August 21st was our annual visit from the District Governor of #5610. This year’s governor was Bruce Nearhood from the Minneapolis area. His wife Kim Nearhood accompanied him, and they were treated to a steak luncheon prepared by our very own Rotarian Scott McAdaragh. President Jordan Weber called the meeting to order and gave a prayer of thanks for the DG visit. The District Governor had presided over a meeting that began at 11:00 a.m. for our Wagner Rotary officers and committee chairpersons. There was one guest present, Steve Donelan who came courtesy of Rotarian Ken Cotton.

Song leader Gerrit Juffer led the members in singing ROTARY! A Membership Minute was given by Rotarian Patty Frei which consisted of recognizing Linda Soukup and Gerrit Juffer for their years of membership in Rotary. Soukup was given a certificate for 22 years since joining in July of 2002. Gerrit Juffer was awarded a certificate of 43 years since joining in 1987. All members of the Wagner Club have a long way to go to catch up to Rotarian Joe Stedronsky who has been in the Wagner Club for 64 years! Frei also gave the two new members from last week’s meeting some Rotary objects to help them with their membership. One is a copy of the Four-Way Test, and some other items of information found in our “closet” which is the old bank vault from the Barkl building when it was erected as the First State Bank in Wagner.

President Jordan Weber held the winning ticket number but only drew the nine of Hearts. Now how did that happen at the Head Table? Jordan lost $256.00. The attendance race has the Brunsing Team again with perfect attendance and the Soukup Team with two misses for a total of eight misses for the Soukup Team and only three misses on the Brunsing Team.

Rotarian Jerry Weber took a full trailer load of cans to Mitchell the past week and asked for help in emptying the bin into the trailer after the meeting.

The program was given by DG Bruce Nearhood who gave an interesting and motivating talk about the four areas for Rotarians to focus on. Nearhood is thankful for his Rotary membership. He stated that “Rotary had made him a better person.” This should be the goal for all Rotarian members. He spoke at length about the goals and projects that Rotary conducts on a world-wide basis; the eradication of polio being foremost. The goals were: Increase our Impact, Expand our Reach, Enhance participation; and Increase our ability to adapt. He complimented the Wagner Club on starting a corporate membership and said, “our regular meetings and project meetings have benefits.” However, Nearhood stated: “We can’t be our father’s Rotary Club anymore. We must change with the times. This is a changing world; we must be prepared to change with it. The story of Rotary will have to be written again and again.”

The District Governor was given a round of applause. All members felt refreshed and encouraged by his words of wisdom.

We adjourned in our usual fashion by reciting The Four-Way Test: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?