Meeting Recap

Students

The cast of “Clue” visited us.  They will be performing Friday November 20th, and Saturday the 21st at 7pm at the Strongsville High School Auditorium.  It is based on the 1985 movie “Clue”.  Tickets are available online for $11

Rotarian of the Month

President Tom Gigliotti presented Mary Kaminski with Rotarian of the Month.  Mary recently led the Trick-or-Treat at Safety Town organized in collaboration with the Strongsvillle Police Department.

Diwali

Jeet and Ravi provided some information about the Diwali, known as the Festival of Light, which symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, and good over evil.  It is celebrated by light traditional lamps called Dia, and coming together to share sweets as reminders of the importance of kindness, hope, gratitude, and new beginnings.

Foundation Month

Dick Kiplinger led our celebration of Rotary Foundation month.  Rotary International has a foundation, and our club has it's own Strongsville Rotary Foundation.  Donations of $1,000 or more provide recognition, as a Paul Harris Fellow to the Rotary International Foundation, and a Harry Fuehrer Fellow to the Strongsville Rotary Foundation once they are already a Paul Harris Fellow.

Seven new Harry Fuehrer Fellows were welcomed, including 5 Rotarians and 2 family members.

One new Paul Harris Fellow was welcomed., along with several Rotarians who had achieved the next level up.  One new Major Donor was recognized, having contributed over $10,000 to the Rotary Foundation, with Don Fernald presenting the recognition to Brian Kiplinger.

Brian presented the following facts and history of our Foundation:
 

• Founded in 1994.

• Formed as a Tax Exempt 501 C (3) Organization entitling donor federal income tax deductibility.

• Primary purpose of forming the Foundation was to establish a "Rainy Day Fund" in case our fundraising events should not perform as well and the Club wanted to continue its benevolence in our Community.

• First contribution received into the Foundation was $5,000 from the profits of the Chili Open.

• There are 4 Officers and 3 Trustees comprising the Board of Trustees. In addition, other Advisors form the Leadership of the Foundation.

• The Officers are elected to the Foundation by the Club and serve a 1 year term.

• The Trustees are elected to the Foundation by the Club and serve a 2 year Term.

• The Foundation has its Meeting generally every month on the 3rd Thursday morning at 7:30 am.

• The Foundations investments at June 30, 2025 as managed by Huntington Bank were $325,861. The Foundation has an Investment Policy which is followed by the Investment Advisors and the Trustee's.

• The Foundation has cash reserves in the amount of $48,172 at June 30, 2025, mostly appropriated for future charitable giving.

• The Foundation partners with the Rotary Club on all of its current fund raising events; Chili Open, Duck Race/Kids Fest and StrongFest.

• Through June 30, 2025, the Foundation has funded $291,050 in Scholarships to seniors from: the Strongsville High School, from the Middle School Success Academy, formerly the Connections Group at the Strongsville High School, from the various Parochial Schools in the greater Cleveland area, and from Polaris Vocational School.

• Through June 30, 2025, the Foundation has made $1,140,699 of contributions to numerous charitable organizations and causes.

• Major Community projects the Foundation and the Club have been involved with include: Backyard Preserve ($11K), Catan's Football Stadium ($25K), Soccer Fields ($10K}, City of Strongsville Welcome Signs ($15K), Safety Town ($105K), Camp Cheerful High Ropes Project ($10K), Southwest General Hospital Patient Tower ($25K), Strongsville Emergency Food Bank Building ($145K}, Metro Parks Wintergreen Cabin Restoration ($43K), Excellence in Athletics Artificial Turf for Football Fields ($20K), Strongsville High School Music Department Grand Piano ($15K), Strongsville Middle School Step Back & Think Program ($10.5K) and recently the Strongsville Town Center Initiative ($SOK}.