Report provided by Soroptimist International of Kenton/Hardin County:
Soroptimist International of Kenton/Hardin County held the June meeting at the Kenton Elks Lodge. President Karen Kier called the meeting to order and welcomed guests Rebecca Diller and Madisen Jolliff. Attendees rose and recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Soroptimist grace. While club members enjoyed dinner, Speaker Rebecca Diller from Ohio Northern University spoke on “Effective Stress Management” and went through a few exercises that can easily be done on a regular basis.
During her report Kier suggested the club sponsor a three-wallet raffle at the Safe Haven Purse Bingo to assist in their fundraising efforts. Members passed the motion. She further stated she met with club treasurer Jodi Dearth and discussed paperwork needed on the federation and region level within Soroptimist. Club giving was submitted to Soroptimist International of the Americas which is ten percent of the money raised from fundraising. She quizzed members present whether they would like to have Ladies Night Out this summer. More arrangements will be announced via email. In other suggestions, members asked to donate fidget toys to last month's speaker, Shree Ford. The club will provide a monetary gift for the fidget toys and members can also purchase. Items should be given to member Deb Oestreich and she will deliver.
The Vice President’s report was given by Kier on behalf of Jessica Hinson. Ruth Ann Cook received a Kroger’s check that was passed on to Dearth. Ideas for programming for next year can be sent to Hinson. Member Annetta Holmes previously spoke to Kier about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program in the Ohio prisons. Kier learned more from the director of the program. She will invite him to a future meeting as a speaker.
The secretary and treasurers’ reports were accepted as distributed. Dearth reminded members dues are due this month. The club received a cute thank you note from a teacher from Kenton Elementary for the donation of dignity bags.
In region news, District II Director Ruth Waggoner reminded people to put the following dates on their calendar; October 13-14, 2023 for Fall Meeting in Newark, Ohio, October 18-19 2024 for Fall meeting in Findlay, Ohio. She announced she will pay registration for two members that would be first time attendees at the Fall meeting.
Committee reports included an update on the rose garden at Hardin Hills from Brian Holder. Christmas Tree chair Norma Frederick reminded members to keep on the lookout for deals to stock up on socks and slippers. The club will need an Audit and Nomination committee for the 2023-2024 club year. Fundraising chair Laura Ferguson announced there will be a committee meeting in the next two weeks.
Bev Bahr gave an update on Safe Haven activities which included that Deb Oestreich will be taking on her role as director full time. Oestreich also won the Liberty award by the Hardin County Bar Association for her work with Safe Haven. The club will donate a basket for the Radio Day fundraiser and the Purse Bingo event is July 22, 2023 at the Kenton Moose Lodge.
Members attending Hardin Leadership are enjoying the experience and learning much from the classes. Membership chair Missie Austin announced secret sister matches from this past club year. Members agreed it was fun and would like to continue next year. Smoke alarm committee stated they were currently sufficient in devices to distribute. Hope Myers will restart a new Laurel Society quilt in the fall.
RuthAnn Cook’s challenge was met by three people and Pat Smith won the Soroptimist wall decoration. District Director Ruth Waggoner and President Karen Kier pinned new members in attendance. Thirteen Club 250 tickets were pulled to cover for the weeks of summer, Dearth will send out the checks. Next meeting will be Aug 31t, 2023. The Soroptimist pledge was recited and the meeting adjourned.
