March 8, 2022 Meeting Report
We hear from club president (2022-23) Michael Ditmer about the President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in Chicago and much more!
March is Water and Sanitation month
Announcements
This month's Junior Rotarian is Hannah Bauknecht. This week Hannah presented “a week in the life of a stellar student.”
📡 Communications. At last night's TRivers City Council meeting, Rotary received recognition for its Central Park project support and ongoing community support, past, present and future. We also received a thank you from CASA for our contribution with updates provided to our Club.
Today's Program
Our Club President for 2022-23, Michael Ditmer provide a "brief debrief" and primer about his attendance at the President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in Chicago this past weekend. Almost 300 participants from the upper midwest region attended. Michael began with the comment that it was “very inspiring” sharing his impressions of shock and awe.
Under the general theme, embracing change, it was made clear that Rotary must adapt to and shape a changing world. This theme was amplified by the presentation of the keynote speaker, Jennifer Jones, the first woman Rotary International President-elect, as she painted a preferred future for Rotary under the banner, Imagine…
The “business” portion of the training focused on a number of areas pertinent to the Club President role:
- Exposure to Rotary Club programs i.e. Rotaract (a feeder corp aimed at young adults)
- Club structures to accomplish goals
- Breakout sessions focused on tool training for team building, club management, member activation, and outreach to new members
Upon reflection, Michael shared his initial priorities for the next year. These included:
- The need to identify and develop Club leadership
- Explore new ideas for service projects
- Create more food and fellowship opportunities with a consideration for a new meeting structure
- Build connections to other Rotary Clubs in our District, and, of course...
- Point towards our centennial celebration and recognition.
Time and again, Michael stressed that the Club president cannot do this alone. If the next year is to be deemed successful, we must all share the vision and work together to make it a reality.
Club Operations
📰 Check the program schedule for your next chance to contribute to meeting programming.
🎳 5th Tuesday Bowling? This March gives use another "5th Tuesday" opportunity for food/fellowship. The frontrunner idea at this time is a bowling event at The Hook – formerly known as Rudy’s Lanes.
🐣 Two Rivers Ecumenical Pantry (TREP) Easter Bag project. Brenda G is providing leadership and is awaiting word from TREP as to final numbers needed. Easter Bag items will include books, stuffed animals, and activities that are age appropriate. Brenda extended kudos to Colleen for her acquisition prowess. Assembly help will be needed – stay tuned.
🗣 Board of Directors Report/Actions. As previously communicated, our fundraising focus will key on the Central Park Renovation project adopting the Skating Loop as our sponsored aspect of the project. This uses proven synthetic ice configured in a loop skating rink design. This surface offers the ability to host “any season” events – including a warm weather skating event, if needed.
Keep your eyes on the prize…
Winter ice skating pond and loop, south half of park (pond overlays splash pad area)—planned for artificial ice
Club Secretary opportunity. Colleen stepping down at the end of December presents an opportunity for others to move into this important role. Detailed instructions and mentorship is available. If you are interested, please let Steve D. know. 🎉 Update: A “divide and conquer” option is available with a division of tasks among a couple of members to make the opportunity more palatable.
Please consider the opportunity to express the Rotary ideal of service in the above role.
Club Events / Service Opportunities
🍽 🚗 Meals on Wheels. Next up is March 7-11! The delivery team is placed with all dates covered. Thanks for all those that take the opportunity to help our community’s most vulnerable. The next opportunity presents itself the week of April 18th.
(Diane J.) Get the Community Back in our Schools. (Diane J.) This is an opportunity for our Club to build student connections. What’s next?
🍕🍔🌮🥗 Annual Dinner. An updated report from the steering committee was shared. The next planning meeting is being held this Thursday at 4pm (Bank First). To date, we have 21 reservations in hand with an appeal for personal outreach by our members to reach more. Online signups are also being monitored daily by Colleen. Michael D. has pledged to enhance the online registration experience as well. The more in attendance – the more fun and funds we realize. Bank First has committed to a $1000 sponsorship to help underwrite the event cost. Ideas for promoting the skating loop feature are being pursued…from an “ice” sample to a video of the proposed project. Chamber level promotional activities were outlined by Brenda G. – from Tuesday Tidbits to a featured story.
Auction Items. A successful auction will form the backbone of our fun and fundraising efforts. As such, each Rotarian is asked to provide an auction item valued at $50 or more. With $450 already in our coffers, we are off to a great start!
There are a number of ways to supply an auction item:
(1) you can solicit a business for a donation
(2) you can purchase/donate an item
(3) you can provide a service (for example: host a dinner for six at your home)
(4) you can partner with another Rotarian
Auction items do not need to be a ‘basket’ but we ask that the action item is ready for display. For example, if you are offering a dinner for 6 at your home, provide a typed sheet of paper describing the dinner and what is included.
In addition to the auction item, we ask that each Rotarian provide a bottle of liquor, wine or 6 pack of craft beer for the Booze Bin Raffle.
For those collecting donations, please have all items collected and given to Colleen or Brenda by March 19th. No late items will be accepted.
Colleen has created a list of people/businesses from whom we are soliciting donations. Let Colleen know who you are contacting so that we can avoid multiple people asking the same business for a donation!
Colleen has also developed an information sheet regarding how the proceeds of the event will be used and club specifics, which you can provide to people who donate.
Looking Ahead...
District Grants. One idea being developed includes support for a Sensory Trauma Room for Kids to be located in the Aurora Emergency area. The need for such an area was raised by Lakeshore Foster Families to help already traumatized youth in our area. Member “grant” training is needed for our Club to apply for District Funds. Please see Betty B. if interested.
World Affairs Seminar Reimagining Global Health and Wellness: Contagious Ideas will be held on Saturday, June 18 – Friday, June 24, 2022 Promote World Affairs Seminar information at the high school. There is one student with interest at this time.
Promote the Rotary Club of Two Rivers Scholarship at the high school. Our intent is to offer multiple scholarships for technical college education to phase out this program’s funding. Thanks to Stanley P. for coordinating this program and to Brenda G. for helping “judge” the applicants. The application deadline is April 13th with judging and awarding to follow.
And, looking way ahead. Interest was expressed in resurrecting the idea of a Rotary Float as a highlight of the 2022 Christmas Parade. This would be a fine idea to kick off our Club’s Centennial Year! We can check and see if the Rotary Rose Parade float is available for our local use 🎅🏻 🎄
District Activities
⚙️ TriCon 2022 in Elkhart Lake April 29-30. Hurry! Early Bird Registration for District Rotary Conference ended March 1.
💵. Happy Bucks. Colleen (and Rick) are in Florida and recently broke bread with Deb/Jim in the Tampa area. Lisa added her Anniversary dollars. A number of members shared their Appreciation bucks for the work of the Club and our schools.
Birthday and Anniversary Report
Deborah Brotcke (3/1) 🎂
Brian Jensen (3/14) 🎂
Colleen Inman (3/27) 🎂
Lisa VanLanen (2 years) ⚙️
Steve Denzien (an amazing 3 years) ⚙️
Next week’s Program Chair is Keith Lyons