April 26, 2025

 

       

 

Announcements:
Jim Callender said he and Linda Telaak had met with EMS regarding fundraising efforts for the Hospital Foundation. He said EMS brought up that there are two really negative areas in town: one is
the warming center in the old recreation building and the other is the SPIN location. EMTs have been threatened by clients at both locations. These may not be the right places for the club to be sponsoring since they seem to be causing many issues.
Art mentioned the grant request from Future Forge. He said he had one comment that this is not an appropriate grant since the club is not participating in anything, just furnishing
scholarships. Peter Falley said that is true but scholarships are an appropriate thing to do. However, Peter said we had voted last year or the year before not to do scholarships, but we
can go back to it. The question would be how many kids are we talking about, how would they be selected, and would the club be involved in that process. Art answered “no”. After discussion it was decided we might look at Indian Springs Ranch instead. Peter said we must be actively involved in a district grant project; we can’t just give money. Jim said he had something about the hygiene project. We raised significant money with the gala to go to the hygiene project; plus we received a District Grant a couple of years ago for $4,777 and that was to help with doctor and dentist appointments, but we haven’t been able to use it for that purpose so the money has been going to hygiene items. We have to spend $2,642 in the next month. The largest amount charged so far during a shopping trip has been $1,000. He didn’t feel that it was part of the four-way test if we just go and try to spend this money. The nurses have asked for a mini fridge and microwaves, but those are fairly inexpensive items. He does have a shopping list, but it will probably be $1,000 again which leaves us with a balance.
So, he asked for the club’s thoughts. Mark Richard asked what were our options. Jim replied spend it or return it. Rosie Hicks asked about using it at the end of school with something like a
backpack program. Jim said he thought about buying gift cards and using them in August so at least the money is committed. Mark asked the drawback to giving the money back. Linda
Telaak responded that there isn’t one. Peter Falley said since the plan we had didn’t pan out there should be no problem in giving the money back to the District and tell them we plan to
continue the program using our own money. Mark made a motion that the money that is left over be returned to Rotary. Ray Goellner seconded the motion. Motion passed. Peter said June
1 is the deadline for the final report on the grant. Art asked Peter how long his presentation would take, and it was decided to do it next time. 

Maggie Callaway said she had received a text requesting a donation for La Plata middle school for the national history day kids. They are trying to raise $22,000 for airfare, hotel, contest
registration, etc. for both students and teachers. Peter said he thought that was just for high school. Maggie replied she thought it was both. We had just not been asked in the past to
participate by the middle school. Linda asked how much we had given before. Peter said he thought it was $500. Jim said the scholarship fund had been used for this in the past. Maggie
said she sent the text to Art and there was contact information on it. The deadline to participate is June 1. Jim asked that we receive an official letter, not a text. Maggie said she would request that.
Art asked if there was anything else.

Jim asked if it was bad to recommend that everyone bring their own lunch and that The Hearth just be used for a meeting; stop the food thing and just concentrate on the club. Mark made the motion that we bring our own lunch for the next meeting. Ray seconded. Motion passed.

Next week we will bring our own lunches.

Art adjourned the meeting at 1:00 pm.