Meeting Notes, March 28, 2017

President Tim Ridge, back after a brief absence following surgery, began the meeting at 8:10. Thom Hill offered an astronomical blessing followed by the pledge of allegiance.

 

Sergeant-at-arms Jennifer DeHart introduced visiting Rotarians and guests and collected Happy Buck$.

 

VISITING ROTARIANS:
Pete VanHorn (Waukesha, WI)
Ron Kolh (Fargo, ND)
Jim Baden (Hamilton, OH)
Ken Nykiel (Schaumburg, IL)

 

GUEST:
Marvin Kolh (guest of Ron Kohl)

 

 

Auction Co-Chair Mike Oliver reported that the second chance auction netted about $3,400 on the sale of 25 items. Some items remain unsold and will likely be offered for sale at a future club meeting.

 

Heritage Chair Neil Castellane is well organized and running full speed toward the golf tournament which begins in two weeks. Daily sign up sheets were again circulated.

 

ADG Nancy Riedel recapped the District 7770 Conference which took place this past weekend at the Marriott. About 400 Rotarians took part in Friday's luncheon; still more checked in for the Saturday sessions. Nancy reported that the speakers were outstanding, including one of the first females to be admitted to Rotary International (circa 1988). VanLandingham Rotarians served as sergeants-at-arms for the conference.

 

Tim Ridge announced that the district Leadership Training Assembly will take place April 21 at Seacoast Church in Mt. Pleasant. Tim encouraged committee chairs and other interested Rotarians to attend. We need at least two representative from our club to be eligible to apply for district grants. You can sign up at the district website at this LINK.

 

Youth & Education Chair Ivan Bennett announced that he has received the first application for the VanLandingham scholarship with more expected. Deadline for submission is April 15 after which the scholarship committee will begin deliberations.

 

Membership Chair Ben Shelton reported that Diane Fornari has resigned due to family pressures. Diane was VanLandingham Rotary's first female president and she will be missed. She hopes to continue to join us for select projects such as the annual auction and Heritage concession duties.

 

 

Above: Foundation Chair Greg Wynn announced that Jon Lundin has contributed his annual $1,000 to the Paul Harris Society. This is Jon's eighth such contribution. ADG Nancy Riedel presented Jon with his PHS pin.

 

Chuck Wiseman introduced today's speaker, Tom Reed, Broker-in-Charge of Charter One Realty. Tom, incidentally, is president of Osprey Village, a planned community designed for people with special needs. Tom presented an overview of real estate activity over the past several years. It was interesting to learn about the sales (or lack of sales) over the last ten years. Of particular interest were the years 2008 when the bubble burst, and October 2016 when Hurricane Matthew decimated the region and effectively put the brakes on every pending sale or closing when new appraisals and inspections were required. After the first 30 days things began to return to normalcy. As for absorption rates, sales of lots, homes and villas are about at the six-month average, especially for homes at or below $600,000. Above $600,000 there is supply well beyond six-months.

 

 

Following the presentation Bingo was awarded and the meeting adjourned at 9:00