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Rotary Club of Casper WY
Meeting Summary
03/9/2015
President Bill DeGraeve called the meeting to order promptly at 12:30 and welcomed everyone to our Rotary meeting. He encouraged the members to purchase a raffle ticket for a drawing later in the meeting to win 2 tickets to “Stomp” next Monday evening, which had been donated by Jim Porter. Proceeds will go the Casper Rotary Foundation.
Inspiration, Pledge, 4-Way Test:
Chad Nelson
Greeters:
Brian Oliver and Charlie Shopp were the greeters today and Charlie introduced guests:
Mary Lynne Shickich introduced her brother, Joe, who was visiting from Lake /Seattle, Washington;
Bill DeGraeve introduced Ethan Dexter (Blue Cross/Blue Shield);
Joe MacGuire introduced Bonnie Foster (Oilfield and Politics);
Cori Costner-Burton introduced her sister, Andrea;
Drew Perkins introduced his wife, Kristie;
Brad Hopkins introduced himself (Central Wyoming Rescue Mission); and,
Martha Rakestraw introduced the parents of the Students of the Month;
Raffle for the Best of Broadway tickets:
President Bill next conducted the drawing for the 2 tickets and Bob Tarantola won!!! All the club members offered to go with him, but he is taking his wife.
Song and merriment:
Three of our clubs “joke-sters” decided to entertain us with their jokes today…..Pinky Ellis, Steve Loftin, and Dusty Johnson. All 3 had us in stitches with laughter…….
Gary Pehrson led us in singing “My Wild Irish Rose” which he had us hum along to first, to learn the melody. We sounded pretty darn good…..
Family of Rotary:
President Bill informed the club that PEN Jim Ruble had broken his foot last week and “Get Well” cards were circulating for members to sign. He also thanked the club members who had attended the funeral service for Frank Cordiner.
Rotarians of the Week:
Steve Loftin nominated Brad Cundy for sponsoring a fundraiser for the Casper Mountain Ski Patrol; Dennis Gazdiewich nominated Dr. Richard Schwahn for saving his dog’s life; President Bill nominated the club members who had attend RLI #2 – Mark Owens, Jim Ruble, Krista Beale, Brian Deurloo, John Watson, Troy Mack, and Barry Johnson; Jim Anderson nominated Bob Tarantola and Mary Lynne Shickich for their lobbying work at the Legislature; Assistant Governor Liz Becher nominated PE John Starnes for his leadership and focus at the District Presidents’ Training the past weekend in Denver. There were over 200+ incoming club presidents in attendance from 5 districts. He represented us very well! Pam Walker nominated our club members who serve in the State legislature.
Red to Blue Badge Ceremony:
Three fabulous female club members received their blue badges – Stephanie Reid (sponsored by Bill Schilling), Mandy George (sponsored by Tim Havasi), and Krista Beale (sponsored by Bob Barnard).
Students of the Month:
Martha Rakestraw introduced the 2 students from NC this month – Branson Taheri and Ann Richie. Both young people are engaged and involved in school, preparing for college and community service projects. What great futures are ahead of them!
Club Announcements:
- Pam Walker reminded the club that she needs Greeters and Invocation volunteers for our Monday meetings. A sign-up sheet is going around.
- Tara Short announced that the International Youth Exchange Dinner will be Saturday, April 25th at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church. The menu will be Brazilian and Mike McIntosh’s wife will be assisting Guilia (since she is from Brazil too). New this year…… an auction of Brazilian desserts!!
- John Starnes shared a recap of his experience at the President’s Training Seminar. He also put in a plug for District Conference which will be held in Fort Collins – June 18-20.
Program:
Today’s program was introduced by John Starnes. The program featured Jim Magagna,
Executive Vice President for the Wyoming Stock Growers Association. Prior to assuming this position in 1998, he served as Director of the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments and Office of Federal Land Policy. During that time he was also the Chairman of the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission representing the Governor. Magagna is a native of Rock Springs, WY, and a lifelong sheep rancher in southwestern Wyoming. Among other offices, he has served as President of the American Sheep Industry Association and President of the National Public Lands Council. Magagna has represented agriculture on numerous national, state and local councils and advisory boards. In 2008 Magagna was inducted into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. He was a recipient of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture Pacesetter Award and was recognized in 2007 by Gamma Sigma Delta as the Outstanding Agriculturalist. Jim Magagna is a graduate of Rock Springs High School. He holds a BBA from the University of Notre Dame and a JD from Stanford Law School.
The Wyoming Stock Growers Association was formed in 1872 and is the oldest trade association in Wyoming, and the 2nd oldest state cattle association in the nation behind Colorado. The association was formed to prevent cattle rustling. The state membership is at 1000. There are 3000-3200 commercial cattle operations in the state. The number has declined in recent years due to drought conditions. That number is 15th in the nation.
The roles of the Association are:
- Advocacy and lobbying in the Legislature for public lands and grazing, to ensure the sustainability of the industry;
- Member outreach via e-bulletins, newsletters – called the Bull Sheet, and a quarterly magazine;
- Public education which tells citizens about ranching, via blogs and Facebook, with a particular focus on youth. The Association recognizes that with an aging population in ranching, our youth will be counted on to continue the industry and make business decisions. The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust was created to ensure that agriculture operations continue into perpetuity. Over 200,000 acres in Wyoming are in land trusts.
President Bill reminded the membership that the monthly Board meeting is next Monday at 7 a.m. and all members are welcome. Next week’s program will be Debbie Mueller, President of our local Rotaract/Young Professionals club. The meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
“Light Up Rotary”
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