Bulletin for December 19, 2017

 
Bulletin for December 19, 2017
Bulletin for 12/19/2017
 
Program for Today:
 
Speakers for this week, December 19th will be from the Iowa Wolves Basketball team to talk about the Polio Plus night at Wells Fargo Arena.  Remember that the tickets prices are reduced for this event and that half of the ticket price will be donated to Polio Plus.  See Doug for opportunities to have this billed to your account or make direct payment.
 
Program from meeting on 12/12/2017:
 
Brad introduced Linda Shanks the president of the Clive Community Services Board and its acting executor director.  Linda is a 46 year resident of the community and has been involved in many Clive community activities over the years.  A few years ago, she learned of the startling increase in percentage of students on free and reduced meals.  13 years ago the percentage was 7%.  It is now nearly 80%.  Knowing how food insecurity would affect the children in all aspects of their education and how it may affect their families, Linda helped form the Clive Community Service Board with the idea of providing food and clothing.  They were able to add a free medical when two doctors volunteered.  The Clive Community Service Board has exceeded expectations and is providing food for 92 households (and over 360 persons) at least monthly pursuant to the Des Moines area Religious Council rule.  In addition the Clive Community Service Center remains open for emergency food regardless of how often someone might have visited.
 
Linda is a great example of service above self.  We are very thankful for her efforts.  She left an open invitation for our group to help.  She will gladly accept volunteer hours, cash contributions, food or clothing. 
 
Announcements:  President Brad announced that in 2017 there had been only 16 polio cases worldwide with 5 of those in Pakistan and 11 in Afghanistan.  This is a substantial reduction from only a few years ago. 
 
Grant Request from District 6000:  Bill Fry is working with the Interact Club at Valley High School seeking ideas for 2018.  It is suggested that we partner with the Interact Club to come up with a project and seek a grant from Rotary District 6000 to fund the project.
 
Treasurer’s Report:  Doug Hillman reported on the new billing format which will be rolled out in January. 
 
Salvation Army Bell Ringing:  Carolin Gibson reported that the club provided volunteers on Saturday 12/9.   
 
Warm Coats Project:  Tanya Manatt has ordered the coats.  Our funding allowed for the purchase of 114 new coats which is up from 72 last year.  That is an increase of over 150%.   Well done Tanya and fellow club members.
 
Literacy:  Fred Maharry reports a meeting will be held on December 12th to discuss the literacy program. 
 
Bike Project:  Russ Ver Ploeg reports that the bike committee is on break for a few weeks and that he will announce work days and give away days after the New Year.
 
Xicotopec Spring Project:  Tom Narak is leading a group from Rotary to Xicotopec for the annual work trip. Two Valley students have indicated a desire to go and at least one needs some financial help.   For anyone who would like to help this student with travel expenses for this service project, please see Treasurer Doug Hillman for details. 
 
Fundraising:  Diana Weishaar and Greg are pleased to report that the fundraising efforts from Octoberfest netted approximately $5,500.  In addition, the fundraising activities from the Solheim Cup raised over $2,000.  This has been a successful fundraising year which means more funds available for various projects and opportunities to do good for the community throughout the year.  Kudos to the club.
 
 
Adopt a Family/General Mills Gift Boxes: 
 Past president Amy Fetters did all the heavy lifting on this.  She bought and wrapped all the gifts and is working on a delivery schedule.  Many thanks to Amy.
 
The club has provided gifts for several families through the adopt a family program. The shopping is done and presents will be delivered to the West Des Moines Human Services on December 18 at 8 a.m.  The four gift baskets from General Mills (filled with cookie mixes, rice, mac and cheese and other food pantry type items) will also be delivered to the same location.  Our two families adopted will be provided with one basket each and then WDM Human Services can select a couple other families in need that are food insecure.  Our families this year are a single mom working as a housekeeper and supporting her three children 17 (son), 16 (son), and 12 (daughter).  Their biggest wishes food, shoes, and clothes.  Then we have another family with a mom and dad, 5-1/2 year old daughter and 18 month son.  Their biggest wishes winter coats for the entire family, clothes, and a double stroller. 
 
Presents wrapped for our two families.
 
Food boxes from General Mills to be delivered to West Des Moines Human Services on Monday, December 18, 2017.
 
Interact:  The high school Interact Club is very active.  They need a liaison from our club.  This is a great opportunity for our club members to “interact” with some service oriented teenagers.   On December 12th at 3:30 or 4 PM they will be meeting at Valley in the Social Studies room to wrap gifts for adopt a family that the students adopted.  See Bill Fry for details.
 
Social Event:  Next social event will be held on December 13th at 5:00 p.m. at Bonefish Grill. 
 
Save the Date:  May 2nd – 4th, 2019.   Our own Tom Narak will be presiding over the event and our club will be the host club for the conference.  Kristin Pike and Krisanne Colby Calhoun will be co-chairs of this event.   More to come……
 
Salvation Army Bell Ringing:
 
Carolin Gibson passed a sign-up sheet for bell ringing on 12/6.
 
Sgt at Arms
 
Diana Weishaar led a discussion on what we are grateful for.  Several members shared their thoughts and contributed cash for the pleasure of doing so.
 
Program:  President Brad led a discussion on the new and improved financial structure of the club starting with a brief history of where we are today.
 
At present our quarterly bill primarily covers the cost of our dues to District 6000, Rotary International, and the cost of meetings.  A small amount of the quarterly bill covers the annual contributions to Xicotopec and the Rotary Youth Leadership Activity.   Throughout the year we raise funds for other projects including but not limited to the warm coat project, scholarships, school supplies for WDM schools, Adopt a Family Christmas gifts, Oktoberfest and Polio Plus.
 
Now that the WDM Rotary Club Foundation is fully operational, it is possible for members to make tax deductible contributions to the Foundation.  The Foundation will in turn provide funding for many of the projects throughout the year.   It was noted by the tax gurus in the room that only voluntary payments are tax deductible which means that the club might “suggest” a contribution amount, but payment is not mandatory.
 
Beginning on January 1, 2018, club treasurer Doug Hillman will send out a statement which will include the standard dues statement which will include the amounts needed to run the club and will include a second segment that will show a “suggested” contribution to the Foundation for all of the “good deeds” we are doing in the community.