Ohio Secretary of State Office visits Byesville Rotary

Pictured Bob Kalish, liaison to the Ohio Secretary of State, and Chuck Fair, Byesville Rotary President.

Bob Kalish, liaison to the Ohio Secretary of State, spoke to club members about services provided by the office of the Secretary of State (SOS). Much of the work of the Office of Secretary of State is registering and maintaining businesses. Kalish pointed out that some of the specific services provided include processing business filing and uniform commercial code filings, operating a “Client Service Center” and “Customer Service Call Center,” protecting trademarks and service marks, and compiling business reports.

He recommended that people to start a new business in Ohio start on the SOS website (www.sos.state.oh.us/). Under the “Businesses” heading is a link to “Business information” which includes an 8 step guide titled “Starting a business.” Links to each of the government agencies or departments a potential business owner will need to work with while establishing a business in Ohio are provided.

Kalish pointed out that the SOS is also responsible for elections and voting. An important area of this responsibility is recruiting and training election workers. Four workers are needed per precinct, and new workers are always needed. Volunteers can sign up by contacting their county board of elections.

Kalish reported that one of the goals of the Secretary of State is to implement an on-line voter registration system. He pointed out is type of system has several benefits: voter registration would be easily accessible from anyplace having an internet connection; the system could be made more secure than a paper based system; and it would save from 50¢ to $1.00 per on-line registration. However, the system would require that each voter provide an Ohio driver’s license or state ID number in order to vote.

In other business, Chuck Fair reported that the first chicken BBQ of the year was a success. Two hundred and 50 chickens were sold during the BBQ. The Rotary was assisted by Meadow Brook Middle School girls volley ball team members and coaches who are working to earn money to attend volley ball camp. The club donated $300 to the team.

The club’s Changing of the Guard Dinner will be held June 25. Members should contact Nellie Bichard to make reservations.

Connect with Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.