Food, social time, 50/50

 

 

 

Attendance: Heather, Barb, Rita, John, Diane, Susan, Wendy, Ben, Gary and Rhonda (via zoom)

 

Introduction of Guests: Victim Services - Ben Lowe and Jann Lehman (Director of Victim Services)

 

Birthdays: NONE

 

Minutes were approved. Motion by Rita, second by Barb. All in favor.

  

Speaker- Victim Services - Ben Lowe and Jann Lehman (Director of Victim Services)

 

Ben and Jann gave an overview of the program and shared Victim Services Unit handout with those present. They provide support for family members in situations like fires, suicides, death in the home etc. They shared the program really needs more volunteers in Houghton Lake. They only have one Houghton Lake volunteer right now. Volunteers receive training and sign up for 12 hour shifts. Volunteers are only sent out in pairs. Some volunteers go away for the winter and only sign up for shifts when they are in the area. People who are empathetic, compassionate and have the ability to listen make great volunteers for this program. Their funding comes from a $1,000 state association grant and their annual golf outing. They really have stepped up and taken on a social services role. A few of their many activities include collecting student finger prints and DNA samples to give to parents, Adopting local senior citizens and help at National Night Out.

 

 

Heather attended the Business Expo at the Northern Event Center and there was a lot of networking. She met Debra Williams and she will be speaking to our club on June 7^th about human trafficking.

 

Will be held next Wednesday, May 17 at 6 pm at Buccillis.  Rita is challenging each Rotarian to share the link on Facebook or personally invite someone. It was mentioned if we get one new person it’s a success.

 

6290 District Conference – No discussed

 

Thank you to those that have picked up their sections. Photos has been forwarded to Rita and she made a Facebook post. Ben will being doing his section on Friday with his coworkers and Rhonda will complete hers when she is back in town. Please take photos and send to Rita and Heather. Send date and number of bags to Diane.

 

A golf meeting will be held immediately after the night meeting next Wednesday at Buccillis.

 

Rita, Heather and Anita had an auction follow-up meeting on Monday. Positives were that all ticket packages were sold which was 60 at $40 each. Table sponsors were a great addition. Rita did a great job on the centerpieces and saved the boxes for next year. Mentioned potentially changing the table sponsorship to $200. Live auction had 15 items. Matt did a great job. Rhonda forward some suggestions for the wine pull. Checkout went very smoothly. Only one certificate we could locate for a plane ride. We sold 88 less tickets but higher bidding. Ben Lowe also commented that he really liked the layout and flow this year for the auction. Some suggested themes for next years auction are Silver Jubilee King and Queens, James Bond Casino Royal, Price is Right and Black and White – Dress it Up or Dress it Down. There will be a vote on the theme at a future meeting.

 

A lot of happy cash for road clean-up, appreciation for the Victim Services Program and grand kids , Barb Souder’s grand children graduating from Mott and Kettering and more.

 

$13 to winner Rita, who donated back to the Victim Services Program.