President's Report by Month (by Michael Loflin)

January 2008 (Rotary Awareness Month) - First of all, Connie and I sincerely wish you and your families a very Happy New Year!  Thank you, everyone, for all you do in our community. Thank you for your contributions through the spirit of sharing. This is how we are able to accomplish the great things we do in the world as Rotary International.

January is Rotary Awareness month. We have several activities planned throughout the Rotary year to increase our understanding of Rotary.

Our annual Paul Harris dinner will be held on the 23rd of February. This will be a singular event in that we will celebrate our 70th anniversary, or Septuagintennial. Centennial President Pat has promised a special retrospective of 70 years of Rotary in Oberlin. You don’t want to miss it!
 
The pancake breakfast is set for March 2nd.  It’s always fun to see grown men and women pretending to know what they’re doing – especially behind the serving line!
For family fun, join us at Kalahari Waterpark Resort & Conference Center in Sandusky for the District Conference the week-end of April 27-29th.
 
A final note for Rotary Awareness— our monthly board meetings are held at the Oberlin Inn the 2nd Wednesday each month at 5:30 PM. All are invited (and it counts as a make-up)!
 
December 2007 (Family Month) -  December is Family Month on the Rotary calendar! We normally think of our families to include our wives, husbands and children. However, Rotary is a special family. Ours celebrates the mix of cultures, languages, and interests within Rotary. The family of Rotary is much more -- this month, take a few minutes to learn more about the family of Rotary: Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Exchange, and the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.
 
This is also the time of year that we spend a lot of energy getting ready for the holidays. Please remember to take time to reach out and touch the lives of all we know - and even those we don’t – by contributing whatever you can to Adopt a Family and the Oberlin Services Center food distribution. Let everyone know that Rotary Shares!
 
Continue to support Every Rotarian-- Every Year.  To date our club is 50% involved. Good work! Our goal is 100% which means only 21 of you remain uncommitted for the year. The 100% club match up to $500 is gone, but the good work of the Foundation remains. Remember that those of you who give $100 or more to the Annual Programs Fund will automatically become Rotary Foundation Sustaining Members. Think of it as a step toward becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. Each and every Sustaining Member gift to The Rotary Foundation is a gift of hope to those less fortunate. Every gift truly makes a difference in someone's life.
 
THE upcoming event is our annual Christmas Party with Santa. The date is Saturday December 22nd at the Inn. There will be NO meeting Friday on the 21st to accommodate school vacation times (Honest! That’s what Santa told me). Needless to say, don’t forget to bring a gift for the little/big ones that will be visiting the Jolly Old Elf!
Connie and I wish you the happiest of holidays. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
 
November 2007 (Foundation Month) - The 15th Annual Auction was extremely successful!  Thanks to all who helped either by donating items, money or time. Without a group effort this could not happen. Special thanks to Rex and Kim Engle, Ronnie and her ‘staff’ - without their ideas and know how we could not have had such a successful Auction (or bachelorette party!).
November is Rotary Foundation Month! Now is the time to start your “Every Rotarian Every Year” pledge. The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world. Twenty dollars a week for the 5 weeks in November is all it takes!
 
Celebrate World Interact Week 5-11 November! Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 14 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting. As one of the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary service, with more than 10,700 clubs in 109 countries and geographical areas, Interact has become a worldwide phenomenon. Almost 200,000 young people are involved in Interact!

August 2007 (Membership & Extension Month) / September (New Generations Month) - My thanks to all members who took time to express concern for our fellow members who are experiencing a bump in the road with health matters.  Please continue to share your best wishes! Several members are planning on traveling to Ashland this month to witness the visit by RI President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson.  District 6600 is fortunately to again have a visit by an RI president. Plan on attending the annual summer party hosted by Tad Cowling on August 25th.  This plans to be a great family event and I look forward to seeing you there! The third annual Doggie Doo will take place on Tappan Square on September 22nd. This event helps local animal shelters and Rotary will once again have a food booth. The Auction committee is busy preparing for the 15th annual auction slated for October 13th.  The “Toga” party theme will certainly add to this year’s event.  The auction would not be possible without the excellent work of the committee and your donations.  I trust you will go the extra mile to get involved this year! Your Rotary Board of Directors is working on many new initiatives to continue our clubs influence on local and international projects.  Ask how you can get involved. My thanks to all of you for your best wishes as Connie and I become grandparents this month!

July 2007 (Literacy Month) - RI president Wilfrid J. Wilkinson has launched the new Rotary year as the year to “say yes to Rotary.” The RI theme, Rotary Shares, is a reflection of his commitment to share Rotary with others through service and recruiting new members. He explains it this way, “In Rotary, sharing doesn’t mean giving away what you have to spare, what you don’t need for yourself. Sharing means giving of yourself, selflessly, for the good of others.”
For me it means as Rotarians we share our time, we share our talents, we share our money with others who need our help. With this theme in mind I set these goals for our club for the 07-08 Rotary year.
1.       Retain all the members who joined in 2006-2007
2.       Add 4 new members
3.       100% participation in Every Member Every Year
4.       Identify and complete a major new community project
5.       Complete the Service Above Self Award begun in 06-07
Join me in completing these tasks and show our community that Rotary Shares!
 
--------------------------------------------------------

President's Report by Month (by John D. Cole, PDG)

June 2007 (Rotary Fellowships Month) - Plan on attending our upcoming Club Assembly on Tuesday, June 5th.  It will take place at 6:30pm and the home of Deborah and Kent Harris.Plan on attending!
 
I also want to thank all the Rotarians and their families who helped with the host of May activies: roadside pickup, Big Parade, PRIDE day clean-up, and the District STRIVE competitions.  Thank You!
 
If you missed the May 4th meeting, you missed a treat!  Thanks to Rex Engle for challenging the club to raise funds for the children of the dump.  Together we are on our way to helping build two houses!
 
Centennial President Pat has scheduled another worksession for Saturday, June 2nd from 9am to noon.  Please plan on lending a hand.  We will again have members of cub scout pack 435 assisting us with this worthwhile community service project.
 
The Rotary year is winding down and I want thank each of you for your support.  Rotary is an experience that nurtures both local and international support.  Don’t forget to contribute to the Every Rotarian Every Year campaign!
 
Finally, lets all pitch in and assist Mike and Connie Loflin as they get ready to take on the 2007-08 Rotary Year!
 
May 2007 (Club Communication Month) - no newsletter.
 
April 2007 (Rotarian Magazine Month) - Rotary mourns the death of Helen Gilliland, a Paul Harris Fellow and wife of Rotarian Tom. For many years Helen was an active participant, along with Tom, in many Rotary activities.  I encourage you to drop Tom a note expressing your sorrow and thoughts.
 
This month’s issue of the Oberlin Chronicles has some great reflections on both local and international service. I especially encourage you to read the reflections offered by a 1st year Rotarian, as well as those offered by a 3rd generation Rotarian.  The common bond between these stories is friendship, fellowship, and service.
 
It is not too late to register for the District Conference.  Go online to learn more about this outstanding event.
 
There are only three months left in the 2006-07 Rotary year—if you haven’t contributed to the “Every Rotarian, Every Year” campaign, do so now! Whether you write a check, pay by credit card, or have a monthly withdrawal taken from your bank account, the Rotary Foundation is Rotary’s vehicle to accomplish amazing feats throughout the world.
 
May is going to be a busy month for Rotary. So mark your calendar today and plan on getting involved. Better yet, plan on having your family participate in the highway pickup, PRIDE day activities, and/or stop by the District STRIVE competition taking place in Oberlin.
 
I want to thank you for a great year and for the service you provide to Rotary. Why not share our experience by inviting a friend to join Rotary? What if you had never been asked to join the most influential and fun service organization in the world. Ask a friend!
 
March 2007 - Pictures sometimes say a thousand words!  As you enjoy this month’s edition of the Oberlin Rotary Chronicles, I want to thank the many Rotarians, Rotary families, and Interact students who participated in both our February Annual Paul Harris Celebration and March Pancake Breakfast. These two events have become fixtures on the Oberlin Rotary calendar and would not be possible without the contributions made by you.  Thank You!  Please join me in wishing President-Elect Mike the very best as he goes through P.E.T.S. training this month.
 
February 2007 (World Understanding Month) - I am extremely proud of the Oberlin Rotary club! The efforts of the scholarship fundraising effort has certainly been a highlight of the year, but there are so many other activities that round out the Rotary experience! This issue of the newsletter highlights just a few of them:
· Learn more about “World Understanding Month” as reported by Jim Howard.
· Take notice that hats & gloves are still needed for the youth in our community—Don Huering provides an update for you.
· Extend Mike & Connie Loflin best wishes as they prepare to attend P.E.T.S. in Columbus in March.
· Gain more insight into the 2007-08 Rotary Theme!
· Ask how you can support M.E.S.A. and join Judy Riggle in service to the international community.
· Plan on signing up to help with the Rotary Pancake Breakfast.
· Thank a scholarship donor when you see them in your daily travels—Rex Engle has provided a list.
· Consult with your family and consider attending the district conference—it is a family event!
· Admire the goals and aspirations of our students of the month as reported by Donna Shurr.
· Send in your R.S.V.P for the February 10th Paul Harris Celebration!  Invitations have been mailed.
· Support the “Every Rotarian Every Year” campaign.
· Look at the excellent schedule Eric Severs has arranged for our February programs.
· Get excited about the upcoming 4-way speech contests.
Together we are leading the way!
 
January 2007 (Rotary Awareness Month) - As we begin a new year with much hope for the future, we morn the loss of a much loved PDG, Rotarian and friend Abe Kuttothara. December 30, 2006.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Abe’s family.
 
Where did the year go?  I have been your president for 6 months and many wonderful things have happened.  The scholarship fund made its goal and the matching challenge was met, a fun time was had by all in attendance at our summer picnic held at Tad Cowlings, and the fall auction was a great success, as was the chili cook-off (the day Santa arrived in Oberlin).  As we look ahead to 2007 we start with the Paul Harris dinner to be held on the 10th of February, the pancake breakfast on March 10, the 4-way essay & speech contest, District Assembly March 31 & District Conference the week-end on April 27-29.  I encourage all to attend the District assembly and the District Conference which will be held at Sauder Village.
 
Monthly board meetings are held the 2nd Friday each month at 10:45 AM prior to our regular meeting.  All rotary members are invited to attend.
 
December 2006 (Rotary Family Month) - It is hard to believe that it is December already, I have been your President for 6 months and things are going very smooth.  The scholarship fund is on third base and rounding home (I think we are about 12” away from home plate and a home run). The challenge from our “Trash bag sale” is just a few dollars short of the goal.  Rex Engel will keep us posted on the total.  Programs for November were not so exciting, but December promises to be better.  As you all know your President was to share in getting the programs and well you know the results.  December 22nd Santa will visit with all so bring you families (don’t forget to bring a gift for the little ones/or big ones that will visit with Santa).
 
Our upcoming events include: Paul Harris Night in February, Pancake breakfast in March, District Conference in April, World Community Workshop in May, District Assembly in May, RI convention in June and passing of the gavel in June.
The board is set for Mike Loflin’s year 2007-2008 ~ Don Heuring, David Evans and Cheron Rebok will join Debbie Harris, Jeanne McKibben, Gerry Findlan and John Cole
 
Our long time Rotarian and friend Tom Gilliland would love to hear from his friends so take some time and send a card. I think we all should just take the time to reach out and touch the lives of all we know and even those we don’t.
 
November 2006 (Rotary Foundation Month) - As October comes to an end, I look back and reflect on a very successful month.  The 14th Annual Auction was beyond my dreams! Thanks to all that helped by a donation of items, money or time without a group effort this could not happen.  A really big thank you to Rex and Kim Engle—without their ideals and know how we could not have such a successful Auction and of course to our auction chair my best friend & wife. Our gross receipts were $36,058.00 after expenses our net was (drum roll please………….) $27,586.61.  Each year gets better in 2002 our net was $15,882.00; 2003 was $16,802.00; 2004 was $19,028.00; 2005 came in close at $27,587.00.
 
The Rotary Scholarship fund is growing but we are still a long way from being at our goal of $40,000.00 to be matched by our special friend and donor.  Rex Engle reported on Friday October 27, 2006 that we were at $23,000.00 still short of our goal.  We have Oberlin Rotary bags, yellow with blue (38 gallon), for sale—there are 25 bags to a roll 10 rolls to a box we sold boxes at the Auction for $300.00 per box with the proceeds going to the Scholarship fund.  Still plenty of boxes left or you can purchase by the roll.
 
November is Rotary Foundation month!  If you have not started your “Every Rotarian Every Year” pledges, this would be a great time to do so. 
Santa will be doing “Paws with Claus” on December 9, 2006, at Locke’s Garden Center.  Bring you pets and have their pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus all proceeds will go to the Scholarship fund – tell all your friends. 
 
The chili Cook-off will be the day after Thanksgiving,  November 24, 2006 all interested in participating see Ronnie.  All board members—Board meeting on Friday November 10th at 10:45 AM.
 
October 2006 (Vocation Service Month) -  It is hard to believe that it is October already, I have been your President for 3 months and things are going very smooth.  The scholarship challenge dollars are growing at a steady rate.  Our goal is to match the $40,000.00 challenge and with the support of our community and our club this challenge will be raised.  If we do not raise the $40,000.00 the sponsor will not match us any dollars.  Our club has grown by 3 new members and 2 perspective members since July 1, 2006—thanks to all who have invited guests to our club meetings.  The board of directors have approved the budget for 2006-2007 Rotary year and directors are doing a splendid job. It has been brought to my attention on several occasions, that all the directors are women, this was meant to be done, as the sayings goes “ if you want a job done right, ask a women to do it.” This has been proven since  Maxine Houck has been gone on a well deserved vacation and the substitute piano player has tried hard to keep up. The singing has suffered greatly and visitors think the Oberlin Rotary club is tone deaf, but I know that our club is strong and will survive Welcome back Maxine and thank you Jim Hieb for stepping up to the plate or should I say piano.
 
Doggie Doo went splendid raising $545.84 for local animal shelters. Thanks to all that helped on Saturday or donated hot dogs, pop or money (I think Jennifer bought the store out of hot dogs). Thank you Jim Hieb for being the Chair of Doggie Doo, even though you said no.
 
Our 14th annual autumn auction is coming up on October 21, 2006. The committee is working hard to make this a great success.  Last years auction “Lucky 13” netted over $25,000.00. Raffle tickets were passed out at the last meeting in September. “All tickets will be sold, I do not want any back, if you don’t sell them buy them” stated auction chairperson Ronnie.
 
I want to thank each and every Oberlin Rotarian for your support this Rotary year. Without great Rotarians like yourselves, our club would not be as successful as we are.  I will have a letter to the club each month, hopefully, so keep reading you may find some exciting news.
 
September 2006 (New Generations Month) - Judy Riggle has assembled a wonderful slate of programs for the month of September (see list on back cover).  We will need volunteers to help out on several functions this month:
· September 9th—7:30am—Roadside Trash Pick-up
· September 23, 2006—2nd Annual Doggie Doo on Tappan Square (Rotary will have a food booth—all proceeds will go to assist local animal shelters)
 
Everyone needs to be focused on the 14th annual Autumn Auction which will be held on October 21st.  Here is a short list of how you can help:
· Donate an Item
· Get Involved
· Purchase a Table
· Bring Friends to the Event
· Don’t Miss the Event
Last year we raised more money than any previous auction—I have faith that together we can “Lead the Way” and surpass last year’s results.  Get involved!
 
July 2006 (Literacy Month) - I have five goals for the 2006-07 Rotary Year:

1.  Before December 30, 2006 complete our Oberlin Rotary Memorial Fund Scholarship drive of raising $50,000 which will be matched ($30,000 raised in 2005, need to raise $20,000 in 2006).  However, our benifactor has upped the anity from $20,000 to $40,000 with the stipulation that we need to raise the $40,000 --- if we do not raise $40,000, the benifactor will match nothing

2.  Every Rotarian will contribute to the "Every Rotarian Every Year" Campaign.  A minimum of $100 per year to the Rotary International Foundation.

3.  Membership Growth/Retention - net membership growth of 5 new members.

4.  We will identify a new member community project that will involve all new members.

5.  Create an Annual "Service Above Self" Award that will be awarded to a member of the Oberlin community.

Join me in helping the Oberin Rotary Club "Lead the Way" during the 2006-07 Rotary Year!

Yours in Rotary!

John D. Cole, PDG, 2006-07 Oberlin Rotary President

------------------------------------------------------

President's Report by Month (by James Hieb)

December 2005 (Family Month) - Report Pending.

November 2005 (Rotary Foundation Month) - My job took me away for most of November so I am very thankful to Pat Holsworth and Rex Engle for their help running meetings.  Clearly the highlight was November was the official kick-off of the Oberlin Memorial Fund Scholarship Fundraiser by our Fund Committee (chaired by Rex Engle).  In July we presented with the task for formulating a strategy to raise $30,000 over a 3-year period.  BUT in true Rotary fashion the committee thought big and presented a $100,000 13 month program thanks in part to a benefactor who will match $20,000 (if raised in the balance of 2005) and another $30,000 (if raised in 2006).  The thought of doubling our endowment fund by the close of 2006 is truly amazing.  Many thanks to Rex Engle, John Cole, Curt Paul, Don Wessell, & Bert Locke for their work on this project.  Lets make this goal a reality!

October 2005 (Vocation Service Month) - Many Oberlin Rotarians were involved in a special memorial service to Doug Hill, Jr.  While never a member of the Oberlin club, he was a frequent guest and for many years was listed in our club director.  Doug will be missed!  The Auction Committee did a fabulous job on the 13th Annual Fall Auction netting $24,893 which is the single best Auction ever!  Hats off to Chair Ronnie Cole and everyone who helped make this possible.  The Stone Marker was placed in MLK Jr. Park and we'll need to plan an official dedication ceremony.  Over 15 Oberlin Rotarians and many OHS Interact Students attended the District 6600 visit by RI President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar at Ashland University.  The STRIVE Programs at 4 high schools also got underway.

September 2005 (New Generations Month) - With Tom Gilliland announcing that he was going to resign his membership, we couldn't let him go without a tribute worthy of someone who has spent countless hours supporting the Oberlin Rotary Club.  We presented him with a proclamation and had  a lot of fun on the 1st meeting in September.  Thanks Tom & Helen for your service!!!  September also included our annual family picnic which Marty Buck, Mary Aufdenkampe, & Bert Locke did a great job organizing.  Barb Thomas also let one of our trash pick-ups along State Route 511.  Rotary also sold hotdogs, chips, pop & water at the 1st annual Doggie Doo on Tappan Square netting $467 which was in turn donated to local charities.  Our club members also raised over $4000 for the hurricane relief fund.  My highlights of the month were the tribute to Tom, the Hurricane Relief effort, and the realization how much Rotary does in our community!

August 2005 (Membership & Extension Month) - Tad Cowling hosted a club social at his home on August 13th.  District Governor Abe and Annie Kuttahara conducted their official visit to the Oberlin Club on a special evening meeting on August 19th.  Other programs in August included a presentation about the RI International Convention (attended by Pat Holsworth, Mary Aufdenkampe, Judy Riggle, & Jeanne McKibben); MESA Presentation by Ron Stoner & PDG Jim Shrader; & a club assembly.  My highlight of the month was the number of books donated to our literacy program and President-Elect Jim Howard volunteering to start writing articles for the monthly club newsletter.

July 2005 (Literacy Month) - We started July with fond memories of our tribute held on June 24th to Centennial President Pat Holsworth.  The evening was filled with much to celebrate: Teddy Bears presented to Allen Medical Center; Paul Harris Fellows presented to Dick Holsworth and David Matlock; and, many tributes paid to our outgoing president.  In July we kicked off the year with many goals and the hopes for an outstanding year.  The Oberlin club again sponsored the Big Band night on the Square. I spent much of my time working on getting the Stone Marker for Martin Luther King Jr. Park (our Centennal Project).  We were also sad to see Mary Durling resign from the club.

------------------------------------------------------

President's Report - January 2005 (by Pat Holsworth)

Seven months of our centennial year have passed already!!  That means it's time to look at the goals I set for the year and see what progress we have made and what we need to do before the end of June.

Membership:  Our goal was to add at least two new members.  We have added FIVE new members.  Our membership committee has met and we will be revisiting our list of potential members.  All members are urged to invite at least one person to a meeting.  GET YOUR ASK IN GEAR!

Website:  The website is up and running.  We hope to make this more indispensible for reading your newsletter and getting important information about the club.

Centennial project:  Many Rotarian hours were spent last spring and summer fixing up the Martin Luther Park.  The paths, much overgrown, were cleared; weeds were pulled; flowers were planted and mulch was spread.  Keep your eyes on the sign as spring approaches.  We planted over 200 daffodils last fall and I can hardly wait to see the result.  Centennial President Pat presented a program on the historical significance of this park.  Look for that presentation on this website soon.

Interact: We have over 30 members in our High School Rotary Interact Club.  See their page at this website for news on this active organization.

Exchange students: Natael is in Costa Rica now and we hope to hear from her about her experiences sometime in July.  See her letter on the youth pages on this website.

RI Annual Fund:  During DG Steve's visit in July he challenged the club to make their $100 contribution in the Every Rotarian Every Year campaign - in exchange he would take a pie in the face.  23 Rotarians answered the challenge.

Literacy:  We have given books to the Eastwood Elementary School library.  Each book will have a bookplate which indicates that the Oberlin Rotary Literacy Project presented that book.  We are donating a book for each speaker this year.  The bookplate will have each speaker's signature.

Family in Rotary and FUN in Rotary:  Determined to make this a fun year, we have had something almost every month for the family and/or for fun.  Starting with the June induction of the Centennial Officers and Board of Directors where Rotarians and spouses had dinner on the patio.  We won't go into detail about the after dinner socializing - we will say we had FUN!  We had a family picnic.  Several families went to Niagara Falls for the District Conference. The Rotary Auction was the most successful to date.  (More pies!  Maybe that's the secret) The attendance at the Santa visit surpassed 80 - the largest in my memory. Yet to come - Paul Harris Celebration February 19, a party in April at President Pat's house, a work night in preparation for the Big Parade, and more.

International:  The Oberlin Rotarians answered another challenge in January.  At a special collection for the Tsunami relief we collected over $1300 which was sent to RI.  We hope to support water wells later this spring.

Banner/Pin:  Nothing has been done on this yet.  I hope to have a committee meeting in March.

By-Laws:  Gerry Findlan, Don VanDyke and Pat Holsworth will meet in March to adapt our by-laws to the RI by-laws.

It's been a great year so far.  Stick around.  Spring is just around the corner - that means we'll need volunteers for the MLK park duty and for Route 511 clean-up. 

Yours in Rotary,

Pat Holsworth, Centennial President