Ms. Leanne Wagoner, Manager of Court Advocacy Programs, spoke to RC of Minden about CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocate, representing the interests for adults and children involved in the court system. The program is overseen by Judge Thomas Gregory and Judge Tod Young, an past member of the RC of Minden. The Advocacy program has two paid staff and 34 volunteers between the two programs (CASA and SAFE); and, served 54 adults and children in 2025.

CASA of Douglas County was founded in 1989 by the Family Support Council (the primary beneficiary of the 5th Annual Giving Cup Golf Tournament) and moved under the umbrella of Douglas County a couple of years later. CASA is part of a national movement so children can have a voice in the court system. Typically kids are in the foster care system, in custody, have juvenile delinquency issues and/or are under court guardianship. Also, a judge may appoint a CASA advocate when there are allegations of abuse or neglect.

CASA Volunteers meet with everyone surrounding a child. They get to know the child and review reports, documents and evaluations. An evaluation of the situation may take 9-18 months and during this time the Volunteer will be in communication with the Judge. A CASA representative is a trusted source of information allowing a judge to make better decisions whether or not to remove a child from a dangerous home.

CASA has expanded its’ services to advocate for adults who are facing guardianship issues. SAFE, Special Advocates for the Elderly, became part of the Douglas County program in 2016. The Advocates work with vulnerable adults (elderly, cognitively impaired or disabled adults over age 18). They get to know the client and review reports, documents and evaluations. An evaluation of the situation may take 1one to two years and during this time the Volunteer will be in communication with the Judge. The SAFE program involves noticing all potential parties in related to the adult. This can be a contentious atmosphere with really requires skill and dedication of the SAFE Volunteer.

The CASA program has volunteer opportunities. If you’re interested you must be 21+ years, be a good communicator, have a heart to help vulnerable children or adults, and have time to volunteer. CASA has training set for May and is a 30-hour program to be certified. You can reach Leanne at lwagoner@douglas.nv.gov . CASA is also reaching out to the Community as we are in need of foster care families. If interested in Foster Care, check out this website: www.ruralnvfostercare.com .hange 

Minden Rotary Community Service Committee Chair Pat Garrahan (center) with Carson Valley Quilters Guild (CVQG) Community Service Committee Chair Stacey Jenkins (right) presented Leanne Wagoner with book pillows and books for the kids supported by Douglas County CASA.  These pillows are a joint effort between the Rotary Club of Minden (pillow forms and books) and the CVQG (fabric and sewing) and will be an ongoing project.

100 year Celebration Committee Chairs

The Rotary Club of Minden is happy to welcome the following new members:

• Ric Casper is a graduate from Carson City High (but is quick to add his 3 kids all graduated from Douglas High).  He attended BYU as an undergraduate and Yale Law School.  He worked for the US Attorney's office for 4 years before coming back home and working for the Douglas County District Attorney's Office.
• Loral Langemeier from Live Out Loud Publishing.  Loral has 2 kids (Logan age 25 and Tristan age 18).  She is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan, has an MA from Omaha and is a writer.  AND she's dating President Graham.
• Eric Barter from Bad Boys Bail Bonds (Past President from the Rotary Club of Arcadia).  See the October 23rd newsletter for Eric's craft talk.
• Daniel Crawford, sponsored by Howard Vipperman. It was said he is the first native American to become a member in the Rotary Club of Minden. He is a Douglas County native, spent time in Diamond Valley, graduated from school in Douglas, served on tribal council, works for Washoe Native TANF as the project and resource specialist, and attended Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence Kansas.  Craft talk about his current occupation done at the December 4th meeting!
• Mark Gardner, sponsored by Dick Schwabe, was voted into membership on January 15th.  Mark is the current Chairman of the Douglas County.
• Kathy Morales received her badge and Rotary pin March 5, 2026, becoming the newest Rotarian in the World.

We look forward to hearing the rest of the craft talks soon and getting to know you better!

3/14 Boots, Buckles and Bling fundraiser - Yerington Rotary Club  LINK

3/27   Gotta Dance fundraiser for the Suicide Prevention Network with tickets going on sale beginning Dec. 8th. They’re expected to sell out quickly - and President Graham will be one of the dancers!

4/9   District Foundation Dinner at Mercantile.  Make your EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year) contribution!  Login to your account at www.rotary.org.  Tickets are $60 per person when you go directly through Ken Miller (make checks payable to Rotary Club of Minden) or you can get tickets online for a slightly higher price (to pay for the registration overhead charge) at this LINK.

5/1-5/3   District Conference at Grand Sierra Casino.  Register HERE

5/2 (5:30-8pm) Twilight for Tomorrow Gala at Douglas County Community Center - fundraiser for CV Health Foundation

5/16   Rotary Club Minden's 5th Annual Giving Cup @ Genoa Lakes

6/9   Rotary Club Minden's 100 Year Anniversary Celebration @ CVI

9/19 Rotary Club Minden's Oktoberfest @ Heritage Park

March 12th:  Speech Contest

March 19th:  Courtney Walker, Douglas County Stormwater Program Manager

March 26th: It's a field trip!!!  Regular meeting at noon - note location change:  Valage Senior Living, 973 Ironwood Drive, Minden.

April 2:  Lessons Learned from Mountain Climbing, Mark Hudon

April 9:  NES Systems, Jerry Bucklin

April 16:  Area Speech Contest

April 23:  Douglas County Clerk-Treasurer, Amy Burgans

April 30:  No midday meeting at the COD Casino; Club Social, 5:00 at the Carson Valley Country Club Clubhouse Restaurant