It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was attending the Rotary International Convention in Chicago. That event helped me to understand what it really meant to be a Rotarian. I recall vividly sitting at the President-elect luncheon with fellow president-elects from South Carolina, Ontario, California, Surinam, and Hawaii. We shared thoughts and aspirations for our upcoming year as Rotary club presidents. But I didn’t count on having the time slip by so fast.

Early on, I set my goals for the club, submitted them to our assistant district governor, and we made it through the District Governor visit relatively unscathed. But then we lost six members, gained two members and along came Special Olympics, Katrina, a fire-ravaged family in Nevada, and two “mystery” grants with foreign partners, that we did not know existed and for which reports were overdue – Wait a minute, those weren’t in the plan!

But every time something came up, our Rotarians stepped forward and things got done, bases got covered, people were helped, and community projects were accomplished. When you step back from it all and look around, you cannot help but be humbled by what goes on in a Rotary club like the Ames Morning Club. And imagine, there are 32,000 Rotary clubs all of which are defining what it means to “Do Rotary Right”, on a daily basis.

In spite of the surprises, much has been accomplished this year. We rose to the occasion and raised $1,528 for Rotary Katrina relief, $400 for a fire victim family in Nevada, and $1,300 for National Special Olympics. In November we recognized 14 club Rotarians for milestone contributions to the Rotary Foundation and club members donated more than $7,600 to the Foundation this past year. In December we supported not one, but two families, with gifts for the holidays where gifts would have otherwise been rare. A new financial Executive Summary has been created to allow the Board to view club finances “at a glance”. Work will soon be complete on a new vocational web page that will allow you to look up club members based upon their vocation. And before the end of the year we will have a formal club budget to guide the decisions of future Board members. Yes, once again trash was picked up, meals were served, laughs were shared, and friendships were nourished. We have much to be thankful for.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve the club in this capacity. It has been a memorable year and I would be remiss if I did not thank all those that have preceded me as Presidents or Board members of the club. Those individuals have worked tirelessly to define the Ames Morning Rotary Club as we know it today – and they have done a very good job.

The April 4 meeting of the Ames Morning Rotary Board of Directors was called to order at 7:05 a.m. in the Pine Room of the Memorial Union. Those present were Dave Miller, Jim Ziebold, Rick Elbert, Sandy Horton, Scott Bauer, Scott Sanders, Jill Guffy, Lynette Seymour and Terry Adams.

The minutes of the March Board meeting were approved.

Ziebold presented the treasurer's report, stating that the bill from the Memorial Union was not yet in. He also stated that the Rotary Foundation goal had been reached - $100 per member per year .

For Club Service, Seymour reported a good turnout for trash pickup, including noon Rotarians. Rotaract provided 355 hot dogs and 50 veggie buns. There will be a social event at Seymour's in early June.

For Community Service, Sanders stated that an Emergency Shelter meal was provided the past Wednesday, and the next meal will be provided in May.

For Financial, Bauer reported a request for Little League funding.

For membership, Guffy stated that the two new members will be inducted on April 26.

Elbert passed out sheets for Vocational.

Seymour stated that Rotaract has held two meetings.

For Special Olympics, Horton stated that the club is rolling full speed. The speakers for the April 5 meeting will speak on the Special Olympics. The volunteer center will be at Wilson Hall. Individuals must be registered to volunteer. Rotary Hospitality will be provided for all volunteers. Rotary clubs involved will be both clubs in Ames, as well as Boone, Nevada, and Northwest Des Moines. Miller stated there will be no meeting the week of July 3.

District 6000 is now up to $55,000 for the Special Olympics, $5,000 over the goal. Olympic Village will be at the Hilton. There will be coloring books about Ames and Rotary available. There will be a parade, and some members should walk with the Rotary banner.

May newsletter will be Dave Miller giving the Year in Review. The June letter will be Sandy Horton, with a Preview of the Year to Come.

Matching Grant #14382 is still not solved, but the Foundation has marked the file as closed. The District Conference will be in West Des Moines on April 28 and 29.

Discussion was held regarding a request for support from a Polish Rotary Club for Odyssey of the Mind. There was also a request from an Italian Rotarian. The Board approved reimbursing the President-Elect for attending the Rotary International Convention. The Board then approved a $50 one day fee for the President-elect for attending the District 6000 Convention.

The Board approved a Leave of Absence for Dennis Soderstrum from April 1 through June 30.

Discussion was held regarding an Ad Hoc committee for alternative membership.

Horton stated she is planning for the next Rotary year, with new leadership.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:13 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Terry Adams, Secretary