-Susan Griffith nominated Steven Schnell for the new exhibits at The Science Zone.
-Lori Klatt nominated Lisa Scroggins for helping with the District Assembly.
-Lisa Scroggins nominated Lori Klatt for her work as District Trainer at the District Assembly.
-Lisa also nominated Steven Schnell for the renovations, new exhibits, and the ribbon cutting at The Science Zone.
-Anthony Martinez nominated everyone who helped with the river cleanup.
-Martha Rakestraw nominated Jim Porter for helping her get to the meeting.
-Glenn Januska nominated Brad Cundy and Zulima Lopez for their participation in the Wyoming Business Alliance tour.
-Kyle Gamroth shared that it is Steven Schnell’s last meeting before he moves.
-Steven Schnell nominated everyone who helped with the renovations and ribbon cutting at The Science Zone.
-Lori Klatt shared about the recent District Assembly.
-Guy Dewitt asked for volunteers for food packing next week.
-Taylor Schwahn shared that he needs 2 more host families for Julia.
Program: Brandon Daigle presented about Blueprint Academy.
Chastidy Cockrum rang the bell at 1:07 and reminded Rotarians to unite for good.
In Attendance: Chastidy Cockrum, Nick Whipps, Miamie Sleep, Brandon Cockrum, Taylor Schwahn, David Simonson, Lori Klatt, Greyson Buckingham, Tammi Chappell, Mike Morrissey, Glenn Januska, Nicole Tholson
Visitors: Steven Schnell and Brian Helling
Not in attendance: Danny Smith
Call to order:
• President Chastidy Cockrum called the meeting to order at 6:29 am.
Donation Request: Steven Schnell asked the board for a $2,000 donation to support The Science Zone in bringing in the travelling exhibit Ocean Bound. Steven discussed how the exhibit aligns with Rotary’s clean water mission and indicated that Rotary would be recognized both on social media and on or near the exhibit itself. After Steven and Brian Helling left, Nick Whipps made a motion to approve the $2,000 donation. After a second by Greyson Buckingham and a vote all in favor, the motion passed.
Approval of Minutes:
• Lori Klatt made a motion to approve the August board meeting minutes. After a second by Brandon Cockrum and a vote all in favor, the motion passed.
Secretary’s Report (Nicole Tholson)
• Membership is currently at 129 (127 Active + 2 Honorary)
• New members- Tristan Neal (Anthony Martinez)- waiting on payment, Turnie Wright (Mike Lougee)- scheduling induction, Fred Rawling (Mike Morrissey)- scheduling induction.
• Inductions- Lori Huseas, Jenn Whitehead
• Resignations- Carter Napier
• Membership deceased- None
• Leave of Absence Requests- Jim Porter (11/3/2025-5/11/2026), Roy Cohee (12/8/2025-6/1/2026), Dick Wimbish (10/15/2025-4/15/2026), Randy Hein (12/1/2025-5/31/2026), Connie Brezik (12/1/2025-5/31/2026), Gene Theriault (1/1/2026-3/31/2026), Deb Theriault (1/1/2026-3/31/2026), Bill DeGraeve (12/1/2025-3/31/2026), Tina Hoebelheinrich (9/4/2025-9/4/2026).
-Lori Klatt made a motion to approve all leave of absence requests as presented. After a second by Brandon Cockrum and a vote all in favor, the motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report (Glenn Januska)
• Glenn reported that we are 20% through the Rotary year. He indicated that currently we are a bit lower than budgeted on member dues and member meals, and up a bit on meal costs due to some of the June meetings not being paid until July, thus falling into the new year. Glenn also reported on the aging report. After discussion, Nick Whipps made a motion to write off the balances of three people. After a second by Lori Klatt and a vote all in favor, the motion passed.
• Brandon Cockrum made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report. After a second by Mike Morrissey and a vote all in favor, the motion passed.
Old Business:
• Duck Derby recap- Miamie Sleep reported that the partner ticket sellers are coming to the meeting on September 22 to receive their checks. She also reported that there were just over $66,000 in ticket sales. After adding sponsorships and deducting expenses and payouts to our partners, the net income is $56,540.
• Golf Tournament recap- Glenn Januska reported that currently the financials show net income of $7,330 from the golf tournament, with a few outstanding sponsorships this should increase to $8,830. He did indicate that some golf tournament expenses and income cross over the fiscal years, so there is likely some income and expenses not reflected in the current financials.
• Companion Club- Chastidy Cockrum reported that the companion club needs five members in order to officially be considered a club. She and Brandon are working on recruiting.
• Bylaws change- Greyson Buckingham proposed changes to the bylaws to add a Sergeant-at-Arms position. The changes are proposed as follows:
Placement in the Bylaws
The Sergeant-at-Arms should be added to Article IV – Duties of Officers, alongside the President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, etc. Since it is to be a non-voting board position, it should also be referenced in Article II – Board of Directors and Article III – Election of Directors and Officers as an ex-officio, non-voting officer.
Draft Amendment Language
Article II – Board of Directors
Add at the end of the first paragraph:
“…In addition, the Rig Editor, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, and Sergeant-at-Arms are ex-officio members.”
Article III – Election of Directors and Officers
Section 2, amend list of ex-officio non-voting members to include:
“…Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Rig Editor, and Sergeant-at-Arms…”
Article IV – Duties of Officers
Add a new section (Section 9):
Section 9 – Sergeant-at-Arms.
It shall be the duty of the Sergeant-at-Arms to help maintain order at club and board meetings, oversee room setup and logistics, and perform such other duties as may be designated by the President. The Sergeant-at-Arms is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Board.
After discussion, Brandon Cockrum made a motion to present the proposed changes to the club for approval. After a second by Taylor Schwahn and a vote all in favor, the motion passed.
New Business:
• Line of Succession change: Chastidy Cockrum discussed a request from Nick Whipps to swap positions with Miamie Sleep, as he has recently taken on a new role at work and is very busy. Miamie Sleep would become the President-Elect and Nick Whipps would become the President-Elect Nominee. Mike Morrissey made a motion to present the change to the club members at the next meeting for approval. After a second by Lori Klatt and a vote all in favor, the motion passed.
Miamie Sleep brought up the need for her to be added to the bank account since she will be President Elect and for Nick Whipps to be removed. Mike Morrissey made a motion to add Miamie Sleep as a signer on the bank account and to remove Nick Whipps. After a second by Taylor Schwahn and a vote all in favor, the motion passed.
• Donation request from Pavel Reppo- Chastidy Cockrum brought up a donation request from recent speaker Pavel Reppo to support his mental health project in Africa. Nick Whipps made a motion to decline the request. After a second by Brandon Cockrum and a vote all in favor, the motion passed.
• Budget change- Chastidy Cockrum requested that the budget be amended as there was not enough budgeted for Miamie Sleep to attend the International Conference in Taipei. Brandon Cockrum made a motion to amend the budget for International Conference from $3,000 to $5,000. After a second by Nick Whipps and a vote all in favor, the motion passed.
• New member- Chastidy Cockrum brought up a new member application for the Companion Club from Christoper Raines. Chastidy and Brandon Cockrum then excused themselves from the room to abstain from discussing or voting on the matter. Nick Whipps explained that he had received objections to the membership application. After discussion, Nick Whipps made a motion to deny Christoper Raines’ membership application with the note that the board would reconsider his application in one year if he applies again. After a second by David Simonson and a vote all in favor, the motion passed.
Avenue of Service Reports/ Director reports
• Membership- Brandon Cockrum- Brandon reported that he is going to schedule a new member orientation in October.
• Public Relations- Tammi Chappell- Nothing further to report.
• Service Projects- Mike Morrissey- Mike provided an update on the concrete work for the benches as well as the upcoming Rotary Park work day.
• Foundation- David Simonson- David discussed the challenges of his goal of having every club member donate to the Rotary Foundation yearly. After discussion about easy ways to encourage and help members donate, Greyson Buckingham made a motion to add $6.25 to the quarterly invoices as a donation to the Foundation, noting that any member can opt out of having this donation included in their invoice by letting either the Treasurer or Secretary know. After a second by Brandon Cockrum and a vote all in favor, the motion passed.
• Youth Service- Taylor Schwahn- Taylor Schwahn reported that he still needs two host families for Julia. He is also looking for a club member to take over handling RYLA.
• At Large- Danny Smith- Not present.
• At Large- Greyson Buckingham- Nothing further to report.
· PEN/Club Admin- Miamie Sleep- Nothing further to report.
· Past President- Lori Klatt- Lori reminded the board members that the Spark District Assembly is coming up as well as RLI.
• President Elect- Nick Whipps- Nick reported that speakers are lined up through mid-October.
President’s Report: Chastidy Cockrum- Chastidy thanked the board members for their continued hard work and dedication.
Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 am.
Respectfully submitted by: Nicole Tholson, Secretary
