Custom-built business

Speakers: Jay Schrad and Chad Anderson of Balls Out Motors
 
Balls Out Motors co-owners Jay Schrad and Chad Anderson talked about building up their golf car (or cart) business from Omaha to Grant Street and to their current location on U.S. Highway 30. Both of them also moved their families to Blair. 
 
It is an authorized dealer for Club Car and Yamaha. Most of their customers are farmers, acreage owners and those who want golf cars to use at campgrounds.
 
"We were really looking for the nontraditional golf market to go after," Schrad said. 
 
About two years ago, Schrad and Anderson spoke with state Sen. Lydia Brasch about working on legislation to allow golf cars to operate in city limits. They then testified in front of the transportation committee.
 
"We wanted to keep the power, if you will, at the local level," Schrad said. 
 
Local municipalities must pass ordinances to allow the golf cars, even though legislation allows them. Blair currently allows UTVs, but not golf cars. 
 
Club meeting guest
 
Jane Ferneding, business banking relationship manager at US Bank's Blair branch, visited the Oct. 27 meeting. She was a member of a Rotary club in Douglas County. 
 
Donate to help fight polio
 
Blair Rotary members are encouraged to contribute $100 per year to Rotary International. The fund works to eradicate polio worldwide; currently, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only remaining countries with cases of polio. 
 
To donate, visit https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/home and sign in to your account, or set up an account if you don't have one. Donations can be made under the "Giving" tab. Payments can be made on a monthly basis. 
Who wants to be president?
 
The president-elect position for 2016 is still open. Past President Denise Dein said she would volunteer, but the position is still available.
 
All of the current board members are past presidents, President Chris Boswell said, so it's been difficult to find someone to step up into a position with so much responsibility without having much board experience. 
 
Potential member brainstorm
 
Jim Nelson, director of membership, asks members to think of one or two names of potential members. Jim has the list if you have ideas.