Newsletter 04/20/2007

Guests and New Member

None at this meeting.

Remember to bring a guest with you to the Chamber After-Hours this Thursday (see details below).

TUIT

Again, no Tuit report. Maybe we should let brother Luke McConnaughy bring it back this Friday. Several members have mentioned how much they have missed the little fellow. Besides, without the tuit report to fill space, we are making our Sergeants think way too hard!!

FINES

City Councilman Bob Bush played Sergeant, and since he now has taxing powers, he invited Rep. Mark Treaster to carry the toilet.

The first tax was levied on Marion Miller for ignoring the trash around his table. Jack Mace paid a buck to invite us all to the Kansas Mennonite Mens Chorus performance in Lindsborg on Sunday, April 22. Former City Councilman Dean Brigman paid a late tax, and this editor was fined for confusing members names in this mornings Board Meeting.

Then Bob introduced a Tax-the-Rich program to remind us all how rich we are in the light of the past weeks tragedy. Oh well, its for the kids, and it is great to be alive.

PROGRAM

Brenda Janda introduced Jerry Dalton, one of our newest members, to explain how care for the aging is changing, and why Good Samaritan Homes nationwide are developing Endowment Associations.

Our parents lived much simpler lives then we do today, and they carried those habits into retirement. The Baby Boomers have much higher expectations for their retirement , resulting in a current demand for skilled caregivers that is outstripping the supply. For every three on-staff caregivers that leave the system, only one enters, and the future looks even dimmer. Good Samaritan Homes are facing this challenge by raising endowment funds to provide educational grants for current and future caregivers to fill the void.

Locally, Brenda and Jerry are seeking both funds and leadership to bring this effort to the attention of the community. Good Samaritan currently has 154 residents and 114 employees and provides an economic impact of $28 million annually to Hutchinson and Reno County. Jerry made a solid case for AMBUCS becoming involved in this effort. Many of their residents are physically challenged, and the need for therapists is great. He challenged each of us to consider becoming involved in this effort.

Thanks to Jerry for a very enlightening program.

Club Announcements

FROM THE BOARD:

The Board approved the following motions for first reading today.

First, they reported favorably a request from Kansas Special Olympics for $750 in support of their Summer Games to be held at WSU during the first weekend of June.

Next, the Board approved a slate of officers for the 2007-08 year as follows:

President – Bob Bush

1st VP – Al Strecker

2nd VP – Scott Potucek

Treasurer – Don Grossardt

Secretary – Rick Mitchell

Sgt-at-Arms – Ward Davis

The membership will vote on these two motions next Friday, April 27.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: We are sponsoring Aprils Chamber After Hours get-together this coming Thursday. It is being held from 5:30 to 7:00 at TECHs Training Facility at 3000 E Ave B. This is our chance to show the business community what the AMBUCS are all about. We will have Amtrykes on display, brochures and other information about our chapter available, and TECH will provide a tour of their facilities. If you are not a Chamber member, there is a $5 fee to defray the cost of snacks and drinks. Lets use this opportunity to promote what we do and encourage the business community to promote AMBUC membership within their organizations.

INSTALLATION BANQUET:

Our next social will be the Installation Banquet to be held at the Downtown Samplers on Friday, May 25. The social hour will start at 6:00PM, with the meal planned for 6:30PM. Scott Saylor will be passing a reservation list around during the next several meetings, so be sure to sign up and participate in this send-off for Ward and his bunch and a welcome for Bobs Bunch.

Next Meeting, Friday, April 27 Dorothy Barnett, 20/20 Coordinator for the Chamber

Hosted by Randy Henderson

Winners

50-50

The 50/50 drawing went to none other

than Brenda Janda. There were a few

groans as Jerry did the drawing. She

“donated” it to their endowment.

N.L. Drg

The drawing went to Fred Conner,

who went home $20 to the good.

Be prepared to pay your taxes this Friday.

Hutchinson AMBUCS Calendar

Friday, May 4 Marion Miller will host Mike Woods with the Kansas Children’s Service League.

Friday, May 25 Hutch AMBUCS Installation Banquet and Spring Social