Last week at noon we were treated to a joint presentation on the Great Falls Nonprofit Alliance by Lori Eckhart of the Great Falls Community Foundation, Kali Tuckerman of the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Johnna from Quality Life Concepts, and Thor Swensson of United Way of Cascade County.
The Alliance is promoting a collaborative fundraiser from noon on May 2 through 6 p.m. on May 3. It begins online, where area nonprofits have registered to participate, allowing you as a donor to scroll through a list related to the topic that motivates you, choose a particular nonprofit, plug in a potential donor amount, and see what that amount of money will contribute in goods or services to the cause.
Interested donors will also be given a map of area businesses who will donate a portion of their sales during the fundraiser time period to a particular cause. What a great idea and a community approach!
John Godwin of the Ad Club was also on hand to remind us that the Russell Art Auction is this week. Come support it and volunteer if you can! Art Taft is heading up a work crew at the Heritage Inn beginning today at 10 a.m. (how civilized) and tomorrow at 8 a.m. Pop in and lend a hand!
Next Week at Rotary
This week at noon Rotary we’ll hear from Tom Figarelle, who has returned from a lengthy tour of duty with MANG just to tell us about this week’s Russell Art Auction. As if that weren’t exciting enough, there’s this: After a luckless draw last week from some Virginia Stacey look-alike/dress-alike/draw-alike, the 50-50 pot continues to grow. Join us at noon at the country club!
Last Week at Evening Rotary
Evening members got a hands-on approach to emergency services planning last week, with Beth Frasure guiding them through the process.
In a creative touch, members were treated to the de-hydrated food from the emergency kits. President Todd Neighbor reports that paired with just the right merlot, it’s not half-bad!
Evening members were also brought up to date on the RYLA process and the basketball court project (See Updates below.)
This week’s bulletin bucks number is #172. If that is the number on the back of your Rotary button, contact Todd for your $25 gift card.
Updates
The RYLA applications are out and the due date is coming right up. Sydney Blair and Bill Harp will be looking for help on the interviews and remind us what a great experience the interview process is – a wonderful way to meet talented young people seeking to develop their leadership potential.
The fundraising effort to install a basketball court at Camp Rotary is looking good. Cari Yturri has persuaded the Benefis Foundation to provide matching funds for the project, so we are well on our way. Thanks, Benefis, and thanks, Cari!
You have just 4 more days to complete the membership satisfaction survey. Please take a few minutes of your time to participate in the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5ZVZQXB.
Plan for a Polio Plus Fundraiser at Enbar at the end of this month. More specific details next week!
All Rotarians are invited to the District Conference in Helena on May 3-4. It would be great to have a good showing.
All Rotarians are invited to the Zone Conference in Denver September 5-8. It's quite a rewarding experience, so give it some consideration.
Everyday Heroes
It’s human nature to take one another for granted, but so far this March has provided us with at least three reminders of the star quality of our membership.
Evening member Heather Palermo was notified on March 4 that she is the 2019 recipient of the YWCA’s Salute to Women Award in the education category. Heather moved to Great Falls from San Diego and immediately began blazing an amazing trail for leadership and community service. Director of Lifelong Learning at Great Falls College, past president of United Way of Cascade County, organizer of Powerhouse Great Falls ... her fingerprints are all over developing the potential of Great Falls and the people who call it home. She will be formally presented with the award at a banquet on April 13. Contact fellow Rotarian Sandy Filipowicz for more information.
Who was on hand to help with the search when his neighbor, Judge John Parker, went missing on a bitterly cold March day? Kurt Baltrusch, of course. Who was on hand to bring the lost dog home, cold but alive? Who else but Kurt Baltrusch. “Service above self” is not just a motto to Kurt; it’s a way of life. Kudos to you, Kurt, for all you do in your quiet way for the people of our world.
Every year for the past several years, Shannon Newth of KRTV has invited nominations for ousttanding community members under the age of 35 to be recognized with the “5 under 35” award. This year, some 60 nominations were made, and one of the 5 selected was our own Scott Reasoner. Key to his selection was his active and passionate engagement in changing the narrative of Great Falls in a more positive direction. Not content with the arduous work of managing the Great Falls Voyagers, Scott co-owns the businesses of Enbar and The Block and heads up the Chamber’s “Choose Great Falls” recruitment effort.
The glass is never half-full for Scott, so you don’t even have to ask the question. “Great Falls is a blank canvas,” he told attendees at the “5 under 35” awards ceremony. “It can be whatever you make it.” All three of these Rotarians have done and continue to do just that.
Last week at noon we were treated to a joint presentation on the Great Falls Nonprofit Alliance by Lori Eckhart of the Great Falls Community Foundation, Kali Tuckerman of the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Johnna from Quality Life Concepts, and Thor Swensson of United Way of Cascade County.
