Meeting Minutes - March 29, 2012 and March 15, 2012

18 Rotary Club of Millcreek members met to discuss our service projects and ensure the group came to consensus on where we wanted our focus to be going forward.

In attendance: Christine Casper, Miriam Kramer, Laurie Summers-Pisani, Jason Collier, Peter Ingle, Mustafa C. Celebi, Annie Nielsen, Julie Bateman, Sarah Grant, Margareta Vlasic, Ladd Tanner, Kim Rothwell, Linda Book, Jenna Ferguson, Marlin Clark, and Sandra Clark.

Miriam Kramer facilitated the meeting and opened by setting objectives. She asked for input on volunteerism and where we should focus. The following members had ideas and shared with the group:

• Peter Ingle - discussed articles on blog from March 27. Suggested a focus on sustainability and ensuring the club defines the value/benefits of chosen projects.



• Susan Marks - Reviewed requirements for Presidential Citation. All in attendance felt we should strive to receive this award next year and need a volunteer to keep running track of the requirements we have met.



• Miriam Kramer - presented information on World Refugee Day on June 16. Rotary Club of Millcreek can work with Bhutanese refugees to have a booth, etc.



• Ladd Tanner - gave an update on Interact kids and their desire to help with our projects.



• Margereta Vlasic - suggested we check in with Millcreek Community to ensure our club is aligned with community projects and needs



• Marty Gelman -shared success he experienced with bringing in meals for homeless families through a Methodist Church Program. Marty will work with Mark Cantor to bring information to an upcoming meeting.



• Linda Book - identified a need for families staying at Ronald McDonald House to have support and a friend to help them feel welcome, navigate the city, spend time with their kids that are not sick (Ladd thought this might be a great program for Interact kids)



• Chris Casper - shared experience at Alliance House tutoring schizophrenics to get their GED



• Martin Clark - stressed importance of literacy and possible alignment with America Reads



• There were many other ideas and suggestions made for our focus in 2012/13 and beyond.

After all the brainstorming the group agreed we need to define a vision for who we are and what we want to do before we commit to a focus and long-term project. The group agreed to have a retreat in May to work on vision and a long-term plan/project list for service. Kim Rothwell volunteered to facilitate the session. Once vision, mission and goals are set, the club will determine our long-term volunteer plan.

Our 90 Day Plan is to continue with our quick hit projects such as: US Citizenship tutoring with Bhutanese refugees, etc. In April, our focus will be literacy and looking to help out on Autism Month and tutoring. For May, we will focus on the garden and food to sustain those in need. In June, we will create a booth for World Refugee Day on June 16.

Actions Needed by You:

• Review meeting notes and provide additional ideas or research on projects you have suggested to Miriam and Megan.



• If you have a cabin/home/office etc to volunteer for a day for our retreat, please let Miriam know. We are trying to do the retreat in May and are looking at a Saturday for 4-6 hours. Our club has 30 members with an average of 15 attendees at each meeting.



• A survey link will be sent to vote for a preferred date - please respond.



• The Rotaract mentoring program e-mail was re-sent. If you haven't volunteered to be a mentor, take a look at the e-mail and student profiles and respond to Laura.

Our next meeting will be Thursday, April 5, at 5:15pm at Cafe Madrid. See you then!

Meeting Minutes - March 15, 2012

15 members in attendance

Welcomed guest: Shannon Tilly, Rick Cambra District Gov.

Introduced new members: Sandra Clark and Kim Williams. Presented pins to new members.

Rotaractor, Jerika, told about fundraiser and passed order form for 1/2 cases of oranges ($20) $ put toward the MEXICO TRIP (note: oranges arrived at March 29 meeting and are delicious)

Rotaractor, Dana, told about Adopt Me Society Fun Walk--April 7 @ Liberty Park 9:30-12:00 Adopt Me Society is a local non-profit organization run by volunteers with a mission to rescue animals.

Laurie Summers-Pisani reported on the money from the Sorenson Grant for parks and rec.

Service: Rotary's meat & potatoes PLEASE READ!

Rotary’s main objective is service-- in the community, in the workplace, and around the globe.  It is the driving force that brings people together to create a better world.  It is the core of Rotary.

As such, it is critical that we come together to determine what service our clubs wants to engage in-- which requires introspection, and thoughtfulness.  Pete Ingle-- our International Service Chair-- has provided us with two articles that we ask that you read before our Thursday meeting (March 29th at 5:15pm at the Youthlinc office).

This first article provides an overview of 4 traditions of philanthropy and their impact and setting. This might help us see a difference between service geared towards fixing one persons situation and service that has a lasting importance for all members of a community.

http://civicreflection.org/resource/d/28310/FourTraditionsofPhilanthropy.pdf

 

The second article helps people to question/think about why they really do service. The notion that everyone benefits and that making oneself feel good is a very limited view of the importance of service. Seriously considering the reasons for service is imperative to making a "difference".

https://www.siena.edu/uploadedfiles/home/Social%20Justice%20Readings/Davis-Whatwedonttalkabout.pdf

 

 Please read through these short articles, which will frame our discussion on service for our club!

Thanks so much Rotarians!  See you Thursday!!

Miriam Kramer

801.824.9855

Thailand Fundraiser

Millcreek Rotary is partnering with Westminster College to support schools in rural Thailand. Rotarian and Westminster faculty member, Peter Ingle, has been taking Westminster students to Thailand to perform service for the past 3 years. 20 Westminster students will partner with 6 Thai nursing students to provide service to 2 rural villages in Northern Thailand. This years projects will focus on developing clean drinking water for the BanNamHom School as well as improving the living facilities for the teachers.

"We are hoping to raise over $5000 to support the needs of the BanNamHom school", says Peter Ingle. The students at Westminster have already been focused on raising money, having just come off a very successful Thai Dinner and Silent Auction. The dinner had over 80 attendees and sold numerous works of art and Thai artifacts.

The next event is at Keys on Main (242 South Main Street) on Thursday, March 29th. Cover charge of $5 is a direct donation. A percentage of drinks and food will also go as a donation. Event begins at 8 pm and music starts at 9pm. Information about the international service trip will be presented and opportunities to help the schools are provided. Millcreek Rotarians and guests are encouraged to attend to help make this event a success.

Check out this article in the Millcreek Journal

I had the opportunity to talk with a writer from the journal. She wanted to hear all about our club and what we are doing. I'm so proud of the work that we have done and what we are bound to accomplish. I love this club!!

~Megan Dunn - President

Millcreek Rotary Club - Millcreek Journal

New location & way lot of business for our first March meeting

Our first meeting at a new location started out with some delay as folks wandered into Suite 500 (Waldron office) in the Parkview II building (2150 S. 1300 E.). The food was plentiful as both Judy and Laurie brought some (7 layer dip, spinach/artichoke dip, alouette, hummus, veggie trays, chips both pita and tortilla with two kinds of salsa) plus plenty of beverage.

Just a reminder to please bring cash (as was the original intended situation for the club) to meetings as wine is $5 and beer $3. Your dues include only food, and we intend to feed you well!

In attendance: Megan Dunn, Jennie Ferguson, Sarah Grant, Ken Klingler, Miriam Kramer, Susan Marks, Ann Nielsen, Laurie Summers-Pisani, Julia Wee, John Zone, Judy Zone. Julie Bateman has just joined! Mabel and John Langford, visiting Rotarian from the Hispano-Latino Club and her husband.

Treasurer Ken Klingler presented some financials. A few members still owe for the Chartering Dinner. Rotary Club of Millcreek will make a  $25 per member contribution to The Rotary Foundation, as we collect for that, and such a contribution is appreciated by the District when clubs are applying for Rotary International Grants.

Laurie (President Elect) and Ken and Megan (President) are going to sort out our roster on the Rotary International website to ensure that those who have paid their $90 in first quarter dues & fees are represented, and those who have not, are not. Our club should have a membership list for members to update contact info by the next business meeting.

Miriam Kramer reported that we will continue with tutoring the Bhutanese refugee community with some changes in approach. Next tutoring session is Saturday, March 17 at 5:30pm. Contact Miriam miriam@youthlinc.org for more information.

Miriam also suggested that our club should also provide opportunities for those who are interested in getting to know the families and doing some mentoring in that way. More to come on this initiative in April.

Laurie reported on a Sorenson Foundation Park, Trails, and Streams Grant secured by the District. Our club should receive $1800 to either implement in our own project, or team up with other clubs to implement a bigger project. More to come.

Laurie also talked about a potential fundraiser for the club that would involve wine and beer tasting. She mentioned that our club should pick a signature fundraiser for which our club would become known, such as the Chili Open and Sugar House Club. Also more later.

Judy mentioned that our International Service Chair Peter Ingle (who was not in attendance) would like 10-15 minutes at our March 15 meeting to present on his work in the Chang Mai area of Thailand.

Both Sarah and Judy remarked how successful and interesting the speed mentoring with the Rotaracters was. We hope we have an opportunity to do it again. Thanks to the five members who were there!

President Megan announced that the member to bring in the most members by April would receive a $25 restaurant gift certificate. Ann Nielsen is certainly leading us all in that area at this point, having already brought in four members.

Susan Marks reviewed the Rotary quiz that was sent out by email. President Elect Laurie won the prize for most correct answers.

There will be no business meeting on Thursday, March 8 but PLEASE LET’S GET GREAT ATTENDANCE AT OUR THURSDAY MARCH 15^th meeting at Waldron offices. Our Membership Chair Sarah Grant will be calling those who we have been missing lately!

In addition to the Citizenship tutoring, our next club meeting will be Northern Assembly for District Rotary on Saturday, March 24. Please see Upcoming Events for the times and place. Eleven Millcreek Rotarians will be there.... Join them!

Want some fresh oranges?? Read how to get them in this post...

What: The Westminster Rotaract Club is selling oranges to raise funds for a service-learning trip to Puerto Penasco, Mexico this June. We will be building homes and teaching in elementary schools.

When: It is time to pre-order your oranges within the next two weeks. The freshly-picked oranges will be delivered Saturday, March 24th.

Price: 1/2 case of oranges = 20 lbs of oranges (approx. 36 oranges) costs $20 (.99/lbs)

Why:

• The Rotaractors need your support!
• The oranges are picked ripe when they reach the maximum sugar content and will be delivered 2-3 days after being picked in California.
• The oranges have a super thick skin that makes them easy to peel.

How: Bring $20 to your next meeting or write a check to Westminster Rotaract Club

Please email Megan (megan@xmission.com) for any questions.