Club Assembly

President Elect Peter Malone explained that the Club is working on the budget process for the Rotary Year July 1st, 2022 to June 30th, 2023 and looking at new ways to raise money to support the many important initiatives that the Rotary Club of Belleville facilitates.  In addition to the 2021/2022 fundraising activities, there are three new fundraising initiatives that are budgeted to bring in an additional $23,498 for the upcoming Rotary Year.  Below is a quick breakdown:

Cassandra Bonn -- RLK is the biggest fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Belleville and all hands on deck are needed.  RLK has raised $1.8 million dollars in its 20 years history.  That is incredible!  Three golf courses, Party on the Bay, over 200 golfers and 300 party goers!  Very pleased to announce and confirm that the 2022 RLK event net profit was $101,500.  So how can you get involved?  Be a sponsor, speak to Sam Brady and Kelly McKinney to encourage others to sponsor.  Golf at Trillium Wood.  Donate to the money tree raffle.  Buy a ticket for Party on the Bay.  Volunteer by helping with golf registration, take photos, be a hole spotter.  Set up/tear down the Party on the Bay location.  Tend the bar (Smart Serve required).  Let Brenda Snider know where you can volunteer.  The 2023 RLK Committee is already hard at work with Sam Brady, Kelly McKinney, Rosi Ouellette, Tracy Parks, Collins Myers, John Smale, Shannon Neely, Hazzem Koudsi, Melanie Cressman, Peter Malone, Mike Henry, Brenda Snider and Co-Chaired by Cassandra and David Allen.  Save the date of Friday, July 21st for golf and Party on the Bay.  Be part of this!

 

Cassandra Bonn -- Rotary Winter Games held its first event the end of February, a fun event at the Belleville Club attended by 110 people.  Games, auction, band, a wonderful time was had by all.  A net profit of $7,100 was raised and that is expected to grow.  Join the committee, donate auction items, be a sponsor, invent a game, attend in person, bring a friend.

 

Ken Wheeler -- Diners and Duffers was started by Hugh Campbell and the Rotary Club of Belleville and made a great contribution over the years by a two people committee, now grown by double the size with the addition of Dianne Spencer, Harold Brennan, Peter Coy and Chair Ken Wheeler.  The 2023 Diners and Duffers Book is available now, hot off the press at a cost of $40 for a $4,000 value.  An excellent opportunity for restaurants, golf courses, wineries, breweries, theatres and other businesses in the Quinte area to promote themselves and to offer outstanding real value to their customers.  Check out the 2023/2024 Quinte Area Rotary Special Events inside back cover of the book.  Lots going on.  Sales of the book increased by 25% over last year and raised $13,750, the 2nd largest fundraiser for the Club.

 

Ken Wheeler -- the Bottle Drive was started by Peter Malone and is now managed by Ken Wheeler and Harold Brennan.  Total profit is approaching $4,500.  Pickup is four times a year.  The committee is looking for a drop off location if anyone has access to a secure facility that could become a drop off location, opening one day a week would be helpful.

 

Melanie Cressman - basically a committee of one and part of selling 50/50 tickets at the Senators home games.  Five charitable organizations were part of the program initially, the Rotary Club of Belleville being one.  Over $7,000 was raised for the Club through a difficult time with COVID.  It's a fun night out, people line up to buy a ticket and it puts the Rotary Club of Belleville out there with 2,000 to 4,000 people in attendance at the games.  Volunteers are needed from 5:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. on game night, two Rotarians per game are required.  The pot is divided by how many games the Rotary Club covers and there are now nine charities involved.

 

Heather Hall -- Clowns for Kids is the newest fundraiser for the Club.  The event is tied in with the Santa Claus Parade, November 19th this year and is kid focused, an opportunity for youngsters to participate in the parade, dress up as a clown with face painting included, food music and hot chocolate after.  They feel like a celebrity.  A net profit of over $10,000 was raised in the first year.  Being the first year, an inventory of costumes had to be built up.  Corporate sponsors are expected to increase along with having team competitions.  Heather is looking for 6 to 8 volunteers the day of and is looking for committee members to approach businesses to sponsor.  Planning will start in July so please reach out to Heather.  Suggestions are welcome and Heather is focused on this initiative to bring in double in year two.

 

Peter Malone thanked the Committee Chairs, friends of Rotary and Rotarians for all their work year 'round.  Money is raised and money is spent, the trick is to balance everything to help the spending committees continue to do the good work in the community.