April 12, 2018  Program:
Department of Workforce Services, Annette Mello
 
Presiding: Tim Eisenhauer
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan, Ron Van Ekeren & Mark Mader
Inspiration:
Professor’s Quote: George Gill
Guests: Sen. John Barrasso; Laura Curran; Cameron Walker; Ryan Bennett
Exchange Students: Barb Fukova
Visiting Rotarians: Monica & Thomas Cordell; Kris Whitfield
Junior Rotarians: Emily Brande
Rotaract Students: Saul Alvarado & Juan Vintimilla
Humor: Todd Pearson
Foundation Drawing: Christina Greenamyre won $10, with 33 cards in the deck.
O’Dwyers Drawing: Becky Maddox won a $20 gift card from O’Dwyer’s.
 
Upcoming Programs:
  • April 19 – UWISE Network, UW Professors Corey Billington and Barry Brewer
Announcements:
  • Tim Eisenhauer announced that Rotary highway cleanup is May 5.  
  • Becky Maddox told the club that preparation for the Duck Race is underway. Watch for your tickets to sell soon!
  • Jim Wilkinson invited members to contribute to a gun raffle. Proceeds will help to send a local high school student to DC to receive a STEM award.
 
Special Presentation: Kris Whitfield was inducted into the club. Kris is a transfer from another Rotary Club. Congrats Kris!
 
Rotarian of the Week: Tim Sullivan nominated Murray Schroeder for volunteering to head the highway cleanup.   
 
Introduction of Program: Tim Eisenhauer and Phil Nicholas
 
 UW Students Saul Alvarado and Juan Vintimilla gave the club an update on Rotaract. Saul has been involved with Rotaract from a young age, as his sister helped to found the two Cheyenne Rotaract clubs. Juan is an international student from Ecuador. He was Youth Exchange student in Texas previously.
 
UW Rotaract is involved heavily in volunteering. They have been raising money from the Instituto San Jose De Calasanz, mainly through escape room fundraisiers. The ISJDC is a musical education program for children with special needs. The club has also supported the Hearts of Gold Foundation. Both organizations are located in Ecuador.
ISJDC is severly underfunded, and the Hearts of Gold Foundation is a community-volunteering program where experts mentor local residents.
 
Next the club heard from Rotarian Tom Mangan about the MS Walk in Cheyenne on May 12. The MS Walk in Laramie has been eliminated. Those interested in walking/donating can contribute to this important cause. Go online to walkms.org and register under Rotary Walks. Money raised in Wyoming stays in Wyoming.
 
Often this money is used for modifications to local resident’s homes so they may continue to live there. It also continues to support medication costs. Tom told the club that the average monthly cost for MS medication is $6,000.
 
Sen. John Barrasso rounded off the program by first thanking the club for all we do for the local community, Wyoming, and internationally.
 
Sen. Barrasso noted that he talks to UW student groups frequently. He complimented the institution on its successes and for the great opportunity it provides to Wyoming youth. UW has helped make big changes to education in Wyoming. Recently, Wyoming was listed in the top five across the nation for best education.
 
Sen. Barrasso encouraged anyone visiting DC from Wyoming to visit the delegation. Along with Sen. Enzi and Rep. Cheney, Sen. Barrasso hosts Wyoming Wednesdays in DC. The delegation also frequently brings people from Wyoming to DC to testify on certain issues. These people talk about the impact to Wyoming, showing that one size doesn’t fit all.
 
Sen. Barrasso thanked all the members of the club that served in the military. He thinks celebrating veterans is important and supports the Veteran Welcome Home event each year.
 
As to the Affordable Care Act, Sen. Barrasso told the club that the subsidies will remain, but the mandate will go away. He is working on a proposal to make it easier to buy affordable insurance.
 
Responding for the Club: Tim Eisenhauer
 
Response: The Rotary Club of Laramie will make a donation to the public library children’s book fund in the speaker’s name.
NOTE: We Do Not Donate a Book!
 
Rotary 4-way Test:
Of the things we think, say, or do
  • Is it the Truth?
  • Is it Fair?
  • Will it build Good Will and Better Friendships?
  • Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
 
Special Announcement from John & Joyce Vandel: John & Joyce Vandel encouraged all members of the club to become part of the Paul Harris Society. They will match everyone’s monetary donation up to 500 points. Members should turn their donations in to Nicole Nelson.
 
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Spoke Editor: Caitlin White