Rotary Club of Casper WY
Meeting Summary
06/15/2015
President Bill DeGraeve called the meeting to order promptly at 12:30 and welcomed everyone to the meeting, announcing that this weekend is District Conference in Fort Collins!!!! He also announced that Charles Schoenwolf would not be able to attend, but his registration was paid with a hotel room, so he invited another Rotarian to fill the spot (Denise Prugh expressed interest). President Bill announced that any donations for the District Conference silent auction basket are due this Wednesday to him.
Inspiration, Pledge, 4-Way Test:
Martha Rakestraw
Greeters: Guy DeWitt and Dean Cline were the greeters today and Guy introduced guests:
Visiting Rotarians from Long Island popped into our meeting. They happened to see the sign by the Parkway Plaza when they got off the interstate and decided to join us.
Victoria Ziton introduced her family members – Tom and Alice Deffibaugh (her parents) and Anna Sophia Ziton (her daughter);
Brian Deurloo introduced his daughter, Vivi;
Liz Becher introduced Jennifer Forsberg (All Property Auctions) and Dan Cantine (12-24 Club) for Robin Mundell; and,
Martha Rakestraw introduced Erin Gillum.
Pam Walker announced that the sign-up sheets for greeting and inspiration are being routed through the room. President Bill also reported that we need a new committee member for this assignment as Pam wants to do different committee work.
Song and merriment:
Jim Ruble entertained us with an Irish joke today and then Gary Pehrson asked to, “Please Rise………” and led us in singing “Home on the Range,” with Brenda Peters on the piano.
Family of Rotary:
Dennis Lower will have 2 heart valves replaced in Montana on June 23rd, where he will recuperate with one of his sons. He is having the pre-tests now.
Martha Rakestraw’s husband, Bob, has home hospice coming in for his COPD symptoms.
Rotarians of the Week:
Jim Anderson nominated Bob Tarantola for spending $140 on a bottle of Boone’s Farm Fuzzy Navel at a recent fundraiser. Randy Hein nominated Bill Pierce for being the “coolest Rotarian ever” following the recent Vietnam Veteran story about him in the newspaper.
Students of the Month:
We are done for the year – will resume in October
Club Announcements:
- Deb Theriault discussed the plans for the Friendship Exchange with India. There are now only 3 Rotary guests from India who will be in Casper (6/23-6/25). She is planning a multi-club picnic for Wed. evening (June 24th) and had sign-up sheets on each table for members. She needs the head count for ordering the food. Pam Walker also invited the members to join her, and her husband, for a dinner on Thursday night at Dsasumo with the Indian Rotarian they are hosting.
- President Bill announced that the 4th Annual Golf Tournament will be on August 1st at Three Crowns. Sandy Widmer and Anthony Martinez would love sponsors and players. Proceeds will benefit our Panama International project. He also announced that there will be NO MEETING on July 6th because of the 4th of July Holiday weekend. He also asked for volunteers to coordinate our Duck Derby Parade Float this year. He reminded the members that he would like their input on the Club awards this year. There is a sheet on each table. Finally, he reported that there will be a Casper Rotary Foundation Board meeting tonight at 5 p.m. at the Methodist Church downtown.
- Eric Easton introduced Kathy Hawley (with KWHS) to the membership. Kathy coordinates the Students of the Month for KW, in partnership with Brad Diller. President Bill gave her a 4-Way test coin, and explained that we give each student one too.
- Jim Ruble stated that he would be happy to drive to District Conference if any of the members would want to carpool with him.
- Craig Valdez announced that Darah Short (mom is Tara Short) and Dane Rasmussen (mom is Denise Prugh) are our representatives to Young RYLA this summer.
Classification Talk:
Chad Pew introduced himself to the Club membership. He is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Wyoming Medical Center. He has been in health care for 17 years. Chad is a Nebraska native, raised on a farm. Before deciding on college, he worked in a lumber yard in Denver (which he did not enjoy). He enrolled at Chadron, and earned a biology degree. He then decided to continue his education at the University of Nebraska (Omaha) where he received his MBA, with an emphasis in Hospital Administration. Chad loves Wyoming Medical Center. He is proud of its outstanding care and commitment to Casper. He thanked his sponsor, Vickie Diamond for recruiting him, mentoring him, and being a great boss. Chad is married to wife (Dana) and they have two children. He looks forward to giving back to the community.
Program (Wyoming Nonprofit Network):
John Starnes introduced our speaker for today’s program.
Jody Shields is a Principal Consultant with Align, and the Managing Director for the Wyoming Nonprofit Network (WNN). She has over 20+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector in the areas of management, strategic planning, board development, and marketing. In her role as a consultant with Align, Jody has worked with a diverse array of clients providing training, program management, and facilitation services. As the Managing Director for WNN, she has led the process of revitalizing the organization and its role in representing and supporting Wyoming’s charitable nonprofit sector. Jody holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree in Strategic Leadership from Black Hills State University. Jody highlighted the importance of nonprofits to the community and the economy: providing services to individuals and families; making life beautiful through culture; providing food and shelter; protecting open spaces, historic sites, and wildlife; offering mentoring and educational opportunities; enriching lives; offering health, well-being, and emergency help; and encouraging civic engagement. WNN conducts trainings, shares information and research, and provides outreach (i.e. Lusk flood). They also handle advocacy and public awareness issues. WNN has 9 Board members who oversee the management contract with Align. WNN partners with businesses and government; we need all 3 entities working together for a vibrant community. Wyoming nonprofits must have a charitable, non-profit mission according to the IRS definition. There are 2,965 501(c)(3)’s – public charities in Wyoming; 297 501(c)(3)’s – private foundations in Wyoming; and 1,330 other 501(c)(3)’s – like Rotary and other service clubs, in Wyoming. Natrona County has 325 charitable nonprofits. The national economy reported $878 Billion in revenue from nonprofits in 2012, and 11.4 million employees. In Wyoming, nonprofits make up 15,800 (or 7%) of our employment numbers. The revenues from nonprofits go back to the community. Many nonprofits lease space and purchase goods/services in their home community, also contributing to the economy. Strong leadership is required in the board and staff positions of nonprofits.
President Bill announced that next week’s program will be Lt. Stu Anderson, with Natrona County emergency preparedness. We will be at the Parkway Plaza.
He adjourned the meeting at 1:25 p.m.
“Light Up Rotary”
