Dear Rotarians,

Positive Energy

One of our local TV news anchors has been signing off with the cheerful phrase, ‘stay positive but test negative’ -good advice while we are waiting for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. As we look around, we see too many of our friends and neighbors struggling to stay positive these days, overwhelmed by recent events. Even within our Rotary District 5300, it was hard to miss during our conference on Saturday, January 9th the flat tone of club leaders from clubs that are giving in to the challenges that they face from the virus and other recent events.

Our club, in stark contrast, held its annual mid-Rotary program year retreat for elected club leaders the following Saturday, January 16th and generated more energy than the nearby hydroelectric facilities at Boulder Dam. Look for more live and virtual social activities in addition to what you already expected and many more opportunities to engage and to be of service.

In addition to the local service projects, for those of you who were disappointed that your planned international trip was postponed last year, we virtually traveled to India recently to attend a meeting of the club that we partnered with on a global grant, and next week we will be traveling to Jerusalem to visit with the club that is hosting our student, Chantay Ben Shimon.

Richard Jost
President
Las Vegas Rotary Club

Las Vegas Rotary Club Meeting:  January 14, 2021

• President Richard Jost called the meeting to order.
• PP David Thorson gave the invocation.
• President Richard Jost led the club in singing the National Anthem, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
• The Sergeant at Arms was Bill Stieren.
• There were (0) International Rotarians, (1) visiting Rotarian and
• (3) Guest of Rotarians introduced by Toni Kern and Rosalee Hedrick as prospective members.
• The drawing began at $2,192 plus this week’s donations.  The Ticket Winner was Bob Werner who received a prize of $10 and the Lawrys Bucks Winner was Bill Houghton.

Announcements:

PP Jim Hunt provided a report on wheelchair deliveries and asked for volunteers to make deliveries. Kim Nyoni recognized PP Karen Whisenhunt and Craig Miller by presenting them with Paul Harris Pins for +7 in contributions to the Rotary Foundation. Kim also announced a limited opportunity for a point match to existing Paul Harris Fellows in the club. The club has 23000 points in the pool for the match. Kim will send out levels to current “fellows”. President Richard announced the passing on January 13, 2021, of long-time Las Vegas philanthropist and friend to members of our club, Siegfried Fischbacher. The receipt of a Lefler Grant was announced by PP Jim Kohl, thanks to committee efforts by PE Mike Ballard and Kirk Alexander, Our Green Planet will assist with building a garden at a local elementary school. Marie Walsh gave a report on Breakfast With Books. This project served 186 and 133 families in November and December respectively via Zoom meetings. Bill Houghton announced squares are available for $50 on the Super Bowl Board. Capt. Anthony Barnes was presented with a check on behalf of the Salvation Army from our canned food drive in the amount of nearly $4000.

• Caty Crocket introduced our program speaker, Mayor Debra March, City of Henderson.
• President Richard Jost presented our speaker with a “Share What You Can” award to benefit a veteran in need and then adjourned the meeting.