August 5, 2021 Meeting Summary

Presiding: Steve Morgan

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

Professor’s Quote: Jenny Eisenhauer

Introduction of Guests: Amanda Paul

Guests: Pastor Eric

Rotaract/Interact Students:

Foundation Drawing: Steve Gosar won $10 with $71 in the jackpot.

O’Dwyers Drawing: Jean Garrison

 

 

Rotarian of the Week: Murray Schroder nominated Jenny Eisenhauer for being on the cover of Foresight magazine; Steve Morgan nominated Ron Van Ekeren for troubleshooting the club technology.     

 

Songs: Rotary Wheel; Oh What A Beautiful Mornin’

 

 

Introduction: Randi Downham

 

Steve Sehnart is the District Governor Nominee. He is a longtime Rotarian out of Steamboat.

 

Sehnart expressed the District’s thanks for our club and us as Rotarians. There are 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide. We have been at this number for a long time, so Rotary is working to increase its numbers. We want to make Rotary vital to communities.

 

He was pleased to hear about the Laramie Rotary Club park project with the City of Laramie. The Steamboat club participated in a similar project.

 

It is good to look into new fundraising ideas, to reenergize our membership, and to get all members to participate.

 

He encouraged club members to serve on a committee and be active. It is important to be a responsible participant and to develop new leadership skills.

 

That is the return on investment for membership, acquiring leadership skills. These skills will help you with your family, in your personal life, at your job, and as a volunteer.

 

Last year, District 5440 started at about 2,600 members across 53 clubs. Now the district is losing about 100 members each year, and because of COVID-19 many clubs are still not meeting. There is a need to rejuvenate the local clubs.

 

Our club has been fairly stable until now with over 100 members. Today our club has dropped to 88. Members. Sehnart encouraged us to get some of these members back by reaching out to those that have dropped out.

 

The Rotary International President wants each Rotarian to bring in one new member this year. To support this initiative, District 5440 will provide 100 Paul Harris Fellow points to members if they donate $100 and bring in a new member.

 

Rotary Foundation giving has also decreased. It donated over $300,000 last year. To increase this giving, the District needs more members. We have always exceeded our Foundation giving goal at the club. Last year, we raised just over $8,000 from our club.

 

Giving to the Rotary Foundation is important because it allows our club to apply for grants. This is based on a sliding scale for member giving.

 

One main objective this year is to work to improve the Rotary public image. There is a new campaign to do this. Members can attend a monthly Zoom meeting to learn more about how clubs can improve their public brand. There is help for projects and member recruitment as well.

 

The District is encouraging strategic planning. We have a plan at our club, but Sehnart advised us to put it out there more and share it with the community.

 

Clubs with strategic plans are more successful and engaged. The District has hired a consultant out of the Casper area to encourage clubs to get on board.

 

Sehnart reminded everyone of two upcoming functions:

Response: Steve Morgan

 

 

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