Reported by Phil Thoden
President Sara Pantin called the meeting to order. Michael Eden led the pledges and Vlad Bahrencu gave our invocation of the day. Jill Johnson led us in saying The Four Way Test. Larry Rieber greeted each member and guest as they arrived and Carl Noble introduced the guests and visitors.
Chris Soileau and Michele Heyman came forward to remind everyone about the Thirsty Thursday North Happy Hour scheduled Thursday, March 8, in the bar area at the Renaissance Hotel (on Arboretum Blvd.) at 6:00 p.m.
Past President Harold Ingersoll then reminded us about the Rise Against Hunger Service Event at Tarrytown Methodist Church (Main Event Room—2601 Exposition Blvd.) this Saturday. Volunteers are still needed for two shifts: 8-10 a.m. and 10-noon.
Jackie Sinex announced she is seeking extra volunteers to serve as the Rotary Reporter each week. It’s easy to do and you receive an attendance credit for each report. Contact her to help!
President Sara made several announcements:
- Next week’s meeting will feature the annual report, and this is a good opportunity for prospective members to learn about the Club’s activities
- The Scholarship Committee meets next Tuesday at 1pm, and the Membership Committee meets after today’s
meeting - There will be no meeting at St. David’s on March 13 as members will meet in clusters around town.
- There will be no Early Act First Knight this week
- Patti Riley-Brown is getting better, and she appreciates cards and visitors. Ask Jennifer for contact info if you wish to visit
Ann Graham kicked off the Thank Goodness Basket by thanking Joseph Hang for donating wine to be auctioned off at the upcoming Foundation dinner, and she also thanked a Kathleen Parr, a visiting Rotarian from Connecticut, for helping with Camp Enterprise. David Menchaca then thanked Discount Electronics for donating several computers to use during Camp Enterprise. Ann Graham then returned to the mic to thank David for his work on Camp Enterprise. Sylvia Holmes expressed thanks that early voting began as she is a candidate for Justice of the Peace. Pauline Gubbels expressed thanks for her daughter’s return to Austin. President Sara expressed thanks to Ann Graham for all her work on Camp Enterprise. Last, Ann Marie Ellis was grateful her son has completed a State Department tour of Iraq.
Jon Yates introduced this week’s speaker, Jan Gunter, who is the Deputy Development Director for the Salvation Army of Austin that has served our community since 1889. She is responsible for overall communications and community relations, maintaining strong media relationships, and overseeing internal operations of the development team. In her four-year tenure, Jan has supported in overseeing fundraising totals of nearly $7 million annually. With a work ethic developed in the family beekeeping business, she values networking and collaboration plus using the resources at hand to accomplish next steps.
Jan educated attendees about the many ways in which the Salvation Army seeks to “Do the Most Good” for the community, such as with the adult rehabilitation center addiction recovery, homeless shelters that assist hundreds of people, predominantly women and children, in need of shelter and a helping hand. The Salvation Army also provides seasonal recreational camps for children whose parents can’t take off from work during the summer and holiday times. Last, the organization is heavily engaged in disaster relief.
Next week’s speaker is Dr. Erica O’Brien with the Optometry Center for Vision Therapy.
President Sara thanked Club advertisers, Rick Ravel with Karavel Shoes and Bill Koen with Joe Koen & Son Jewelers. She then shared a weekly Pearl of Wisdom and adjourned the meeting.