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Our last May meeting of our fourth quarter of our Rotary Year was called to order on May 31st by President Rachel Woods. Pastor/ Rotarian Bill Heermann gave thanks for the cooler weather and the nourishing food. He asked if we might use this nourishment to continue our work in our Wagner Community.

Song Leader Gerrit Juffer tuned up his Bluetooth and members sang two verses of R*O*T*A*R*Y. Rotarian Patty Frei gave the Membership Minute in place of Rotarian Ken Cotton.

Rotary is 1.4 million enthusiastic individuals in 46000+clubs worldwide. We are both an international organization and a local community leader. Together we lead change in our own backyards and across the world.

What are the benefits of membership? Becoming a Rotary member connects you with a diverse group of professionals who share your drive to give back. Through regular meetings and events, you’ll: Discuss your community’s needs and develop creative ways to meet them. Connect with other leaders who are changing the world. Expand your leadership and professional skills. Catch up with good friends and meet new ones.

What’s expected of me? As a club member, you will be asked to pay club dues, attend meetings and events, and use your professional skills and talents to make a difference.

Other benefits of membership include: The Rotary International Convention, the biggest event of the year. Rotary members from more than 130 countries meet each year to celebrate our successes and make plans for the future.

Rotary Fellowships give members the chance to join a group of people who share similar interests, hobbies, or vocations.

Rotarian Action Groups collaborate with clubs and districts on projects.

The District Conference held in the fall brings Rotarians together for leadership training, collaboration, and entertainment.

PETS Spring Leadership Assembly with inspirational leadership training for new officers and leadership teams with networking and fellowship.

Assistant Sergeant at Arms Jamie Soukup immediately fined Linda Soukup $2 for her statement about bringing in the meal for Jordan, which turned out to be Jamie filling in for Jordan; $2 each to Becky Brunsing, Amanda, Kathe Henke, Bill Heermann, and Scott McAdaragh for not sharing a table with Bryan Slaba; $3 to Jamie Soukup for being gone for three weeks; $2 to Jordan and Jerry Weber for working with cattle instead of coming to the meeting (Jerry Weber I s famous for his statement: All Rotarians are busy! The only Happy Fine came from Amanda Bechen of $2 for her experience riding an electric bicycle.

Patty Frei held the lucky number for drawing and got close by drawing the King of Hearts. She lost $69.00.

Secretary/Treasurer Craig Krsnak announced that the attendance teams are still in a close race. Jamie Soukup’s team has eleven misses and Jordan Weber’s team has ten misses.

President Rachel Woods read thank you cards from Ava Podzimek and Ted Slaba for being the recipients of the two Rotary Scholarships. In other business Bryan Slaba was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship pin plus two.

Gerrit Juffer brought a guest to the meeting, Arlis Kafka, who gave an interesting presentation about the annual Cancer Rummage that is held in Wagner at the National Guard Armory every summer.

Arlis started out by informing the membership that the annual Cancer Walk Rummage will be held next week starting June 5th. Monday and Tuesday are days of set up and bringing in items. They are Closed on Wednesday until 5:00 PM and then open the doors and remain open until 8:00 PM. The hours for Thursday and Friday are 9 to 6 and 9 to 4 on Friday. Those two days are also “Bag Sale” and “Bake Sale” promotions being held. By the time readers get their Wagner Post the good stuff may be gone, so hurry down as soon as you can.

This is an annual event that Kafka has spearheaded for years. This is strictly a volunteer event. She appreciates the people who have worked for her for years and years. She mentioned that the majority are women and also older than her!

Arlis answered several questions about the event, one of which was “what do you do with all the leftover items?” She has collaborated with a lady who was employed by an organization called SAVERS and they will be sending a big truck down to pick up what is left. The items are weighted in bulk and compensation is given to the organization for the donations.

This huge rummage event has helped to sponsor the Annual Cancer Walk held at Wagner Lake every August. This year the date is August 12th. Apparel Worx is in the process of developing the T shirts which are sold every year to also help fund the event.

Arlis also uses the funds from the rummage to help cancer patients in the Wagner/Dante/ Marty/ Lake Andes/Pickstown/ Greenwood area. Last year she distributed $500 in Chamber Bucks to cancer patients. The money can be used for gas, goods, and other essentials involved in driving out of town for cancer treatments. She has helped eight cancer patients already this month.

The group uses Chamber dollars as a way of showing support from the businesses who donate to help make it possible for these patients. Kafka likes to keep the participation local. She gave the example of RF Buche who donates $10,000 per year for this area. She makes a point of giving Buches cards for the Gus Stop and other Buche’s locations in the various communities. All businesses who donate are recognized and whenever possible she encourages patients to go into those businesses that participate and support them.