Presiding: Jaime Stine
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving:
Inspiration: Larry Struempf
Professor’s Quote:
Foundation Flash:
Introduction of Guests:
Guests:
Exchange Students:
Visiting Rotarians:
Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA:
Rotaract/Interact Students:
Foundation Drawing: Joe Steiner won $10.
O’Dwyers Drawing:
Announcements:
- Randi Downham announced that we will be bringing back the card raffle drawings. This will be done virtually over Zoom during the meeting. There will be a call for tickets in the chat and then you will be charged monthly.
- Evelyn Edson thanked everyone for helping United Way of Albany County get close to its campaign goal this year!
- Jaime Stine announced there is a district-wide meeting where the incoming president for Rotary International will speak. The club will find a day to share this during a meeting.
Upcoming Programs:
January 28 – UW Small Acreage Outreach Program (UW Extension), Jenny Thompson
Rotarian of the Week: Jaime Stine nominated Hanna Eslinger for volunteering to serve as secretary; Jaime Stine nominated Steve Morgan for trash pickup around town.
Program: Laramie Main Street Alliance, Bailey Payton & Jennifer Power
Introduction: Jean Garrison
Laramie Main Street Alliance was established in 2005. It has three staff members and 12 board members.
Its mission is to preserve Downtown Laramie while enhancing its economic and social vitality. The organization works to develop downtown as a home for entrepreneurs with a focus on authentic consumer experiences and creative third spaces.
The organization follows a 4-point approach: economic vitality, design, organization, and promotion. Each of these has a committee.
The Organization Committee is the strong foundation. It secures sponsorships, engages event sponsors, recruits new volunteers, and fundraises for operations. In 2020, this committee handled the crowdfunding campaign due to COVID-19.
The Economic Vitality Committee deals with business incentives and redevelops underutilized spaces.
The Marketing/Promotions Committee creates business promotions to encourage both business and community engagement and forges partnerships for promotional support.
LMSA had big plans for its 15th anniversary in 2020, but due to COVID-19 several of these opportunities went away. The group does have 15 Silver Linings for the year.
These include the Hollyhock Commons project. This was a fun collaboration to provide additional seating over the summer.
Another was Cowboy Cash with UW. Students are used to sticking around campus so this program encouraged them to use gift cards and explore downtown.
The Downtown Restaurant Payroll Grant was a financial assistance program. There were 21 applications. The grant funding supported 97 full time employees and 287 parttime employees.
Power of 5 was a partnership with United Way of Albany County. It encouraged businesses to establish a $5 deal or special and then donate to UWAC.
During COVID-19, LMSA strived to provide safe events, such as the Farmer’s Market. It also established a temporary mural on the WYO Theater.
Response: Jaime Stine
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?
‘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!
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Website: laramierotaryclub.org
Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org