Dave presented Trey with the past president diamond pin and badge, recognized board members (leaving, current and new), new committee chairmen, and distributed copies of the new stationary. In
conclusion, he stressed that International president William Skelton, through his motto "Share Rotary-Serve People" was shifting the intensity of his year from world to local club activities: therefore, he
asked club members to make a greater commitment toward the various points of the program. Rotary Clubs of District 656 have contributed $509,685 since the beginning of the
Scholars Program. From July 1, 1982 to May 31, 1983, the district contributed $35,869, or a per capita contribution of $13.29.
In August, the club participated in "Good Neighbor Days" with Eisner/Osco stores
whereby the Rotary foundation received five percent donation on all purchases made by Rotarians and friends.
In September, the International Center and World Community Service Committee
presented the club a special certificate in recognition of the club's assistance over the past several years.
Also in September, interested members formed a Battle of Tippecanoe Outdoor
Drama Project Committee. Members were Jim Hankins, Ned Helmuth, Gene Courtaney, Harley Griffith, John Dubberley, Terry Phillips, Scott Lyons and Butch
Hancock. The first project was to raise $40,000 for the box office structure, which was accomplished in a fund drive that lasted from December until April.
The club chose and ordered Rotary wheels for gifts to speakers.
This is the tenth year of the Lafayette Rotary Foundation. The foundation has about
$64,000 invested which earns about $7,000 in interest to be used for funding new club projects. In the ten years, more than $60,000 has been provided for local community projects.
Fellowship in Rotary is not merely the joining of hands and singing and talking. The fellowship of Rotary is the joining of hands and working together, not for glory, but
for a common cause and the common good. Fellowship is for every day in the week, not just Rotary meeting days.
Citing significant 1983-84 budget expense increases in certain categories including
secretary's office, Rotary International and District 656 assessments, International Convention, Ladies Night and flowers, the Board of Directors voted to increase
annual dues $20, from $80 to $100. One third of club dues, or $27, may be claimed as being tax exempt.
New directors elected in December included: Town: Bob Ford and Rick Hunneke;
Gown: Dave Alexander and Duke Scaglia.
Club attendance in November was 76 percent or 19th out of 32 clubs. In December it was 74 percent - 18th in the district.
Jim Backoff was named treasurer of the Lafayette Rotary Foundation to replace Howard Porsch, who was named treasurer emeritus.
The directors approved these requests for funds:
- $800 to the Rotary International Foundation to make Howdy Porsch a Paul Harris Fellow as recognition of his many years of service to the Lafayette club and foundation.
- $50 to the Chemical People to assist with the project to combat alcohol and drug abuse at a grass roots level.
- $4,000 over two fiscal years to Boy Scout Camp Cary for repair of the swimming pool.
- $50 to assist with shipping books to the "Books for Nigeria" project.
- $500 scholarship for Lafayette Leadership Academy.
- $30 to help start a club in Castleton.
- $465 to Opera de Lafayette for a backdrop at the Long Center for the Performing Arts.
- $100 to send Nathan Harlow as the first International Farm Youth Exchange Ambassador from Tippecanoe County for six weeks in Australia.
- $4,000 for camperships to Lafayette Urban Ministry, YMCA, YWCA, Salvation Army, Camp Tecumseh, Cooperative Extension, Sagamore Council Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts.
The directors sold three lots in Florida, which had been donated by Walter Gibson, for $2,500.
Contributions to the Salvation Army through the efforts of 83 bell ringers and checks
were $7,376. This was below the goal of $9,500, but more than last year's total of $7,093. The Army did reach their goal of $95,000.
Students recognized at the annual Scholarship/Citizenship program in May
included: Central Catholic - Paul Hunckler and Paula Scbmidlin; Harrison - R. Scott Sorensen and Maryanne Tigchelaar; Jefferson - Todd Jackson and Patricia Lane;
McCutcheon - Victor Herr and Dawn Ritchie; West Lafayette - Elisabeth Keller and Geoffrey Klinger.
This year, cost of lunch went from $4.50 to $5.
The Lafayette Club received a Presidential Citation from William Skelton at the district conference in May.
Paul Harris fellows for the year included Terry Phillips, Howdy Porsch, Bill
Ferguson, Jim Risk, Harley Griffith, Al Karner and Bob Verplank.
The administrative change of the club on July 5, 1983 included Trey Reisner passing the gavel to Dave Landgrebe.