August 29, 2024
Meeting Summary
Presiding:
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving:
Inspiration:
Professor’s Quote:
Foundation Flash:
Introduction of Guests: Dave Hansen
Guests:
Visiting Rotarians:
Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA/Exchange Students: Welcome Olafur from Iceland!
Rotaract/Interact Students:
Humor: Todd Pearson
Foundation Drawing: Don Prehoda won $10 with $2,830 in the jackpot.
O’Dwyers Drawing: Keith Downey
Announcements:
- Don’t forget to volunteer to work the greeting table!
- The picnic is on Sept. 8 at Washington Park, Shelter #1.
- Do you know a family that would be willing to host Olafur? Let Caitlin White or Todd Pearson know.
- Kelly Neville gave a board update. We have 80 members; our goal is 86 net. Michelle Johnson’s application was approved. You have one week to comment. The club has completed two service projects.
- For the budget: it is $86,250 total. The income highlights are: local projects at $6,790; Taste of Laradise at $12,950; other fundraisers at $2,500; the McWhinne funding at $6,500; and dues at $8,120. The expenses include Read to Feed ($500); Rotary International Foundation ($2,000); Polio Plus ($500); Shelter Box ($1,000); ACPL ($750); designated charities ($7,150); other needs ($2,105). The budget also includes other administrative expenses.
Upcoming Programs:
- September 12: UW Men’s Basketball, Coach Sundance Wicks
- September 19: Former US Ambassador to Burkina Faso, West Africa, Tom Dougherty
- September 26: Former Exchange Student, Amanda Nilsson
Rotarian of the Week: Jerry Devin nominated UW’s outstanding past or current faculty: Ollie Walter and Jean Garrison.
Rotarian of the Month: Pam Dunnuck
Songs: Home on the Range
Program: Wyoing Realtor’s Association, Laurie Urbigkit
Introduction: Tony Hoch
Laurie Urbigkit told the club about an upcoming part of the November ballot. It is a constitutional amendment to create a fourth tier for property taxes, as opposed to areas all being taxed uniformly presently.
There are three different classes: minerals (taxed at 100%); industrial (tax set by legislature); and all other are uniformly taxed.
There have been several bills passed recently about property tax relief for those that need it. Some believe this is not constitutional based on the need to tax uniformly.
The amendment would move residential property into its own tier. This allows the legislature to create a sub-class and determine how it is taxed.
For the amendment to pass, 50%, plus 1 person of the people that vote in the general election must vote yes. Leaving the options blank results in a “no” vote. The realtors are in support, because they see it as the first step to do something meaningful for property tax.
Property tax is very important in certain counties in the state. This funding supports schools, the city, Rock River, special districts, and more. Sixty-two percent of needed funding comes from residents in Albany County. Wyoming ranks 47 out of 50 in US of tax burden.
Response: Doug Faus
‘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?
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
•FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
•SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
•THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
•FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
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Website: laramierotaryclub.org
Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org