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Happy Hour at Fado Bridge Park- January 22nd
Fado Bridge ParkJan. 22, 2026
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. -
Board Meeting
Dublin Chamber of CommerceFeb. 04, 2026
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. -
Board Meeting
Dublin Chamber of CommerceMar. 04, 2026
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Club Updates and Small Business Insights
Executive Director, Ohio Small Business Council
Ohio Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Council (OSBC), which represents more than 4,000 small business owners
across the state. The OSBC is Ohio’s leading advocate and resource for entrepreneurs. The
OSBC champions free enterprise, economic competitiveness, and growth for the benefit of
all Ohioans.
Prior to joining the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Geiger served as Vice President and
Ohio Executive Director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), where
he managed the organization’s public policy, political, member activism, and
communication programs.
Mr. Geiger has been consistently recognized in Smart Business Magazine’s “Power 100: Most
Influential Leaders in Columbus.” He is frequently quoted in state and national media on
issues impacting small businesses and has been appointed by four Ohio governors to
various state boards and commissions. His most recent appointments include the Ohio
Commission to Reform Medicaid, the Ohio Sunset Review Committee, the Ohio Bureau of
Workers’ Compensation Nominating Council, and the Ohio Industrial Commission
Nominating Council. He currently serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the Ohio Vision
Professionals Board.
The meeting focused on various club activities and announcements, including Operation Full Plate, a food donation initiative, and plans to participate in the St. Patrick's Day parade. The club discussed the importance of integrating new members through the red badge process and highlighted the success of the Polar Bear Golf Outing, which supports the Rett Syndrome Research Trust and the club's foundation. Susan West was honored with a Paul Harris Award, and members were encouraged to participate in the golf event on February 7th.
And the feature presentation was by Dorinda Byers from the Ohio Auditor of State's office, who discussed fraud prevention and the office's responsibilities in auditing government entities.
Other Highlights:
- Wolf: Notify relevant staff about the TV connection/router issues when they arrive.
- All club members: Report any Operation Full Plate food collection activities to Wolf by the end of tomorrow, using the provided spreadsheet, email, or text.
- Interested members: Indicate interest in joining the St. Patrick's Day parade committee to Wolf, who will contact those interested to coordinate next steps.
- All members: Enthusiastically applaud Jerry next week when he receives his red badge removal, as requested by Ingrid.
- New Member Committee: Meet on the last Friday of January (per email notification).
- Interested golfers: Sign up for the Polar Bear Open golf outing on February 7th and indicate t-shirt size on the sign-up sheet or via email to Claudia.
- Interested members: Sign up to be a hole sponsor for the Polar Bear Open and provide t-shirt size.
- Sue: Enter golfers and sponsors into the system and invoice as needed.
- Sue: Correct the date for the Polar Bear Golf Outing on Eventbrite (from 7th to 8th, if necessary).
- Sue: Create and distribute a sign-up sheet for volunteers for the Polar Bear Golf Outing.
- Interested members: Contact Sue if interested in being part of a 4x4 Paul Harris donation group.
Summary
Club Initiatives and Member Recognition
The meeting covered several topics, including the St. Patrick's Day parade participation, Operation Full Plate food donation initiative, and new member orientation. Wolf announced the club's interest in entering the St. Patrick's Day parade and requested volunteers to form a committee to plan the club's participation. Ingrid highlighted the importance of the new member orientation process, led by Kent, to integrate new members into the club. Claudia promoted the upcoming Polar Bear Open golf event and the opportunity to sponsor holes.
Susan Robenalt presented Susan West with a Paul Harris Award, explaining its significance and how club members can contribute to this honor.
Polar Bear Golf Fundraiser
The meeting covered several topics, including the Polar Bear Golf Outing scheduled for February 7th, which aims to raise funds for the Rett Syndrome Research Trust and the foundation, with a call for volunteers and participants. Dorinda Byers, a business development consultant from the Ohio Auditor of State's office, presented on fraud prevention, highlighting the office's role in auditing governmental entities, conducting performance audits, and offering public records training. She emphasized the importance of identifying red flags for fraud and encouraged attendees to report suspicious activities. The meeting also included a raffle drawing and a brief personal update from a participant about becoming a grandparent.
SANDRA KNOESEL, DISTRICT GOVERNOR 2025-26
Sandra Knoesel joined the Columbus Rotary Club in 1992 shortly after beginning her career at the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio as director of Communication Services. She was promoted to deputy executive director of Member Benefits in 1999 and retired from STRS Ohio after 25 years of service. Sandy also was a member of the Rotary Club of Newark.
Sandy first volunteered for District 6690 in 2016 when she was asked to be district grants chair. She enjoys collaborating with club grant coordinators and helping them with the grant process. From July 2017 – June 2020, Sandy served as assistant governor to the Clintonville, Granville, Newark-Heath and Zanesville Daybreak clubs. When the pandemic hit, she was asked to coordinate the district-wide fund-raising project to provide donations to three food banks in District 6690. Through the generosity of our members and clubs, Rotarians donated $100,000 to the food banks plus another $25,000 was contributed through a grant by the Rotary Foundation.
As co-chair of the first district Community Service Projects Committee, she helped organize the Sock-tober initiative. More than 10,670 pairs of socks were donated by 26 clubs to 20 different charities that helped unhoused people in need. Sandy also serves on the district’s Rotary Foundation and Multi-year Planning committees. In 2021, she coordinated the district’s annual Awards Celebration that recognized outstanding achievements by our clubs. She is a member of the District 6690 125 Club, the Polio Plus Society and the Paul Harris Society.
Sandy served as president of the Columbus Rotary Club in 2010-11. She also was chair of the Columbus Rotary Foundation twice, most recently in 2019-2020. She currently is co-chair of the Career Path Awards Committee that provides $2,500 awards to selected graduating seniors from Columbus City Schools who are pursuing a career in the technical trades or other careers that do not require a four-year college degree.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and an MBA from Ohio University. Sandy lives in New Albany along with her husband, Dr. Bob Kamps, who is a retired physician. They have four grown children and three grandchildren.
ergy as we heard from former OSU football players Ryan Miller, Jimmie Bell and Craig Krenzel.
Taiko is a Japanese drum ensemble that encompasses music and choreographed movements. It embodies cultural awareness and beautiful art.
Dublin Taiko, based in Dublin, Ohio, provides hands-on learning opportunities about the Japanese drumming art of Taiko through education, cultural exchange and performances.
We are the largest K–12 taiko program in North America. Since 2005, Director Susann Blair-Ewing has taught 6-12 grade Dublin City Schools students the powerful art of taiko -a dynamic Japanese drum ensemble that combines music, movement, and culture.
Originally developed in collaboration with world-renowned taiko artist,
Eitetsu Hayashi, the program has impacted over a thousand students during
its 21-year history. Dublin Taiko has also shared its vibrant performances at
Disney and across the U.S., the U.K., and Japan. WELCOME TO DUBLIN TAIKO! - Home
For photos from this meeting, please go to our Flickr website: Dublin AM Rotary’s albums | Flickr
For the video of this meeting, please go to our YouTube Channel: Dublin AM Rotary - YouTube
View Our Pictures, Link: https://www.flickr.com/
Club members worked together to assemble female personal care packages in bags for girls in need in Dublin schools. Thank you to Claudia Trusty for organizing and procuring the items for this project and to Michael Leopold, district Students Services Coordinator who joined the meeting.
For photos from this meeting, please go to our Flickr website: Dublin AM Rotary’s albums | Flickr
Speaker: Dr. Sara Douglas
her M.A. from OSU in 2009, and her Ph.D. from OSU in 2015. Her specialties
include military history, medieval European history, global history, and disease
history. Dr. Douglas has served as a Fellow at the West Point Summer Seminar in
Military History; she has received eight Ohio State College of Arts and Sciences
and Department of History Awards/Fellowships; two research fellowships from the
Mershon Center for International Security Studies; and she has been awarded four
dissertation fellowships from the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation of
Milwaukee. She has four peer-reviewed articles, two editor-reviewed articles, and
one edited volume now in print, while her dissertation manuscript is going through
the editorial process in preparation for publication. She is currently a Senior
Lecturer at Ohio State, where she teaches various undergraduate courses covering
topics from the Crusades to the Vietnam War. She also works as a visiting lecturer
at Viriginia Tech teaching World War II, and is a Senior Lecturer at Norwich
University, where she teaches graduate courses and advises Masters theses in both
military history and global history.
Nate Green is the Partner and Managing Director of Economic Development at Montrose Group.
developers, communities, companies, and organizations.
For photos from this meeting, please go to our Flickr website: Dublin AM Rotary’s albums | Flickr
Topic: WOSU Public Media UpdateSpeaker: Anthony Padnett
