Club Forum!!

Sometimes, the Club Forum meeting is not the high point of members Rotary experience. However, this weeks Club Forum was great.

Brainstorming New Members

Club President, Terry Engelken makes good on his commitment to grow the club's membership. Four teams of Rotarians brainstormed today prospective club members and planned to invite them to upcoming meetings. There were great ah-ha and nodding moments when the teams read through their lists. The new "Associate Member" program Engelken introduced is a big help toward getting potential members to give Rotary a try for 2 months.

We can't publish the brainstorming list here, just in case any Kiwanians get their hands on this blog update goldmine.

Rotary teams brainstorm potential new members

ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDS (RYLA) - July 7-12, 2013

Dr. Ann Harris talked about planning for the new District 6000 partnership with Rotary District 5970 for a 6-day RYLA camp at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. Instead of the 1-day event in Des Moines that District 6000 has put on for many years, the combined event will run from July 7-12 at the college.

Dr. Ann Harris hypnotizes the club with her message about RYLA

The cost for the longer event will be $400 per student rather than about $90 for the 1-day event. In addition, families will be required to transport their student to Waverly. In the past, up to 3 students from the Club were selected to participate, but now we'll only select 1 high school junior to participate.

Based on Dr. Harris' suggestion, the Club agreed that priority should be given to selecting a Junior that is part of a Rotary family.

Many students that have participated in the week long RYLA camp at Wartburg College have described it as a "life changing" event. The objectives of RYLA are:

• To encourage and assist youth leaders and potential leaders in methods of responsible and effective leadership by providing them with a training experience.
• To encourage continued and stronger leadership of youth by youth
• To publicly recognize the outstanding qualities of many young people who are rendering service to their schools and communities as leaders

ROTARY TURKEY DINNER - September 9, 2013

Nancy Rash confirmed the rumors that she and Lyle Moen would be on a forced march style vacation in Alaska during the Rotary Turkey Dinner. We decided not to move the date from the first Monday after Labor Day. However, Rotarians will need to step up and lead in the tasks that they've been doing so well the past upteen years to make this years event a success.

Remember, the annual Turkey Dinner, held at the UM Church basement, is our big fundraiser that helps us give meaningful college scholarships to local high school seniors.

Nancy Rash says "good luck with the Turkey Dinner!"

BLOOD DRIVE

Rotary helps to coordinate volunteer donors for a blood drive each year. Paul Horak gave an update and recruited callers to contact previous donors for appointments. The blood drive is sometime this Spring at the United Presbyterian Church fellowship hall.

OTHER STUFF

At the Club Forum, we also discussed some actions by the Club Board:

• A challenge to the Kalona and Wellman Rotary Clubs to match our $500 match to the $1,500 pledge by the Riverside Casino and Golf Resort to host another meal assembly day in their Events Center for Kids Against Hunger. The event last spring during the District Conference was a huge hit with the Rotarians and with the Casino staff that pitched in.
• Committed $500 to help cover $4,000 in remaining costs for Ballet Forklorico to come from Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico to perform in April at the Washington Community Center on their 2013 Iowa Tour. Read more about this here.  The West Liberty Rotary Club committed $20k toward this project...
• Engelken reminded the Club that District 6000 Governor Terry Geiger is encouraging all Rotarians to donate a good pair of shoes for the District Conference from April 11-13 at Honey Creek Resort. Registration is open now!

Donations of any size from Rotarians toward helping the Club meet these worthy financial goals is most appreciated. Give your check to Jim Mostek made out to Rotary Club of Washington, and note the purpose of the funds on the check memo.

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

As we sit and discuss in our Club Forums, it is sometimes important to remember that Rotary is a service club, and we need to volunteer out time and talents to better our community. Coordinating a blood drive is a great example. Helping to re-paint the ramps at the Washington Skate Park is a another great example from this summer. 

Rotarians Sue Basten (stooping) & Denise Erpelding (reclining)

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

January 31: Bob Kennedy - Robert McKennedy's recent trip to Ireland

February 7: Paul Horak - planning for upcoming Blood Drive

February 14: Gary Murphy - Brent Hinson on What's Up at the City

February 21: Denise Erpelding - Carol TeBockhorst on Make A Wish Foundation

February 28: Craig Davis - TBA

March 7: Cheryl Kurtz - TBA

March 14: Don Vittetoe - AG APPRECIATION DAY w/ Steve Bohr