February 8, 2024
Meeting Summary
Presiding: Randi Downham
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan & Team
Inspiration:
Professor’s Quote:
Foundation Flash:
Introduction of Guests: Tim Eisenhauer
Chrisin Covello, Jan Lawrence introduced Pierce Thompson; Tony Hoch introduced Karen Rogers
Visiting Rotarians:
Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA/Exchange Students: Mari, Sam
Rotaract/Interact Students:
Humor: Terry Roark
Foundation Drawing: Craig Cook won $10 with $598 in the jackpot.
O’Dwyers Drawing: Rollin Abernethy
Announcements:
- Don’t forget to volunteer to work the greeting table!
- Past Laramie Rotarian Herb Manig’s wife, Connie, passed away.
- Anna Cramer told the club that our United Way of Albany County 100% participation goal ended up at 70%.
- John Evans thanked the members for all the help to increase funding for local agencies.
Upcoming Programs:
- Feb. 29: ACRES Student Farms, Urszula Norton & Students
Rotarian of the Week: Todd Pearson nominated the ski weekend host families; Caitlin White nominated Todd Pearson for coordinating ski weekend.
Special Presentation: John Evans presented Anna Cramer with a check for United Way of Albany County.
Songs: You’re a Grand Old Flag; You Are My Sunshine
Program: Judicial Selection Process in Wyoming, Devon O’Connell
Introduction: Kelly Neville
Devon O’Connell explained the judicial selection process in Wyoming. There is the Supreme Court (5 justices), District Courts (26 justices), Circuit Courts (24 justices), and Chancery Court (3 justices). Municipal courts are part of a different process.
Supreme Court justices make $187,250/year, plus a pension and benefits. District Court and Circuit Court justices made slightly less with pension and benefits.
Selection is merit-based and started in 1973. Wyoming is one of 16 states and DC that has this process, instead of an election. The selection committee is made up of three lawyers and three citizens. They serve four-year terms.
When there is a judicial vacancy, interested parties submit confidential letters of interest, a 15-page writing sample, three judicial references, 3 lawyer references, and two additional references.
The committee reviews and interviews a certain number. They travel and meet with the department judge. Then they pick the top three candidates. The governor then appoints within 30 days.
Response: Tim Sullivan
‘Response: The Rotary Club of Laramie will make a donation to the public library children’s book fund in the speaker’s name.
NOTE: We Do Not Donate a Book!
Laramie Rotary Club Foundation Update:
The Laramie Rotary Club Foundation is an IRS 501(c) 3 organization.
Donations qualify for charitable deductions. We recognize a member as a MCWHINNIE FELLOW when a total of $250 is donated over a 5 year
period. Individual members donated $3,534 to the Foundation in 2023.
Many of these members give Birthday Donations annually and have well
exceeded the $250 minimum.
From 2023 member donations we thank and recognize new McWhinnie
Fellows:
Shaun Bullock
Randi Downham
Phil Nicholas
The Foundation received $2,011 from 2023 Jackpot money and gave the
Club $6,918 to help fund Community Service projects. The Foundation
also directed $2,500 for the Rotary Park. At 12/31/23, the stock market
was up and our fund balance was $169,715.54.
Rotary 4-way test
Of the things we think, say, or do:
•Is it the Truth?
•Is it Fair?
•Will it build Good Will and
Better Friendships?
•Will it be Beneficial to All
Concerned?
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
•FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
•SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
•THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
•FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
Like us on Facebook! 
Website: laramierotaryclub.org
Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org