Last month (February) in Rotary was full of fun and new ideas and information!
The month started out with the first Rotary meeting on Tuesday Feb. 4th. Unfortunately, there was a minor mix-up with the speaker so there was no speaker. So……the amazing President that I am had to swivel quickly, very quickly! Thus – we had a networking/conversation time with other Rotarians for the last half of the meeting. Almost all of the noon Rotarians stayed and enjoyed each other’s company and stories. I have noticed that most Rotarians love to visit and are sometimes disappointed when I have to start the meeting at 12:10pm because they are in such a good conversation with friends. Maybe we can do this type of meeting more often at the noon hour…on a surprise basis of course. Then Thirsty Thursday at Mosaic Wine Bar on the 6th brought Rotarians together again with laughs and great conversation.
The 2nd week of February continued with the noon meeting on the 11th with speaker and author Jeff West who talked about his experiences in life that resulted from his deployment to Vietnam in 1969. He was truly inspirational and emotional. Jeff and his wife live in Brookings. His books are available on Amazon – Welcome Home: The Army & Vietnam: How we lived, how we fought and how we survived. The 2nd book is Looking Back: An Old Soldier’s Hindsight. Both books were written to help him cope with PTDS.
Week 3 was a full week for Brookings Rotarians. The weekly meeting brought an informative topic from the City of Brookings about the Marketplace, which is the retail center that is to be developed east of I-29. Paul Brisino, Brookings City Manager; Ope Niemeyer, Mayor; and Bonnie Specker, City Council, all attended the Rotary meeting and gave valuable information and answered many questions. Our own Lisa Hager added an update on the City Charter Committee, on which she serves. Then on Wednesday the 19th, Wake-Up Wednesday and coffee at Kool Beans with Rotarians once again being able to socialize and enjoy friendships. On Thursday the 20th, Brookings Rotarians stepped up to volunteer at Feeding Brookings which provides food and necessities to Brookings area resident in need.
Finally, week 4 brought the sunshine and warmth back to Brookings! We can all smile about that. The weekly program was given by two ladies: Phyl Naffziger and Dawn Jones. They discussed and showed their pictures about their adventures to Churchill, Manitoba Canada which is the Polar Bear Capital of the World. Their journey was detailed and explained so many interesting facts about the area and polar bears. One more place to add to my bucket list (and maybe yours).
I am sure you are asking why I am giving a recap of the month. I think because it was such a great month of fellowship and service and we had such great speakers! We involved all aspects of Rotary: fellowship, service, diversity, integrity and leadership. Another reason to recap to remind some of our members who have been “missing” meetings to realize the fun and great speakers we have each week.
March is here! So that means more great speakers, time to gather and have fun with fellow Rotarians and the opportunity to provide service! Fellowship includes Thirsty Thursday on March 6th at Skinner’s Pub, weekly conversation at Tuesday meetings and Wake-Up Wednesday at Kool Beans on the 19th. Service includes a project on the 8th at the Humane Society starting at 11am. The Humane Society needs so much help due to a large influx of cats and dogs they are caring for. Please consider signing up. You can contact me if interested.
Last month was a GREAT month to be a Rotarian – let’s do it again in March!!
See you on Tuesday at noon for Rotary!
President Jen Olson