1st Quarter President's Report - Steve Bergman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             Michelle Fossum was happy for a wonderful camping trip last week.

 

             Steve Bergman was happy that his daughter made a smooth enrollment at Western Washington University.

 

             John Mailliard was happy for an Alaskan cruise planned with family.

 

            Melinda Keberle enjoyed a good outing at Lake Union and other Seattle environs with her son.

 

            Brian Hipperson was happy to close the family’s cabin at Newman Lake for the summer and be back home, adding, “and neither of the children moved back in.”

 

            Questions for candidates welcomed

 

            Candidates for Spokane County Sheriff and Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney will visit during October.

 

            Prior to each luncheon program, club members are invited to send e-mails or offer questions on notecards for the candidates to respond.

 

            On Oct. 3, the Sheriff candidates are John Nowels and Wade Nelson.  Send your comments to moderator Chuck Rehberg.

 

            On Oct. 17, the Prosecuting Attorneys are Larry Haskell and Deb Conklin.  Send your comments to moderator Brian Hipperson.

 

           

 

 

            Closing the first Rotary quarter for the year, Club President Steve Bergman said despite Covid cares and other challenges “we are in pretty good shape.”

            “We have been able to find the things we wanted to find,” Steve said at the Sept. 26 club luncheon.

 

            In the president-for-a-quarter leadership plan, Michelle Fossum will serve as club president from October through December.

 

             Steve asked club Treasurer Lenore Romney to provide funding details.

 

            “Very fiscally sound,” Lenore said.

 

            “Our philosophy is to try to have a break-even budget and we have done that,” she said.

 

             Lenore said the 2022-23 budget approved by the club board is for $8,770.  Some pending possible expenditures may raise that slightly, but still within target ranges.

 

            One club member joked that if we need more money we should just have Eric Johnson serve more often as the sergeant-at-arms as the kitty grows when he asks questions not answered in weekly club trivia challenges.

 

            Lenore said the annual fund-raising target for the club is about $15,000.  Some of the $13,000 projects include Holmes Elementary programs like annual school supplies, Golden Hero awards, Holmes Hero t-shirts, and The Principal’s Emergency Fund.  Funds also are raised for community projects, Saling Scholarships, and Rotary international projects.

 

            “The key thing is that every member of the club do something” for the fund-raising, Steve and Lenore said.  The club currently has 18 members.

 

            Much of the fund-raising can be directed through the club’s charitable fund, where money can be itemized as a 501(c)3 account.  Club member Bill Simer coordinates that fund.

 

            The fund succeeds former annual dinners for fund-raising events.  Asked when it would be a good time to pay funds, Bill said, “Now would be good.”  Some members will time funding to include the calendar year end dates in December, he added.  Lenore said other members make quarterly contributions.

 

            On the topic of speaker gifts, Lenore has coordinated with the downtown Mobius Science Center to provide a variety of passes at attractive rates so that Holmes students and/or parents may visit the popular venue.  These passes, in honor of our weekly speakers, will be awarded to deserving students by the Holmes staff.  This is in lieu of the books added at the Holmes library.  Leaders at Holmes said the school is very excited to have the Mobius program connection.

 

            Bergman also said the quality of speakers at the club has been great.”  Candidates are slated in October and November will include programs on veterans’ issues.

 

            He said projects included the school supply program in August and possibly a resumption of the club’s Tom’s Turkey Drive program, which was canceled by Covid the past few years.

 

            The club also will conduct its annual holiday gift program for needy Holmes students and their families.

 

            Michelle Fossum is checking into a possible fall cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene for the club.  A club Christmas gathering will be planned, but it is still undecided whether a Holmes choir will be involved.  Sandy Fink offered her home for the club gathering to celebrate the holidays.

 

            In summary, Bergman said, “The team effect on getting speakers has been good and the president-by-committee program is doing well.”

 

             Bulletin editors: Chuck Rehberg and Sandy Fink