Meeting Minutes 10-07-2026

Rotary Club of Westlake-Bay Village

Official Meeting Notes & Detailed Proceedings

 

 

I. Opening Ceremonies & Visitor Introductions

  • Call to Order & Invocation: The meeting commenced with an opening prayer.
  • Pledge & Four-Way Test: Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance and referenced the Rotary Four-Way Test.
  • Visitor Introduction: Chris Whitmore attended as a new guest and briefly introduced himself and his work in community development. 


Action Item: Westlake-Bay will issue a new Zoom link following the meeting to eliminate the need for manual admits and streamline future virtual attendance. 

II. Keynote Presentation: Rust Belt Fiber Shed

  • Presenters: Jess and Sarah, Co-Founders of Rust Belt Fiber Shed.
  • Mission & Concept: The speakers presented on their initiative to create a local, sustainable textile economy within a 250-mile radius of the Rust Belt region.
    • Regional Relocalization: Similar to the farm-to-table food movement, a "fibershed" connects local fiber producers (farmers), processors, and designers to create circular, local textile supply chains.
    • Environmental Impact Comparison: The presentation highlighted that a conventional cotton t-shirt travels approximately 39,000 miles during production, whereas locally sourced products (e.g., local apples or regional fiber) travel significantly less distance (about 50 miles).
    • Fiber Materials & Restoration: Work focuses heavily on wool and alpaca fibers, as well as efforts to restore regional flax/linen production.
  • Industry Challenges & Educational Outreach:
    • Manufacturing Gaps: While small-scale yarn mills and weaving operations exist, there is a critical shortage of large-scale yardage fabric manufacturing in the United States.
    • Community & School Engagement: The organization conducts hands-on educational programming, including school curricula, flax processing demonstrations, sewing/dyeing workshops, and an annual symposium to combat fast-fashion environmental impacts. 

III. International & Community Project Updates

1. Ethiopian Orphanage Project Proposal

  • Overview: The club reviewed a proposal regarding an orphanage project in Ethiopia.
  • Action Items (Jeff):
    • Meet with the missionary contact tomorrow to review project specifics and potential Ethiopian Rotary club connections.
    • Following the meeting, determine whether to connect the missionary with local Rotary clubs and/or lobby for direct support from the Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Club. 

2. Local Service & Fundraisers

  • Annual Rose Sale:
    • Status: Order commitments remain low, with only 6 to 7 members committed to date.  
    • Action Item (Pat): Follow up with all club members this week to confirm rose sale order commitments.
  • Diaper Donation Drive:

     
    • Status: A diaper donation drop-off was successfully completed.
  • Friends of the Library Book Sale Prep:
    • Status: Members discussed sorting activities and preparations for the annual book sale scheduled for the following week.
    • Action Item (All Members): Stay after today's meeting to help set up tables and chairs and transport boxes of books downstairs for book sale prep.
  • Community Center Volunteering (October 13th):
    • Action Item (All Members): Sign up via the email link sent by Lisa to fill two volunteer server slots for the October 13th community center event (one server needed at 8:00 AM, one at 8:30 AM). 

 

IV. Annual Golf Outing Preparations & Logistics

  • Event Registration: Confirmed 124 registered players for the outing.
  • On-Site Financials & Registration Table:
    • Action Item (Westlake-Bay): Locate and bring the club cash box, or procure a new cash box if the existing one cannot be found.
    • Action Item (Westlake-Bay): Supply $200 in starting cash for the cash box (to be reconciled and returned to Gary or Westlake-Bay post-event).
    • Action Item (Westlake-Bay): Print and display a Square payment QR code sign at the registration table to handle digital transactions.
  • Contests, Games & Refreshments:
    • Putting Green Bottle Game: Targets on the putting green will feature alcohol bottles (wine, beer, bourbon, etc.).
      • Action Item (Westlake-Bay): Purchase a handful of wine bottles at Costco today for the putting game.
      • Action Item (Westlake-Bay): Set up the bottle targets on the putting green prior to the start of the outing.
      • Action Item (All Members): Donate and bring bottles for the contest, aiming for a total of 15–20 bottles.
    • Skins Game & Refreshments:
      • Action Item (Westlake-Bay): Send a follow-up email today clarifying skins game details for participants.
      • Action Item (Westlake-Bay): Purchase and bring donuts for the event.