Committee Descriptions

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President Elect’s Avenue Goals for 2010-2011 – Brent Baldwin

Attendance Committee – Chair:  Kelley McKenzie

To acquaint club members with attendance requirements, study causes of poor attendance, and urge members to make up missed meetings.  Attendance is a barometer of the vitality of the club.

Club goal is to maintain 80% attendance, to be achieved utilizing:

·         Post card reminders sent to all members who have missed three consecutive meetings. To be sent on Friday after our Thursday meeting.

·         Phone calls to each member who has missed four consecutive meetings, encouraging their presence at forthcoming meetings; provide reminder that four misses in a row is grounds for termination of membership.

·         Use club newsletter, The Spokesman, to report attendance figures, remind members of attendance requirements, and make up locations.

·         Recognize members with perfect attendance (presentation of perfect attendance pins at club meetings).

·         Emphasize to new members the attendance requirements: by their sponsor, their mentor and at orientation.

Classification Committee – Chair:  Bob McLaughlin

Promote membership development by highlighting unfilled and underutilized classifications and working with the Board to determine if proposed members meet the classification requirements. Return classification information of membership proposal form to executive administrator within 48 hours so polling can take place in a timely manner. Perform community classification survey, maintaining an up to date roster of filled and unfilled classifications within the club.

·         Work with Membership development to recruit new members in underutilized classifications

·         Advise and inform membership of the need to recruit by classification

·         Increase types and numbers of classifications during the Rotary year

Fellowship Activities Committee – Chair:  Kelly Danielson

·         Plan special events and activities designed to promote acquaintance and friendship among club members and to encourage their participation in Rotary service, recreation, and social events. 

·         Selected events may also include spouses, friends, guests, and potential new members.

·         Activities are planned to meet a broad range of interests to engender greater participation of members in all club activities. 

·         Planned events currently include:

Golf outing - September

Holiday party - December

Float trip – May

Family picnic event at K-Park - Oct

House Committee – Chair:  Bob Fisher

·         Prepare meeting room for each weekly meeting

·         Greet, register, and provide names for the introduction of guests at each meeting

·         Update and maintain the name badge board as required.

·         Assist with audio/visual aids.

·         Maintain banner display

International Convention – Chair: Allan Schilter

·         Encourage our members to attend the Rotary International Convention in New Orleans.

·         Make plans for our club members to fellowship at the convention by setting forth an organized plan to accomplish this.

Membership Development Committee – Chair:  Dennis Whaley

·         Focus on membership initiatives that center on recruitment and retention of quality members with a net growth of one new member by 12/31/10.

·         Make suggestions to the orientation committee that will help make the process more meaningful to new Rotarians.

·         Identify reasons for club attrition and determine tactics to improve retention.

·         Determine if further efficiencies can be made in the membership application/approval process.

·         Promote attendance at the District Membership Development Seminar.

·         Present one program emphasizing growth and diversity of quality membership.  

·         Provide an opportunity for newer club members to meet with club leaders.

Membership Screening Committee – Chair:  John Horton

·         To screen proposed new members as to their suitability for membership and make a recommendation to the board of directors. 

·         The committee has the discretion to consider the broad needs of the Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast and the strengths of the proposed member in making their recommendation. 

Orientation Committee – Chair:  Bob Hammerschmidt

To give new members a better understanding of Rotary International and Springfield Southeast Rotary. We hope this helps them become Rotarians, rather than members of Rotary.

·         The Past President Advisor is to provide information to new members on dues, attendance, and the purpose and benefits of Rotary. The assigned past president meets with the new-member prospect to review the information packet prior to introduction of the new member. 

·         Orientation involves holding semi-annual orientation meetings for all new members and their spouses. Responsibilities and opportunities of membership in Rotary (including attendance) will be emphasized. New members will be encouraged to become active promptly in a committee

·         Revisit the New Member Orientation process and evaluate recommendations to make the orientation meaningful to the participants and give them the information needed to become quality Rotarians. 

Programs Committee – Chair:  Randy Mayes

Prepares and arranges programs for regular and special club meetings.  Objectives are: to have interesting club programs ready as scheduled; to have emergency programs available in case a speaker fails to appear; to see that a proper balance on all aspects of Rotary is maintained in the program schedule; and to make certain that the programs are at all times in keeping with the dignity of Rotary.   

·         Solicit ideas from the entire membership.

·         Emphasize programs which will inform, educate, and entertain the members and their guests.

·         Club members have diverse interests. The ideal is for programs to be so attractive and appealing to the diverse membership of the club that they promote attendance, as well as inform.  Strive for timeliness, variety, and balance in subject matter.

·         Coordinate program schedule with Board and committees to represent the Lanes of Service.

·         Schedule dates for three classification talks

Welcoming Committee – Chair:  Faith Irmen

·         The Welcoming Committee is an Ad Hoc committee formed to engage incoming Springfield Southeast Rotarians from the time they are introduced to the club through their first year of orientation.

·         The Welcoming Committee members will assist new SE Rotarians by helping them become actively engaged in a committee that utilizes their individual strengths.

·         Each incoming Rotarian will be assigned one main point of contact from the Welcoming Committee members. That committee member will coordinate efforts to meet and introduce incoming Rotarians to existing Rotarians. Welcoming Committee members would also be responsible for answering questions, teaching about the dynamics of our club and helping new members acclimate to the club.

·         Communication will be mostly via emails with at least two physical meetings among committee members to address concerns and focus the goals of the committee itself.

Club Service Avenue Goals for 2010-2011 – Ray Meyer

Audit Committee – Chair:  Andy Clemens

Typically a one-person committee designed to provide oversight of the financial aspects of the club.

·         Assists the treasurer, on an as-needed basis, with accounting, financial reporting and tax matters.

·         If requested by the Club President or other appropriate officer, is available to review specific items, transactions or other matters.

·         Does not actually perform an audit of the Club’s books unless specific requests are made for such assistance.

Family of Rotary Committee – Chair:  Nancy Riggs

Plan and implement activities and programs designed to recognize and encourage club members and involve the family members of our Rotarians.

·         Continue the classification mixers once a year. These mixers would take approximately 30 minutes of time.  As members enter the room they would be assigned a particular table by the house committee.  Once everyone is settled in a member of the FOR committee would then address the membership and explain the rules.  Members are to form groups of four to six members only.  Each member within the group would have a five minute time span to answer specific questions that have been posted in the Spokesman a week in advance.  A designated bell ringer would watch the clock and ring the bell every five minutes.

·         “Lend a Hand” Award:   Award will be given to those individuals within our membership that have gone above and beyond the usual.  This recognition will only occur when a member is nominated and the FOR committee feels that that award in warranted.  Remind members about this award in the Spokesman from time and time and where to find the nomination form.

·         Rotarians At Risk:  The Executive Administrator of Springfield Southeast, with the approval of the current President of Rotary, will inform the Family of Rotary Committee regarding any concerns for members who may be at risk for various reasons.  The FOR would then communicate with such member to ascertain the problem. 

·         Assist members with projects and activities for Rotarians and their families. 

Get Your Makeup Committee – Chair:  Dawn Hiles

·         To provide an opportunity for members to do an attendance make up in an evening, relaxed setting with good food and atmosphere.

·         To offer members a way to mingle and get to know each other in a fun, non-meeting fashion, and to encourage their participation in Rotary service. Also to invite spouses, friends, and guests to meet the other club members to provide an ability to learn more about Southeast Rotary.  A makeup date will occur several times a year at a venue chosen by the committee from 5:30 to 7:30. The Club will pay for the appetizers and members will be responsible for their own drinks. In order to receive a makeup credit, the member must stay for at least 1 hour.

·         The committee will continually will look for ways to improve attendance. The committee will utilize a variety of local business to hold the events to ensure diversity

History Committee – Chair:  John Sellars

This committee is responsible for maintaining the history of the Club’s activities for future reference.  To accomplish this, the chair shall work with the Club’s president and Executive Secretary.  Specifically the committee shall:

·         Keep a complete file of the weekly newsletter

·         Maintain pertinent information and photographs of club exercises and activities.

·         Information may be saved electronically

Invocation Committee – Chair:  Dan Friberg

This committee recruits and schedules Rotarians to provide the invocation at all required meetings. 

·         Assure that a member is appointed to open each club meeting with an invocation consistent with that member's beliefs.

·         Schedule volunteers approximately four to six weeks in advance of the scheduled meeting.

·         Provide a schedule to the Executive Secretary for publishing the Rotarian assigned in the weekly newsletter.

·         Use new members as a primary source for invocations volunteers to spur their involvement and recognition.

Public Relations Committee – Chair:  Michael Wehrenberg

·         Increase the awareness and understanding of the purpose and accomplishments of the Club and Rotary International through press releases, radio public service announcements and various   other media outlets and making the Club aware of the committee's accomplishments.

·         Tell the "Rotary story" via media coverage of Club events on at least 6 occasions.

·         Keep the public aware of our progress of K-Park and our joint project with our sister club in Mexico.

·         Provide press releases to local media and publications about our basketball tournament benefiting Special Olympics

·         Increase Rock 'n Ribs coverage.

·         Provide awareness of Rotary activities as they occur.

Sunshine Committee – Chair:  Karen Brown

This committee fosters awareness of the personal illness or other adverse or life-changing situations encountered by club members and/or their families. This committee is also charged with promoting support of such members and family members through appropriate means, so that the member is knowledgeable of the Club's support and concern. The chair will also contribute to a positive interaction throughout the club.

·         Make regular announcements of any appropriate situations known about a club member or family member.

·         Make regular announcements to remind club members to report appropriate situations to the Sunshine Committee.

·         When appropriate, coordinate the signing of a card or other appropriate display of the Club's condolences for the club member or family concerned.

·         Make regular announcements of any appropriate positive occurrences to a member.

Community Service Avenue Goals for 2010-2011 – Denise LeBolt

K-Park Committee – Chair:  Brent Dunn

Continue to serve in a leadership role to ensure that the interactive areas of K-Park are selected and funded according to the wishes of the club, working in conjunction with the City of Springfield and the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department.

·         Present a program to the full club about the history of K-Park

·         Review the funding of the Springfield Wagon addition 

·         Start to identify Foundations to assist in funding of the project

·         Present a specific funding outline to the Board for the Springfield Wagon

·         Meet at least three times during the Rotary year

Projects Committee – Chair:  David Hamm

The main goal of the Projects Committee is the evaluation of funding requests in an effort to determine where available funds should be allocated in order to best support the overall goals of Southeast Rotary and Rotary in general. 

·         To accomplish this main goal the committee must:

·         Ensure that all committee members have accurate and concise information as to the size and purpose of the donation being requested and the organization making the request.

·         Consider each request and make a determination as to whether to fund the request or not based on the goals established by the club. 

·         Visit organizations that are making funding requests and perform other further investigation if necessary.

·         Make recommendations to the club’s board as to disbursement of funds based on committee member votes.

·         Present donations of funds at club meetings when possible.

These six areas of focus that have been approved by the Southeast Rotary Board of Directors should be kept in mind as each committee member considers the grant requests:

·         Peace & Conflict prevention/resolution

·         Disease prevention & treatment

·         Water & Sanitation

·         Maternal & Child health

·         Basic education & literacy

·         Economic & community development

Rotaract – Chair:  Lori Barnes

To provide continuing support to the Rotaract Club.

·         Attend at least one Rotaract meeting per month.

·         Actively recruit Rotaract members that would be a good fit for SouthEast Rotary.

·         Propose a Rotaract transition membership plan.

·         Invite Rotaract members to a fellowship event. 

·         Have the Rotaract President make a presentation during International Rotaract Week in March

·         Inform Rotaract members of upcoming speakers and invite Rotaract members to join us for lunch.

Student Guests Committee – Chair:  Cindy Howell

To recognize outstanding students from public and private secondary schools, colleges and universities that serve Springfield.

·         Contact the schools and confirm participation and establish a coordinator to oversee the process of selection.

·         Coordinators will select student based on commitment, high ethical standards, responsibilities, outstanding achievements and leadership qualities.

·         Prepare a schedule to host students and counselors each week during the school year.

·         Committee members will introduce these guests each week. Will e-mail my committee members to familiarize them with process.

·         Recognize members’ families’ high school and college graduates at the “Graduates Day”.

Youth Projects Committee – Chair:  Julie Guillebeau

Work with local schools and nonprofit organizations to recognize youth and young adults for the contributions they are making to their communities.

·         Promote benefits of RYLA in local high schools and with SE Rotary members.

·         Identify one high school junior as SE Rotary candidate.

·         Have the student give a program at SE Rotary, once back from RYLA.

Vocational Service Avenue Goals for 2010-2011 – Rick Hughlett

Directory Committee – Chair:  Margo Jarrell

·         Contracts for the preparation of the club’s membership directory and an update during the Rotary Year.

·         Distributes the directory to the membership, usually at a scheduled meeting.

·         Advise members that the club directory is available on-line via the club newsletter.

·         For 2010-2011, continue use the website to highlight new members and includes a picture of them.

·         Determine best methodology for communicating membership either via electronic or print methods.

Fellowship Luncheons – Chair:  Tammy Mast

Involve the club in traveling luncheons, which takes us back to the first Rotary meetings when members met in each other’s offices.  Offer members the opportunity to learn about the scope of members’ businesses and meet with each other on a smaller scale.

·         Recruit several members to serve as hosts for our weekly lunch at their businesses.

·         Organize the day with sign-up sheets for advance reservations.

Four-Way Test Committee – Chair:  Dan Emrie

·         Provide each student guest with a 4-way Test bookmark that will not only be a small gift for attending our meeting, but also serve as a reminder of ethical behavior.

·         Feature one Four Way Test article in the weekly Spokesman.

·         Emphasize the Four Way Test but having members lead the club in reciting the Four Way Test at the time they remove their blue ribbon.

·         Conduct a 4-Way Test program during the Rotary year. The program will contain a video that will tell “The Story of the 4-Way Test” by Herbert Taylor. After the video, members will be given discussion questions concerning ethics in their work place and personal environment.

·         Make available  a 4-Way Test program for the high school leadership academy. The program is similar to Leadership Springfield. The group is made up of 32 juniors from surrounding high schools. The program was given in 2008 but was eliminated in 2009 because of time restrictions the day of the program.

Rotary Volunteers Committee – Chair:  Barbara Lucks

·         To encourage Rotarians to register through the Rotary Volunteers program, which biannually produces a list of Rotarians and non-Rotarians who wish to volunteer abroad

·         To select a member of the club for club recognition for he “Rotary Volunteer of the Year” award

·         To further refine the criteria for the selection of the “Rotary Volunteer of the Year” award

·         To nominate a club member for the “Gift of Time” Award

·         To explore the nomination of a club member for other Rotary awards, such as the Four Avenues of Service Citation, the Service Above Self Award or others

·         To investigate opportunities for recognition of club members’ service in awards presented outside Rotary, such as the Kenworthy Award, the Humanitarian of the Year Award or others

Vocational Awareness Committee – Chair:  Dan Scott

·         Share information on occupations represented by club membership.

·         Select, for recognition, members of the community who have performed his or her vocation in an exemplary manner, i.e. “Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Fireman and/or Teacher of the Year” award.

International Service Avenue Goals for 2010-2011 – Patrick Harrington

Benefactor Endowment Committee – Chair:  Troy Kennedy

Encourages participation in the Rotary Foundation’s Permanent Fund.  A benefactor is a participating Rotarian who has informed the Foundation in writing that a provision has been made in his/her will or other estate plan for the Rotary Foundation, or who makes an outright gift of $1,000 or more to the Foundation’s endowment for world peace and understanding.  The gift is placed in a permanent fund, which will generate income annually to support the Foundation’s programs.  The principal remains untouched.  Goals for this Rotary year include:

·         Increase the number of Rotary Benefactors by at least 3 individuals.

·         Present a program during November to inform and to encourage Rotarians to become Benefactors.

·         Periodically present short “sound bites” during luncheon meetings and include reminders in the Spokesman.

·         Arrange for suitable recognition presentations honoring new Benefactors.

Friendship Exchange Committee – Chair:  Anne Brown

·         Promote outbound Friendship Exchange opportunities available through District 6080 and encourage Springfield Southeast members to participate.

·         Coordinate local schedule of activities for incoming Friendship Exchange teams, working with district chairman.

·         Encourage Springfield Southeast Rotarians to be host families for incoming Friendship Exchange teams.

·         Coordinate program presentation at club meeting for incoming Friendship Exchange teams, if schedule permits.

·         Schedule program presentation at club meeting for returning members of outbound District 6080 Friendship Exchange Teams.

·         Encourage Springfield Southeast Rotarians who travel to foreign countries to visit a Rotary Club and to briefly share their experiences with the club.

Group Study Exchange Committee – Chair:  Mary Lou Martin

·         Identify and propose candidates to be Team Members and Team Leader for upcoming District 6080 exchanges.

·         Coordinate local schedule of activities for incoming GSE team, working with District Chair and other local Rotary Clubs.

·         Encourage Springfield-Southeast Rotarians to be host families for the incoming GSE team.

·         Schedule program presentation at club meeting for incoming GSE team.

·         Schedule program presentation at club meeting for returning members of the outbound District 6080 GSE team.

International Youth Exchange Committee – Chair:  Keri Robinson

·              Promote the long-term youth exchange program to all Rotarians, and try to get as many members as possible involved, now and in the future.

·              Host Rotary Youth Exchange student from another country in the home of 3 Southeast Rotary Club members

·              Sponsor an outbound student to travel to another country for the school year

·              Encourage host families to include the exchange student in as many club activities as possible.

·              Coordinate a club program in which we hear from the exchange student, and host family members.

·              Begin planning for incoming and outbound exchange students for future years, and create a database of interested families in order to make the program run more smoothly in the future.

·              Present program to club on committee activities in conjunction with Rotary Foundation Scholarships Committee.

·              Plan and execute a social event for the incoming and outbound youth exchange students.

Rotary Foundation Committee – Chair:  Kim Nichols

The Rotary Foundation Committee promotes the work of the Rotary Foundation and develops programs to encourage members to become annual givers to the Rotary Foundation, and it presents recognition to new Paul Harris Fellows and new Multiple Paul Harris Fellows. Specifically,

·         President’s Goal for giving is $30,225.00

·         Increase the level of participation from 42% to 60%

·         Encourage members to contribute at least $100.00 per year - Every Rotarian Every Year.

·         Educate all members not only through a special program in November, but also regularly throughout the year during meetings.

·         Develop a campaign to get members to give quarterly (25.00) along with their dues to reach the annual goal for  EREY.

·         Hold a Paul Harris Fellows reception.

Rotary Foundation Scholarship Committee – Chair:  Anne Brett

This committee recruits individuals who qualify for study overseas through the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial and/or Peach Scholarship programs.  Specifically the committee will:

·         Collaborate with other Springfield Rotary Clubs to recruit, interview and select qualified candidates for the Rotary Foundation Scholarship programs.

·         Identify a qualified candidate(s) to compete at the district level for one of the Rotary Foundation Educational Programs such as Ambassadorial Scholar, World Peace Fellow or Grant for University Teachers.

·         Seek feedback from previous scholarship winners to develop promotional tools to assist with recruiting qualified students for the Rotary Foundation Scholarship programs.

Twin Club Committee – Chair:  David Bixler

Continue to work on relationships with the members of our Twin Club El Refugio and other members of the Tlaquepaque community.

·         Develop and identify potential projects that Southeast Rotary and District 6080 can help with that impact the Tlaquepaque community.

·         Take both a fall and a spring trip to Tlaquepaque and encourage Rotarians from District 6080 to discover the amazing personal growth that comes with developing lifelong friendships in a foreign country.

·         Complete our “Teaching Kids to Fish” project. Working with Paul Reinert (District World Community Service Chairman) to involve other clubs in the district to provide a total of 25 laptops for the Rotario Escuela in Tlaquepaque, Mexico. We have at least 3 laptops on the way to Tlaquepaque. By November, we hope to have several more shipped to Tlaquepaque so that we can dedicate the beginning of a new computer classroom during our fall trip to Tlaquepaque.

·         Work through Paul Reinert to involve District 6080 clubs in an “Adopt a Child Program.” Providing the 98 kids at Esctancia Maria orphanage with underwear, socks, shoes, candy, and a note of encouragement by having clubs and or Rotarians adopt a specific child by making a set dollar contribution of $75 to provide these necessities for their child. The goal would be to deliver these packages to these children during our Spring trip.

·         Begin the ground work on a long range project of helping to build and equip a medical clinic in Santa Paulo, Mexico. Santa Paulo is one of the poorest communities in the Tlaquepaque area and has no medical facility of any kind.

World Community Service Committee – Chair:  Judy Bilyeu

The World Community Service Committee advances the Rotary goals of world peace and understanding by organizing and funding a community service project in another country.

 Identify a community need in another country and organize an initiative to eliminate or alleviate that need.

·         Work with a Rotary Club from another country (other than the country where the need is identified) on this project.

·         Raise approximately 50 percent of the committee budget for the year from fundraising activities within our club.