Nineteen members attended the April 16th meeting at the Centurion which was focused on dialogue relating to the administration and operation of our club, with a wide range of topics extending from meeting location (meals, costs, etc.) through service and fundraising projects and a major concern - membership recruitment and retention. Announcements related to the upcoming Plant, Yard and Bake Sale being held on Saturday May 10th at Lynwood Plaza in Bells Corners. Ann indicated that there is still a need for plants, pots, bags and material for signs. In addition, there is an urgent need for someone to organize and set up the Yard Sale portion of the event. Eleanor is looking after the Bake Sale and requested that only new plastic bags or wrap be used for the baking in order to comply with Health Regulations. Small items such as cookies, muffins, jams, jellies and pickles would be welcomed and sell out quickly on the day of the sale. Gord has the Cruise Lottery Raffle tickets and urged members to get their ticket books as soon as possible in order to sell all 300 tickets and maximize the revenue to the club. The Nominations Committee will be filing its report at the May 7th meeting and members are urged to consider standing for club office when contacted - we need your enthusiastic participation in the leadership of our club if Nepean Kiwanis is to remain a vibrant and relevant community service organization! Laird has reported on successful interclub meetings at the Sage Kiwanis Club on April 9th (Martin, Laird, Cy, Hans and Brian) and on April 30th (Laird, John, Brian, Cy, Dan and Don). Our club organized a bingo evening for the Canadian Council for the Blind on April 28th with the assistance of Ann, Kathy, Rob, Meagan, Cy and John. Brian ran a profitable fine session while Rob captured the 50/50 draw for $18, enabling him to upgrade to Comrade Class on Air Cuba.

President Phil opened the business portion of the meeting with a discussion on club issues. He outlined his two most pressing issues as Membership and Fund Raising. While the quality of newer members has proven to be excellent, we still need more enthusiastic and dynamic individuals who wish to make a difference through community service. The closing of our Christmas tree lot on Merivale Road has made it imperative that our club explore new and innovative fundraising projects to ensure that we are in a financial position to meet the many requests that we receive for assistance in our community. Some concern was expressed over the cost and quality of meals and whether there was a need to explore other options available to the club. Most newer members felt that, rather than inviting prospective members first to a Dinner Meeting, it would be a more effective introduction to the club by bringing them to a service or fundraising event, such as the plant and yard sale, bingos, blood donor clinics or the Woodroffe Avenue cleanup where they could meet and socialize with members and see our various club projects in action. Phil will summarize the discussion and issue it to all members.