At our weekly meeting on January 6, 2017, President Craig Young welcomed everyone back to the meeting following the holidays.  President Craig asked everyone to keep longtime Canton Rotarian Ward Scott's family in their thoughts and prayers.  Ward passed away January 3, 2017 after a brief illness. Ward was a 24 year member of Canton Rotary. 
 
President Craig then asked the members with January birthdays to stand and be recognized.
 
Rotarian Adrian Allison gave the Invocation.
 
Secretary Suzette Matthews welcomed the guests to the meeting.
 
The "Happy Bucks" was then provided by the following:
  • Becky Clark - to celebrate her grandson being selected as the District's Exchange Student to Germany.  Becky then announced last year at this time she had a stroke and is still here to tell about it - plus she is celebrating her 70th birthday this month!
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  • PDG/PP Dave Ewing - to celebrate the fact that Rotarian Jan Baker is doing better and would love visitors at the Bethany Nursing Home, room 424.  He also was pleased to announce that Rotarian Don Coen is at home and accepting visitors.
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  • Mark Clendenin - was celebrating the fact that the exchange student from France that Mark and his wife hosted 10 year's ago returned to Canton to visit (along with his mother and girlfriend).  Mark wanted to remind all Rotarians of the opportunities the Exchange Program offers;
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  • Stephanie Werren - was happy to announce that Rotarian Mark Shaffer was appointed Canton Township Trustee.  In addition, PP John Werren (Stephanie's Father-in-Law) celebrated his 80th birthday recently and took the family on a cruise to help celebrate;
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  • PP Dan Matthews - to recognize a potential new member in attendance, Raquel Radershak.  In addition, he congratulated Mark Shaffer for his appointment as the new Canton Township Trustee.
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  • Mark Shaffer - wanted to thank all for their congratulations on his new role as Canton Township Trustee.
Chairman of Invocations, Jon Adland, made an announcement that a sign-up sheet would be coming around the room. He stated there were still many dates in need of an invocator. (*Editor's note: We are pleased to announce that after Friday's meeting all dates through the end of the Rotary year has been filled with a Rotarian providing an Invocation. Thank you!)
 
Vice President Michelle Mullaly then took to the podium to update the members on the "Unevent Raffle". She stated that tickets are available for purchase at $25.00 per ticket.  Rotarians are also being asked to take tickets with them to sell to family, friends and co-workers. The drawing will take place every Friday beginning January 27th.  The final drawing for the grand prize will take place on February 28th at 5:30 pm at Canton Brewing Company.
 
President Elect Amanda Tietze then brought the members up-to-date on the Charitable Fund Drive. To date, $10,100.00 has been raised.
 
Speaker Chair Sharon Sirpilla then introduced the speaker, State Senator Scott Oelslager.  The Senator spoke on the topic "A Look at Ohio's Budget".
 
President Craig concluded the meeting by reminding everyone of next week's speaker, Len Komoroski, Chief Executive Officer the the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers/Quicken Loan Arena.  Len's topic will be "Cleveland's Championship".
 
The following turned in a make-up during Friday's meeting: Ernie Schott (Canton South, East Canton).