Keith Payne reminded us to participate in our Bingo events at Patron Restaurant in downtown Chaska, 6 – 8 PM tonight and on March 21 and 28.
There will be NO MORNING ROTARY MEETING on March 21.
However, Erin Kerber will be the speaker at the STRIVE meeting on March 21.
Keith Payne received a Thank You note from the Hooked on Books coordinator.
The minutes from the Board of Directors meeting held March 15 are included at the end of this newsletter.
FINEMASTER: George Glaros
took up the Finemaster laurel crown and helped us anticipate the Ides of March. We didn’t celebrate Pi day - perhaps it was given up for Lent. Instead, many fines were paid as we mourned Julius Caesar’s demise. Happy Dollars today were provided by George himself and Gretchen Oppriecht. Coach Gretchen was happy to celebrate the Chaska High School Knowledge Bowl team competing for the State title in April, and the Quiz Bowl team going to the National contest in May in Atlanta.
EXCHANGE STUDENT: Viola Bavastro
will enjoy going to a birthday party, but is also anticipating traveling to Dollywood in Tennessee during Spring Break.
George Glaros introduced Tammy Ryder-Harms, the founder of Kaleidoscope Teens. From her slide presentation “Our mission is to be the uniting force in our community by empowering parents, caregivers, schools, and community partners in supporting teens in developing coping and life skills, paired with a career and/or college pathway, that allows them to thrive in today’s world and successfully launch into their futures.” Website link.
Both of Tammy’s daughters have attended the Integrated Arts Academy in Chaska, so Tammy expressed gratitude for the benefits her family has received from our community and resources. She has been active in helping teens and their families for twenty years and responds to referrals by mental health programs, doctors, schools and police. Her focus on mental health and suicide prevention depends on community support in the forms of mentorship, presentations to teens, providing meals and financial donations. Recent activities have included programs that develop life skills for adapting and prospering in the adult world. More examples of her group’s efforts are described in their web pages – https://kaleidoscopeteens.org.
Present: Cindy Anderson, Bob Chinnock, Gary Hardel, Andy Haugen, Erin Kerber, Michelle Kraus, Keith Payne
Absent: Gary Cooper, Jean Heyduck, Steve Mueller, Matt Podhradsky, Pat Schaffran
OLD BUSINESS
Action items from February
Rotary Shirts (Cindy) – available at website: chaskarotary.itemorder.com
Thank you from Hooked on Books – attached.
Scholarship information on website (Jean) - still work in progress.
Updated 2024/25 Calendar (Erin)
Currently sharing via Google Sheets but ClubRunner has an Enhanced Committees module that is an add-on module. Looking into cost and functionality.
Currently sharing with Co-Presidents and Neil but Erin will send to Board to review and see how it works but it seems to be working well.
Club and Foundations bookkeeping program – Discussed benefits and cons of moving to Quickbooks online. There are no other fiscally reasonable alternatives. Board in agreement that it makes good sense. Motion made and passed to switch books online and grant access to (Co)President(s) and Treasurer each year.
Approve the Minutes of the December Meeting. Approved as submitted.
ROTARY BUSINESS
Updated 2024/25 Calendar (Erin)
Currently sharing via Google Sheets but Clubrunner has an Enhanced Committees module that is an add-on module. Looking into cost and functionality.
Added a STRIVE Breakfast May 9th.
Rotary Business Dates – still being worked into the calendar.
Treasurer’s Report – (Kristy)
As a board, do we want to adopt a practice of sharing a financial report to our members? Attached is what we shared last month. Michelle feels that updates of finances should be included quarterly. In addition to the P&L Comparison, a few sentences explaining the document will be added by Kristy. Instead of adding to newsletter, it will be uploaded to Clubrunner to private member area and shared on screen at meeting only for confidentiality and security reasons.
Financials approved as submitted.
Membership Updates (Kristy)
ITEMS NEEDING ACTION
Pavers for Paul & Jean Harris Home – motion made and passed to donate $250.
We need to find Club Bylaws. [Found by Executive Secretary and forwarded to Co-Presidents.]
ITEMS FOR UPDATE OR DISCUSSION
Bingo (Keith/Michelle)
What do we want to do with the 3rd Thursday morning meetings (old bingo dates). Will table that until after next two events.
40-45 attendees (11 Rotarians, 2 past Rotarians) last night and received roughly $500.
Gary Hardel asked if Bingo proceeds be taxed? Need to find out if that is the case. This will also impact the Foundation Tax Return and make it more complex. May need to hire out for the completion of the return.
Each event costs $300: $150 for Bingo permit and $150 for caller. Keith, Erin, Andersons and Andy have covered the Caller Fee for first 4 events.
Breakfast Member Poll (Gary) – tabled since Gary absent.
Fundraising Update on Miracle League Field (Matt) – tabled since Matt absent.
Chaska Rotary Foundation dba Miracle League Field for donations?
Leadership Plan
President Elect – Erin & Jean
Need Vice President
MK done with Roles & Guidelines Document that details committees, job descriptions and roles flow chart.
Every member of the Board needs to head up a Committee. At the beginning of each fiscal year, Committees would meet, set budget and cover areas listed.
Suggested that once every few months or quarterly a morning meeting is set aside for committee meeting.
Need to establish a central storage location to share documents easily with Board. Are looking into Clubrunner module that will increase our capabilities and give us a place to organize committee work and associated documents.
Board is very grateful to Michelle K for all of her hard work in compiling and creating this information. It will be very useful and help organize the club going forward.
Exchange Kids coming July 2024 (Erin) – kids here 7/19th to the 21st or 22nd.
Change Over Breakfast (Michelle)
Change Over Breakfast is an opportunity for current club president(s) to share the year (Club Annual Report) and to induct the new President(s)
Board agreed this is a great idea to document the year and have a historical document.
George C Klein Award (Gary) – tabled since Gary absent.
Do we want to add the awarding of the GCK to this moment? If no, where & when?
Progress Update
Scholarships/Scholarship Breakfast (Keith)
Celi (pronounced “Kaylee”) Haga is chairing, does anyone know anything?? How do we support?? This should be April work.
Christmas in May (Matt) – tabled since Matt is absent.
Rotary Leads the Way in May (Nate)
Erica has started Cinco de Mayo planning.
Guest Editorial writers for the Chaska Herald:
May 2nd – Keith Payne Due 4/26
May 9th – Erin Kerber Due 4/3
May 16th – Kaylee Kraus-McClellan Due 5/10
May 23rd – George Glaros Due 5/17
May 30th - Jennifer Spaulding Due 5/24
May Membership Push Ideas
Bring a friend to a rotary meeting.
Chaska business asks to sponsor an employee.
Other Business??
4th quarter lifts
Service Project – Christmas in May, Tree Planting & Adopt-a-Highway.
Social – Schram Social
Fundraiser -
UPCOMING DATES
March Madness Bingo Blitz – March 7, 14, 21, & 28 @ 6:00
April 25 Scholarship Breakfast
May 2 Cinco de Mayo Breakfast
May 4 Christmas in May
May 9th STRIVE Breakfast
May 22 Adopt-a-Highway & Schram Social
May 30 Service Meeting – MATTER with Tami Hedrick
June 27 Change Over Breakfast
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Upcoming Invocation
Note from John Roebke: Invocations can be a faith traditional prayer, or a meditation, or inspirational verse or quote. Brief 20 – 30 seconds. Light-hearted is okay. Option: focus on our Mission of Service Above Self. Need an idea – Google Rotary Invocations. Not a personal talent? Don't wait, tell me NOW, 612-790-7067, john.roebke@live.com. I will be glad to name another. If I forgot that you told me not a talent, please forgive me. Remind me. If not a good DATE, trade with a mate.
Teens. From her slide presentation “Our mission is to be the uniting force in our community by empowering parents, caregivers, schools, and community partners in supporting teens in developing coping and life skills, paired with a career and/or college pathway, that allows them to thrive in today’s world and successfully launch into their futures.” 
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