Regular Meeting, March 17, 2010

A big crowd today! 26 Rotarians and guests enjoyed a Corned Beef & Cabbage lunch at the Irish Times.

Guests included Tom Casperson-running for 38th District Senate; Paul Lehto-Calumet township Supervisor; Bob DuPont, Main St Calumet member; Frank Fiala, Main Street Board President; Bob Sharkey, our Assistant District Governor; Babette Jokela, Main Street supporter; and Donna Cole, Hancock Rotary Club.

Announcements:

1. Thanks to the organizers of the Copper Dog 150 and all the volunteers.

2. The Calumet Theatre is holding its gala fund-raising dinner on Saturday March 20. Interested Rotarians are urged to attend.

3. And a St Patrick’s Day luncheon without Andy Murtagh present? [Kilpela adds, I believe Andy is of Scotch descent]

Our program was two parts. We started with a review of the Club budget and then Sue Dana presented a request for a contribution to Main Street Calumet.

First: President Jim Lowell reported on the budget and thoughts of the Board when considering donation requests. Highlights are:

1. Overall annual budget is roughly balanced at about $25,000

2. Eliminate the “pass through” money consisting of meals, dues, and the Rotary Foundation, and the remaining budget has a slight surplus at approximately $10,000 that includes limited discretional funds of approximately $1,000.

3. The Balance Sheet shows a balance in checking and savings of approximately $10,000. Note, however, that it includes some Spaghetti Dinner revenue and none of the applicable expenses. Moreover, it includes $1000 scholarship money to be dispensed in May.

4. Current pending requests for donation total approximately $6,000. Little of this will fit into annual budget.

5. Board priorities when considering whether to recommend granting request include:

a) Geography. Priority to money which benefits persons in CLK Rotary area, that is, the north end of Houghton county and all of Keweenaw County.

b) “Warm Body” factor, that we can identify the person(s) who will ultimately benefit from donation.

Following a review of the budget and donation policy, Sue Dana presented Main Street Calumet’s request for a funding of $1000 per year for the next three years, a total of $3,000.. She listed the accomplishments of Main Street Calumet such as instigating the Copper Dog 150, of facade improvements, of encouraging and supporting new businesses as well as community events. She reminded members that any person or business can become a Main Street member, that you do not have to be in the Main Street district. However, it is important to note that money spent in the Main Street district floats through the entire community, a benefit to all either directly or indirectly.

Bottom line is Main Street Calumet needs help with its funding. Frank Fiala, Main Street Board President, gave a passionate argument supporting Main Street Calumet. He has a strong belief in Calumet and has located his business in town. Frank talked about the impact of Main Street throughout the Keweenaw.

Many questions & concerns were voiced by Rotarians. Issues such as keeping a prudent bank balance, a desire to support Calumet as well as the rest of our market area, donating to general funds vs helping to meet a specific need, were addressed. I could not write fast enough to record all the comments!

The discussion came to an end when a vote was called on the question of supporting the Main Street Calumet request to fund $1000 per year for the nest three years. That vote passed 14 Yea and 6 Nay.

Closing ceremony!