Attendance at Waunakee Rotary meetings has dropped, and the membership committee wants to know why.

That was one of the things mentioned as each of the committees gave their reports during the Feb. 27 Waunakee Rotary meeting club assembly. 

Are members simply away being snowbirds? Or is it just a busy time of year? Or, since the policy changed and members aren’t required to pay for meals they missed, are they feeling more at liberty to skip a meeting?

If you have a clue, let Jennifer Tasker in on it. 

That committee is also looking to get the marketing budget approved, and next week, a new member will graduate to the blue badge. 

Other committee reports were as follows: 

Youth and vocational – Scholarship applications from high school seniors are due March 19. That committee is also recruiting students to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) coming up, and it would be nice to get students to attend the World Affairs seminar, Robert Arntz said. 

Robert is also heading up the Business Person of the Year nominations, so if you want to nominate someone, check your email box and find his email to you. 

Jean Elvekrog thanked members who volunteered to with read with a student at Heritage Elementary. Four first-graders are still looking for reading buddies. You can go read with them from 12:05-12:20 p.m. any day of the week. Email Jean if you are interested at jelvekrog@gmail.com.

Community service – Ken Pesik reported that the committee will provide a presentation on the arch it is proposing at the Village Park entrance to the Waunakee Parks Committee on April 2. The village-wide cleanup is April 26, and Wauktoberfest has been extended a day, so will run Thursday-Sunday. The dates are Sept. 11-14 this year. 

Fundraising – WaunaFest will be the next big fundraiser. Jim Kattner, who has headed up the Rotary food stand, is the WaunaFest Board President this year, so we’ll need help with that. 

Fellowship – Bob Klostermann is scheduling a bowling outing for March 16. And in June, there will be a boat ride but we don’t know what boat. 

International - Alex Welk reported that the committee is applying for a district grant to support a project at SOAR Kenya. The school is planning a greenhouse to serve as a classroom and grow food for meals. Alex is looking for contacts at other clubs who might want to partner to help raise $15,500.

Programs and meetings – Kylie West has programs planned but is planning a 5x5’s periodically, where five members give a short introduction with information about themselves, allowing newer members to learn more about them. Next week’s program, Women in Rotary, will include some of the members reflecting on when women were first admitted to the club. l

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Other News: 

Volunteers needed to head up events: Club members are being asked to step up and take the lead on a number of projects. Each will require two people to work together: 

-WaunaFest food stand

-National Night Out cookout

-Senior Picnic with Sara Whitley

Guests: John Fingersen

Birthdays: March 7, James O’Brien.

Anniversaries: None. 

What’s for Lunch: March 6: Potato and soup bar; March 13, Swiss steak and mashed potatoes; March 20, chicken tacos; March 27, mac and cheese with grilled ham.

Greeters: March 6, Alex Welk and Todd Schmidt; March 13, Hilary Pink-Budworth and Sarah Bonk; March 20, Shauna Hughey and Tony Burns; March 27, Max Ujdak and Tom Kennedy. 

To sign up to greet or to find out if you are greeting, visit: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054CAAAA2CA7F85-44320149-2023#/