Here are the highlights of the October 13 board meeting.
Call to Order Craig Kupferberg
President Craig Kupferberg called the meeting to order at 11:38 A.M. with the following board members present: Craig Kupferberg, Jennifer Mason, Troy Elwer, Carol Buettner, Beth Seibert, Berlin Carroll, Russ Decker. Also, Secretary Anne Decker, bookkeeper Amy Ricker, and Rotary District 6600 Assistant Governor and Wapakoneta Rotary Club member Kevin Werst were present.
Secretary’s Report Anne Decker
Approval of the September 8, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes
Mason made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 8 board meetings. Elwer seconded the motion. Board approved.
Attendance Report for August 2026
Four new members joined the club and two members resigned in September 2026. September attendance was 37.983%. The month ended with 129 active members and 5 honorary members.
President’s Report Craig Kupferberg
Rotary District 6600 Governor Visit
DG Katherine Eboch will speak to the club on October 26.
DG Katherine Eboch will speak to the club on October 26.
Snowbird Membership
Discussions have been held about creating a snowbird membership for long-time club members who spend part of the year out of state. Board members agreed to ask club members to vote on creation of this category at the annual meeting. Richard Schroeder has formally requested a leave of absence from November 1, 2026 through May 31, 2026. Seibert made a motion to approve requested leaves of absence from those who have been members of the club for at least ten years who spend at least three months as residents of another state. This includes Schroeder’s request. Elwer seconded the motion. Board approved.
Discussions have been held about creating a snowbird membership for long-time club members who spend part of the year out of state. Board members agreed to ask club members to vote on creation of this category at the annual meeting. Richard Schroeder has formally requested a leave of absence from November 1, 2026 through May 31, 2026. Seibert made a motion to approve requested leaves of absence from those who have been members of the club for at least ten years who spend at least three months as residents of another state. This includes Schroeder’s request. Elwer seconded the motion. Board approved.
Love Luggage
Seibert has requested that the club once again help pack Love Luggage, the backpacks filled with supplies for children who are removed from their homes by Allen County Children Services. Greg Sowinski from ACCS will be the guest speaker on January 25, and the club members are being asked to walk across the street to ACCS afterwards to pack the backpacks. Buettner made a motion to approve the request. Elwer seconded the motion. Board approved.
Seibert has requested that the club once again help pack Love Luggage, the backpacks filled with supplies for children who are removed from their homes by Allen County Children Services. Greg Sowinski from ACCS will be the guest speaker on January 25, and the club members are being asked to walk across the street to ACCS afterwards to pack the backpacks. Buettner made a motion to approve the request. Elwer seconded the motion. Board approved.
Rex Perry Memorial Golf Outing
Golf Outing Chair Jeff Unterbrink reported that 24 teams (the same number as last year) played in the Rex Perry Memorial Golf Outing on August 19. Perry proTECH and Shawnee Properties each gave $6,000 as presenting sponsors. Nutrein, Kewpee Hamburgers, State Farm - Corey Frazer, First Financial Bank, Rhodes State College and Superior Credit Union were all major sponsors contributing at least $1,500. There were 15 hole sponsors. Lee’s Famous Recipe of Delphos donated the meal. There are still four outstanding invoices. Once everything is finalized, the outing is expected to net a little over $25,000 for the Scholarship Fund.
Golf Outing Chair Jeff Unterbrink reported that 24 teams (the same number as last year) played in the Rex Perry Memorial Golf Outing on August 19. Perry proTECH and Shawnee Properties each gave $6,000 as presenting sponsors. Nutrein, Kewpee Hamburgers, State Farm - Corey Frazer, First Financial Bank, Rhodes State College and Superior Credit Union were all major sponsors contributing at least $1,500. There were 15 hole sponsors. Lee’s Famous Recipe of Delphos donated the meal. There are still four outstanding invoices. Once everything is finalized, the outing is expected to net a little over $25,000 for the Scholarship Fund.
Young Professionals
Elwer has discussed possible collaborations with Lima Young Professionals, a Chamber of Commerce organization for professionals from the ages of 18-45. He is going to present the same discount to the YP as is available to members of Allen/Lima Leadership – $100 per quarter for their first year of membership in the Lima Rotary Club. Discussions are ongoing.
Elwer has discussed possible collaborations with Lima Young Professionals, a Chamber of Commerce organization for professionals from the ages of 18-45. He is going to present the same discount to the YP as is available to members of Allen/Lima Leadership – $100 per quarter for their first year of membership in the Lima Rotary Club. Discussions are ongoing.
PolioPlus Campaign
The club’s annual PolioPlus campaign is underway under the chairmanship of Dr. Nonso Ezema. This year’s goal is $3,000. An online store is open for Rotary gear with $5 from each order going to the campaign. This quarter’s Rottery proceeds also go to the campaign.
The club’s annual PolioPlus campaign is underway under the chairmanship of Dr. Nonso Ezema. This year’s goal is $3,000. An online store is open for Rotary gear with $5 from each order going to the campaign. This quarter’s Rottery proceeds also go to the campaign.
Safety City Trick or Treat
Safety City Trick or Treat is Saturday, October 24 from 12:00-2:00. Kupferberg has purchased candy for the event. Volunteers are being sought to pass it out.
AI Projects
Jayson Paglow has created an automation dashboard for the club to help with many secretarial and membership duties. Anne Decker is reviewing it.
Jayson Paglow has created an automation dashboard for the club to help with many secretarial and membership duties. Anne Decker is reviewing it.
Board Reports
Holiday Home Tour
Holiday Home Tour
Russ Decker reported that four homes have been secured for the 2026 Holiday Home Tour. One more home is being sought. All media partners are in place, as well as one florist and three providers of treats. Once the final home is secured, Decker will schedule a meeting with the home owners and put tickets on sale.
Treasurer’s Report Amy Ricker
Kupferberg stated that treasurer Jason Bice’s duties at work have changed and he is unable to dedicate the time to the treasurer’s position that it requires. He informed Kupferberg that he is willing to step down.
Russ Decker made a motion to appoint bookkeeper Amy Ricker as the club’s treasurer. Carroll seconded the motion. Board approved. Ricker will apply for membership in the club. Kupferberg will ask Bice for a formal resignation.
Ricker shared information from the club’s Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheet. The club’s total income through September 30, 2026 is $28,074.32. Total expenses are $31,771.87. Net loss is ($3,697.55).
Ricker is making the following transfers: $150 donation to the club in honor of Barb Perry to the Scholarship Fund, $5,655.03 in donations from club members on their dues to the Scholarship Fund, $6,904.24 in donations from club members on their dues to the Lima Rotary Foundation.
Ricker and Tracey Regula of Sielschott & Associates are working on the club’s tax return which is due in November.
New Business Craig Kupferberg
There are no new member applications and no resignations.
Motion To Adjourn
Buettner made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Elwer seconded the motion. Board approved. Kupferberg adjourned the meeting at 12:29 P.M.
Buettner made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Elwer seconded the motion. Board approved. Kupferberg adjourned the meeting at 12:29 P.M.
Electronic Vote
Amy Ricker submitted her application for membership following the board meeting. Anne Decker asked for an email vote to approve her application. Mason made a motion to approve the application. Russ Decker seconded the motion. Board approved.