Meeting Minutes January 14, 2016

Attendees (16):

Liz Sherlock, Susan Marks, Danny Schoenfeld, Shannon Tilly, Jennie Ferguson, Chris Casper, Jim Schott, Laurie Summers-Pisani, Mustafa Celebi, Rose Defa, Frank Lilly, Justin Powell, Brian Rollo, Sonia Woodbury, John Zone and Judy Zone.

The meeting was chaired by Danny Schoenfeld. Meeting held at Café Madrid.

Guests:

Max Calleja, exchange student. Max stated he is starting an indoor soccer program and hopes to be going to college next year to study International Business.

The Four Way test was recited.

Rotary moment:

Induction of Jim Schott and Justin Powell by Danny Schoenfeld.

Social:

Jennie stated that per member request bowling has been scheduled at the Millcreek Bowling Alley in the Olympus Cove Mall on January 29th. This is a Friday, at 6 p.m.

Jim Schott stated that skiing and snowshoeing at Solitude resort has been scheduled for February, Sunday the 21st. Solitude has 10k of snowshoeing trails for those who don’t ski.

March social will be Cheese tasting (with optional wine) at Caputo’s in Holladay on March 17th.

The Wine into Water Committee was formed with Laurie Summers-Pisani as chair.

Notes:

Judy Zone stated that the Thailand team retreat is continuing and we have contributed $120.00 Those who want can give cash now. Susan Marks asked if some club money could be used for this. Treasurer Frank Lilly said that he is re-doing the annual budget and has proposed a “fund money” program for such requests, and maybe a line specifically for refugees.

There was a discussion of whether to take on a new refugee family, tabled until or unless some volunteers to mentor the family can be found.

A birthday cake was brought in for Max and everyone shared a birthday wish for him. He received a cash gift as well.

Shannon Tilly suggested we send a similar gift to exchange student Lydia in France. Members agreed. A card will be passed around at the next meeting.

Judy Zone mentioned that the District Grant of $550 (with a matching amount from the club) is for computers for the refugees. Brian volunteered another computer.

Justin Powell stated that there is a global grant for Madagascar water project and we might want to consider this for our Wine into Water this year.

Next meetings February 4th and February 11th (board meeting after), Café Madrid.

Meeting adjourned.

Millcreek Club receives Rotary District Grant

Our club has received a District Grant to purchase computers for a center serving the refugee community in South Salt Lake.

The computers will be used at the Scott School Community Center by 125-150 Bhutanese, Iraqi, Somali, Burmese and Latino refugees living well below poverty level and who do not have computer access at home. 

The use will be mainly for Citizen classes, individual tutoring, mentoring, homework, ESL classes and general student work. 

All members of Rotary Club of Millcreek are involved in a family mentoring program through Promise South Salt Lake, who run the selected Community Center. 

The intent is that the grant will cover two (2-3) computers and Rotary Club of Millcreek will assist with one (l) computer.

Meeting Minutes January 7, 2016

Attendees (11):
Liz Sherlock, Susan Marks, Danny Schoenfeld, Shannon Tilly, Jennie Ferguson, Margreta Hjorth-Vlasic, Marty Gelman, Chris Casper, Jim Schott, Laurie Summers-Pisani, and Judy Zone.

The meeting was chaired by Danny Schoenfeld. Meeting held at Café Madrid.

Guests:

No guests attended.

The Four Way test was recited.

Rotary moment:

Chris and Laurie shared a video of the refugee family they have been mentoring singing a carol in thanks for the gifts and support they received. The family is from Tanzania. They will be having a dinner with them on January 12th in celebration of a birthday. All members are invited to attend, meet at Dan’s on Foothill at 5 pm.

Social:
Jennie stated that nothing is planned for January, she would like ideas for February. For March, plans are being made to meet at Granato’s for a cheese and wine class on March 17th. The cost will be $25 without alcohol, another $15 if you want wine. It is a Thursday night, we need 15 people. Members agreed that we could get 15 to participate and she should go ahead and make the arrangements.

Elections:

The nominating committee put forth the following for officers:

President: Chris Casper
President-elect: Margareta Hjorth-Vlasic
Treasurer: Frank Lilly
Secretary: Rose Defa

For voting, Danny had proxies from Justin Powell, Rose Defa, Frank Lilly and Brian Rollo.

Judy had a proxy from John Zone.

Susan had a proxy from Mike Siegel.

Shannon had a proxy from Stephanie Chard.

Voting was by secret ballot, 18 votes were cast, the slate was voted in unanimously.

Fund raising: 

The need for a chair and co-chair for Wine into Water was discussed. Also the need for a new venue. Some ideas were presented, such as a cooking venue.

Membership:

Can Cinbis is not going to join. Ladd Tanner and Jason Collier have resigned.

Misc Notes:
Judy Zone suggested the idea of an Easter parade near Olympus Hills Shopping Center for kids. This would be a public relations event, we could get businesses to participate

Susan Marks reminded the group that there are recognition points available for members to become Paul Harris fellows.

Shannon Tilly suggested we send a New Year’s gift to exchange student Lydia in France. Members agreed.

Service Projects:

Marty suggested we do more as a group such as the food bank or School Bell thrift shop. He feels this will bring the group together. Margareta will look into it and book a date in the future.

Next meeting January 14th, Café Madrid. Board meeting to follow after.

Meeting adjourned.

Joy - and water - are flowing in El Sauce, Guatemala because of our Global Grant!

Here is a message from Lois Werner, Executive Director of People for Guatemala, the cooperating agency on the Rotary Global Grant for this water project.

Millcreek Club contributed $3,000 from our Wine into Water proceeds to give clean water to 250 families in a remote Guatemalan village. The water came in time for Christmas!

Bruce Powell, the District Foundation Chair as of this July 1, wrote the grant. Supporting clubs in addition to Millcreek were Centerville-Farmington, Roosevelt and Vernal.

We were in the village to celebrate the project. The tank is full of water and yesterday they opened all 6 valves so water ran to all 250 families. Hector, the president of the water committee told us today "do not ask me about how I felt when I turned on the water. I have no words to tell you my emotions".  The women told us "we hugged each other and cried".  What a great Christmas gift you and your fellow Rotarians gave this community.  I got to start the generator today so we could hear the generator run.  We enjoyed a picnic with the water committee and the plumbers that worked along side the men building the project.  There are many days I love my volunteer job and today was certainly one of the best!

Please enjoy your Christmas knowing you have changed the lives of 250 families in El Sauce. They are enjoying this Christmas knowing they no longer have to suffer without water. 

Many blessings to you.

Lois

Meeting Minutes December 10, 2015

Attendees (17):
Rose Defa, Liz Sherlock, Frank Lilly, Brian Rollo, Susan Marks, Danny Schoenfeld, Shannon Tilly, Jennie Ferguson, Justin Powell,  Margreta Hjorth-Vlasic, Sonia Woodbury, Mustafa Celebi, Linda Book, Stephanie Chard, Marty Gelman, Ladd Tanner, and Judy Zone.

The meeting was chaired by Danny Schoenfeld. Meeting held at the Training Table.  Danny apologized for snafu that required cancellation of December 3rd meeting.

Guests:
Max Calleja (exchange student), Holly Thompson, a nurse who was a guest of Linda Book, has been a Rotoract from Minnesota, and Sheila Gelman.

Social:
Rose stated that at the next meeting the social events for the year will be discussed.

By-laws:
The club needs 1/3 of the members to make changes to the by-laws. A copy was passed which incorporates the proposed changes. It was suggested to change the requirements to a majority for changes to the by-laws and whenever by-laws are amended. Also when a proxy is used a notification must be at least 24 hours before the meeting.

Stephanie Chard made a motion to approve the by-law changes, seconded by Marty Gelman.

The motion passed unanimously.

Service Projects:
Family mentoring is ongoing. Rachel Sanders & family liaison will assist. The IRC project was last Saturday. Families need books, pencils, notebooks. Laurie, Christine and Marty will make a list of items needed for a Nov/Dec service project, suggested by Margreta.

Other Notes:
Rose Defa shared a Rotary Moment relating to refugee families

Judy Zone shared some of her life story.

Next meeting January 7th, Café Madrid.

Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Minutes November 12, 2015

Attendees (14):
Rose Defa, Liz Sherlock, Frank Lilly, Brian Rollo,  Laurie Summers-Pisani, Susan Marks, Danny Schoenfeld, Shannon Tilly,  Chris Casper, Jennie Ferguson, Justin Powell,  Margreta Hjorth-Vlasic, Sonia Woodbury, Mustafa Celebi and Jim Schott.

The meeting was chaired by Danny Schoenfeld.

Guests:

Max Calleja (exchange student), Shaun Mitchel (District Governor next year), and Can Cinbis (prospective member].

Notes:

The Four Way test was recited.

Social: This month the social will be dinner and a play at Hale Theater, November 19th. Dinner at 5:45, BYOB and own corkscrew. It will be at Zabita Grill, 3460 So. Redwood Road, a Pakistani restaurant and Ladd has made arrangements for a family style dinner. Cost will be $26.71. Please bring your checkbook to pay Ladd as they want one check for the whole group. No credit cards. Also Rose needs to be reimbursed for the play tickets at $30.00 per person.

Shaun Mitchell shared a Rotary moment, how he started in Rotary 15 years ago to help a friend. This week he rescued a lamb he found in the mud after taking a friend for a ride in the mountains.

Service Projects:

Family mentoring is ongoing. Rachel Sanders & family liaison will assist. The IRC project was last Saturday. Families need books, pencils, notebooks. Laurie, Christine and Marty will make a list of items needed for a Nov/Dec service project, suggested by Margreta.

Chris Casper described their refugee family which is from Tanzania. There are 5 children ages 17-6. Martie, Sheila & Ladd have the 2d family, a mother with 7 children from Burma. The father recently died.

Laurie brought plastic crates for each member of the first family, labelled with a family member’s name. Members volunteered to fill the boxes with needed items. Laurie volunteered to provide similar boxes the the 2nd family at the next meeting.

Assignments were:

1st family:

• Marianne (mom): Susan
• Gaudance (17 y/o girl): Rose
• Twomday (11 y/o boy): Frank
• Delphine (14 y/o girl): Brian
• Natasha (6 y/o girl): Jim
• John Claude (8 y/o boy): Jennie & Sonia

2nd family:

• Far Non Chan (12 y/o boy): Max & Christine
• Ahme Ahr (mom): Laurie
• Ar Mat Khan (10 y/o boy) Justin
• Ar Sit Kham (11 y/o boy) Rose
• Ra Ma Za (20 y/o girl): Sonia
• Sar Ke Da Khan (18 y/o boy): Marty
• Smee Lar: (9 y/o girl): Liz
• Ra He nar (13 y/o girl): Margreta

Notes (cont'd):

Guest Can Cinbis is a prospective member, interested in joining the club. He was given an application.

Max Calleja, exchange student, is doing well, has now experienced snow, wants to learn to snowboard.

Xmas party will be Saturday December 5th at Stephanie Chard’s house. Bring sides, wine and hors d’oeuvres. She will be making a stew. She will send an invitation, needs RSVP.

Social: Dec. 20th possible group attendance at Tabernacle Choir practice, then brunch. More details to follow.

Membership update: Jim contacted the Rotoracts from last meeting to discuss partnering.

Danny discussed bylaw changes and handed out prospective changes. These are necessary because of possible irregularities in how the new president was elected. They will be introduced at Dec. 3rd meeting.

Frank stated that these changes will be discussed and voted on at the next meeting. Need 1/2 to 2/3 of the members present to make their opinions known.

Frank gave the treasurer’s update. He passed out a detailed report he had prepared which he will email to each member. His conclusion is that although there was some lack of follow-through by the previous treasurer, there is no evidence of malfeasance.  He has sent statements of account to each member and wants all of the accounts reconciled by December 1st. He discussed details of Wine into Water and Nepal fund issues.

Next Meeting December 5th.

Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Minutes November 5, 2015

Attendees (14):

Rose Defa, Liz Sherlock, Brian Rollo,  Laurie Summers-Pisani, Susan Marks, Ladd Tanner, Shannon Tilly,  Chris Casper, Stephanie Chard, Jennie Ferguson, Marty Gelman, Margreta Hjorth-Vlasic, Sonia Woodbury and Judy Zone.

The meeting was chaired by Ladd Tanner.

Guests:
Max Calleja (exchange student), Dianna Forster (friend of Ladd Tanner), Jenny Larsen (from Rotoract club at U of U), and Nathan Guyer (from Rotoract club at Westminster). Laura Jacobs (also from U of U Rotoract).

Notes:

The Four Way test was recited.

Social: This month the social will be dinner and a play at Hale Theater, November 19th. Dinner at 5:45, BYOB and own corkscrew. It will be at Zabita Grill, 3460 So. Redwood Road, a Pakistani restaurant and Ladd has made arrangements for a family style dinner. Cost will be $25.00. Please bring your checkbook to pay Ladd as they want one check for the whole group. No credit cards. Also Rose needs to be reimbursed for the play tickets.

Service Projects: Family mentoring is ongoing. Rachel Sanders & family liaison will assist. The

IRC project was last Saturday. Families need books, pencils, notebooks. Laurie, Christine and

Marty will make a list of items needed for a Nov/Dec service project, suggested by Margreta.

Guest Diana Forster, friend of Ladd Tanner, works at Oracle.

Guest Jennie Larsen from the U of U Rotoract club says she wants to get involved, get their club going more. She attended IRC event.

Guest Nathan Geyer from the Westminster Rotoract agreed and wants more involvement for  his club as well. At their meeting November 18th the District Governor is coming, would like to invite any of us to attend if possible.

Ladd Tanner discussed the possibility of a mentoring program for Rotoract members. Shannon

Tilly and Jim Schott will look into this.

Max Calleja, exchange student, is doing well, able to study more now that sport season is over.

Brian Rollo’s daughter, Lydia in France is doing well. Will send an update.

Xmas party will be Saturday December 5th at Stephanie Chard’s house. Bring sides and hors d’oeuvres.

Social: Dec. 20th possible group attendance at Tabernacle Choir practice, then brunch. More details to follow.

Membership update: Induction for Jim Schott and Justin Powell scheduled for next meeting.

Laurie Summers reminded members to keep looking for a new place for Wine into Water next fall.

Next Meeting November 12th, followed by a board meeting. All invited.

Meeting adjourned.