BRAINERD ROTARY Cheryl Gelbmann  1999-2000

(79) Cheryl Gelbmann
1999-2000 

It was an honor to serve and bring the club into a new Century!!  The year highlights began with a change in Board structure.  After 14 years of great service by Don Rasmussen as Secretary/Treasurer, his resignation allowed the Board to separate duties and create a Secretary and a Treasurer.  The club was fortunate to have the experienced CPA, Mike Sands as Treasurer and the very capable and organized, Paula Persons as Secretary.  The transition went smoothly and new financial and record-keeping systems began.  The other hardworking Board Members were:  Ruth Gmeinder, Mike Overton, Bill Blum, Don Porter, Darryl Schneider, John Forrest, Lisa Paxton, incoming President, Kevin Thesing and past President, Wayne Little. 

It was also an honor to be the first woman president of our club and I had positive, supportive members who continued award winning attendance.  We brought in 12 new members much to the credit of Don Porter.  Don increased support for the new members by adding a past president mentor in addition to the sponsor.  Our growth necessitated a change in meeting spots from Bonanza to the Moose.  We also tightened the attendance count by having members check-in a process of change that took much effort from Paula Persons.

We had great programs this year with enough member cooperation that Bob Musielewicz agreed to stay on as program chair for another year.  A special program that took enormous coordination and extra financial support was the luncheon visit by Governor Ventura and several of his commissioners.  This was a joint effort the with Brainerd Lakes Chambers of Commerce and we also invited the morning club.  Newspaper and TV coverage gave our club positive recognition.

A successful garage sale and a new wine tasting and auction helped the club fund our Foundation.  Also the creative efforts of Sergeant At Arms,  Mike Engler brought in over $2,000 which I donated to the New Generations committee though our foundation.

We had much District Recognition due to Jack Ruttger achieving the Incoming Governor post.  Two well-attended Hospitality Rooms in Winnipeg and Thunder Bay allowed district members to meet Jack and Ann. 

The efforts of the New Generations Committee received District recognition with presentations at Winnipeg and Thunder Bay on our “Straight Dope” parent drug awareness project.  Our Haiti projects were enhanced by a RI $25,000 matching grant (all credit goes to Ruth Gmeinder, grant writer extraordinaire!).

Due to the building of the Brainerd bypass our road cleanup efforts were moved to the Arboretum road and parking area, a very visible and needed task.  We also donated $500 in cooperation with the morning club to establish a Rotary Garden at the Arboretum.

We had a charming and active exchange student from Denmark, Rikke Kruse.  Her ability to speak English enhanced our experience as well as hers.  Bedards, Paxtons and Caves were her host families.  RYLA recruitment was taken over by Jeff Olson with great response and very positive feedback from students and families.  We added incentive to the Four Way Test essays by giving a $250 and $100 scholarship to the winners and presenting these at the Senior Recognition night.

The Brainerd High School Hall of Fame recipient was Paul Hunt and our cosponsoring of this event with the Dispatch continues to be positive recognition for our club and a valued community service.

Space does not allow all the “thank yous” and accolades.  I am proud of a good year of Rotary Service and grateful for the opportunity.

07/03/2008