The Wagner Rotary Club met for the last Wednesday in November, the day before Thanksgiving. A delicious meal was served that came from Valley Pump. Trips, sickness, and work continue to raise havoc with our membership. We have been missing about four or five members every Wednesday in November. Pastor/Rotarian Heermann gave thanks for the for the food and fellowship and asked for blessings on all for Thanksgiving.

There was only one guest for the day, and he belonged to the Program. Riggs (also known as Murphy) Koupal accompanied his father to the meeting. Riggs is in first grade and has acquired his nickname from things always seeming to happen to him.

Rotarian Ken Cotton spoke about Rotary Internationals Strategic Plan. In 2001-02, as Rotary International entered its second century of service, it began developing a strategic plan to guide the organization. In 2009, members of the RI Board’s Strategic Planning Committee oversaw a comprehensive review of the plan which included surveying 14,000 Rotarians worldwide about Rotary’s priorities, holding focus groups to assess Rotary’s image in different countries and analyzing Rotary’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges.

The results of this research led the committee to identify three strategic priorities each of equal importance to Rotary’s future: support and strengthen clubs, focus, and increase humanitarian support and strengthen clubs, focus, and increase humanitarian service, and enhance public image and awareness. The RI Board ensured that the revised plan, which went into effect July 1, 2010, encompasses the core values: service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. The plan also encompasses Rotary’s core statement: A worldwide network of inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities.

The RI Strategic Plan charts a clear course for the future of the world’s first service organization. All Rotarians have a framework in which they can reach their full potential for Service Above Self.

Sergeant at Arms Jordan Weber fined Bryan Slaba $2 for blaming Jerry Weber about last weeks program; $2 to Bill Frei for last week also; $2 to Scott McAdaragh for being worried that there was no dessert coming from Super Foods; $2 to Linda Soukup for tattling to Jordan about things that Jerry Weber had said before Jordan got there; $3 to Patty and Bill Frei, and Joe Stedronsky for beings Vikings fans; $2 to Craig for being a Husker fan; $2 to Rachel for showing her foot injury from a chair; $2 to Jamie and Bill Heermann for wearing hats to the meeting. Happy Fines of $5 were received from Linda Soukup for DWU winning their first round in the NAIA playoffs in Volleyball last Saturday; $5 from Craig for a bad total in the Queen of Hearts Drawing and an apology.

Pastor/Rotarian Bill Heermann had a chance at the Queen drawing and found only a three of Diamonds. He missed out on $141.00 Winners in the football book sales were Pam Nordquist sold by Gerrit Juffer and Clara Soukup sold by her father Jamie Soukup.

A short discussion was held on planning for the Student Scholarship winners next spring and Bill Frei reported that we made $360.00 for our last trailer load of aluminum cans. All can donations are greatly appreciated as it helps us raise money to award to WCS Seniors. There is a bin on the West side of the Rotary building across from James Drug. Please bring your cans in plastic sacks and throw them in the bin. Thank You to all who do this!

President Rachel introduced Mike Koupal who was the program for Jeff Doom. Mike is the Head Girls Basketball Coach at WCS, and he is looking forward to the new season as the top six girls are returning to play. They only lost one Senior girl to graduation last year. He spoke about the girls’ dedication over the years and praised them for their high academic efforts also. A girls basketball player has received the ALL-Academic award fourteen years in a row at WCS. That is a great accomplishment! Koupal said three of the Senior Girls have already signed up with a college team. Shalayne Nagel and Emma Yost have signed up with Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell and Eve Zephier has signed up with Mount Marty College in Yankton. The team has already started practicing as the SDHSAA does not allow any down time between Girls Volleyball and Girls Basketball in order to get all the planned games and tournaments on the schedule. Gina Lhotak is returning as the Assistant Coach as Mike’s sister Mandy Koupal has moved from the Wagner area.

Koupal reported on some new things that are being planned at the school. All the coaches have spent time brainstorming about how they can get more kids interested in athletics at school. Not just the players, but all the students. They have noticed a trend that has grown over the years which is noticeable in attendance at games by other students coming just to cheer and support the teams. They want to involve students at all levels from grade school, through Middle School, and High School, and anybody in extra-curricular activities regardless of what they are, band, chorus, Oral Interp etc.

One of the plans involves the 50/50 tickets being sold and using the money raised to buy Lettermen’s Jackets. Remember when it was common practice for athletes to letter in sports and then they would buy Lettermen’s jackets for themselves. Those jackets have risen in price over the past years like everything else and no one seems to wear them anymore. It’s all about raising awareness and encouraging everyone to spend time going to the activities regardless of whether they are athletic or academic.

Another idea they have to raise money is to have a “Couch Night” at activities. Businesses can participate and they will promote it as a fund raiser the details of which Koupal did not have ready as they are still working on the idea. You may be the winner of sitting on a couch that is placed front and center on the North End of the gymnasium with food and beverages free!!!

If you have any ideas for more fund raisers, contact Koupal or one of the coaches at the school. Koupal finished his program by thanking all the businesses and organizations that support the kids at school.