Milwaukee North Sunrise Rotary Meeting –August 22, 2019 - Minutes
Attendees:  Dr. Willie Hart, Diane Beckley, George Matthews,  Lynda Conyers, Bob Holzrichter, Monica Phillip, Buzz Althoen,  Fred Langer, Thanner Baquero,  Tarakee Jackson,  Sharon Adams,  Dale Allen, Greg Williams, Angie Stinson
Guests:  Elmer Moore, Shannon King 
Meeting was called to order by President Willie, who led us in the Pledge and the Four Way Test.  Invocation was given by Buzz Althoen.
President Willie welcomed our guests.
Sgt. at Arms, Thanner Baquero reported $28 collected, and more coming from Good/Bad News.
Good News/Bad News:
Thanner reported on taking a bike ride on Saturday and saw some positive things with the clean up effort on Lisbon Avenue.  He also reported that the Business Round Table enhanced their “Statement of Purpose” which makes it more meaningful.  One hundred CEO’s signed the document.  Thanner passed the document around for us to read.
Buzz reported on his adventures at Irish Fest with his grandsons.  The dancing and singing really impressed him. ..it seemed everybody was participating.  It was good to see people enjoying and sharing the day.
Bob announced that he proposed to Barbara, and she said “yes”.  The wedding will take place next spring. Congratulations and Best Wishes!
Greg reported on the TSUNAA Milwaukee Scholarships.  They gave six scholarships ranging from $300 to $1000.
Willie reported that she has faithfully entering all the phases of the Public Clearing House contest.  If she wins, she promises we will all benefit as her extended family.  Good Luck, Willie!
Diane reported that the St. Ann’s Band Shell is really rockin’ and rollin’.  They are having church services presented, which makes a very big difference in the neighborhood.  Also, coming soon will be performances by UPAF groups.
Dale reported that he had a scheduled financial instruction class at Moody’s Park, with only a scant few in attendance.  He noticed kids playing basketball near by and offered them $5 to attend his class, and they did, and after, they were very thankful for the information he provided them.  Way to Go!
CLUB BUSINESS:
Lynda updated us on our upcoming “back to school” project at the Brown Street Academy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School on September 3rd – 7:15 am to 8:30 am.  She passed around the sign up sheets for members to indicate at which school they will be volunteering.
Monica reminded everyone of the District 6270 Governor’s visit to our club next Thursday, August 29th.
She encouraged everyone to be there.
President Willie updated us on the fact that Cynthia will be scheduling a police officer to speak to our club in the near future.  She has made contact and now needs to set the date.
President Willie also told us that she checked with Serb Hall for our Bowlio for Polio event.  The want a payment of $500 for the facility.  She is looking into another place.
Dale offered to do his classification talk at the September 5th meeting.
Thanner questioned if this is a type of program we really should have.  It was determined that this is a way to get to know each other and find out what our passions and interests are, so that the club can incorporate those ideas in our projects and events.
SPEAKER:
Buzz introduced our speaker, Julia Means, from Blanket of Love.  Julia was our Unsung Hero about six years ago.  The club has taken up the service of providing diapers for Blanket of Love on a quarterly basis.
Julie thanked the club for its generous contributions of diapers over the years.  She said, we can not believe how important an item diapers are for the mothers she deals with.  First of all, diapers are expensive and are not covered by “food share” cash, so this is a burden on the mother financially.
Julie started her program at Ebenezer Church, and now it has expanded to 15 churches and another 39 supporting the program.  Julie is expanding the program to involve classes for the “Dads”.  Both parents need to be involved with their children.  Milwaukee has one of the highest totals for infant mortality.  It was thought at one time that this was caused by unsafe sleeping and care of the baby.  It has been found that really premature delivery is a greater problem.  This is brought on by high stress levels caused by homelessness, financial stress, and poverty as a whole.
Julie told us that the Blanket of Love program is now offered at three Ascension hospitals, St. Francis, St. Joseph, and Columbia St. Mary’s.  She also mentioned that Ascension will be offering a Medical Mission on September 14th, with free healthcare, dental, social and support services.  No insurance needed and everyone will be welcome.
Julie also told us that the program includes spiritual help and connection.  Just recently at her church they had a Blessing for the mothers and children, and it was very well received.  This is something that is lacking many times in the lives of those who are struggling.
Drugs are also a big problem, and needs to be addressed, especially for expectant mothers.  They will receive support from Blanket of Love programs.
Julie also announced that she was made a board member of the Board of Health for Milwaukee.
Diane expressed that St. Ann’s will be doing more in enabling health care for families.  Their health clinic is growing and will be providing many health services soon.
Thanner asked about the stress factors…..homelessness, lack of jobs, financial problems, etc.  He suggested that our Rotary club board address this to see if we can do something financial to ease this problem.  Julia responded that we also need to educate them.
President Willie thanked Julia for the update.
President Willie read a note from Emily Olson, thanking us for our support with the scholarship for her education at UWM in the Nursing program.  She will be graduating in December.
RAFFLE:
Diane’s number was drawn, and she picked the white marble and won $26.  Next week we start over with 10 blue and 1 white.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 AM
Respectfully submitted,
Monica Phillip, Secretary

UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
August 29 – District Governor Steen Sanderhoff – ALL MEMBERS SHOULD BE IN ATTENDANCE, IF POSSIBLE
September 3 – Volunteering at Brown Street Academy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School
September 5 – NO MEETING –because of our Sept. 3rd activity    
September 12 – Dale Allen Classification Talk
September 19 - Open
September 26 – Open  (PLEASE CONTACT CHRIS IF YOU HAVE A SPEAKER YOU WANT SCHEDULED FOR          EITHER OF THESE TWO DATES OR IN THE FUTURE)       
October 10 – Breakfast/Meeting at St. Ann’s – 9:00 am Tour Wis. Humane Society

LIST OF EVENTS FOR 2019-2020 YEAR:
1.	VETS COLLECTION OF WARM CLOTHING – OCTOBER (FLIERS AND COLLECTION DATES)
2.	POLIO PLUS “END POLIO IN THE WORLD” DAY – OCTOBER 24, 2019
3.	COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
4.	CHRISTMAS WITH DIGNITY – DECEMBER, (DATES) START WORKING ON IN SEPTEMBER, 2019
5.	OUTBOUND YOUTH EXCHANGE – (NEED TIME LINE INFORMATION)
6.	4TH GRADE ESSAY CONTEST – APRIL, 2020 – JUNE, 2020 –CANOE TRIP AND CLUB PRESENTATION
7.	WORLD AFFAIRS SEMINAR – JUNE, 2020 (NEED TO FIND A STUDENT)
8.	VETS COLLECTION OF KITCHEN ITEMS – JUNE/JULY, 2020 (FLIERS AND COLLECTION DATES)
9.	ST. VINCENT DE PAUL MEAL PROGRAM – (BUZZ NEEDS TO GIVE US DATES)
SOCIAL EVENTS:
CHRISTMAS PARY – DECEMBER, 2019
ANNIVERSARY/CHANGING OF GUARD DINNER – JUNE, 2020
NOTE:  WE WILL BE ADDING THE SEPTEMBER 3RD  BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS AND AN OCTOBER “BOWLIO FOR POLIO” EVENT