Meeting Recap

Invocation

Matt Howells led the invocation and pledge

Member Spotlight: Chris Choler

We recently welcomed Chris Choler to the club, continuing a Rotary connection that goes back a generation. Chris’s father, Bill Choler, was a member of the Stow Rotary Club, and Chris shared memories of growing up around Rotary events, including the softball tournament that many Strongsville members remember well. As a kid, he even served as a bat boy for the Stow team.

Chris attended Ohio State University and began his career with Highland Consulting. While starting out, he admits he didn’t know much about investments, but was encouraged to pursue the CFA designation as a way to build his expertise. He completed the rigorous multi-year program and credits it as one of the best decisions he’s made. Today, he works with institutional clients, advising on retirement plans and corporate investments.

On the personal side, Chris married his high school sweetheart, and they’ve now been together since they were 15. They have two young children, Wyatt and Sloan, who are already keeping life busy, especially with new milestones like crawling.

When he’s not working or chasing after the kids, Chris enjoys golfing and is a passionate Cleveland sports fan. If you sit near him at a meeting, there’s a good chance you’ll hear plenty about the Guardians.

Chris and his family moved to Strongsville about a year and a half ago, and we’re glad to have him as part of the club.

Club Town Hall Recap

Last Friday’s meeting took a different format, as we held a town hall discussion to gather input on the direction of the club for the coming Rotary year when Tom Gigliotti will be President, and Kim Harris President-Elect. Members had the opportunity to share perspectives in small groups and as a full room, with several important topics raised.

A key area of discussion was the Chili Open, our primary fundraiser. With longtime chairs stepping back after several years of leadership, the conversation focused on the importance of the event, how it can be supported going forward, and what level of effort and participation the club is prepared to commit.

This led into a broader discussion about fundraising overall. Members shared perspectives on how much emphasis should be placed on maximizing dollars raised versus ensuring events remain sustainable and enjoyable for those involved. There was also discussion around how the club balances financial impact with hands-on service and community experiences.

Scholarships were another topic of conversation, particularly how they align with Rotary’s focus on service above self. The discussion explored how the club identifies and recognizes students, and what factors should carry the most weight in that process.

Membership was also discussed, with conversation around both attracting new members and engaging current ones. Members shared thoughts on growth, participation, and how to ensure that new members feel connected and involved in the club’s activities.

Safety Town was highlighted as an important ongoing project for the club. In addition to an upcoming cleanup effort, there was discussion about maintaining and improving the site over time to ensure it continues to serve the community.

The club also revisited the annual banquet and sponsor recognition event, including how it is structured and how best to recognize and thank those who support our efforts.

Finally, there was discussion around the idea of additional fundraising events, including what would be required in terms of time, participation, and overall club capacity.

Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their thoughts. The feedback from this discussion will help guide planning and decision-making as we look ahead to the next Rotary year.