Meeting summary Nov 25, 2025
Key takeaways
- The Tour de Cookie event planning needs immediate attention as Greg is ready to move forward but needs direction from Laura or the committee.
- In-person meetings will transition to VISTA starting January 6th, with Mark handling the logistics of moving equipment.
- The club will organize a holiday celebration at Lil Abner's in December.
- A Rotary friendship trip to Romania is planned for May 7-17, 2026.
Discussed topics
Holiday Support for Families in Need
Members discussed how to support families in need during the holiday season.
- Details
- Josh: Explained that Roadrunner Elementary has about 9 families who requested last-minute holiday assistance after the deadline.
- John: Proposed $500 per family as a reasonable amount.
- Cindy: Suggested looking at total dollar amount rather than per family, as needs may vary.
- Becky: Expressed concern about giving only gift cards as some families may not have time to shop.
- Beverly: Recommended a combination of specific gifts for children and gift cards for food.
- Harold: Shared a past experience of delivering a turkey to a family living in a tent with no stove.
- Mark: Noted that food has become the #1 item being purchased during Christmas this year, surpassing electronics.
Tour de Cookie Event Planning
Discussion about the status of the Tour de Cookie event planning.
- Details
- Greg: Mentioned he has access to the database and website but hasn't heard from Laura regarding next steps.
- Becky: Noted that the credit card processing function goes into effect in December.
- Harold: Reminded everyone that the website should be ready for registration by December 1st.
- Josh: Has prepared a sponsorship letter that Laura requested.
- John: Suggested contacting Laura to determine if she wants to remain chair of the committee.
- Conclusion
- Greg will receive the sponsorship letter from Josh.
- The board will discuss Laura's role and next steps after the meeting.
- There's consensus that planning needs to move forward quickly.
Romania Friendship Trip
Don provided information about an upcoming Rotary friendship trip to Romania.
- Details
- Don: The trip will be May 7-17, 2025, visiting multiple cities including Cluj-Napoca in Transylvania.
- Cindy: Shared that Romanian Rotarians have been very supportive of their exchange student.
- Don: Explained it will be a Rotary/cultural tour with visits to various Rotary clubs.
- Conclusion
- Anyone in the district interested is welcome to join.
- Romanian Rotarians will visit in September 2025 for the district conference.
Holiday Celebration
Brief discussion about the club's holiday celebration.
- Details
- Cindy: Proposed returning to Lil Abner's for the holiday celebration.
- Harold: Agreed with the location.
- Conclusion
- The club will organize a holiday dinner at Lil Abner's.
- Cindy will send an email to determine potential dates.
Car Raffle Fundraiser
Harold provided an update on the car raffle fundraiser.
- Details
- Harold: Reported $3,575 deposited so far.
- Harold: Reminded Craig, Mark, and Greg that next week is the deadline for turning in tickets or money.
- Bob: Expressed appreciation for Harold's leadership and suggested increased participation next year.
- Conclusion
- The fundraiser has been successful.
- Remaining tickets need to be returned by next week.
Four-Way Test Book for Children
Beverly shared a resource she discovered from another Rotary club.
- Details
- Beverly: Found Oro Valley Rotary members distributing "Goober Guys" books about the four-way test to elementary students. She described the books as teaching children about the four-way test through scenarios and activities.
- Don: Asked Beverly to bring a book to a future meeting.
- Conclusion
- Beverly will bring a sample book to the next in-person meeting.
Challenges
- Laura has not organized any Tour de Cookie committee meetings despite volunteering to lead the effort.
- The deadline for website registration (December 1st) is approaching with no clear direction.
- Determining the most appropriate type of gift cards for families with varying needs and access to transportation.
Action items
- Cindy
- Complete foundation request form for the $2,000 Fry's gift cards.
- Contact Laura regarding her role as Tour de Cookie committee chair.
- Send email to determine potential dates for the holiday party at Lil Abner's.
- Coordinate with Mark regarding gift card logistics.
- John
- Call for a foundation board vote once he receives the request form.
- Josh
- Share sponsorship letter with Greg.
- Coordinate with school staff regarding gift card distribution.
- Greg
- Prepare to move forward with Tour de Cookie planning pending direction from the board.