September 20 2022 Meeting

Meetings

September 20, 2022 Meeting Report

"Many hands make light work" was the idea behind today's Club Assembly meeting in which we review committees and goals for 2022-23.

September is Education and Literacy Month

Today's Program: Club Assembly

“WE ARE PEOPLE OF ACTION. We connect passionate people with diverse perspectives to exchange ideas, forge lifelong friendships, and, above all, take action to change the world.”
 
Club president Michael Ditmer led off the Club Assembly meeting to set 2022-23 goals and to review the list of committees, representing the good work in which we engage each year. 
 
The plan is to engage committee chairs early on.
 
Michael spoke about impressions from his President training and expressed his hope to build upon this experience and the Club's history.
 
"The post-pandemic era provides opportunities to re-invent Rotary.  Highlights of our 2021-22 activity underscore the difference that our Club makes in our community and will be a springboard to future plans," he said.
 
Examples brought up in the meeting include:
  • Building partnerships with community organizations (both Rotary and non-Rotary)
  • Club member growth and engagement
  • Exploring alternative meeting formats (similar to many other Rotary and non-Rotary clubs)…from frequency to venue
  • Directed conversation with each Rotary member to discover our Club’s wants/needs
  • Evaluation of our community’s needs and how Rotary can use to our position to meet them
  • Plan our Club’s centennial recognition!
  • Define member responsibilities for our Club’s activities – awareness and structure of our work…where the rubber meets the road
Given the importance of each topic, these conversations will continue in the weeks to come.

Club Operations

📰  Check the program schedule for your next chance to contribute to meeting programming. An email communication will be sent to all members listing the program schedule with plans to send out specific chair responsibilities monthly.  

Club Events / Service Opportunities

🎆 Fireworks Concessions Now Sept 17.  While not much beer was sold, it was still fun to gather. “Leftovers” will be used for Road Rally refreshment followed by the opportunity for exclusive Club member purchase. 
 
🍽 🚗  Meals on Wheels, November 7-11.  Thank you to all of our volunteers!
 
🌳 VDB Arboretum Wine Walk. A wine walk has been scheduled for Saturday, October 1st (4-7pm).  With many members of our Club already engaged in the VDB operation, this is a great chance to mingle and enjoy the progress made..
 
🇺🇦Ukrainian Storytelling Project...  Building on the remarkable story of Rotarian Barry Nelson, the Club plans to build upon interest in a broader community story-telling initiative. This project will include representation from the Wisconsin Ukrainian group providing awareness and support for the needs of the Ukrainian people. Please contact Colleen I. with interest in representing our Club in the planning process.

☮️ Peace Pole Project Completion Dedication this month! Our winning 2022-23 District Grant concept is for a Peace Pole project at the Two Rivers High School. Upon completion, the pole will allow students to gather, reflect, and find peace. It will be part of a larger Rotary peace initiative.
  • Project should be completed in October
  • The Peace Pole parts and plaque have now arrived
  • A document is being prepared to help plan for promotion and public relations for our Club
  •  Contact Betty B. or Michael D. to volunteer 
Get the Community Back in our Schools is an opportunity for our Club to build student connections as school gets back into session. Look for ways to build student connections as school gets back in session. Activities have focused on increasing access for an engaged community.  Examples include the recent Grandparents Day.
 
🏎 Road Rally 2022 Raffle Baskets. This joint Club program is scheduled for October 15th.  Each of the three (3) Clubs has committed to four (4) themed “raffle baskets” valued at $100 each.  Examples of past entries were provided to prime the creative pump.  Please let Deb B. know of your interest.
  • Registration materials are now available
  • The event is being actively promoted on Facebook - if you see a post about it, please like, comment, and share!
🍎 Applefest 2022 is only two weeks away! This year’s fun-filled event is scheduled for October 8th with big plans for future growth going forward. Club president Michael D. has contributed $50 to the promotion of the event.
  • Great food!
  • 30 arts & crafts vendors!
  • Four apple vendors!
  • A host of activities ranging from music to face painting!
  • Meetings are held at the firehouse. Our current focus is on logistics.  
  • An Applefest website has been launched to help promote the event.
  • A volunteer list has been distributed at the weekly meetings. Please look it over and let us know where you can help!
💐2022 Rose Sale Lori Z will lead this year's effort!  This is scheduled for the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Active planning will start in the next couple of weeks.
 
And, looking way ahead. Interest was expressed in creating 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! Concepts were raised that incorporated such Club themes as “promoting peace on earth” and “making a difference in Two Rivers for 100 years”.  An exploratory committee is being explored (or floated). 🎅🏻 🎄
 
💵 Happy Bucks is a way to share and celebrate member news with others, including "quips and quotes" about their experiences from the past week. Shout outs were given to
  • Both Michael D. and Wendy B. extolled the beauty of the lakeshore area
 
Birthday and Anniversary Report

Lisa Van Lanen (9/26) 🎂

None to speak of! ⚙️

⏭  Next week’s program is Chair is Deborah Brotcke who has invited Amber Daugs of  Grow It Forward. 

 
2021-22 Board Members:
President: Michael Ditmer
President-Elect: Tim Schroeder 
Secretary: Deborah Brotcke
Treasurer: Jeff Zimmerlee
Past President: Steve Denzien
Members at large: Brenda Georgenson and one additional spot