First Meeting of The New Year!
President Deb Rhodes welcomed an excellent attendance of Gallipolis Rotarians for the first meeting of the year at 7:15 AM in the Holzer Clinic Doctors’ Dining Room. Our special guest this morning was Chris Badran, from Mason County. Welcome, Chris!
Deb announced two members had turned in Rotary Coin Boxes to benefit the Rotary Foundation. Margaret Evans and John Ellison turned in ’stuffed’ boxes this morning. While both these boxes were quite heavy, Bonnie McFarland’s $129 record still stands until Treasurer Katrinka Hart gives the final total. Be sure you have a Rotary coin box for your dresser or near the washing machine to pick up any spare change.
Black and White Benefit–Event Chair, Jenny Evans, announced the arrangements for this weekend’s Black and White Ball benefiting Gallia County Relay For Life, to be held at the Gallipolis Elks Lodge, at 7 pm. Entertainment provided by the Blues Band, Strange Candy, and the GAHS Jazz Band. Jenny asked for some help from 10-12 Rotarians to help with decorations and clean up. Decorating begins Saturday Noon! Those who want to help with food should come at 6:30 pm. Cleanup is on Sunday morning. This is an important high profile community project that can attract new members. Let’s all get behind this important event!
2008-2009 Literacy Project–Debbie Saunders announced our club will be holding a reception January 22nd at 4 pm for school librarians in Gallia County. Our club will be presenting the books donated through the year purchased from proceeds from Rotary District 6690 Simplified Grant. These are the books which are donated in the names of our speakers throughout the 2008-2009 Rotary Year. In addition, our club will be presenting research materials to the high school libraries for the new high schools currently under construction in Gallia County. This is another 
high profile community service project for our club and every Rotarian needs to be on hand for this reception.
Jim Phillippe Receives Blue Badge–President Deb asked Jim Phillippe to come forward and receive his Blue Badge of membership. Jim completed all the necessary steps to get rid of the old Red Badge. Congratulations, Jim!
Rotary Board Meeting–President Deb reminded members the club board meeting is set for Wednesday, January 7th, at the OVB Main Office at 1 pm. Attendance at one of these club board meetings is required for Red Badge members!.
Rotary Reads in Elementary Schools–Project Chair, Emily Dailey, requested some help from the membership to volunteer to read in February and March in the county elementary schools. We’re only talking a total of an hour or so, once a month. Now that the holidays are behind us, let’s clear our schedules and volunteer for duty. Rotarians that have read earlier in the year reported having a lot of fun with the kids and these kids really benefit from having their Rotarian buddies read to them.
Split-The-Pot–Jim Morrison ran STP for the morning and our small pot grew to $10. The winning ticket was held by Marlin Rose! Our large pot of $167 is safe as Marlin missed drawing the Queen. The Foundation Fine was assessed against anyone who did NOT stay up and watch the entire OSU/Texas game last night!
Fellowship–Lou Ellen Werry ran club fellowship for the meeting and opened with a little ‘Conjunction Junction’. Lou Ellen wove a little economic trivia and historical trivia and mentioned the recent demise of Western Union and the singing telegram. Margaret Evans bought a Happy Buck to talk about her trip to Hawaii and that our club is off to a great start for the new year!
Program–Tammi Brabham introduced our speaker for the morning, Rotarian Bob Hood, who spoke to the club about the 2009 plans for the Gallia Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Bob described the Bureau as the marketing agent for the organizations and activities within the county. The Bureau maintains an active web site, http://www.visitgallia.com, and promotes county events with mail, fax, and promotions outside of our county. The promotional activities has paid off as there has been a measurable increase in visitors and hotel guests, which helps fund the bureau’s support.
Bob updated members on the progress of the construction of the new Hampton Inn which should open in late February or March. The cattlemen’s Association recent event at the fairgrounds last weekend was a great success. In February, a Story Teller’s event will be held featuring some nationally know story tellers coming to town. In April, the annual Civil War enactors will be in town at the City Park. The month of June brings the Holzer Clinic Bike Criterion and the popular Band Organ Rally. Bob announced that June, 2010 will be the repeat of the popular Chautauqua in the Park.
Thanks for the great program, Bob!