Fill-ins were the name of the game at the day’s meeting: PAT DANIELSON was handling gavel duties and STEVE SOELBERG gave a rather self-serving invocation. PAT ANDRIOTTI, who was scheduled to be greeter, introduced guests: Evelyn, guest of husband DON KOHLER, an almost Selah interclub of; Wendy Culver, Galen Sigar, and Bill Powell, and Ken Johnson of Kamiakin.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
CAMI LEONARD & BETH KLINGELE discussed the upcoming Rock the Gap, May 30th. Cami passed a signup sheet for the Dessert Auction, while Beth announced that 27 of the 60 tables have been sold. Purchase yours today for only $450.

MARYBETH WRIGHT circulated a signup sheet for Blue Jeans Basketball, May 12, 13, & 14. Timers and scorers are needed all three nights.

ROGER BELL spoke of Zone Conference in Pendleton this coming weekend. So far, he is the only Yakima Kiwanian going. Roger felt he needed company when he finds out from Selah what happened to Roger-the-Rat, which Roger lost when he last visited Selah.

Pat had the unexpected honor of inducting our newest member, BERT REDWING. Bert is sure to give an interesting Classification Talk when the time comes.

Wendy Culver invited everyone to a Model Airplane Event to be held in the hanger across from Perry Tech on April 25th.

There was no Sergeant in attendance. The 50/50 Raffle (currently standing at $306 according to JOHN BENSON) was ably administered by LYNN BUCHANAN, giving STEVE EMHOFF a chance to win. MEL LIGHT called a game of Bingo, won by Marybeth.

The program needed no introduction as it was out own AMY NEAL, representing the Camp Fire Board, with a presentation on the status of Camp Fire USA Roganunda Council. She was accompanied by Camp Fire’s only paid staff member, Interim Executive Director Jon Ward. Amy spoke from experience having served as the Executive Director from 2000 to 2005.
Roganunda Council has about 10 active Traditional Clubs, two Mega Clubs (one each at Garfield and McClure Elementary Schools), Babysitting Classes, and a new Life Skills Class. It is governed by a five-member board of directors, Lisa Wallace, David Helseth, Rick DeVilla, Ed Schoenbach, and Amy. The board has been meeting weekly because of the financial difficulties in which Roganunda Council finds itself. The financial difficulties stem from a number of sources: candy sales net profit dropped from over $78,000 in 2002 to slightly under $7,500 in 2008. Camp attendance dropped by 56% since 2005, which translated into less revenue. These revenue shortfalls led to a $30,000 debt which was compounded by $60,000 in pool repairs. Through hard work by the board and Jon, that debt has been reduced to about $22,000.
Amy laid out the “Pay Off Plan” which included a golf tournament, a fundraising dinner with friends of Camp Fire, grants, and a reduced camp schedule this summer (only two weeks). The Kiwanis Trust gave $25,000 to keep camp going in 2009, which will allow all revenue from the two week session to go to paying off the debt. Amy was confident this crisis could be met, especially considering how far the board and Jon have reduced the debt so far and with some of the innovative programs and ideas that are being implemented. A spirited question and answer session followed.

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