BRAINERD ROTARY

Wayne G. Little  1998-1999

 

(78)  Wayne G. Little
      1998-99

This year’s International Theme was “Follow Your Rotary Dream”.  The Brainerd Rotary Club took this theme seriously for the year proved to be one of numerous firsts and great accomplishments.  The following summaries on-going programs and selected activities that were initiated this year. 

Community Service – Ruth Gmeinder, Director.  Bell ringing, Volunteer of the Year, Roadside Cleanup, Environment, Hunger and Poverty, Polio Plus and the Organ Donor Program.  NEW ACTIVITIES:  The Rotary Hall of Fame (honoring outstanding former Brainerd High School Graduates) and the Parent and Student Substance Abuse Program in the public schools.  Initiation of these programs resulted in the awarding of the Dr. Stan Sahlstrom Community Award to the Club at the District Conference.

 International Service – Bill Blum, Director.  Paul Harris/Rotary Foundation, Ambassadorial Scholarships, Group Study Exchange, Model United Nations, Outbound Youth exchange, Inbound Exchange, RYLA and Fund Raising for local and international youth support programs.  NEW ACTIVITIES:  Paul Harris/Rotary Foundation participation has doubled and in some cases tripled this year.  In addition, Paul Harris presentations have been given for other area clubs.

Vocational Service – Mike Overton, Director.  Public Relations, Club History, Four-Way Test, Parent-Student Substance Abuse Program participation, Peer Mediation Administration and the Web Page.  NEW ACTIVITIES:  The College Student of the Month program and preliminary work for a Community Rotoract Club.

Club Service I – John Forrest, Director.  Chaplains, Music, Fellowship/Greeting, Sergeant at Arms, Rotary Minute, District and International Conference Promotion.  NEW ACTIVITIES:  This year the Club moved to a different location where a new keyboard and meeting place plaque, greeting system and meeting room layout were put in place.

Club Service II – Kevin Thesing, Director.  Weekly Programs, Club Publication, Club Visits, Winnipeg Goodwill, Past Presidents Nominating and Garage Sale.  NEW ACTIVITIES:  This year two Club members were assigned each month to arrange Club programs.  Emphasis was placed on attracting local, regional and State business and governmental leaders.  In addition two tours were arranged.  The Brainerd Club also hosted four area clubs on a chartered bus to Winnipeg.

Membership Development – Larry Foote, Director.  Fireside Chats and Orientations, Member Recruitment, New Member Mentoring, Classification Talks, Attendance and Follow-Up and New Member Inductions.  NEW ACTIVITIES:  As a result of the excellent work in this area, Brainerd Rotary will start the upcoming year with 19 new members.  In total, Club membership will be at 130 – an all time high.

General Administration – Cheryl Gelbmann, Director.  The General Administration Committee was newly established this year. Its primary goal was to coordinate all tasks necessary to facilitate weekly club meetings, special events and speaker presentations.  Responsibilities included: 

1)  Assuming that meeting facilities and equipment, banners and registration materials and badges were available and in place prior to each meeting;

2)  Identifying, contacting and making necessary arrangements for monthly special speakers presentations and coordinating these with the regular weekly speakers agenda administered by the Club Service II Committees

3)  Providing support for and administrative assistance to those responsible for conducting such activities as club socials, club visitations, fundraisers, the Winnipeg Goodwill Trip and the Changing of the Gavel.

The activities listed above represent the work of the seven Brainerd Rotary Board Members and some 45 committees.  The 1998-99 Rotary year ended with the Changing of the Gavel held at Ruttger’s Bay lake Lodge.  Special guests included two PDGs, the incoming District Governor and the District Governor Nominee.  PDG Dr. Stan Sahlstrom keynote speaker, addressed perhaps the largest number of members to attend this annual affair in recent times.  A very successful evening and a great Rotary year!

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