REMINDER

Meeting, Thursday, Mar. 6th Stevies Cafe - 7:00 AM

This week we will have our business meeting. Our board meeting was held this morning. There were several topics that came up that we will need to discuss this week. They were:

Valentines Raffle Most members buy their own tickets and only a couple members sell outside (along with our assistant seller in Barron). Are we comfortable with this structure? From this raffle all food pantries were paid $400.

Cinco De Mayo - Having fewer silent auction items....but they would be larger or experience based (i.e. Pontoon ride, Bourbon tasting, fishing trip, etc.) This is set for May 6 - get your invites for potential members out! Do we want to continue with free will offering or charge?

Spirits Tasting Event for fall - Sept./Oct dates etc.? Start the process.

Club members check out food truck sales fund raising opportunities for the summer - lets get on the schedules.

Last week we had a wonderful meeting with representatives from several of the county food banks. This is an enjoyable event to meet with these hard working volunteers, provide breakfast, hear more about what they are doing and make a donation to them. We had representation from RL We Share and St. Vincent De Paul, Cameron, Chetek, and Turtle Lake. Really good discussions. Thank you Clare for hosting.

This month we have two volunteer events.

NEXT Saturday, March 15 - Ruby's Pantry - I will need to know who/how many will be participating.

Monday - March 31 - Meal provided at St. Vinnies. Will need to determine two shifts.

If you haven't had an opportunity to help out with either of these - this might be a good month to try it out!

OTHER BUSINESS:

We are still looking for a new Treasurer starting in July 2025. Kathy will be retiring and won't have the same technology availability. If you are interested please let her or any board member know now - you can get a LOT of training in ahead of time.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

Ruby's Pantry - Next date is Sat. March 15, 2025 - please put it on your calendar.
St. Vincent DePaul - Paul's Pantry: Cooking meal on Monday, March 31 Please put it on your calendar - we will set up shifts as it gets closer. Thank you Monika for coordinating.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS:

Reminder we really want members to work hard to get a speaker, if you cannot, please let us know at the meeting, we can help do this!

March Social Activity Planners - Trudy K and Jeremy M

Mar. 4 - Board Meeting

Mar. 6 - Meeting - Business Meeting reviewing Board discussions

Mar. 13 - Meeting - Andrew hosts

Mar. 20 - Meeting - Don hosts - possible Marshfield representative on the merger...may have to go in to Apr. or May depending on their schedule. Stay Tuned.

Mar. 27 - Meeting - Tyler K. hosts - tentative visit to Kilcoyne Funeral Services

April Social Activity Planners - Kathy R. and Jason S.

Apr. 1 - Board Meeting

Apr. 3 - Meeting - Business Meeting

Apr. 10 - Meeting - Dean hosts

Apr. 17 - Meeting - Jim hosts

Apr. 24 - Meeting - Ana T.S. hosts

May Social Activity Planners - Mike VG and BJ

May 1 - Meeting - Monika Hosts

May 6 - Board Meeting and Cinco D'Mayo Celebration

May 8 - Business Meeting reviewing Board Discussion and Cinco Event

May 15 - Meeting - Mark B. hosts

May 22 - Meeting - Cathy B hosts

May 29 - 5th Week meeting, Club Assembly

Aug. 7th - District Governor elect Glenn Bowers visit.

Please be sure to let me know as soon as you have a program set up so it can be added to our schedule. If you do NOT have a program, please let us know that as well so we can either get a program or some other focus for those attending. If you need a zoom link please let Trudy/Joe E. know that as well. Thanks!

Announcements:

Around the District - March DG Ed Boeve

Spring is in the air as we turn the calendar page to March. Snow might fly this week but tulips and other hardy plants will be poking up when this transitional month comes to a close.

The Rotary International theme for March is water and sanitation. Bringing clean water and reasonable sanitation systems to the world is in my opinion the ‘second priority’ of Rotary behind only the eradication of polio. Clubs in our District come forward every year with district and/or global grant requests to work with partners around the world resulting in clean water and sanitation systems where there is neither. Clean water is a critical factor in maintaining a peaceful community in that lack of water is almost always linked with food insecurity. Peace is virtually impossible without adequate sources of food and water.

Speaking of food insecurity, please consider registering for our Make Peace Visible Regional Conference focused on actions we can take to reduce the incidence of food insecurity in our communities and around the world. Rotarians, both current and potential members, will come together to learn from respected experts who will guide us toward action. Consider putting together a team from your community to register, ride together to Mystic Lake, and concentrate on developing an action plan for your community.

I also want to remind you that March is the month when clubs communicate accomplishments via the awards section on the District website. Your club can qualify and be recognized in several areas of focus by ‘checking the boxes’ that describe your Club achievements during the year. We will host a celebration picnic on June 5^th to recognize your success. Visit the website, review the checklists, and ask your President if you can help to facilitate the process. Deadline for submission is March 31^st.

Thank you for living out the four-way test and for sharing Rotary with your friends.

Join the Movement for Peace: Secure Your Spot Now!

Did you know that your club can save on registration? That’s right! All you need to do is gather a group of at least four Rotarians and non-Rotarians and book under the Group Booking Tab: Register Here.
Group rates start at $996 for a group of four tickets—that’s only $249 per ticket!
We have an incredible lineup planned:

Welcome Reception with Latin Street Food appetizers and entertainment
Breakout Sessions with amazing facilitators
Hall of Friendship
Great Food & Fabulous Speakers
Beautiful Conference Setting
Tour the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Cultural Center
And so much more!

Conference Location: Mystic Lake Center, Prior Lake
Dates: May 1 – May 3
More Information: www.makepeacevisible.org
Hotel Rate: Mystic Lake Hotel -$175 plus tax per night (Special rate expires on April 2, 2025)

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity—secure your spot today!

Respectfully Submitted by:

Trudy Kroeger

I hope this last snowstorm of winter isn't as bad as last week's last snowstorm of winter.