March 8, 2022 Meeting Report
We discuss ideas for 2022-23 District Grants and much more!
March is Water and Sanitation month
Announcements
This month's Junior Rotarian is Hannah Bauknecht, who apparently had a good excuse for not attending as she was on a “class trip” to eastern Europe (tough choice!).
🌼 This meeting marked the return of Colleen I. heralding the beginning of spring...our own version of “the swallows coming back to Capistrano”
Today's Program
Today's program was a Club Assembly that amplified the Dinner Details and Auction Alerts portion of the meeting.
2022-23 District Grant concepts were also explored in more detail.
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. Betty B., Brenda G. and Lisa V. round out those members trained and ready for the task. The 2021-22 Grant is now officially wrapped up and in the books.
In addition to the Sensory Trauma Room for Kids idea that was introduced last week, Todd N. provided an overview of a “Portal” that has been implemented in a number of communities around the world. Well-aligned with RI’s mission, it serves to connect cities in meaningful ways.
Locally, this could leverage the compelling story linking Two Rivers with its sister city, Domazlice, Czech Republic.
Todd shared a video that demonstrated the capability of this technology.
A network of 80 cities (and growing) is being created that is bringing to life these world connections. While the estimated $200K price tag is beyond the scope of a District Grant, other funding options could be tapped.
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.
🗣 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. After many years of service as Club Secretary, Colleen Inman has announced plans to step down from this 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
🐣 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. While this is a Club-funded project, assembly help will be needed – stay tuned for more information.
🍽 🚗 Meals on Wheels. Next up is April 18-22! Look for the sign-up later this week. Thanks for all those that take the opportunity to help our community’s most vulnerable. Kudos were also shared from the Senior Center Meals on Wheels team.
(Diane J.) Get the Community Back in our Schools. (Diane J.) This is an opportunity for our Club to build student connections.
- The TR schools are participating in the FRV’s Golden Apple teacher recognition program…Educators Making a Difference. Four of our finest are finalists.
- The Raider Reporter serves to shine a spotlight on positive aspects of our schools in the community. Contributions from community partners are welcomed for inclusion in the quarterly publication. Chris E-R. has offered to contribute a piece from our Club for the June edition.
🍕🍔🌮🥗 Annual Dinner. An updated report from the steering committee was shared. To date, we have 35 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. Dinner deadline is March 25. Bank First has committed to a $1000 sponsorship to help underwrite the event cost. Setup help is welcome with a window of Friday/Saturday morning prior to the event. 🤲 Many hands make light work.
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. Deadlines are approaching to both solicit/create items and to then communicate your offerings to Colleen.
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.
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...
🍔 Senior Volunteer Luncheon. We need logistics and leadership.
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. Still Time to Sign Up and Join Fellow Rotarians. Learn all you need to know about TriCon 2022 at rotarytricon.com
💵. Happy Bucks. Collections from the next two meetings will be funneled to the annual dinner "bag o’cash." 💰 This prompted a number of our attendees to open their wallets. Betty B. touted a program that she has recently joined “100 Women Who Care” and Kim H. beamed about his daughter’s recent graduation from seminary "the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree."
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) ⚙️
🚒 After the meeting, members were invited to tour the fire station!
Next week’s Program Chair is Jim Lester who has invited Denise Wittstock, Executive Officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Wisconsin Shoreline.