Wagner Rotary was brought to attention Wednesday June 23rd with the ringing of the Rotary Bell and Pastor/Rotarian Bill Heermann praying that everyone may endure the hot weather. He asked for protection for those who work and live with the constant heat; and prayed that we may all be guided to serve others in our Wagner Community.

Pastor/Rotarian/Musician Laurie Kidd put on her music hat and led the membership in singing “America” and “Viva La Rotary." Excellent job by all.

Membership Minute Chairman Ken Cotton explained World Understanding Month to the membership. The month of February is special in the Rotary calendar since it is designated World Understanding Month. The month also includes the anniversary of the first meeting of Rotary held on February 23, 1905, now designated World Understanding and Peace Day.

In designating World Understanding Month, the Rotary International board asks all Rotary clubs to plan programs for their weekly meetings and undertake special activities to emphasize “understanding and goodwill as essential for world peace.”

To observe this designated month, many clubs arrange international speakers, invite youth exchange students and international scholars from schools and universities to club meetings, plan programs featuring former Group Study Exchange team members, arrange discussions on international issues, present entertainment with an international cultural or artistic theme and schedule other programs with an international emphasis.

Many clubs take the opportunity to launch an international community service activity or contact a Rotary club in another country. It is a good month to initiate a Rotary Fellowship Exchange, a 3-H project or encourage support for Polio Plus and other Rotary Foundation programs.

World Understanding Month is a chance for every club to pause, plan and promote the Fourth Avenue of Service—Rotary’s continued quest for goodwill, peace and understanding among people of the world.

Suspense grew as Rachel Doom held the ticket number to allow her to draw from the remaining cards in the Queen of Hearts drawing. She drew the three of Spades and everyone relaxed. Craig Krsnak reported that with the day's collection there is now $765.50 in the pot which will be the winner's share.

President Bryan Slaba read thank you notes from Kalan Kafka and Michaela Kokes for their Rotary Scholarships. He reminded the membership that we are supposed to help serve brats at Super Foods this Friday. Bill Frei, Kathe and Jerry Henke volunteered, and Craig Krsnak and Rachel Woods offered to help if they needed more people.

Ken Cotton was the program, and he chose to explain his involvement with the Lewis and Clark Behavioral Health Board out of Yankton. He had attended a meeting that morning. Ken had a relative who at an early age suffered from a lack of focus. He was treated by a local doctor for several months without any improvement. The doctor eventually referred him to a hospital in Sioux Falls which dealt with mental illness and within a month the young man was back in school. Ken also recalled another incident involving a relative who suffered from the same type of symptoms. Her parents tried the local doctors but after no improvement they decided to seek help from what was then known as the State Hospital. There was a great deal of stigma about mental illness in that time period. After treatment she overcame her difficulties.

Ken’s family moved to Yankton and his Dad instructed Ken to get a job. Ken went out to the Human Services Center (the name change was beneficial to all those seeking help) and he applied and was hired and received three weeks of training. He enjoyed working there and observed many doctors and nursing staff that were excellent at what they did and some that were not particularly good.

Ken has served on the L&C Behavioral Board since 1981. He has been involved with the members and watched the facilities evolve. There is now a L&C board Chairperson in every county. There has always been and will always be a need for personnel and facilities in South Dakota for those who need treatment. Ken promised to try and bring Dr. Savage in for another program about the Lewis and Clark Board and facilities.

The meeting adjourned with the membership reciting the 4-Way Test.

Sergeant at Arms Becky Brunsing was at her usual post again and levied the following fines:

$1 to Jeff Doom for being disruptive and $2 for too much information!

$1 to Bill Herrmann and $2 to Ken Cotton, Craig Krsnak and Bryan Slaba just because.

$5 to Jeff Doom for being too nosy.

Happy Fines were offered by:

Laurie Kidd at $5.00 for the great singing by the group

$10.00 from Craig Krsnak for having all the Rotary financials in decent shape thanks to former secretary Patty Frei and Craig’s secretary Bev Leibel

Jerry Henke offered $10.00 in gratefulness for Bryan Slaba overseeing our local health care.