Bruce Huffman and Gretchen Phelps were the greeters for today's meeting.

 

Jan Hartzell provided the inspirational moment.

Dan Ordyna led us in the flag salute.

 

 

Kristi Brill gave a summary of the monthly magazine, noting articles regarding peace initiatives and projects to build prosthetic hands…encouraging the club to be sure and give it a read.

 

Darrick Price conducted member recognition.

 

Art Bradley announced that he had just celebrated his 55th birthday.

 

Craig Thornton announced that a ton of headway had been made raising funds for the YCAP shelving project, but that we still need to raise $833 and that he needs volunteers for a few Saturday mornings in late February and early March.  So, contact Craig for details!!

Pattie Warner announced that she needs one more volunteer to help out with the “Ready for Kindergarten” service project at Sue Buell Elementary.  Call Pattie form more details!!

 

 

President Maryalice noted that the club had lost seven members in the last month due to a bevy of personal and work related issues. Maryalice asked the club to brainstorm ideas to promote membership. Then, she called to the floor for ideas from the brainstorming.  Common themes from the brainstorming sessions included shaping the programs for a younger audience, addressing the cost of membership and printing more materials to pass out to potential members. President Maryalice encouraged the members to consider new individuals for membership, especially younger members, and for the Rotary Minute, presented a video suggesting strategies for reaching out to young members.President Maryalice called upon the club to “Feed the Pig.” President Maryalice then introduced today’s speaker, Sheryl Hill from Freelin Wade.

 

Sheryl noted that Freelin Wade is a local company that manufactures plastic tubing for clients all over the world. Sheryl shared that Freelin Wade initially started out of a garage here in McMinnville and now employees 107 workers.

Sheryl reported that the company had put in place a “Lean” engineering initiative aimed at reducing waste and generating operational efficiency, which had made their organization very successful – with growing revenues and decreasing inventories – even in uncertain economic conditions!

Click on the image above or to the right to see a larger version.

 

Sheryl noted that Freelin Wade has a very fun work environment and that three principles guide strategy.

These are:

1. Creativity before Capital!
2. Do the next right thing!
3. Shorten the space between information and action!