In attendance:  J Steinhauer, P Christiansen, R Christian, K White, H Kopras, J Burns, M Rooney, S Wallitsch, E Grabe, S. Smith, S Salerno, student Rotarian Payton Almquist.

Happy Bucks:

Keith was happy to have his wife Amanda and Winston (4 months) come to the meeting.

Paul C was happy to be sharing a table with Keith’s family.

Jim Burns: happy for his recent birthday and still going strong.

Heidi: her daughter arrived at Spain safely and Melia is dealing with the aftermath of her wisdom tooth extraction.

Susan Smith: results of Blue Mounds township meeting and her efforts to get support from fellow residents to nominate new candidate positions.

Sad buck: terrible migraine yesterday. Happy Buck: Went to Viva Infusions which helped her get over pain and avoid a trip to the ER.

Thank you card from Keith and Amanda passed around.

Guests: Student Rotarian Payton Almquist, Amanda and Winston White.

Announcements:

Youth Symposium: Susan has information.

Sponsor a Ukrainian Family through Welcome US, a group helping refugee family's find support. Susan has more details.

District is having Vibrant workshop 1/21. In person at La Crosse and via zoom meeting. The event is tailored for club “spark plugs” activities include toolkits for chairs, new members sharing about Membership, Public Image, and The Rotary Foundation and how the three work together in Rotary.

Pancake Brunch

Paul’s update on placemat advertising sales is that we are a long ways away from our goal; less than half way.

Paul is making phone calls and having better luck with using calls to get commitments from advertisers versus emails.

Event planning: setting up shifts, getting help for the kitchen. Paul is working with staff at school to help with logistics of food production. Need more hands on deck after the event for clean up.

Susan Smith can do an article for the Mt. Horeb Mail. Some considerations about expenses for purchasing ad space were discussed. Susan Smith said that Mount Horeb mail is willing to trade for ad space in the placemat.

Heidi shared what advertising was done in the past with ads leading up to the event, and a thank you advertisement afterwards.

The possibility of co opting with Optimist Club for advertising in Mt. Horeb mail and table cards at the event was mentioned. Action item to contact one of the Optimist Club members to see if they are interested. This will help with the cost of advertising.

Straight talk on sales strategy includes using the placemat for contact info. Russ suggested using the phrase, “Can we count on your support this year?”

Susan suggested adding to our conversation to ask if potential sponsors are interested in joining Rotary.

Paul will re-send the email containing the .pdf of the placemat with instructions to us.

Staffing;

Last year 6 Interact students helped. Payton is working with the club and will be asking for volunteers. Last year the interact club members were a great help.

Timing:

Having pancakes at opening is critical.

Afterwards we need to contribute to kitchen clean up.

Amanda our guest brought up getting high chairs and members discussed finding a resource for loaners.

Keith mentioned another method of committees to get funding by sending him requests for checks.

Meeting adjourned 12:55