December 6, 2022 Meeting Report

We welcomed both the incoming and retiring chief from the Two Rivers Police Department this week. Learn more about Two Rivers' Finest.

December is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month

Junior Rotarians. Patti Kakes introduced herself to the Club. A recent National Honor Society inductee, she is involved in “lots of things” from all-season sports to the TRHS’s HOSA club, a group aimed at preparing students for a career in health care, hinting at her future plans.  

The Seasonal Social, aka 5th Tuesday Social, was the most festive party of the year with great people, great setting, great food and drink. The result? A great time!  Not a surprise: the Bands on the Beach Beer is gone, truly a marker of the evening’s success.
 

Two Rivers' Finest

The Club guests this week were outgoing Police Chief Brian Kohlmeier and incoming Chief Ben Meinert.  They were warmly welcomed to the “most influential service club in TRivers”.  Brian Kohlmeier opened with a review of his long and distinguished career as a leader in law enforcement.  He is leaving a legacy with an outstanding staff, infrastructure and culture in place for incoming Chief Ben Meinert.
 
Ben picked up the “baton” stressing the importance of mentorship (including that of Chief Kohlmeier) in setting his path to this point in life.   The vision articulated centers around the scouting philosophy “always leave things better than when found”.  The challenges he faces include:
  • Staff empowerment with an expansion of leadership within the department
  • Maintaining excellence in the department as recruitment and retention issues continue to be problematic
  • Community issues center around drug abuse as a root cause of many problems…strategies include adding a second detective as a “why” resource for the department.  
  • In addition, plans include increasing a presence in our schools (beyond DARE) aimed at breaking this cycle.

Club Operations

Programming. See the schedule for your next chance to contribute to meeting programming. Wendy B. will be the point person who will send out monthly reminders about chair responsibilities.
 
Committee Opportunities. Please consider serving as a chair on a Rotary Club of Two Rivers Committee. Opportunities will be distributed at each meeting.  We need everyone to take an active role to complete our many projects. Openings include chair positions for the New Membership and RI Foundation committees.

Club Events/Service Opportunities

Meals on Wheels. Colleen I. expressed interest in coordinating our Club’s participation.  The details/forms have been shared.  While our Club service commitments are complete for 2022, Lori Z. has tapped into the creative energy of area Girl Scouts for preparation of Christmas cards for inclusion in December’s home delivered meals.  These cards will be delivered along with the TRHS’s home delivered meals the week of December 12th.
 
Salvation Army Bell Ringing will take place at Piggly Wiggly Friday, December 16 from 9am - 7pm.  Kim H. is the chair for that event.  Historically, our Club is a top performer, both in garnering dollars and in sharing cheer! 
 
Adopt-a-Family. Diane Johnson is coordinating the effort and has found a family that includes three (3) students and a single mom. Sign ups are available both on-line and at each meeting.   Remember you can sign up to purchase specific gifts for the family or you may elect to make a cash donation. Please contact Diane directly with your selections and your willingness to wrap the gifts!  Please be aware that the mom needs gifts, too.  Gift cards and spa items would be great choices for her.  This is a wonderful project for our club and your generosity is greatly appreciated.  This project will be wrapped up with a wrapping party at the TRHS on Tuesday, December 20.
 
PolioPlus Society. Rotary District 6270 is excited to announce the start of the PolioPlus Society in our district.  This is a district program to recognize those Rotarians, Rotaractors, and friends of Rotary, who have pledged to give at least $100 annually to the PolioPlus Fund of The Rotary Foundation, until the wild poliovirus is no longer endemic around the world. The goal of this PolioPlus Society is to raise awareness and provide recognition for Rotary’s goal of eliminating the disease from the planet.
 
Ukrainian Support. Building on the remarkable story of Rotarian Barry Nelson’s work to support the war effort in Ukraine, interest in a broader community story-telling initiative is planned. This would also include representation from the Wisconsin Ukrainian group, providing awareness and support for the needs of the Ukrainian people. Colleen I. is representing our Club.  
  • A February presentation to the community is in the works marking the one year anniversary of the war.  
  • More immediate is the “Create a Card” project aimed at lifting spirits and giving hope to orphans at the Polish/Ukrainian border. Please consider bringing Christmas cards (250 are needed), with messages of hope, to our next meeting for collection and distribution to the orphanage.  These children need to know that the world cares about their plight/fight continues.
Exploring Two Rivers: News you can use
  • Word on the street is that the Cool City Brewing Company will be open before Christmas, truly a special gift to the city!  Our Club is exploring the opportunity to make the “vault room” our meeting site in 2023 and beyond.

District Activities

Rotary District 6270 is excited to announce the start of the PolioPlus Society in our district.  This is a district program to recognize those Rotarians, Rotaractors, and friends of Rotary, who have pledged to give at least $100 annually to the PolioPlus Fund of The Rotary Foundation, until the wild poliovirus is no longer endemic around the world. The goal of this PolioPlus Society is to raise awareness and provide recognition for Rotary’s goal of eliminating the disease from the planet.
 
Happy Bucks gives us the opportunity for each member to share their personal “quips and quotes” of experiences over the past week.   
  • Members shared their kudos (along with bucks) for Chief Kohlmeier’s leadership/tenure
 
November Club Member Birthdays

Ned Jacquart (12/15) 🎂
Jeff Zimmerlee (12/15) 🎂
Wendy Brandt (12/26) 🎂

Rotary Anniversaries

Ned Jacquart (29 years) ⚙️
Betty Bittner (17 years) ⚙️
Tim Wester (8 years) ⚙️

  Next Week: Erin Gonnerman is program chair and has invited Paula Fox.  Paula will provide an overview of 100+ Women Who Care Manitowoc County.  This is a group of women who share a common desire to give back and inspire local philanthropy in their community.