ROTARY CLUB OF SASKATOON

 

April 3, 2023

 

MEETING AT THE SASKATOON CLUB with a Zoom alternative.

 

Members sang ‘O’Canada. Elaine Zakreski recited grace.

 

Mark Gryba was on technology. Cashier was Wayne Palmer. Donna Gauthier was the Greeter and introduced Visitors and Guests. Jack Brodsky chaired the meeting.

 

Our guest was Don Lepp, prospective member.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

 

 

GROCERY CARDS. Donna only has Sobey cards right now with denominations in multiples of $50.

 

 

Next Meeting - April 17th

 

   

-   reported by Steve Wilson

 

   Club Assembly reported by Will Arscott

 

There were three items discussed at the Club Assembly:

 

 

By 2022 the membership fees in our club had reached $315 per year. There was a growing feeling in the club that the fees were becoming a barrier to membership in our club. At the same time there was a strong feeling within the club that any money we raise through our projects should not be used to subsidize RI Fees or club operating costs.

The situation was looked at and it was determined that the biggest club operating cost was the RI fees of $205 per member. When the club and district constitution was examined, it was determined that there was no requirement that all members of our club be members of RI. Further, it only took twenty members to charter a new club in RI. The committee felt that if we reduced our RI membership to twenty people, we could use the savings to hold the line on fee increases or even reduce the fees. This plan was taken to the District who were not entirely happy with our plan but agreed that it was within the club’s rights to move to this model.

The system of having the club maintain 20 RI memberships was agreed upon.  The RI memberships went to members who were on the executive or headed committees. There was a provision for any member to purchase a RI membership should they want one for travel or other reasons. This new system did mark a departure for our club and there was some discomfort with the new system both within the club and in the district.

 

A member of the club, who was not mentioned by name at the meeting, had proposed that we should return to the system where all members are RI members. It was proposed that this be done gradually by having all new members as RI members but grandfathering the current members who are not RI members as non-RI members. There was discussion. In an ideal world most would like all members to be RI members, but the situation is that this would cause fees to rise or require money from projects to fund club operating expenses (which is the situation with most clubs if you analyze their budgets.

 

A vote was called, and the current model was re-affirmed unanimously.

 

 

Background:

The Badge, Shield and Star Dinner has been our club’s primary fundraiser for some time. Its origins pre-date our signature local project RAP.   Over time the dinner had taken off and it had become a large project for our club. The decision was made to make it an event in support of the RAP program as that program grew. So that the club did not lose an important source of revenue, it was determined that our club would receive 50% of the first $30,000 in after-expense earnings. Any amount over this would go 100% to RAP. This effectively capped the club’s earnings at $15,000. It would only receive this amount if the dinner had a profit of at least $30,000.

 

In recent years when the BSS Dinner had been able to take place it had been organized by the RAP board and our club’s part in the organization and work has reduced. For various reasons it is more difficult for the dinner to be profitable even with some very generous gifts. There is a feeling on the RAP executive that the formula is unfair to RAP and should be amended.

This is a serious concern. If the RAP Board is not happy with the division of funds, they could choose to create their own event and not benefit our club. It is unlikely that the current club could manage the BSS Dinner themselves in the long-term. Even with the RAP committee maintaining the dinner there a lot of work that needs to be done to renew the event and make it successful.

 

That the sharing formula be amended so that our club’s share be reduced from 50% to 20% with a cap of a total payment of $15,000. If there was a particularly successful dinner and club could still do as well as in the past, but it is likely that the club will see a loss of revenue.

 

The proposal was put to a vote and the proposal was past unanimously with one abstention.

 

Mark Gryba reported on progress on this project, and it was all great news. The project has been approved by City Council. Tenders will be out in April and awarded by the summer. Construction should start immediately and be done by winter. The building starts from the existing foundation from the lawn bowling club. The building will be bigger than original thought at about 800 square feet rather than 600. This will increase the constructions costs with those costs being borne by the city.

 

The Co-Op has also come on board as sponsor. They will put up $70,000 and will pay for solar panels to be installed on the roof and for a deck.  They will be recognized with a sign on the deck. Our club’s contribution will be the $40,000 from the centennial project. We will primarily pay for the kitchen.

Recognition in the form of signage was important to our club and it has been negotiated and Mark is satisfied with how it appears in the final agreement. We will get three signs: The first will be on a general plague by the entrance that will recognize our club, the city and the Co-op. Our name and logo will appear. We will have a second sign by the kitchen that will recognize us and have the Rotary Four Way Test. Finally, we will be recognized by a sign on the outside of the building that will be visible from Ave. H.

 

Mark enthusiastically recommended this to the club and there was no negative comment of any kind. No motion was associated with this discussion.