January 30, 2025 Meeting Summary

January 30, 2025
Meeting Summary
Presiding: Kelly Neville
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan and Ron Van Ekeren
Inspiration: Natalie White
Professor’s Quote:
Foundation Flash:
Introduction of Guests: Dave Hansen
Guests: Tim Eisenhauer introduced Maron Davis.
Visiting Rotarians:
Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA/Exchange Students: Fisher & Emily
Rotaract/Interact Students:
Humor: Todd Pearson
Foundation Drawing: Paul Montoya won $10 with $448 in the jackpot.
O’Dwyers Drawing: Todd Pearson
 
Announcements:
  • Don’t forget to volunteer to work the greeting table!
  • Do you know a family that would be willing to host Olafur from mid-March to June? Let Caitlin White or Todd Pearson know.
  • Maron Davis announced that the Platte River Veteran Fly Fishing group is having their annual banquet. You can support with a table or pay for a veteran to attend. The event is on March 8.
  • Holly Dyer announced that the Laramie Rivers Conservation District has a community enhancement grant open. Applications are due Feb. 7 for $5,000 grants.
 
Special Presentation: President Kelly presented Fisher and Emily with their Junior Rotarian certificates.
 
Rotarian of the Week: Murray Schroeder nominated Randi Downham for doing the response today.    
 
Songs: Rocka My Soul; Lil’ Liza Jane
 
Program: J Foundation, Julie Mackey
 
Introduction: Terry Moss
 
Ivinson Memorial Hospital focuses on community benefits to provide documentation about the hospital for the IRS and nonprofit status. This responds to community health needs and improves the health of the community.
 
In FY24, IMH impacted 24 organizations that focused on food insecurity, transportation, multi-sector, and behavioral health. The staff contributed 636 hours with different programs, free screenings, packing food, and supporting law enforcement. IMH is on track for a similar year.
 
The J Foundation focuses on suicide prevention in the schools. Each senior is provide with a pair of cowboy boots. These boots encourage them to check in with family and friends. For Albany County, they raised $60,000 with community help for boots.
In Albany County, there is at least one mental health issue every day and one suicide prevention each week. IMH consistently sees patients each week who have attempted suicide.
 
For a high school senior, there is a lot of uncertainty. So the J Foundation will come in and provide a boot room. They share J’s story and note how the boots are a physical reminder of the wearer being loved and having a purpose. They encourage conversation.
 
The J Foundation has sent out 15,000 boots. Students reach out to people for boot checks to help people who are struggling. You commit to reach out for help. For Albany County, about 275-300 students will receive the boots in early March.
 
Rotary does need volunteers to help.
 
Response: Randi Downham
 
‘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!
 
Rotary Anniversaries:
  • Hanna Eslinger (5 years); JT Walsh (6 years); Shaun Bullock and Becky Maddox (10 years), John Evans (18 years), Rolf Peterson and Mario Rampulla (19 years), Tony Hoch (21 years; Ron Van Ekeren (28 years); Tim Stamp (32 years), and Phil Nicholas (41 years).
 
Upcoming Rotary Events:
  • PETS Training: March 21-23 in Loveland, Colorado
  • Virtual District Assembly: April 12, Registration is free, and you can register online
  • District Conference is June 12-14 at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, Colorado
 
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.
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Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org