April showers bring May flowers! This is one of my favorite sayings because it means spring is here! And with
spring comes new growth – flowers, grass, tree buds, vegetables, baby calves, baby kittens and I could go on
and on and on and on…….
spring comes new growth – flowers, grass, tree buds, vegetables, baby calves, baby kittens and I could go on
and on and on and on…….
How does this essence of spring affect our lives as Rotarians?? Growth as a person or a club! The Rotary
Motto – Service Above Self – is all about your growth as a person and your journey of self-improvement and
along the way the uplifting of people in need. An example would be helping in a service project that not only
improves yourself but by giving back to the community and supporting others in need. In March, Brookings
Rotarians completed a service project at the Brookings Humane Society. Rotarians cleaned, reorganized and
made the area more usable and efficient. The day improved the lives of the animals at the Humane Society
and helped the workers be more effective at their jobs and the Rotarians felt a sense of satisfaction of a good
day of work done that helped others. That is the essence of GROWTH!!!
My homework to each of the Brookings Rotarians – how can you grow as person and at the same time give
Service Above Self. This may be as easy as buying a coffee for the person behind you at Kool Beans or
Scooters. Or attending the Delta Dental Kit Packing Event at 4pm on Thursday, April 3 rd at the United Way
Building.
In Rotary, April is dedicated to Maternal and Child Care Health Month. This initiative focuses on improving
access to quality healthcare for mothers and children, including immunizations, medical services and
empowering local communities. Every day mothers risk their lives giving birth and millions of children die each
year from treatable, preventable causes. Worldwide, at least 7 million children under the age of five die each
year due to malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. To help reduce this rate, Rotary provides
immunizations and antibiotics to babies, improve access to essential medical services, and support trained
health care providers for mothers and their children. Rotary projects ensure sustainability by empowering the
local community to take ownership of health care training programs. How do we in Brookings as Rotarians
help these international projects? We already help by each of us donating to the Rotary Foundation. For as
little as 60¢, a child can be protected from polio.
Brookings Rotarians have a busy month in April so mark your calendars!!
Tues., April 1 at noon Rotary Lunch & Guest Speaker Craig Converse from Converse Wine Co.
Thurs., April 3 at 4pm Delta Dental Kit Pack at United Way Building
Thurs., April 3 at 5pm Thirsty Thursday Rotarian Social at Wooden Legs with donation to
Brookings Humane Society
Tues., April 8 at noon Tour of First Bank & Trust Arena at SDSU and lunch
Tues., April 15 at noon Rotary Lunch with Erich Olson & John Folkerts discussing Romania Trip
Wed., April 16 at 7:30am Wake-Up Wednesday Rotarian Social at Kool Beans
Thur. April 17 at 8am Brookings Rotary Board Meeting at United Way Building
Tues. April 22 at noon Rotary Lunch with Guest Speaker Shannon Kubic from Milborn Seed
Tues. April 29 at noon Rotary Lunch with Guest Speaker Molly Perry from Volunteer Service
Bank
NOW – that is a busy month! So many ways to get involved with Brookings Rotary and talk to some great
people!
Recently, I sent 2 emails to all Rotarians looking for a couple of people to step up and help out! The club is
looking for a new Service Projects Chairperson and additional help on the Public Image Committee. A few of
our key people – Michael Gonda and Kay Norton – are taking a step back after many years of remarkable
service. Please….consider stepping up and helping out. If interested, give me a call, text or email! Or maybe
just a shout out at the noon meeting!
Finally – it is Raffle TIME! Whoo hoo!!! That means I challenge EACH of you as Brookings Rotarians to buy a
raffle ticket (or 10)! Each ticket is $10 and you have a chance to win a great prize! This year it is very easy to
buy tickets either electronically or by paper. Electronically can be done by clicking on the QR code in this COG
and walk through the steps. Remember to select $0.00 when it asks you to donate to Zeffy. If you want to buy
paper tickets – either talk to me at a noon meeting or contact me via phone or email (see below). AND -
Brookings Rotary grant projects (local and regional) are funded through this raffle. When our club applies for a
Rotary District Grant, the funds allotted to the club comes from the Rotary Annual Fund but originates from
donations 3 years earlier. So…. approximately 50% of the money given through these raffle tickets will be
available to our club in 3 years, doubling the project’s available funds!
Brookings Rotary grant projects (local and regional) are funded through this raffle. When our club applies for a
Rotary District Grant, the funds allotted to the club comes from the Rotary Annual Fund but originates from
donations 3 years earlier. So…. approximately 50% of the money given through these raffle tickets will be
available to our club in 3 years, doubling the project’s available funds!
Once again – thank you for your Service Above Self!
See you on Tuesday at noon for Rotary!
President Jen Olson
605-690-4458
jennifer.olson@ebankstar.bank