Presiding: Nicole Hauser
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving:
Inspiration:
Professor’s Quote:
Foundation Flash:
Introduction of Guests:
Guests:
Exchange Students:
Visiting Rotarians:
Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA:
Rotaract/Interact Students:
Humor: Todd Pearson
Foundation Drawing:
O’Dwyers Drawing:
Announcements:
- Caitlin White announced that the Albany County Public Library is starting a grab and go service for checking out materials starting May 16.
- Larry Struempf told the club that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee unanimously approved the club’s park MOU.
- Nicole Hauser recognized Randi Downham for being elected to the board.
- Nicole Hauser reminded the club that the duck race has been cancelled in July. If you have ideas for other fundraising opportunities, contact Jamie Terry.
- Nicole Hauser announced that the district conference and international conference have moved to a virtual platform.
- Tom Mangan announced that the club raised $1,618 for the MS Walk. The walk went fairly well considering it was virtual.
- Tim Eisenhauer told the club that RYLA camps have been cancelled for this year.
Rotarian of the Week: Todd Pearson nominated Tom Mangan for his work with the MS Walk; Shaun Bullock nominated Larry Struempf for a good park presentation; Tom Mangan nominated Randi Downham for being elected to the board and her new role as FIB bank president; Nicole Hauser nominated Murray Schroeder and George Gill for participating in clean up day.
Songs:
Program: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Leah Burgess
Introduction: Tony Hoch
Leah Burgess is a senior lands program manager for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The RMEF has its headquarters in Montana with an active chapter located in Laramie.
There are five main program areas: land protection, habitat stewardship, hunting heritage, issues/advocacy, and elk restoration.
The Foundation works to ensure the future of wildlife with a focus on elk.
RMEF has 234,000 members, with 9,500 in Wyoming. There are 150 staff and 12,000 volunteers nationwide.
Initiatives include access elk country by seeking open access; managing lands through fundraising with natural resources agencies; restoring elk populations; and promoting hunting heritage through hunter education and safety.
RMEF started in 1984. It has conducted 12,370 projects nationwide across 49 states and protected or enhanced 7.6 million acres.
For the land protection and access program, Leah is one of nine managers that work around the country on this. They work on acquisitions, conservation easements, and land donations.
The organization targets forest inholdings, checkerboard ownership, edge-holdings, key access routes, and landlocked public land. RMEF works to secure crucial elk ranges, migration corridors, calving areas, and public access.
In Wyoming, the organization has conducted 60 projects for land protection or new/enhanced access. One such project was the Mule Creek Ranch where RMEF worked on a partnership to purchase a 15-year public access lease.
There were also the Little Laramie Valley and Terry Creek conservation easements. The easements protect important habitats for wildlife.
The group has been active on the Pilot Hill land exchange/purchase as well. If successful, 5,500 acres will be available for acquisition. The project is in the public comment phase, and the board will vote on the land swap on June 4.
RMEF also has grants for habitat/wildlife needs, such as fence conservation to manage habitats.
Response: Nicole Hauser
Celebrations:
Happy birthday to Jamie Terry, John Evans, John Bard, Tim Stamp, Becky Maddox, Ron Van Ekeren, Randi Downham, Todd Pearson, Dustin Richards, Ken Patel, and Ollie Walter.
Rotary Anniversaries: Nicole Nelson (7 years), Tony Hoch (11 years), Ray McElwee (17 years), Bill Biles (18 years), Terry Roark (22 years), Kerry Greaser (34 years), and Paul Greaser (34 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?
‘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