July 20, 2017 Spoke
Today’s Program:
Trish Penny, Laramie School Gardens
July 6, 2017
Meeting Summary
Presiding: Drew Johnson
Inspiration: Tim Sullivan
Professor’s Quote: Terry Roark/Esther McGann
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan
Guests: Tony Hoch introduced prospective member Richelle Keinath; Greg Weisz introduced Hoke MacMillan; Ollie Walter introduced his son, Andy Walter.
Exchange Student:
Visiting Rotarians:
Junior Rotarians:
Rotaract Students:
Humor: Terry Roark
Foundation Drawing: Jack Bedessem won $10 with 24 cards in the deck and $1,521.50 in the jackpot.
O’Dwyers Drawing: Herb Manig won a $20 gift card from O’Dwyers.
Upcoming Programs:
July 27 – Scott Randolph, University of Redlands Business Historian
Announcements:
- Herb Manig told the club that its financial condition at the end of the fiscal year was good thanks to the work of Nicole Nelson and the board.
- Tom Mangan gave an update on Don Brosz. It will be a long time, if ever, before Don can come back to the club. He would love to have visitors. He is as Spring Wind Assisted Living in Rm. 405.
- Todd Pearson told the club that the board had committed $250 for Laramie Special Olympics athletes competing in Casper. The club will also pass the money cans over the next few weeks for additional contributions.
- Larry Struempf reminded the club that Saturday is the old time ranch tour.
- Larry Struempf asked the club to remember to contribute to the Rotary International Foundation throughout the year. There are many ways to contribute, but the club must donate a certain amount in order to be eligible for RI grants.
- Becky Maddox told the club to have their duck race tickets turned in by July 20. She still needs help at the Farmer’s Market selling tickets.
- Tony Hoch reminded the club what duck ticket sales go to and referenced the note on this topic in the Spoke.
- Murray Schroeder thanked those that helped with counting ducks for the upcoming fundraiser.
Special Presentation: Kerry Greaser, Paul Greaser, and Andy Hoefer celebrated birthdays with donations to the club foundation.
The board of directors were presented with their board pins. President Drew Johnson presented past president Herb Manig with a plaque and Paul Harris Fellow and thanked Herb for his service to the club.
Rotarian of the Week: Murray Schroeder nominated Shawn Bullock, Joe Steiner, Esther McGann, and Ron Van Ekeren for counting the ducks; Drew Johnson nominated Lindy Johnson for the flag display.
Rotarian of the Month: Ron Van Ekeeren
Introduction of Program: Tony Hoch
Doug Keinath, the US Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Coordinator, has spent the last 15 years working Wyoming. He now works on the biology and politics of the Endangered Species Act.
The act works to prevent the extinction of native species, to recover species, and to return the species to the management of sovereign nations/states. While Keinath tries to focus on the biology of the act, often politics comes in to play.
The recovery of a species relates to biology and politics. Biology because the population needs to stabilize, become healthy, and have threats removed to recover. Politics because delisting an animal from the endangered species list comes with interest from the public. For example, trying to take the grizzly bear off the list led to half a million comments being submitted and the case being in and out of court for ten years.
Often people question the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act. Keinath noted that the act is good at preventing extinction, but recovery is hard for seriously endangered species. The single biggest predictor of recovery is funding. In Wyoming, 95 percent of ESA funds are spent on three species – wolves, grizzly bears, and the black footed ferret – yet there are about 12 endangered species here.
Keinath noted that the current extinction rate is 100 percent higher than normal and human caused. One endangered species Keinath works with is the Wyoming Toad.
Responding for the club: Ken Patel
Response: The Rotary Club of Laramie will make a donation to the Albany County Public Library’s Children’s Book Fund in the speaker’s name.
NOTE: We Do Not Donate a Book!
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Duck Race ticket sales support: Polio eradication, disaster relief, Relay For Life, Laramie Youth Soccer, MS Walk, the Rotary International youth exchange program, Christmas Families, Downtown Clinic, Coats for Kids, Rotary Park Project, Laramie Youth Baseball, Suicide Prevention Taskforce, Dine & Discover the Albany County Public Library and Foundation, and more!
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Website: laramierotaryclub.org
Spoke Editor: Caitlin White