discussion.
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Elizabeth suggested having a blood drive. Over 100 lives were saved as of January because people donated. When you donate, you can always give the group number 213516. As a bonus, your blood is screened for cholesterol and for the Covid antibodies.
She also suggested that anytime we cannot meet in person, that we use the money we would’ve spent on food for that day to hand out lunches to first responders or donate the money.
She also stated our club has almost 25,000 points. She suggested that each of us make a habit to donate to the Rotary Foundation and we can use the points to match our donations. Mark set up a donation goal to the Rotary Foundation in the amount of $4,500. She says if we all donate at least $68 we could meet that goal.
With a network of around 1.2 million Rotarians, we can see what other clubs are doing and what their club traditions are and vice versa. Some clubs end up donating around $300 per person to hit their target goals. It’s just a matter of changing our traditions.
We need to apply for district grants. We are losing benefits by not applying. Imagine if we had a district grant, we could use an additional couple hundred or thousand dollars toward our community projects. Over the past five years, Rotary Foundation has issued over $322,000 in grants.
She explained the ‘inTENTS’ events on April 17th, which we are working on now, trying to create a committee. The Press will be there, so wear your Rotary attire and show your support.
We will have media coverage and want Rotary on full display. Each tent-building team should dress like a Rotary team. Clubs are encouraged to bring extra shirts from past events to swap with other participants. You can create teams to set up the tents. There will be competition and lots of fun. There will be prizes.
With memberships down 2% this year, the Rotary Foundation will have a district-wide membership drive. So, start thinking about who you can bring in to join your club.
Elizabeth wanted to say “good job” to everyone for sticking it out with Rotary during the difficult time we had last year.
Mark thanked Elizabeth for her presentation. He also noted that the club has sold fewer than 40 DuBard tee-shirts. Our goal is 50. He encouraged all members to visit www.rotaryofhattiesburg.com, click on the DuBard link, and make their purchase soon.
He also reminded everyone of an upcoming ‘inTENTS’ which is coming up on Saturday, April 17, 2021, from 9 a.m. until noon. Our club is being asked to provide volunteers, find a location for the District event and locate a caterer to provide lunch for participants. Club members will also be asked to sell raffle tickets. The purpose of the inTENTs is to raise money for Shelterbox. More information will be coming soon.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mark then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”