BRAINERD ROTARY Kevin Thesing  2000-2001

(80) Kevin Thesing
     2000-2001

What a tremendous honor it was for me to guide our Rotary club through the 2000-2001 Rotary year.  It was of course made extra special by having our own Jack Ruttger as District Governor.  The year seems to go by so quickly.   It is only in retrospect that it appears that so many accomplished so much.  For this I extend my heartfelt thanks.  

I established an early goal for myself while attending PETS training with Paula Persons and Darrell Schneider to emphasis professionalism, responsibility and communication within our Rotary club.  A constant theme was used all year to remind us of the responsibilities that we accept when we become Rotarians.  These responsibilities include our time and our resources.  We conducted planning retreats before the Rotary year began with an emphasis on how to operate our club in a professional manner.

There were several individual accomplishments and several club accomplishments throughout the year that I am very proud of.  Hanspeter Borgwarth was awarded the District Citation for meritorious service, Bulletin editor Wayne Little received "best bulletin" in the district award, Chet Ecklund earned a major donor award, Penny Nelsen was Brainerd Rotarian of the year and Marv Campbell started a great rotary minute program.  This only names a few of the many accomplishments of a very hardworking group of people.

One of the most satisfying things for me as club president was working with Bill Blum in developing an ongoing format for our club for International Foundation Giving.  We stressed the responsibility that we have as Rotarians and then provided an easy way for all club members to get involved.

I loved my year as club President.  I am glad it is over, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

RI District 5580

• Jack Ruttger was District Governor

• John Luce was Assistant District Governor

• Ann Sherman of Brainerd Rotary created the Award winning web-site for District 5580

• Brainerd Rotary supported Jack as Governor with hospitality rooms and attendance at meetings.

• Hanspeter Borgwarth, past District Governor, won the District Citation for Meritorious Service

• Best Bulletin Award in District 5580 for a Large Club - Wayne Little - Lakes Printing

• Seventeen Brainerd Rotarians attended the 2001 District Conference in Duluth

• Co-hosted a Hospitality Room at the 2001 District Conference with Walker Rotary

Rotary International

• Nine Brainerd Rotarians attended the International Conference in San Antonio, Texas

• We exceeded the Governor's RI Foundation goal by more than double at more than $143 per member

• Four new Paul Harris Fellows

• Eleven Multiple Paul Harris Fellows - 3-1 sapphire - 5-2 sapphire - 2-4 sapphire 1-5 sapphire

• Benefactor Award -Chet and Marge Ecklund received a Major Donor Award at the two diamond level for a bequest to the Permanent Fund

• Hosted a GSE Team from India

• Haiti:  A $25,000 matching grant was received for the Hope Mission Christian School in Pignon, Haiti.  A $300,000 Health Hunger and Humanity 3-H grant was drafted for the Hospital deBienfaisance in Pignon, Haiti

Brainerd Rotary Club

• Brainerd Rotary returned to the Ramada Inn and Green Mill for most of our meeting

• President Elect Kevin Thesing, VP Elect Darrell, and Club Secretary, Paula Persons attended the PET meeting in March, 2000

• PE Kevin and VP-PE Darrell conducted two pre-year planning meetings in May 2000

• President Kevin and PE Darrell attended the first Mid-Year PET meeting in January 2001

• Secretary Elect, Terri Monroe, attended the PET meeting in March 2001

• Marv Campbell initiated the "Rotary Minute" at the regular meetings

• Penny Nelson won Brainerd Rotarian of the Year Award

Membership

• An active Membership Committee was formed to gain and keep members

• Sixteen new members were initiated to Brainerd Rotary

• All new members were initiated with a formal ceremony in accordance with RI guidelines

• Membership Committee held seven Roundtables for training & exchange of information

• The Membership Classification System was reorganized by the Membership Committee

• Four net new members were added to Brainerd Rotary

• Tom Madden membership chair, was able to give out record perfect attendance awards

Community Service - Fundraising

• Brainerd Rotary began participation in the Brainerd Relay for Life Cancer Relay

• Brainerd Rotary expanded participation in Relay for Life by forming a photographic team

• Brainerd Rotary Fund began planning the Reverse Dinner with help from Terry Skone

• Brainerd Rotary supported Team Nystom for the Diabetes Walk for the first time

Community Service - Youth

• Fast forward Reading program started with Rotary donating $10,500 for the site licenses

• Literacy Program was initiated

• Brainerd Rotary co-sponsored the Brainerd Senior High School Recognition Evening

• Scholarship awarded from the Borgwarth $10,000 Endowment at the BSH Recognition

Public Relations

• Article on Literacy appeared in the Brainerd Daily Dispatch

• Brainerd Rotary co-sponsored the Hall of Fame Banquet and donated $1500 toward project

• Three Brainerd Rotary members were on the Leadership team for Relay for Life

Club Service

• The Brainerd Rotary Club Bulletin was re-energized by Wayne Little and Lakes Printing

• The Change of Gavel Dinner at Cragun's attended by 130 Rotarians and guests

• President Kevin was able to give out many "Thank You" Awards at the Change of Gavel

Brainerd Rotary Fund

• Linda Hanson became President of the Brainerd Rotary Foundation Board

• The Brainerd Rotary Foundation distributed $9,330 to local youth organizations

• The BR Foundation began planning the Reverse Dinner to increase the permanent fund

11/17/2009