This Week in President Bill Frei welcomed all Rotarians to the November 20th meeting and first and foremost congratulated Rotarian Rachel Woods on receiving the Citizen of the Year Award at the recent Wagner Community Gala held on Saturday night, November 16th. A round of applause was given to Rachel. The club is proud of her efforts in Wagner.

Rotarian Laurie Kidd offered up a prayer of thankfulness for our club being together on this day; asked for guidance for Rotary to continue their works in the community and expressed gratitude for the meal and the hands that prepared it.

Three WCS Seniors rose and introduced themselves, listed their class studies, and activities and plans after graduation. Those attending were Emilea Cimpl, parents PJ and Marti Cimpl; Alexzyonna Zephier, parents Jody and Constei Zephier; and Caitlyn Stimpson, parents Dave and Ranae Stimpson.

Rotarian Laurie Kidd led the club members in singing “We Gather Together” and “Sing Out a Song of Rotary” to the tune of “Give My Regards to Broadway”

Rotarian Dave Isebrand oversaw the Membership Minute: For the 12th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating—four stars—from Charity navigator, which is an independent evaluator of charities in the US. The Rotary Foundation earned the recognition for demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. Only one percent of the organizations Charity Navigator evaluates have received 12 consecutive 4-star evaluations.

Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that The Rotary Foundation exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in your area of work”, says Michael Thatcher, president and chief executive officer of Charity Navigator “This exceptional designation sets the Foundation apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness.” The rating reflects Charity Navigator’s assessment of how the Foundation uses donations, sustains its programs and services, and practices good governance and openness.

Ken Cotton had his ticket drawn for the Queen of Hearts game and drew a Joker which is worth $10.00 in cash. Good for you Ken! $132.00 was collected for the cash balance in the drawing.

Sec.-Treasurer Patty Frei gave the attendance report with Pastor Bill’s team still holding strong with 1 absence for a total of 2 absences. Pastor Laurie’s team gained a little bit of ground with 3 absences, several makeups, for a total of 11 absences.

We neglected to report last week’s football winners. They were Kesa Alexander sold by Becky Brunsing and Courtney Krsnak sold by Craig Krsnak. This week’s winners were Jacqueline Sumpter sold by Gerrit Juffer and Mike Denker sold by Laura Wright.

President Bill Frei called Jeff Doom, Ken Cotton, and Rachel Doom representing Kelsey Doom to the front table to receive plaques containing a gavel and the dates they served as a Rotary President.

President Bill announced that he would like help loading the aluminum can trailer after the meeting; RachelWoods hastheprogram next week. Roger Wiltz offered to give a program within the next three weeks if someone needed to trade program dates.

Program Chair for the Day was Rotarian Scott McAdaragh and he introduced Amy Doom and Kara Frei, Co-Chairmen of the Community Meal.

Amy presented the first half of the program. She explained that Horizons was the impetus for many things that have happened in the Wagner Community the last several years and the Community Thanksgiving Meal is one of them.

People working together, getting to know one another, and establishing a level of trust between individuals leads to relationships being established. As a level of trust begins to grow, people begin to work together for common goals. They start to relax, dream, plan, and execute their dreams. This grows neighborhoods and families.

Kara Frei took over at this point and explained how the Wagner Community Thanksgiving Meal began four years ago when an anonymous donor contacted Scott Aldrink and offered to fund this meal and asked him to make it happen. Scott contacted Amy and Kara to implement the donor’s plans. The meal is prepared and served at the Wagner Community School Cafeteria from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The first year they served 150 people, the next year attendance grew to 180, and last year they served about 230.

Nothing goes to waste. Leftovers are sent home with people present, they are asked to share these with friends or others needing food. One year the leftovers were given to a family who had to bury a loved one and they were short of funds.

Kara asked for any donations of monetary value, or to just come and eat and then help serve others, or work at serving the meal and then enjoy the meal. Any monetary donations are given to deserving community organizations. This year’s donations will be given to the SOC’s Committee which deals with suicide education and prevention.

There are other ways to participate; perhaps you would like to come and lead some singing, or have a group provide music. If you are not able to participate, they ask for your prayers.

The club adjourned by singing America.

Rotarian Laura Wright served as a substitute for the Assistant Sergeant of Arms, Scott McAdaragh and did a fine job of assessing fines.

• $2 to Becky Brunsing for shifting her SAA duties to Laura at the last minute due to a workplace meeting.

• $5 to all the Vikings fans present: Rachel Woods, Bill and Patty Frei.

• $3 each to Rachel Woods, Bryan Slaba and Laura Wright, for awards and for organizing a fantastic Gala event.

• $2 to Jordan Weber for using two forks for the meal.

• $5 Happy Fine from Laura as there were over 250 in attendance at the Gala Event.

• $5 Happy Fine from Rachel Woods for her Uncle Jeff’s birthday.

• $5 Happy Fine from Kathe Henke for Mike Frei taking his young football players to the Vikings vs. Broncos football game in Minneapolis Sunday for a day they will never forget.