Bob Barmore opened the meeting with the Pledge and Invocation.

 

Our guests today were Trong Cu and Citaly Escobar.  Trong and Citaly were recipients of our Irondale scholarships.  Trong is headed for the University of Minnesota to study biology or biochemistry in preparation for applying to dental school.  Citaly will attend Augsburg to study international relations and hopes someday to be an ambassador.  Trong and Citaly are shown below with Gerry Tietz and Ed James.

 

Geoff Hollimon encouraged all of us to sign up for a shift (or many shifts) at the CPY Kids Korral at Stockyard Days, August 11^th through 13^th.  The Korral will be at 1500 Old Hwy 8.  We are looking for people who are over 16 years of age.  Please sign up online or get our contact information here.  You should be able to find a time (or times) that work for you.  We need a lot of volunteers to make this work, so your help will be greatly appreciated.  Volunteers will be helping run the Sales Tent and Gate Check as well as nine different inflatables ranging from moon walks to obstacle courses and one enormous slide!  Thank you for your help and support to make the Kids Korral a successful fundraiser for CPY.

 

Geoff also has tickets available for the CPY Stockyard Days Golf Ball Drop, which is also a great fundraiser for CPY.

 

Cindy Carlson will be purchasing $250 in groceries for Prior Crossing, an apartment complex providing housing for homeless youth, administered by Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative.  She would like help with shopping and delivering the food to the apartment complex.  Please contact Cindy if you can help.

 

Cindy also announced that the Rotary 5960 Fast for Hope Nicaragua trip has been scheduled for November 14-20, 2017. The trip will include an immersive learning experience about poverty and frameworks for community economic development.  The trip will include site visits and sightseeing in colonial Grenada and the surrounding area.  The cost for the trip is $2,500 which covers everything except airfare and personal purchases.  If you are interested, contact David Newman ASAP at dave@bancorgroup.com or 612-599-7270.

 

Dana Rebelein suggested we bring our old Rotarian magazines to Rotary for distribution to visitors and membership prospects.

 

Dana also announced that she will be facilitating our First Responder Recognition Initiative.  Several ideas were shared by members today, and Dana welcomes ideas and/or help with planning.

While she was up, Dana summarized the positive effects of our support for the Guatemala Literacy Project.

 

Garry Johnson suggested that we wear Rotary logo clothing of some sort at our events to promote Rotary awareness.  Garry will research and coordinate with Dave Hoel and Tom Pastor.

 

Mark Beisswenger announced that he has a new grandson, Carter James Beisswenger, 9.5 pounds at birth!!!

 

Gerry Tietz introduced Foundation Director Jason Miller, who reviewed his plans to promote Rotary Foundation giving in the coming year. Jason will focus on maintaining our existing efforts and increasing awareness of the Foundation within and outside the club.  He hopes to increase awareness with information from videos and the RI website and signage at Rotary and community events.  He will also focus on achieving EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year) and 100% Paul Harris status for the club.

 

Gerry then introduced Service Projects Director Jason Slama.  Jason introduced our Directors for each of Rotary’s Five Avenues of Service:

·         Bob Barmore - Club Service

·         Mark Lampman – Vocational Service

·         Dana Rebelein – Community Service

·         Cindy Carlson/Geoff Hollimon – International Service

·         Ed James – Youth Service

 

Gerry Tietz took us online to review our recently revamped website home page and the email capabilities of the ClubRunner club management software.  He also reviewed the brand new Membership development Module of the software, which enables membership prospects to indicate their interest in Rotary via a simple online tool.  This same tool can also be used by current Rotarians to initiate our new email contact system designed to get people interested in Rotary membership. The membership module is accessed by clicking the “Membership Inquiry Form” button at the top right of the home page of our club website.  You’ll find the website at http://nbmvrotary.org.