The Blue Chip Investment Club is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year. Shown here are, front row from left: Ken Cleary, Ed Schneider, Marlene Empcke, Nancy Francis and Miguel Otero. In the back, from the left are: Walt Apling, McKenzie Frey, Melissa Albright, Martha Camden, Toni Cooper and Mike Cooper. Not shown are Janet Bowles, Lee Havens, Dick Randolph, Farnham Randolph, Phil Randolph and Andrew Winters. (Submitted photo)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

Over five decades ago, a group of people wanting to learn more about investing gathered in Lindsey and formed the Blue Chip Investment Club, which is a member of BetterInvesting, a national, nonprofit investment organization. Blue Chip Investment Club, which draws members from Ottawa and Sandusky counties and now meets in Fremont, is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year.

“We are here for the social benefits and the educational benefits and to make money,” said Blue Chip Investment Club Treasurer, Ken Cleary.

The club meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Sandusky Township Hall, except in July, when the meeting will be held at a yet-to-be-determined location.

Members commit to contribute $40 a month into the club, which makes a collaborative decision on how to invest the money.

“We invest in stocks that we as a body choose by vote,” Cleary said.

The group splits the profits in correlation to the amount each member invested.

“There is a method of unit calculation that justifies the unequal amounts of money involved,” Cleary said. “Some members may have $60,000 invested over decades, while others have just started contributing.”

In the process, members learn about investing and money management, meaning people with no investment knowledge are welcome to join. New members are not required to make an investment for the first three months to give them the opportunity to observe the process and decide if they want to continue with the club.

Cleary became a member in 2006 after a friend mentioned Blue Chip Investment Club.

“It struck a chord,” he said. “It’s a long-term savings program done in the environment of education and community. I was interested in broadening my investment knowledge.”

Cleary said the club welcomes new members.

“You can come in with no knowledge of investing,” he said. “The biggest challenge is gaining the confidence to set up your own brokerage account. It’s a monumental decision. Not all members have their own brokerage accounts, but they have more confidence managing their money.”

While Blue Chip Investment Club is celebrating its 55th anniversary, BetterInvesting will host the 47th Annual Northwest Buckeye Chapter (NWBC) Meeting. NWBC is a regional arm of BetterInvesting and serves clubs across Northwest Ohio, from Sandusky to the Indiana border. The public is invited to the event to learn more about building wealth for the future.

The celebratory meeting will be held on June 25 at the University of Toledo, John B. and Lillian E. Neff, College of Business and Innovation, Savage Business Complex on the third floor in the training room. A meet and greet will

begin at 6 p.m., and the program will start at 6:30 p.m. During the meeting, the Blue Chip Investment Club will be recognized for its 55th anniversary.

The event is free but registration is required by emailing Contact@nwbuckeye.betterinvesting.net by June 18. For more information on the Blue Chip Investment Club, call Ken Cleary at 419-280-4703.