The board meeting focused on updates on attendees and the agenda, recent events at Dartmouth and Harvard, and the upcoming installation and potential speaker for their meeting. The team also discussed scheduling speakers for upcoming meetings, focusing on political candidates, and the scheduling for upcoming Rotary Club events. Lastly, the board discussed several key points, including a partial financial report, the need for new leadership for the program committee, and the need to fill various chairmanships.

• Joe to contact Brandywine and check availability for the joint networking event on May 12, 27, 28, or 29.

• Joe to contact Springfield Rotary Club about potentially joining the networking event at Brandywine.

• Henrik to confirm availability of the Elks for the installation event on the dates provided by David.

• Jim to follow up with Community Foundation to get updated financial information.

• Mort to email Ginny Tsukamoto about the possibility of a district-wide initiative to support children in foreign countries affected by US aid dissolution.

• Susan and Brad to continue handling programs through the summer.

• Mort to find new chairpersons for key committees, including Membership and Program.

• Jim to take over the accounting system from Joe next year.

• Joe to look for Ryla information and send it to Jim.

• Jim to send Ryla information to Judith Hsu at the high school once received from Joe.

• Peter to send a recommendation to Susan about booking the therapist speaker from the Old Guard.

The board meeting begins with Joe providing an update on attendees and the agenda. David joins and inquires about Pam's well-being. The group discusses recent events at Dartmouth and Harvard regarding anti-semitism scrutiny. Susan and Brad join to provide a program update, announcing that Chris Bonner, the new executive director of the Connection, will be attending the next Monday's meeting. They also mention potential guests, including David Muskello from a local restaurant and Joanne Rajopi, the Union County clerk, who is scheduled for May 5th. The next possible meeting on May 17th may include a team from M&H.

The team discussed a recent fraud incident involving a bogus note from Paypal. They also talked about the upcoming installation and potential speaker for their meeting. Joe mentioned that Margaret, who is not a corporate member yet, can have as many guests as she wants at a cost of $20 per person. The team also discussed a request for a Democratic candidate, Andy, to be a speaker, but they were unsure if Rotary gets to have a Democratic candidate as the final speaker.

The club discusses scheduling speakers for upcoming meetings, focusing on political candidates. David suggests inviting candidates from both parties, though not necessarily on the same day. Susan raises the point about the upcoming primary elections. Joe advises against having candidates speak during the primary season due to the new voting process and potential scheduling conflicts. The group agrees to reach out to Republican office holders to check their availability, possibly for July meetings. They also review the schedule for May and early June, noting that June 2nd is still open for a speaker.

The group discusses scheduling for upcoming Rotary Club events. They plan to invite Joanne Rajoppi, the County Clerk, to speak about new voting procedures at a future meeting, aiming to attract a large audience. Joe proposes a joint networking event with the Berkeley Heights Rotary Club at Brandywine, tentatively scheduled for late May. The group also discusses the installation event, waiting for Henrik to confirm his availability for the proposed dates in June.

The board discusses several key points during the meeting. Jim provides a partial financial report, noting $6,824.59 in the checking account and estimating around $90,000 in the Community Foundation account. Susan and Brad indicate they will continue managing programs through the summer, but new leadership is needed for the program committee starting in September. The board also discusses the need to fill various chairmanships, including membership, social events, and foundation. Joe suggests transitioning the accounting system to Jim in the coming year. Mort proposes considering an international charitable effort in response to recent political developments.

 

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