CLUB 29 Breakfast

Quail Creek Country Club | 7:00am | Wingspan Room
Co-Chairs:  Susan McVey, Bud Oehlert 

October 13, 2022 - Inger Giuffrida, Executive Director of WildCare Oklahoma, “Being a Good Neighbor to Wildlife.”
October 20, 2022- Ann Felton Gilliland, Central Okla. Habitat for Humanity
October 27, 2022 - Michael Anderson, Okla. City Museum of Art

At the Oct. 4 meeting, we announced the OnePledge Committee has selected the Rotary Expedition Africa Playground at the Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden for the 2022-2023 Rotary Project.  

The Rotary Expedition Africa Playground will be located in a 14 acre African savannah and lush rainforest within the heart of the zoo complex – giving zoo visitors the experience of taking a journey to Africa (a continent that remarkably less than one tenth of 1% of all Americans will ever visit) to see its amazing wildlife and become inspired to protect the animals from the African continent.  The Children’s Play Area will be located inside the historic pachyderm building and will be the only indoor play space at the Zoo and is thus expected to be among the most highly trafficked areas at the Zoo!  

As you know, this is the one combined annual project in which we, as a Club, ask 100% of our members to participate. In addition to providing $85,000 for the Rotary Expedition Africa Playground, Club 29 will be funding High School Rotarian scholarships and books for our Literacy Project… all through this one donation.  A total of $110,000 is needed. 

We have made it very easy for you. Please donate or pledge by clicking on the following link. It takes no time at all.     

Dear Fellow Rotarians, 

At the Sept. 27 lunch meeting, we shared some news about a conversation that began over two years ago. Prior to the pandemic, it was clear to our administration committee, budget committee, and board of officers and directors that a dues increase would be necessary for the club to maintain a balanced budget. With the arrival of the pandemic, we were able to delay that conversation. As we’ve seen a return to normal club operations, meetings, and service, we’ve also seen an increase in almost every expense of the club due to inflation and we were forced to revisit the conversation. At the recommendation of our administration and budget committees, the 2021-2022 board of officers and directors approved a dues increase of $15 per quarter, or $5 a month, effective January 1, 2023. 

Please understand that we do not make this decision lightly. Our club has not seen an increase in our operating dues since 2008-2009. In the 13 years since, we’ve seen an increase in dues we pay on your behalf to our Rotary District, and we have seen an increase every year in dues from Rotary International. That doesn’t take into account the many other expenses associated with operating our club that have slowly continued to increase annually. Since our last dues increase 13 years ago, several factors allowed us to keep from increasing dues including our staff cutting costs where possible and moving the Rotary office to significantly decrease expenses.  

On behalf of the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 boards, I want to thank all of you for your understanding and commitment to our club. The Rotary Club of Oklahoma City is able to continue our legacy of service to our local and global community because of the strength of our dedicated members. 

Thank you, 

Wes Milbourn
President 2022-2023 

Wings of Rotary Program      Video
Oklahoma to Japan    Video
Wings of Rotary Flyer
Wings of Rotary Application