In the midst of the Corona Pandemic and the associated social distancing and ban on meetings of more than 5 or 10 people, Rob Marschke and John Trone led us through our first virtual meeting using the ZOOM app. The meeting was an "all announcements" format, with no program. Some 72 of our members logged on from their various isolation chambers and, in spite of a few technical glitches, the meeting was quite successful.
Larry Salmen provided an inspirational moment including an expression of thanks for all of the individuals who are the front line for maintaining society during the Corona Virus pandemic. Larry Kunter, noting that it is commonly beneficial to have something humorous to help provide scale to what otherwise might be overwhelming problems, gave us several short humorous stories.
Rob also passed on an Executive Committee Report: EC is meeting regularly by ZOOM; there are several service projects/opportunities available; several pending new member inductions are hanging fire until on-site meetings can resume; discussion/work continues on changing our venue to 1st Presbyterian Church, including the possibility of continuing on a month-to-month basis at the Drake Center until all issues are resolved (but at a higher price); all committee chairs are reminded that budget proposals for next year are due; Peach Festival 2020 has been canceled and an August date for Peach Festival 2021 has been reserved with the city but no financial commitment has been made.
With the “floor” open for comments, the following were note-worthy:
Kathy Hawkins: no dues bills will be sent out in April; next ones in May.
Tammie Niemann & Tanis Roeder feel comfortable going to the store for any members who are reluctant to venture out.
John Trone reported that the District Assembly (meeting by ZOOM) had approved distribution of some $20,000 to Food Banks across the District.
Donna Chapel suggested buying gift cards from local vendors to help with their cash flow.
Bob Simmons said that he has been using cut-up hepta vacuum-cleaner bags as 0.3 micron filter inserts in home-made masks. Robin Steele added that blue micro-fiber shop towels may also work.
Erik Peterson announced that Robin Steele & Don Jorgensen will be joining the board of the Legacy Fund on July 1.
John Trone announced that Larry Salmen will be joining the District Global Grants Committee, probably as chair of the committee. Also, for Corvid-19 response grants, the requirement that 30% of funds must come from other countries has been waived.
Bob Hoel and Robin Steele announced that the Investment Fellowship will meet by ZOOM after next week’s meeting at 1:30. “Things are exciting on Wall Street”.
Bob Meroney, on the technical front, suggested that for future ZOOM meetings everyone try to avoid windows or lights immediately behind their heads
President Rob concluded the meeting with a communal recitation of the Four-Way Test.