Our Program on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 was “The Future of the Rotary Club of Excelsior” and moderated by Nick Ruehl. This was the second Club Assembly devoted to discussing the 5 major options for our club’s future and to reach consensus on going forward. Nick reviewed the list of options that have been submitted and reviewed them with members. The Options are:
Option 1: Join Morning Club / Autonomous Satellite Club ·Join the morning club but maintain autonomy as a Satellite Club (SC) ·Purpose: 3 or 4 projects we'd like to maintain (STRIVE, MAD, ROR ICA,RW)
·Leverage AM Club for new volunteers but SC would plan, manage & run programs ·Possible Branding: The Excelsior Rotary Service Satellite Club.
·Anyone could attend AM weekly meetings to hear speakers and have meals; satellite club could meet once or twice a month on Tuesday
·No specific programming, just the leaders of the programs discussing in depth what we need to do for service projects.
·Transfer all funds, but request a separate fund for service projects (5-8 years)
·Possible meeting places: Maynards on Tuesday at noon? High School
Option 2: Form One Club
·Form 1 Club — The Excelsior Rotary Club
·Current leadership/membership/structure/programming of the Morning Club would continue.
·Noon club membership's contributions include extraordinary depth of experience, knowledge, talents and expertise and persons truly invested in service to our community.
·With established leadership and large membership, STRIVE and Book Donation Projects would continue and even expand.
Option 3: Close Noon Club / Form Social Organization
·Close Noon Rotary, enable AM Club to use The Excelsior Rotary Club, if desired.
·AM Club accepts applications from current noon Rotary Club members who wish to join.
·Noon Club transfers all funds to AM Club.
·Continue, if the way be clear, Strive and Annual Book Drive·AM Club helps establish "Excelsior Retiree/Social Organization" for regular (2,3/mo?) lunch meetings, to include programming per organization.
·New organization does not take on the "Mantel of Rotary?”
Option 4: Continue the Club "As Is
•Meet a least 3 times each month.
•Promote to attract new younger members.
Option 5: Merge to "The Rotary Club of Excelsior
·Merge the two Excelsior Rotary Clubs on July 1, 2024.
·Name: The Rotary Club of Excelsior ·Transfer Noon Club funds to new Club w $50,000 Foundation Fund to remain.
·Continue signature service projects.
·Noon Club to host Celebratory Dinner (Merger + 75 Years of Excelsior Rotary)
Motion: A motion was made to appoint President Randy Schumacher and Nick Ruehl to begin talks with the Morning Club’s Leadership based on transitioning options with flexibility and the vote was 15 voting for and 2 opposed.