Kiwanis Club of Cheney - October 30, 2014 meeting notes


The meeting was called to order at 7am by President Tom Whitfield.  There were 24 club members, our speaker and one guest -- Lt. Governor Pat Dockrey, who spoke briefly and reminded us about the upcoming gleaning at Green Bluff.


We recognized Benji's 50th birthday and Gail won the 50/50 drawing.


Mr. Missell, assistant Cheney HS principal and athletic director, introduced two students of the month.  They are both cross country athletes:  Steaven Zachman, a senior who may attend EWU and Hannah Spakousky who is a freshman.  Both are on the all league first team and will be competing at the district meet.


Club business:
   1.  Coats for Kids - Margie reported that 315 coats were distributed and she is willing to be in charge of this event next year.
   2.  Halloween party for kids at EWU - Kirk reminded us how to access the building and passed around the volunteer sign up sheet for last minute changes.  He expects help from around 8-10 members each from Salnave K-Kids and Cheney High Key Club.
   3.  Rake a difference community service event by EWU students - Randy delivered about 20 rakes from club members and is waiting for their return. 
   4.  See's candy - Jeri reminded us about the pre-sell and said every item sold provides a couple of dollars of revenue for the club.


Speaker:  Our speaker was Wendy Schuller, EWU head women's basketball coach.  She told us about a free exhibition game tonight at Reese court at 6pm and gave us information about her players. This year's non-conference games include some tough competition and include home games with Wichita State and Gonzaga.  She said that while winning is important,  the team's top focus is on education.  This last year EWU was #2 in the US in team GPA out of over 300 schools in their division.  The team has also placed in the top 10 in several prior years.  Another team focus is community service.  Last year they provided over 350 hours of service including reading in public schools, Special Olympics and Spokane Guild School. For the  5 weeks of the current year they have already done 6 or 7 team volunteer events.


Announcements:  Rande and Margie Lindner said that the Spokane Composite CAP squadron is participating in Wreaths Across America and distributed information on how club members can sponsor wreaths which will be placed at the Veteran's Cemetery in Medical Lake on December 13. 


The meeting adjourned at 8am.


Respectfully submitted, 


Jeri

Kiwanis Club of Cheney - October 23, 2014 meeting notes




The meeting was called to order at 7am by President Tom Whitfield.  Sixteen members and our speaker were present; there were no guests. 


The President reminded us that quarter cup donations through Dec. 31 will go to Cheney Outreach.  There were no birthdays or anniversaries to recognize.  We thanked Duane Isaac for his several years' service as treasurer.  The 50/50 drawing was won by Kirk.


Club business:
   1.  Margie reported that 200 Coats were collected, which is significantly lower than last year.  Coat distribution with be Oct. 24-27.
   2.  Rande reminded us that an EWU service club has asked to borrow rakes for volunteer yard clean up.  Rande will collect and deliver our labeled rakes and bring them back when they are returned. 
   3.  K Kids:  Salnave has about 40 participants; Betz has about 30.  We need to identify a liaison for Salnave; George had done this in the past and will be asked if he can do it again.
   4.  Kirk passed around the sign up for the Harvest festival set up, events and tear down.  Since it will be at the Rec Center, the set up needs to start around 2:30pm.  Food items will be on the upper level and games will be on the ice rink floor.  Service access is on the east side of the building.
   5.  Tony reminded us that the next board meeting is November 3, one day after daylight savings time ends.
   6.  Tom shared announcements from District:  Kiwanis gleaning at Green Bluff will be Nov. 1 and maybe again on Nov. 8.  On Sunday Oct. 26 the East Spokane Kiwanis is having a fundraiser breakfast with proceeds funding literacy programs and Paint a Helmet.


Speaker:  Al French, County Commissioner running for re-election, spoke about economic development in the West Plains.  He said that several aerospace related industries are relocating to or expanding in the West Plains.  An organization called Air Spokane has been created which includes county staff and Community College administrators who work to provide training programs so we have qualified labor for aerospace suppliers. 
Also, Caterpillar is planning to expand its existing distribution facility from 600,000 sq. ft to 1,000,000 sq. ft. 
One of the newest projects is the railroad grain terminal that will have 8 storage silos, each 19 stories tall that will aggregate grain from several nearby counties and expects to initially generate a weekly 110-car grain train.
He noted that for each $1 of county tax generated by business, the county spends 65 cents providing services; for each $1 of residential tax generated, the county spends $1.35. 


Members asked how he views the casino being proposed near Fairchild AFB.  He said he is against it since Fairchild employs a total of over 10,000 active duty and civilian employees and that has a major impact on the county's economy.




The meeting was adjourned at 8am. 




Respectfully submitted, 
Jeri Morgan Secretary


 

Kiwanis Club of Cheney  - October 16, 2014 meeting notes


President Tom Whitfield called the meeting to order a bit early.  There were 20 members, 1 guest and 2 speakers present.  We recognized Jerry Hilton's anniversary and Vonice won the 50/50 drawing.


Our speakers were Debra Clemens, Cheney School District Superintendent and Kassidy Probert, Executive Director of Finance for the school district.  They presented information on the levy and bond elections that will happen in February 2015. 


Levies are held every three years and the current one ends in 2014.  Levies fund a number of daily operations and the February 2015 election seeks to extend the existing levy rate for another 3 years. 


The bond request is for approximately $45 million to update and expand Cheney High School (CHS).  CHS was designed for 900 students, served 934 when it opened and currently serves 1200 students.  Currently there are several portable classrooms in use, the lunch area isn't adequate, there is only a very small theatre for music and theatre performances and there is significant traffic congestion on North 6th Street .  The updated plan calls for adding a wing with 12 classrooms (and the capability to add a 2nd story later); converting the existing small theatre area into science classes, adding a new performing arts location and changing the parking area and Betz Elementary access to reduce traffic congestion.  The proposed changes are expected to meet student needs through 2027. 






After the presentation, our business meeting was held:

•  Kirk passed around a sign up sheet for volunteers to set up, supervise and take down the Kiwanis features at the October 31 Harvest Festival at EWU.  
•  Margie reported that Coats For Kids collection has been slow and is ending this week. 
•  Margie also reminded us of the membership incentive.  For every guest a member brings in October or November, the member will get an entry into a drawing for $56 to be used towards either the existing member's or a new member's dues. 
• Steve attended a Key Club meeting at the high school.  There are about 40 members; they plan to help at the Harvest Festival and are discussing whether to help us sell See's Candy in December. 
• There was a brief discussion on whether a Circle K club could be reactivated at EWU;  Kari Tillman is a staff employee who might be able to give assistance and it was suggested that maybe a fraternity and/or sorority might be willing to provide leadership and continuity for a new club. 

Meeting adjourned at 8 am. 


Respectfully submitted,


  Jeri Morgan, Secretary

2014-2015 Speaker Responsibility List


October:  George Abrams, Keith Walker (5 Thursdays)
November: Earl Overlie, Tedd Nealey  (no meeting on Thanksgiving)
December:  Benji Estrellado, Duane Isaac (no meeting on Christmas Day)
January:  Rande Lindner, Peter Dianich (no meeting on New Year's Day)
February:  Pat Isbell, Roger Hagenbuch
March:  Jerry Hilton, Andy Martinssen
April:  Margie Lindner, Dave Daugharty (5 Thursdays)
May: Fred Pollard, Sean Dotson
June:  Bob Mostek, Steve Schwalbe
July:  Vonice Parker, John Taves (5 Thursdays)
August: Kirk Madison, Carl Schwenn, Bill Nation
September:  Tony Birch, Marie Shepard


Note:  The new President, Secretary and Treasurer do not have speaker assignments due to their other club duties. 

Kiwanis Club of Cheney Meeting Notes for October 9, 2014

Dear Kiwanians,

Tom, our new president opened the meeting to a “good crowd.”

 

The secret greeter was Gail Pollard.

It was Fred and Gail’s daughter’s birthday as well as Tony’s 75^th birthday.  We sang twice!

 

Fred won the dollar draw!   

 

Tom reported on the rest stop fund-raiser.  We made around $1,067 over two days at one rest stop.

Tom also reported that 29 people plus the Lt Governor attended the induction banquet on Friday.  He asked for a round of applause for the outgoing board members. 

Marge announced Coats for Kids is almost done.  We need more donated coats.

Jeri sent around a sign-up sheet to sell Sees candy at the Trading Company in December again.

Fred recommended that Kiwanis become a member of the West Plains Chamber of Commerce at $50 per year.  The Board will take it up at the next meeting.

Marge informed everyone that the club has 29 members.  The club’s membership goal is to reach 35 this coming year.  So, everyone is encouraged to bring a guest.  If you do, your name will be entered into a lottery for $56 later this year.

Tom asked if there would be any interest in a social meeting in December.  Something to keep in mind.

There is a new speaker responsibility list posted on the bulletin board for everyone to check out.  This happened because Board members are not required to recruit speakers.

Our guest speakers included Tony Blount.  They represented three organizations: Time of Remembrance, Cheney Junior Rodeo Association, and the Stars & Stripes, Boots & Spurs Car Club.  ToR is a local organization to remember those Service men and women who died during their service to the country (to include suicides).  It recently donated $30,000 for hotel rooms and meals to eligible survivors in Pasco, WA.

It costs $12,000 to put on the Junior Rodeo at the Rodeo fairgrounds outside Cheney every August for 5-18 year old kids from around the region.  Wal-Mart and the Kalispiel Indian Tribe are corporate sponsors.  They are always looking for more donations.

Respectfully,  Steve