August 31, 2023 Meeting Summary

August 31, 2023
Meeting Summary
Presiding: Randi Downham
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan & Team
Inspiration: Natalie White
Professor’s Quote:
Foundation Flash:
Introduction of Guests:
Guests:
Visiting Rotarians:
Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA/Exchange Students:
Rotaract/Interact Students:
Humor: Todd Pearson
Foundation Drawing: Rollin Abernethy won $10 with over $726 in the jackpot.
O’Dwyers Drawing: Keith Downey
Announcements:
  • Fall assembly is October 7 in Cheyenne. The conference will focus on mental health.
  • The club has 82 members. Attendance was 38 percent in July.
  • Randi Downham asked for members to volunteer to be on the membership committee.
  • The board approved the 2023-2024 budget and will be adding service updates to our weekly announcements.
  • Dave Hansen reminded red badges to sign up to work the greeting table.
  • Terry Moss told the club that everything is ready for the Meals of Hope meal packing day.
  • The club passed the can to provide funding to a Hawaii relief fund.
 
Upcoming Programs:
  • September 14: Outbound Exchange Student Recap, Parker Jackson
 
Rotarian of the Week: Terry Moss nominated Dave Hansen and UniWyo for having a float in the Wyoming State Fair parade.
 
Rotarian of the Month: Justin Christenson
 
Songs: Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On my Head
 
Program: United Way of Albany County, Anna Cramer
 
Introduction: Jamie Terry
 
United Way of Albany County is partnering with the club to have us be the campaign chair this year.
 
UWAC has 23 board members, an executive board, and two staff members. It relies heavily on volunteers and interns.
 
UWAC focuses on health, education, and financial sustainability. It provides allocations to agencies that meet these needs. In 2022, the campaign served 16 community partners.
 
United Way organizations exist all over the world. They cover about 97 percent of the world.
 
Wyoming has four United Ways. UWAC incorporated in 1957 and has provided money from a campaign every year since then. In 2022, UWAC provided 73 percent to agencies.
 
The campaign continues to grow each year. This year, the goal is $550,000.
 
UWAC has a community impact through VITA (free tax preparation program), the emergency fund, helping nonprofits with meetings and trainings, working with Saddle Up, partnering with the Spark Tank, and participating in fundraising events.
 
The 16 agencies serve different areas and the money stays in Albany County. In 2022, 14,377 people were served. For health, 8,001 people were served; for education, 3,640 people were served; and for financial stability, 2,736 people were served.
 
Allocations are handled after the campaign. The campaign runs September – December.
 
Rotary giving has been active since 2009 from the club. It has slowly increased. The Rotary campaign committee is Randi Downham, Kelly Neville, Tyler Valentine, Neil Theobald, and Natalie White. Others are welcome to help.
 
Pledges are welcome now and help gauge how the campaign will go. There are matching funds from President Seidel and Dr. Allen and John Evans.
 
Our own, John Evans, is contributing a $250,000 match for UWAC this year. This funding will match new or increased donations to encourage new money for the campaign. It is possible this could help double the regular campaign amount. They will seek to continue this each year.
 
The kickoff event is September 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Black Fox. RSVP to Anna.
 
Response: Steve Morgan
 
‘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!
 
August Birthdays: Amanda Givan,
Esther McGann, Kelly Neville, Raj
Patel, Jill Pehl, Don Prehoda, and John
Vandel
 
August Rotary Anniversaries: Jean
Garrison (4 years), Murray Schroeder
(12 years), John Bard (33 years)
 
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?
 
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Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org