Gallipolitan
President Deborah Rhodes opened the regular meeting 
of the Gallipolis Rotary Club promptly at 7:15 am at the Holzer Clinic Doctors Dining Room. Matt Willis gave the invocation. President Rhodes welcomed everyone on such a frosty morning.
District Assembly—Debbie announced the District Assembly will be held on Saturday, April 4th at Ohio University-Lancaster. President Deb, Bonnie, and Chuck are planning on attending and would like to have a few more Rotarians make the trip this year. This is an excellent opportunity for new members to experience the workings of Rotary at the District level and to meet Rotarians from around our District. They usually have a special meeting for new Rotarians.
Pre-PETS Meeting—VP and President-Elect Bonnie McFarland reported on her experiences at last Saturday’s Pre-PETS training session held in Athens. She displayed the huge binder full of organization items to help her get ready for her term which starts in July. Assistant District Governor designee Matt Willis also attended the sessions. Matt remarked how he really appreciates the great members we have in our club that make Gallipolis Rotary such a quality Rotary Club!.
Rotary Relays—Our Spring Rotary Relays will be held on Saturday, April 25th at the University of Rio Grande track facility. This year our club is inviting 7th and 8th grade students who are interested in track and field. Our club feels it is important to have a track meeting that will attract and stimulate this age group and their families. Jeff Lanham is handling the planning and we are expecting an excellent turnout. Be sure to mark your calendars as we need everyone to help at this important event.
Split-The-Pot—Dan Whiteley sold a number of tickets to raise the small pot to $8 and the lucky ticket holder for the morning was Bonnie McFarland! Bonnie missed out on the ‘big one’ of $224 by drawing the eight of clubs. The Foundation Fine was assessed against anyone who has NOT signed up for the District Assembly.
Fellowship—Lou Ellen Werry ran club fellowship for the meeting seeking out any fines for missing pins, badges, or late arrivals. Dave Smith bought a Happy Buck. Debbie Saunders celebrates a birthday this month and for a small donation the entire club sang Happy Birthday to Debbie. Lou Ellen shared some Oscar trivia and Jim Morrison bought a Happy Buck and told a great story.
Program—Dr. David Smith, DDS, was our speaker this morning and provided his ‘vocational talk’ as a new member of our club. Dave has practiced General Dentistry for 26 years in Gallipolis, originally with Dr. Carman and has now moved his office to Eastern Avenue. Dave’s an authentic entrepreneur and enjoys running a number of different businesses—the local Super 8 Hotel, a restaurant that bears his name, as well as completing a term as county commissioner.
Dave shared some personal news with the club that he has recently remarried and will be introducing his new bride who is from Nashville, to the club very soon. Dave’s primary hobby is flying, and admitted he had aspirations to be a pilot as a youngster in Gallia county looking to the skies. In conclusion, our speaker commended his education he received at THE Ohio State University and its fine Dental School. Congratulations, Dave, it’s good to have you as a new Rotarian in our club.