Presiding: Caitlin White

Professor’s Quote: Klaus Hanson

Humor: Todd Pearson

Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan and Ron Van Ekeren

 

Introduction of Guests: Anita McLaughlin – Amelia Kelso introduced Luke Stinson

 

Junior Rotarians: Kellen Vasquez and Sidney Comer

 

Foundation Drawing: Tim Stamp won $10 with 13 cards in the deck and $1690 in the pot.

 

O’Dwyers Drawing: Tim Stamp won a $20 gift card from O’Dwyer’s.

 

• President Caitlin invited members to brings their spouses and significant others (but not both!) for Valentines day.

• President Caitlin also announced the next Dine and Discover.

• Paul Heimer announced the United Way Donor Appreciation night tonight at 6PM at First Interstate Bank.

 

Rotarians of the Week:  President Caitlin nominated Ron Van Ekeren and Tom Mangan for their tireless assistance with club logistics.

 

Songs: Jan Lawrence  

 

Special Presentations: The Junior Rotarians received their certificates and briefly addressed the club.

 

 

February 21st – Tammy Comer- Executive Director of the Eppson Center for Seniors

 

February 28th – Amy Smith – Amy’s Kids, Academy Nursery School in Malindi, Kenya

 

When you purchase tickets for the weekly Foundation drawing, you are helping to build our club foundation.

Half of the weekly ticket sales are deposited into the foundation account.  Out of the other half, $10 is set aside for the weekly drawing winner and the rest goes into “the pot” which will be won by the weekly winner who draws the Joker.  The Laramie Rotary Foundation is currently worth over $80,000; income from the club foundation goes to club operations and local projects.

 

Program: Member’s business spotlight - Amelia Kelso, Zenith Business Services

 

Introduction of Program: Anita McLaughlin

 

Zenith Business services is a group of people who believe that every human being has incredible potential and when given the right opportunity, can change the world. Whether they are a student just beginning their vocational journey or a seasoned professional looking to change the direction of their career, ZBS is here to help them find their place and purpose in the workforce.

 

Ms. Kelso highlighted some of her youth employment programs.

 

Project Search, in collaboration with Ivinson Memorial Hospital is a 9 month training program for students with intellectual disabilities

 

STEP – the Student employment program in collaboration with Laramie High School and several community employers.  It is a three year program with the first year focused on job preparation in the classroom, second year is a combination of classroom and limited part time employment at three job sites, and the third year is more extensive part time employment at 4 job sites.  The program focuses on fundamentals like hygiene, appearance, attitude and initiative, and customer relations.  Employers who participate are provided paid workers without actually having them on their payroll.

 

GRITS or Gain Relevant In-Demand Traits and Skill, is a summer employment program including an intensive 2 week program with cash incentives to learn fundamental skills and which leads to real job interviews.

 

What can Rotarians do?  With short time commitments, they can review resumes, participate in workshops and be guest speakers.  For medium time commitments they can participate in mock interviews and allow job shadowing.  For longer term commitments they can provide employment opportunities.

 

More Info: zbswy.com

 

Responding for the Club: Jerrica Becken

 

 

 

 

Spoke Editor: Tony Hoch, 307-760-9386 or tony.hoch@lrcd.net