Minutes from March 20, 2017

Rotary Club of Casper WY

Meeting Summary

3/20/17

 

President Jim Ruble called the meeting to order at 12:26, welcoming everyone to today’s meeting. 

Inspiration, Pledge, 4-Way Test:

Fred Feth

Greeters:

Steve Domonkos and Phillip Giffin were the greeters today, and Steve introduced the members who brought guests:

•Don Harris introduced his son Jim Harris;

•Dale Bohren introduced Vickery Hall;

•Tara Short introduced Kim Perez;

•Brad Bodoh introduced Chad Schnitzler;

•   Tobby, the club’s exchange student, was introduced;

 

Classification Talk:

Wendy Lucas gave her classification talk to the club.

 

Family of Rotary:

President Ruble informed the club the member Erin Essary’s husband had passed away last week.

Denise Prugh told the club that the Theriault’s and the Anderson’s are in Australia at this time for Friendship Exchange.

Sheryl Foland asked for thoughts and prayers for her family saying that they had lost 3 family members in one week.

President Ruble gave an update on Martha Rakestaw saying that she was doing well and that she would welcome cards, calls and visits.

 

Rotarians of the Week:

President Ruble nominated Ronna Boril for Rotarian of the Week.  She has been visiting Martha Rakestaw daily and doing everything she can to help.

 

Announcements:

President Ruble reminded everyone that District Conference registration is online.  He went on to say that the club has budgeted for 67 members to attend.  The club will pay your registration fee, just register and check the “Pay By Check” option and the club will handle the rest.

Bill Schilling announced that he and Steve Loftin had met with CETI to talk about the restroom that is planned to be built at Rotary Park.  He stated that they would be meeting with the County Commissioners to discuss payment for the restroom on 3/21/17 and he invited members to attend the meeting to support the plan.

Steve Loftin spoke about needing 6 volunteers to help at the Food Bank of the Rockies following the meeting. 6 members volunteered.

Stephanie Sneesby talked to the club about two scholarships that the club is involved with.  One is for College Sophomores or higher and had the application deadline of April 15, 2017.  This scholarship will go to a person who is not related to Rotary in any way. The second scholarship is for High School seniors and has the deadline of April 25, 2017.  This scholarship can be awarded to anyone.  For more information, contact Stephanie Sneesby.

Dave Elmer gave the club an update on the Duck Derby.  He said that they are in need of volunteers who would like to be on the planning committee.  The committee meets every other week, contact Dave Elmer to volunteer.  He said that they are concentrating on generating sponsorships at this time.

Brian Deurloo reiterated what Dave had spoken about inviting all red badgers and members who have never experienced the Duck Derby to volunteer.  He said that their next planning meeting would be held on 3/21/17, 7 am at Eggingtons.

  

Program (Will Robinson, Professor at Casper College in the Biology Dept):

Richard Schwahn introduced our speaker today; Will Robinson, Professor at Casper College in the Biology Dept. The title of the program was “And the bees just keep comin’, further adventures with the giant honey bees of Thailand.”  This very interesting program centered around giant honey bees assembling in Thailand’s trees in formations called bivouacs.  He began by showing the club beautiful photographs of Thailand, where he does most of his research, along with his wife Maria, all from bicycles.  Maria volunteers to teach at the Mae Hong Son Community College, which is a sister college to Casper College.  Will went on to speak about an Apis dorsata, which is a large comb where an entire colony will produce honey, wax, pollen, royal jelly and larvae.  One tree may hold up to 150 combs at one time, each with a separate colony.  Workers climb the trees with makeshift ladders, sometimes 100’ or more in the air to harvest the honey.  It is very dangerous work.  The giant honey bees move, at 20 mph, 100 – 250 kilometers every season.  While they are travelling this distance, they will stop and form the bivouacs.  Bivouacs are large grouping of bees that tend to gather in one orchard of mango trees, near water, in Thailand.  Professor Robinson spoke about how this is unique to the planet as far as researchers know.  He went on to say that the bee’s population is declining due to loss of habitat.  Trees are being cut down to make room for housing and development.  He finished his program by thanking Gail Zimmerman for all his financial help, allowing him to travel and to research the giant honey bee.   

 

 President Jim Ruble concluded the meeting at 1:30 and reminded us that next week we will be here again at the Parkway Plaza.  The program will be a double program staring with Major General K. Luke Reiner speaking about the State of the World and its effects on your Guard followed by Jason Begger, Executive Director of the Wyoming Infrastructure Authority.