Bay City Rotary Considers Third Paul Harris Sculpture In The World
February 4, 2014
By: Stephen Kent
Maquette of Statue
Rotarians
Don Carlyon and
Jerome Yantz spoke to the club Tuesday discussing the history and current status of the effort to bring a life size statue of Rotary's founder to Bay City.
Around 2008 a committee was considering major projects and Don Carlyon suggested that a statue of Paul Harris might be worth some thought. Initial investigation found that this could cost in excess of $80,000. At that amount, the project was not considered further.
A year later, Don learned that the cost of copper, a major metal in statues, had come down and the cost of the project was now more like $45,000. Several Rotarians got together and explored the opportunity. A sculptor had recently done a piece for the Wirt Library and would be available to do the Paul Harris statue.
"Bay City Rotary is clearly committed to beautifying Bay City", said Don and he offered several examples. The working group made plans to advance the idea and several people made contributions then.
Don went on to note that the Bay City Club is unique in its generosity. Since 2010 the club has raised in excess of $175,000. Given that record, it seemed reasonable to assume that the Paul Harris statue would be feasible.
At this time there are only two life size Paul Harris statues in the world. One is in Rotary Headquarters in Evanston Illinois. The other is in India. A Bay City statue would be the only one of the three available to the public. The committee felt such a statue would be a real draw for Bay City.
Continuing the presentation, Jerome Yantz said that the decision was made to pursue the statue and fund it through private contributions. The Club was asked to approve the project, but the committee would raise the funds separately. It would not be a club fund raising effort.
At this time the entire project including extras like plaques honoring the donors, and a historic plaque, will come in around $50,000. To date about half of that money has been raised.
The statue was commissioned and has been completed. The Centennial Committee has embraced the idea of installing and dedicating the statue, which will be placed in Rotary Park outside the Pere Marquette Depot, in either the Fall or Spring of the Club's Centennial year celebrations.
As part of the project, the committee's contract with the sculptor allows for the creation and sale of miniature statues, called maquettes. The proceeds will be evenly split between the club and the sculptor. One of the maquettes was made for the committee.
The committee will ramp up the final fund raising efforts over the next few months. Other clubs will be given the opportunity to contribute as will individuals and Rotarians.
CLUB NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Lee noted that he read that the internet reaches only a third of the world's population. We sometimes overlook that fact. He also told members about a phone app called Club Finder, which will locate clubs wherever you happen to be. Links can be found in the Rotarian Magazine.
A special board meeting last week heard from the
Centennial Committee as they outlined the plans for next year. Each month will feature a special event celebrating the Club's birthday. The full board will hold it's regular meeting on Feb 11 and will approve final plans and the budget.
The Centennial Committee has set the goal of EVERY MEMBER achieving
Paul Harris Fellow status during the Centennial Year. There are matching points available that allow a member to receive their first Paul Harris level at a fraction of the normal $1,000 contribution.
VOCATIONAL DAYS REMINDER Vocational days are right around the corner on March 11 and March 25. Thanks to electronic communications, there is still "last minute" time for Rotarians to sign up to host students. If you can help (preferably on the 11th), please contact Matt, Griff or Ralph as soon as possible.
Lee reminded the club that the meeting on
March 25 will be at the Country Club.
BOARD MEETING THIS WEEK
The Board will meet this Tuesday, February 11, 2014.
11:00 am, before the regular meeting.
An e-mail announcement will be sent to ALL MEMBERS as every member is welcome to attend.
DUES for the January to June period Are NOW DUE.
Anyone who has not yet paid is asked to make payment now!
Rotary International payments are due now and the club will pay for everyone anticipating that late payments will arrive soon.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Regular Board Meeting at 11:00 on February 11, 2014, before the regular meeting.
March 11 and March 25, 2014: Vocational Days.
March 25 meeting will be at the Country Club.
Rotary Rocks is scheduled for Thursday April 10 at the State Theater.
This year's theme:
"Sticks and Stones... It's Only Rock and Roll".
Upcoming Programs
(See the official schedule at
RotaryBayCity.org )
February 11, 2014: Centennial Committee Update.
Rob Clark and
Ron Bloomfield from the Centennial Committee will apprise the club of the Committee's plans for the Club's 100th anniversary year (7/1/14-6/30/15) and highlight some of the special events planned.
February 18, 2014: Community Advancement Network .
Rob Spurling of the Community Advancement Network will give an overview of his organization and discuss how it impacts non-profit organizations in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Speaker: Rob Spurling
February 25, 2014: SVSU's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Jo Brownlie, directed of the O.L.L.I. at SVSU, will discuss the organization - one that has over 1500 members and a 12-year track record.
Rotary is an intimate affiliation of carefully selected business and professional people,
having as its objective the promotion of high ethical standards in private, commercial
and civic life, and dedicated to the ideal that the basis of all worthy endeavor is unselfish service.
Current and past
DISTRICT DISPATCH newsletters are available on the District site shown in the LINKS section below.
Rotary Bay City on Facebook!
Click on the Blue Facebook to visit us there.
Remember! Check attendance sheets at the front desk.
LINKS