As we start into this beautiful weekend we have so much to be thankful for. Sideshow Andy sent me a note today before Rotary reminding me that Friday’s at noon are my favorite hour of the whole week – every week – and he was so right. I get to come to a beautiful place, hang with friends, eat lunch, hear about awesome things, and always have a bunch of laughs. I am super thankful for each of you. Today was another one of those awesome days.
I am so proud of our club for the focus we have on the youth in our community. Today our room was packed with 6th, 7th and 8th graders and their families. Not only did we celebrate our middle school students of the month (Thanks Van Melick!!) but we also heard some amazing essays with a focus on History. A very special thanks to Liz Carle for making the Essay contest magic happen (even though you had to work through some tech issues – sorry). In addition, today we heard again from Larry Symonds about our upcoming 4-way test youth contest. If you would like to be a judge let him know. This is all amazing energy.
A special thanks to Locke Williams, Lorena Reynolds, Scott Heiser, Jill Schuster, Erin Duncan, Alex Dionne , Lori Hilterbrand, Wendy Simmons, Liz Carle, Breanna Hostbjor for reading and judging all the essays. In addition, a special congratulations to the essay winners: Hayes Blackman, Elise Faux, Claire Bledsoe, Olivia Fryer-Merlet, Caspian Larkins, Emma Luck. If you know any of these winners – please congratulate them and their parents.
Now for my power notes since I ask people to make power announcements at meetings
– MMMMMMM…..Here is a special message from our local Rotoractors: “The Rotaract Club at Oregon State University is doing a fundraiser! We are selling Krispy Kream donuts to raise money of the Albanian Alps Institute. This organization helps send children to school in Northern Albania as well as providing books and school supplies to these schools. The donuts are $10 for a dozen and they will be available for pickup on Monday March 9th. Club members will attend your meeting on March 6th to take orders and money. Thank you for supporting our club. Any questions can be sent to oregonstaterotaract@gmail.com
– REMINDER – On Friday the 27th we are meeting at The Boys and Girls Club for the Youth of the Year presentation and the All Service Clubs luncheon. Don’t miss out!
– Thanks Mark Kalmar for today’s inspiration. Thanks to our greeters, Andy Tucknott for hosting the table and Mitko for a great vocation.
– Thanks to Joy Ragsdale and Bernie Sebastian. They are in the background handling almost all of our business accounting which requires a lot of time.
– We have one new member proposal in the box – Scott Elmshaeuser. Any questions or feedback let me know by Sunday.
– Start watching for more info from Stan and Glenda Baker about our changing of the guard in June. It is going to be an epic evening.
– We have a lot of going on. If you ever want me to add any of your announcements to my Rotary recaps – please email me. I promise I will do everything I can to make it happen.
– Remember, Friday March 6th is the first Friday of the month. Thanks to Lorena Reynolds, this year we always have birthday cake on the first Friday of each month – plus we give Don and Ted the opportunity to take the main stage and that is a show to never be missed
– One more thank you – Jeff Davis arranged for our club to have a 5-year visioning meeting. This happened this past week. THANKS Jeff for all your time and efforts. This was one of our club’s goals for this year. Thanks to all who attended as the feedback from everyone – Legends, red badgers, every single member – is important. We will be sharing this document with the club for review, additional feedback and final revision over the next few months. Please do take some time to review. This is YOUR CLUB. This document will help guide you and your club leaders as we continue to focus on being “Awesome” now and in the future.
To end this week, I heard the following today at Rotary and thought it was a great way to end this recap: “A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history” – Mahatma Gandhi.
Go and make it a great weekend! Let me know if you need anything at all.
