September in Review


Club News
The first month of fall was not a time for our club to slow down; there was a lot going on and a lot to celebrate both inside and outside of our weekly meetings.

We closed the book on this year's 3rd Grade Dictionary Project –  Yet again we are proud of the numerous Rotarians that stepped up to help us accomplish this major undertaking of delivering dictionaries to every 3rd grade classroom in McCracken County.   And in case you don't think your efforts are appreciated a teacher passed this note on to the club, "Kobee J. is a 3rd grader at Concord Elementary. He loves his new dictionary. His favorite things about it are that it has the longest word in the English language, and facts about the states."

September in Paducah also means Barbecue on the River.  This year, in keeping with our penchant for desserts, we partnered with the UK College of Engineering to staff the Deep Fried Twinkies and Oreos Booth.  By the time we powered down the fryers after this year's event, widely considered to be one of the largest crowds in its history, we raised over $16,000 before expenses that we hope to use for club projects. A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who came out to fry, serve, or sample some of these sweet treats in support of the amazing work our club does!

                   

                           

Speakers for the Month
Amy Roof with Wells Fargo Advisors, told us all about Philanthropy and the many ways there are to give back and the benefits of doing so.

Michele Smolen, Assistant City Manager, told us about the inner workings of her jobs and some of the many projects that she is helping Team Paducah bring to completion

Michael Owsley, District Governor, Rotary District 6710, congratulated us on all of our efforts and activities over the past year and what we are working on this year as well. He also updated us on the progress to eradicate Polio and just how close we are to doing it, along with his vision for the what he hopes to accomplish in his year as District Governor, and how we should share and be proud of the work we do in our community, state, nation and around the world.

Club Assembly
The third week of the month was our annual club assembly, where we heard about all the good we as a club did in the prior year.  So in case you missed it:

Local Club Giving Committee Co-Chairs Cathy Crecelius and Jim Brown expressed their appreciation to all who have contributed to the " Local Charity" funding the amount of $25/quarter, $100 annually. That money has helped at minimum 35 local nonprofits in Paducah and McCracken County.  The amount designated for local charitable contributions is shown on your invoice.   Members whose employers pay their Rotary invoice were asked to check to see if this amount is being paid by their employer. In some cases, it is deducted when the invoice is paid. If the Local Charity portion is not covered by your employer, you are asked to consider paying it individually.  The need is great in our community and even more organizations deserve to be considered. Your third quarter invoice will include an opportunity for a one-time extra contribution.

A new Club Membership Campaign was introduced by Club Membership Chairman Joe Framptom which will award Club Paul Harris Fellow points to members who sponsor prospective members to the Club between now and May 31, 2019. The new member recruitment goal for the 2018-19 year is 24.  Any active Rotarian who sponsors a new member will receive 200 PHF points.  At the end of the year, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be recognized based upon the number of new members proposed and additional points will be awarded in the amounts of 1,000, 750 and 500 respectively.  A quarterly update will be provided at a luncheon meeting to track success.  Additionally, two (2) orientation sessions for new members are being scheduled and will be announced when dates are confirmed.

Rotary Foundation Chair, Clay Howerton, congratulated the Club on being the largest in per capita giving to the Rotary Foundation in the District and encouraged members to continue their support through contributing to EREY on their club invoices, $25/quarter, $100 annually. Remember, $$ do come back to the Club locally in the form of District Grants that help fund projects such as the Rotary Playground and the Summer Reading Backpack Program among others.

Past District President Missy Eckenberg presented Melanie McNeil with the District's Presidential Citation for all of the amazing work she spearheaded in her year as President of the Club.









 

Paul Harris Fellows
             New PHF – Rotarians Troy Courtney, Jim Sigler, Dee Dee Whittaker, and non-Rotarians Stan Eckenberg and Erin Hendley
                     PHF+1 – Desiree Owen and Wayne Shelton
                     PHF+3 – Barbara Veazey
                     PHF+6 – Basil Drossos
                     PHF+8 – Roger Truitt.

New Members for the month:
Jim Arndt, City Manager, City of Paducah (transfer from Effingham Sunrise Rotary Club)
Robert Miller (Bobby), Miller Law Firm
Dr. Richard  D. Smith, Retired Physician
Doug Handley, Director of Finance, Paducah Power System
Brian Harper, Superintendent, McCracken County Public School

When you see them around town, or at club meetings, please make them feel welcome and encourage them to be active in our club!