Noon Rotarians assembled at the YMCA. They were greeted by Kathy A and Wally C was at the desk. Double A catering presented scalloped potatoes, buttered carrots and little meatballs topped off with assorted bars. A good meal but not quite up to last week’s when Lulie’s supervised a Brazilian dinner. President Lori called us to order and since Keith is providing organ music elsewhere during Lent, we recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four Way Test. Dave P provided a primer on Lent and led us in the Lord’s Prayer. Wally C introduced Jessi Jebson, a visitor from the Detroit Lakes club and Randy K had as his guest Sean Sullivan. Keith Lillis, president of the Riverside Lions Club of Fergus Falls was introduced with his message encouraging service clubs to work together for community betterment. Two ways he mentioned to assist his club were to provide old shoes for refurbishing and shipping to third world countries and spent ink and toner cartridges for resale with proceeds used to assist children with cancer. If you have any items to contribute bag them and call Keith at 218-851-8263 and he will see they are picked up. Hal L acquainted us with Sam Priem, an M-State sophomore basketball player from Detroit Lakes and our Athlete of the Week. Sam told us the team had their first winning season since 2012 but needed one more win to make the playoffs; he was voted MVP of the Southern Division and next year plans to be attending Concordia studying Business Management and playing basketball
Rotary Minute: Bob R began his Rotary Minute with a plea for volunteers to sign up for the Rounds. He did the same thing last week and only one person, today’s scribe, saw fit to honor his request. The quiz was based on the Feb Rotarian and from the answers we learned that there is a Lucky Duck Derby held in the Columbia River annually using 28,000 ducks. The ducks are leased and are part of 90 events every year. There are 5,000,000,000 plastic bags used in the world annually and the cover photo showed damage from the Puerto Rico hurricane. Bob was taken by the article beginning on page 44 of the Feb Rotarian and tasked each of use to look it over and email him something mentioned in it. His email address is robert@russelllawoffice.com, penalty for not responding prior to the March 13th meeting is $1.00. Not sure if this is covered by Rotary Minute insurance or not.
Announcements: Those who wandered in before noon saw our board hard at work. Pres Lori reported from that meeting a $250 grant was awarded to 6th graders to assist with a trip to the Science Museum of Minnesota, a fund raising effort for our centennial project would be announced next week and that our next social would be held at the Otter Tail County Historical Museum at 5:30 pm on April 17th. Bob R and Dan J will represent us at the upcoming district conference in Minot. Dave J was the only one who correctly identified last week’s baby photo. The speaker next week will be Beth Monke discussing the Citizen’s Climate Change Lobby.
Election: Pres Lori assured us all procedures had been properly followed and we were now able to vote on the slate of officers and board members proposed for the 2019-20 Rotary year. She called for further nominations and after an uncomfortable silence it was moved and seconded that nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for those nominated, it was seconded and passed. Congratulations to our officers and board members for the upcoming Rotary year:
President: Dan Johnson
President Elect: Anthony Nordan
Vice President: Dave Peters
Secretary: Kathy Austvold
Treasurer: Randy Kempfer
Board Member: Mary Pettit
Board Member: Wally Cole
Brags and Fines: Greg D spent last week in Palm Springs, Mary Pettit visit her son who is on the music faculty at UMD and enjoyed his performance in a student/faculty concert, Dave P invited all to attend the Mark Price presentations at OLV March 10-13, Steve L parted with $5.00 for the slate of new officers, Bob R thanked everyone for enjoying last week’s meal and mentioned how proud Lulie was to be involved, Anthony N provided a scooter buck, Wally C babysat his grandchildren. Last Lori encouraged us to wear our Rotary pins and that bad things will happen to those don’t and good things will happen to those who do.
Program: Stan C introduced Bryan Schoenberger, president of the Lake Region Builders Association (LRBA) with nice comments about the association and support for Habitat for Humanity. Bryan is a builder and serving his second two year term as president of LRBA. The organization is headquartered in Detroit Lakes and serves five counties: Becker, Otter Tail, Wilkin, Norman and Mahnomen. They are affiliated with the Builders Association of Minnesota and the National Association of Home Builders. It is made up of builders and welcomes suppliers, service providers and product manufactures that serve the industry as associate members. Approximately 15% of the country’s economy is dependent on the housing industry. Its products are made in America and, according to Bryan; home ownership is the foundation of the American dream. Houses build neighborhoods and communities that attract businesses that create jobs and further grow the economy and improve life for everyone.
LRBA, like most trade associations, is dedicated to promoting, protecting and creating a level playing field for their members. About 25% of cost increases in new home prices can be attributed to governmental regulations. Certain of these regulations are necessary; however every time a legislative body meets new regulations seem to be proposed. LRBA and its associates maintain a presence to attempt to balance new laws with reality and protect the industry and its customers. He cited an effort to require a fire suppression system (sprinkler system) in every new home in Minnesota. The builders testified against it and a compromise that involved installing smoke detectors was reached saving approximately $8000.00 in the cost of a new home. Code enforcement is also an issue for licensed builders. Only communities larger than 2500 are required to have a building inspector. This allows unlicensed builders to operate in smaller communities and rural areas without being governed by codes that licensed builders are obligated to follow.
In answers to questions, we learned building costs have escalated considerably in the last couple of years due to increases in nearly all input costs. It is a challenge to find skilled labor. Currently a construction worker must be 18, LRBA is trying to get that reduced to 16 with the hope some may choose the trade as a profession. Disasters like the Puerto Rico hurricane cause sheeting material to go up rapidly in price. When the hurricane hit OSB went from $9.00 to $19.00; it is now down to $12.00.
