The program today is a Club Assembly, with several Board Members highlighting their committees
Mike G. - on Community Service. Mike, Bob and Beth lead this important area. It is the Heart of Rotary, and each member is expected to participate. ICA and Resource West are back in play, We’ll continue with Mtka Forestry, Memorial Blood donation twice a year, Highway 7, and others.
STRIVE is planned as a key program for Building, and Empowering, Responsible Youth. This is a big lift, and hits us in our sweet spot dedicated toward youth. More on that later.
Mike et al remind us to be a champion for a cause near and dear to you, and run with it. Special Olympics may be in our sights.
Don C. - discussed Visioning and our new club Vision Statement. We can still ‘build’ the tools and assets that youth need, but also ‘empower’ them towards the opportunities and results of their efforts. That committee is looking at the longer term direction for our club.
Mac H. - discussed our budget for the year. Dues are up for the first time in 4 years, mainly from RI and District increases. More members and less expenses last year allowed us to pass on $8000 to our Club Foundation.
Bill S. - membership is strong; remember that we are ALL on that committee. Ask and invite others to our club.
Chris R. - heads up our Rotary Foundation annual giving. We are VERY strong in District giving, at $550/member last year. 50% of our donations return to us in matching grants. Our goal this year is closer to pre-Covid numbers, at $30,000. Chris is looking for an apprentice to join him, a great way to get into club leadership, sit on the Board.
Sarah E. - Club Programming; besides setting club tasks, she and the committee screen speakers. We are strong with that schedule, and the weekly survey helps guide the speaker selections. More members are welcome.
Ron U. - sound abatement and better mics and speakers are planed to help with acoustics in the room.
Glen J. - The International arm will have 20% of our Club Foundation’s $50,000 to spend this year.
Tony N. - as Past-President, he will head the Club Foundation. Members always welcome to attend and input at meetings.
Bob H. - on STRIVE; Students Taking Renewed Interest in the Value of Education
This is a Rotary sponsored program, for 10th, 11th and 12th graders. It is a commitment of 2 1-hour meetings/month for about 10 months per year. 1 or 2 Rotarians have a student, or 2 have 3; they listen, counsel and mentor them on their high school progress. These kids typically are in the lower half of their class, and family issues may be contributing. The very start is that both kids and mentors prioritize attendance. Time is spent directly (1:1, 1:2) with the student, and we may even speak to the group on a topic. The key is long relationships, and continuity. Terrific results are common when both commit to the long road. Non-Rotarian mentors are very welcome.
We will look towards Hopkins HS as our school.
The meeting ended with a very creative video from Alexa with scenes from our past year.
It’s always a special Rotary day to ‘pass the gavel’ on about July 1, to thank the outgoing Pres and wish the incoming Pres all the best, and let them know we’re with them all the way.
Asking them “How can we help” makes for a great year.
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