|
There were 21 Rotarian participating in our Zoom meeting, including Honorary Member Elaine Olson. Erika Lahti also joined us. Keith Olson gave the invocation after we recited the Pledge of Allegiance. President Dan announced the $1,000 pandemic grant received from The Rotary Foundation and District 5580 will be given to the Salvation Army to support its effort to provide meals to those in need. He also reported the Board had decided to cancel the spring raffle we did last year in light of current circumstances. A pitch was made for people to sign up for Rotary Minute Plus Insurance. The Josh the Otter water safety books have arrived for handing out to 250 kindergarten students as McKinley and we will be using a software application so one of our members can read the book to the students. We then launched into brags and fines, with John MacFarlane correcting the years of marriage for Buzz and Ann to 59 -- they were married in 1961, so are two years short of 61 years. Randy Kempfer appreciated the Governor's Executive Order allowing optometry services to resume this past Monday. Keith acknowledged his brother turning 64 the very day of our meeting, as Guy was born on 5-6-56. Elaine Olson was glad she was able to get her overdue physical the day prior and this writer was happy to have survived a claustrophobic trip into an MRI machine. Wally Cole reported he and son-in-law Zach gave each other treatments so they can stay in good health. Lisa Workman, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, was then introduced to talk about Chamber activities. Showcase Fergus Falls was postponed from March 17 to November 17. Lisa also said that she and 19 other Chamber executives from across the State were having a Zoom conference call with Governor Walz the next morning. The Chamber's website now has a take-out, curbside pickup and delivery directory which has been expanded to include retailers. The Chamber sponsored a Fergus Spirit Week from April 6 - 10, highlighting different themes each day. Chamber Cafe will be hosted by Fergus Home and Hardware tomorrow morning, May 14th, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. and you can go to the Chamber's website and sign up to attend this virtual meeting. On the day of our meeting, the Chamber was launching a $50,000 Small Business Boost, where people can purchase $100 in Fergus Falls Bucks and get $25.00 bonus bucks. The Chamber is also working on a couple different partnerships, one called the Together We Thrive Initiative, in conjunction with Greater Fergus Falls, Visit Fergus Falls and the Downtown Riverfront Association, which involves a Google campaign promoting our community. Lisa also talked about the Chamber Board's decision to cancel this year's Taste of Fergus Falls in October. Last year was the 14th of these events and it has become difficult for restaurants to recruit employees and thus they were becoming less interested in participating. There still will be an annual meeting but what form that will take is unknown at this point. The Chamber's golf tournament is still scheduled for August 21st, but a decision will be made in June whether or not to hold it, postpone it or cancel the event. Asked what the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce's position was on the shut-down, Lisa stated that it wants businesses opened safely but expeditiously. As to why the Chamber established a Young Professional Network four years ago and its impact on young professionals joining service clubs, Lisa said it was to fill the void created when the Jaycees did not renew the local charter and that the group consists of 15 to 30 members who get together periodically on a social basis. Tim Hunt noted this is something that has occurred in other communities as well. Shop, Move and Groove is still scheduled for July 9th but it will be a modified event focusing on restaurants and retail. The Chamber has been financially impacted by the pandemic as its membership is down and recently laid off two staff. |
