President Pro Temp Bryan Slaba brought the Wagner Rotary Club to order on April 26, 2023, once again. Pastor/Rotarian Bill Heermann gave thanks for the weather, food, and fellowship. There was one guest present, Gavin Weber son of Rotarian Jerry Weber.

Song leader Gerrit Juffer picked up the tempo a little with “Hey Look Me Over” with his Bluetooth accompaniment. We did well considering it was another song with four pages, and we all scrambled to find our places.

The Membership Minute by Rotarian Ken Cotton was a reminder about what Rotary is.

How do you describe the organization called Rotary? There are so many characteristics of a Rotary club as well as the activities of more than 1.2 million Rotarians. There are the features of service, internationality, fellowship, classifications of each vocation, development of goodwill and world understanding, the emphasis of high ethical standards, concern for other people and many more.

Today, we define Rotary in this way: “Rotary is an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vacations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.”

Those 31 words are worth remembering when someone asks, “What is a Rotary club?”

SAA Jordan Weber was quick with the fines. Jordan comes as early as possible to the meeting to eat his meal and all the while is listening to the conversations at all the tables. Rotarians are in trouble the minute they enter the building.

$5 to Amanda Bechen for coming late last week and still finishing her meal when the meeting was over; $5 fine to Jerry Weber because his son Craig Weber called Jordan and gave him “stuff” about his fines; $3 to Bryan Slaba because he can’t add; $3 to Jerry Henke for leaving the thermostat on 55 degrees from last week (Explanation: Rotarians have been threatened with bodily harm if they touch the thermostat by a former President) $2 to Gerrit Juffer for not getting permission to sit in Kathe Henke’s spot; $5 to Jeff for being Jeff. Happy Fines came from Linda Soukup, $10 for surviving ten years after breast cancer; and $2 from Jeff Doom for not experiencing a plane fiasco like his niece Rachel Woods; $10 from Gerrit Juffer who had a surprise birthday party out of state last week and got stuck with the bill.

Not surprisingly, Jerry Henke drew a winning number for a chance at the Queen of Hearts and he drew the Queen! All Rotarians kissed $409.50 goodbye. Note: Jerry and his wife Kathe Henke are loyal Rotarians and work at the building before each meeting preparing the tables and greeting people and doing little odd jobs. Congratulations Jerry!

The Secretary/Treasurer was absent but Rotarian Slaba reported that Jordan Weber’s team had only one miss and Jamie Soukup’s team had three misses including Jamie himself. The Weber Team is ahead for the first time in three quarters!

Slaba also reported that Rotarian Becky Brunsing was presently in Mitchell for the PETS (President Elect Training Session). A discussion was then centered on doing more ditch cleaning. Members who can make it will be starting at the Bob Soukup residence on the north highway at 5:30 and cleaning the ditches and farm fields for two miles.

Everyone was reminded that a community cleanup will take place Friday, May 5th.