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!