We were immediately met with David Johnson's smile at the front desk. Steven Andrews greeted us with a firm handshake right after we got checked in. You could tell there was a different aura in the room as I looked around I noticed the projector screen illuminated with the picture of a baby. I was instructed to grab a small form to fill out to guess which Rotarian was pictured as a baby. What a fun way to start the meeting. Wally Cole blessed us and the meal with his invocation. Kathy Austvold led us in song. Unfortunately, we did not have any quests at the meeting.
Lori welcomed all of us to here first noon Kiwanis meeting! (she wanted to see who was awake.) Right out of the gate our new President Lori Larson exhumed a level of organization that I have not seen in my years in Rotary. When she reached the podium she immediately mentioned she had a new plan for song #3 “Smile” to make sure we are all able to shake each and every hand at the meeting. Steve Leitie announced the new slate of officers for this coming year and wanted to thank the outgoing officers listed here ……………, you read it correctly, there were none.
Announcements: Kathy Austvold went through the attendance records for the club. Those members recognized for their attendance record were: 100% - Wally Cole, Steve Leitie and Kieth Olson; 99.9% Lori Larson, Leona Zimmerman, Katie Johnson and Kathy Austvold – Great job and dedication to all of you, congratulations!Randy Kempfer announced we have 70 Rubber duck Derby Tickets to sell – Great job gang! Keith made his annual initial peach announcement – we are ordering the same as last year and we are tentatively expecting them to arrive Aug. 24th. Bob Russell had a Rotary Minute for us which he dubbed the “Almost Annual, Always Astounding, Asking for Answers to Altogether Annoying Questions.”
Brags and fines: Kieth Olson welcomed his third grandchild into this world, Zoe. I'm sure the Olson family is overjoyed and the Dan Johnson family is relieved and tired; Keith was also excited to see some very OLD classmates at his 40th class reunion. Dean Monke ‘s daughter Mariah got married. Brad Hogenson and Mary Petit each paid a fine for being MIA. And Steve Andrews will be leaving for Beijing next week.
Lori Larson started her first program of her long and hectic road as Noon Rotary President. Actually this will probably be easy for her! Focusing on the Rotary International theme for the year, “Be the Inspiration,” was central to Lori’s blueprint for the year. Lori had the program on PowerPoint; some of the things she focused on were: committees, club meetings and goals. Adding to "Be the Inspiration," Lori said "Let’s Inspire Change in Our World."
Lori talked about the issues each committee should address: 1. What should we be doing? 2. Succession planning 3. Rotarians in action, promoting our story. There is a list of all the committees and their members and each committee’s responsibilities on ClubRunner. The committees for the year are Club Administration, Membership, Public Relations, Service Projects, Fundraising, Foundation, and Youth Services.
With respect to meetings, Board meetings will usually be held on the second Wednesday of the month. She is planning Wine Wednesdays for the third Wednesday of every other month at 5 p.m. Committee meetings on the fifth Wednesday of a month will no longer happen. Lori is hoping to see Classification Talks, visits to businesses of our members, and Fireside Chats, along with a concerted membership drive.
Goals for the 2018-19 year are based upon Rotary International President Barry Rassin's challenge for Rotarians to 1) support and strengthen their clubs; 2) focus on and increase humanitarian service; and 3) enhance our public image and awareness. Listed below are a list of accomplishments identified in each area:
Support and Strengthen Clubs: Achieve a net gain of 1 member • Maintain or improve your club’s retention of current and new members: • Improve your club’s retention rate by 1 percentage point or • If your club’s retention rate was 90 percent or more in 2017-18, maintain it • Achieve a net gain in female members • Have at least 60 percent of club members report their birth dates through My Rotary • Sponsor or co-sponsor a new Rotary club • Conduct a classification study of your members’ occupations, and work to align your membership with the mix of businesses and professions in your community.
Focus and Increase Humanitarian Service: Sponsor a Rotary Community Corps • Sponsor or co-sponsor an Interact or Rotaract club • Contribute at least $100 per capita to the Annual Fund • Increase the number of members involved in service projects • Hold an event to raise funds for, or to increase awareness of, Rotary’s work toward polio eradication • Conduct a significant local or international service project in one of Rotary’s six areas of focus.
Enhance Public Image and Awareness: Post successful club projects, with details about activities, volunteer hours, and funds raised, on Rotary Showcase • Use Rotary’s brand guidelines, templates, People of Action campaign materials, and related resources • Arrange for the club’s members to talk with the media to tell your club’s, and Rotary’s, story • Host an event for Rotary alumni, and highlight Rotary’s networking opportunities • Continue or establish a partnership with a corporate, governmental, or nongovernmental entity and work on a project together • Sponsor a Youth Exchange student or RYLA participant.
Lori feels we should be able to receive a Presidential Citation because we are already doing some things that would qualify, we just need to record those and do a few other things. And the purpose in undertaking this is not to receive an award but, in doing so, improve our club Here are some criteria for the different levels of the 2018-19 Rotary Citation with Presidential Distinction: Achieve the following goals in addition to earning the Rotary Citation to receive SILVER (1 goal), GOLD (2 goals), or PLATINUM (3 goals) distinction - Achieve a net gain of 5 or more members • Show how your club’s members are People of Action by promoting your club and its service activities on social media at least 4 times per month • Initiate or continue a leadership, personal, or professional development program to enhance members’ skills and the value of their membership.
To get a more in depth look at the presentation please go to club runner, here is the link:
Thank you Lori for all the time and effort you have put into your year as President -- we are looking forward to it!