The last meeting of the Wagner Rotary Club for the 2020-2021 year convened at Noon on June 30th. There was one guest, Charlene Soukup, wife of Jamie Soukup. Pastor/Rotarian Laurie Kidd prayed for the members by giving thanks for the blessings of the day and asked that we might all be given guidance in making our decisions as we try to help our community.

Laurie also led the group in singing Happy Birthday to Joe Stedronsky and Bill Frei for their July birthdays. Joe will be turning 94 in July. Club members then sang Roll on Rotary and America the Beautiful for our musical selections.

Rotarian Ken Cotton arrived just in time to deliver his Membership Minute. The Classification Principle: Virtually all membership in Rotary is based upon a “classification”. Basically, a classification describes the distinct and recognized business or professional service which the Rotarian renders to society.

The principle of Rotary classification is somewhat more specific and precise. In determining the classification of a Rotarian, it is necessary to look at the “principal or recognized business or professional activity of the firm, company or institution” with which an active member is connected or “that which covers his principal and recognized business or professional activity.”

It should be clearly understood that classifications are determined by activities or services to society rather than by the position held by a particular individual. In other words, if a person is the president of a bank, he or she is not classified as “bank president” but under the classification “banking”

It is the principal and recognized activity of a business or professional establishment, or the individual’s principal and recognized business or professional activity that determines the classification to be established and loaned to a qualified person. One may be considered for membership as a representative of the work he or she may be doing personally or as a representative of the firm, company, or institution for which the professional service is being done.

The classification principle also permits business and industries to be separated into distinct functions such as manufacturing, distributing, retailing, and servicing.

The classification principle is a necessary concept in assuring that each Rotary club represents a cross section of the business and professional service of the community.

President Bryan Slaba had a chance at the Queen of Hearts drawing but only pulled out the 7 of Hearts.

Secretary/Treasurer Craig Krsnak reported that $38 was collected for the Queen drawing bringing the total up to $784.50.

President Slaba reminded everyone that attendance will be recorded starting next week for the new year 2021-2022. Everyone received a copy of the new Steak attendance teams which are led by Becky Brunsing and Rachel Woods. Slaba expressed his thanks to Rotarian Jeff Doom who was the only Rotarian that showed up at the races last Friday night to sell 50/50 tickets.

Rotarian Rachel Woods introduced her program which was Wagner Community School’s new Superintendent Matt Yost. Mr. Yost comes to Wagner from Parkston, South Dakota. His wife is Amy Jo who is currently finishing up her job in Sioux Falls and will continue to do her work reviews related to her job from home in Wagner. Matt and Amy Jo have two daughters, Emma who will be a Junior in WCS and Lydia who will be enrolled as a Freshman at WCS.

Mr. Yost received his college education at Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD. He has worked at Lower Brule, Avon and recently at Parkston. He is looking forward to his new job in Wagner. He has been busy meeting with staff, the various principals, and staff. He has pledged to be visible and available to all. He knows Wagner from living in such proximity and the position interested and appealed to him when it became available. He is looking forward to being a part of something new.

Yost stated that “loyalty” is especially important in teacher/parent/administration interaction. He believes in facing situations and problems by talking through them and finding solutions together. He plans on surrounding himself with a leadership team of principals and teachers and staff.

He believes in having four principles to guide everyone involved at WCS. 1. Treat each other with dignity and respect. 2. Avoid being territorial about yourself and what you do and consider everything in the light of the “overall good”. 3. Commit to doing something and follow through 4. Problems and negative feedback should not be shared privately but instead share them and come up with solutions.

Mr. Yost was friendly, and full of enthusiasm and we wish him well in his new position. Please welcome him into the community.

Sergeant at Arms Becky Brunsing happily delivered her last fines of the year:

$2 to Jerry Weber from last week for wearing a “greasy” shirt

$2 to Jeff Doom for not being “nice”

$4 to Jeff Doom for running around the room during the singing session

$1 each to Kara and Jerry Weber for being absent on the last day of the meeting year.

Happy Fines were given by:

Joe Stedronsky, $5 for his birthday

$10 from Ken Cotton for a $10,000 donation from a former Wagner resident to the Wagner Library

$5 from Jeff Doom for meeting his grandchild for the first time

$10 from Linda Soukup for winning a beautiful set of golf clubs from the raffle at the Sue Bastemeyer Memorial Golf Tournament last weekend (and she doesn’t golf)

Rotarian Jerry Henke asked for a round of applause and thanks were given to Becky Brunsing for her job as SAA this past year.