Club Meeting Recap--January 23, 2017
Kyle Hannon, President/CEO of the Elkhart
Chamber of Commerce, Spoke to the Club
about the "Launch Elkhart" Business Incubator
President Scott Puckett brought the meeting to order before Matt Lentsch provided some thoughtful words and led the Pledge and Four-Way Test.
Visiting Rotarian Mel Jacobson and our guests were introduced, including Marie Drake, Tony Trevins (Monica Abair), Howard Edwards (Jim Rieckhoff), Ryan White (Kyle Hannon), Miguel Robledo (P Bandyopadhyay) and Erin Kinzel (Greg Munroe).
President Puckett congratulated Darrell Peterson on 5 years of Club Service, as well as Happy Birthday to a covey of club members.
Connie Caiceros reminded everyone to contribute to the Caring Committee when someone is in need of our thoughts and well wishes.
Eric Garton reminded us that our first Taste of the Gardens Committee Meeting is scheduled for February 13 at 11 a.m. (Taste is August 26!).
Mick Faloon promoted the Club’s Social Event on February 25 at the Bristol Opera House "The Great American Trailer Park" the musical – for more info contact Mick.
Chuck Grodnik reminded everyone of the Donations Committee meeting immediately following the meeting.
Doug Risser presented Bill Rieth with his certificate and pin for becoming a Paul Harris Fellow - - congrats, Bill!
Kurt Janowsky announced his most recent grandfathership - - Kurt’s daughter Karina delivered “Lucas William” on Tuesday, weighing in at 8 lb-1 oz. Congratulations, Kurt!
President Puckett gave the club a Membership Challenge - - check your email inboxes for Scott’s email from earlier today!
Mel Jacobson provided a brief and touching story as to WHY he became a Rotarian, before yielding the floor to today’s Sergeant at Arms, Mike Christofeno, who fleeced the audience with various fun fines all going to support Rotary’s charitable organizations within the community. Thanks, everyone, for your contributions!
Our speaker today was Kyle Hannon, President of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, who provided an excellent overview of LAUNCH ELKHART. Launch Elkhart is a small business incubator located within the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce offices. As such, it is a partnership with the Chamber, the City of Elkhart, the Community Foundation of Elkhart County and the new Center for Business Excellence. Frontier is providing high-speed internet, which is required for many technical startup businesses. The Chamber, SCORE, ISBDC, IUSB, and CBE will provide business assistance. The goal of Launch Elkhart is to cultivate entrepreneurship in the community and give budding businesses the tools and environment to get off to a great start – with lots of available help. The venture is expected to become the assembly line of entrepreneurial success in Elkhart.
For more information visit: http://www.elkhart.org/business-resources/launchelkhart.cfm