MEETING: Friday January 28, 2011 EDITOR: Tom Hymer
WELCOME GUESTS: Darren Wicks introduced his guest and todays program presenter Shara Gonzales. Randall Haltom introduced Craig Johnson who has decided to join Ambucs. Welcome to the club, Craig.
FUN & FUND RAISING SERGEANTS: Late arrival members Preston Clark, Bob Bush, and Eric Steinle paid their fines for failing to watch the clock. Birthday boys Bob Bush and Jay Pitzer were happy to pay a dollar just for living another year. Brad Thompson paid the gambler tax for winning the 50/50 pot last week. Then Dennis takes the toilet from the other sergeant Larry who pays a dollar for a ringing cell phone at an inappropriate moment. Then in flurry of fines they collected money from Randy Henderson for some unintelligible words and/or actions, President Rick for leaving early last week, Doyle Ehling for hugging a stuffed animal during church, Dean Brigman for running for public office, Scott Saylor for the article in the Hutchinson News about his business, Steve Conard for failure to provide a proper name badge for Anita Warren, Doug Foss for losing his badge, and Dennis himself for failure to put away the banners last week. And if you have the closest scores of the KU vs KSU game tomorrow you will win a Fine Free February Pass. Probably the winner will be someone who never gets fined. Buy-a-fine people were Dave Suhler for announcing a new granddaughter, Vern Powers for 64 years of marriage, and Doug Foss announcing a grand child coming soon. Then it was Kansas Day quiz, e.g. Kansas was the 34th state to be inducted into statehood, the western meadowlark is the state bird, the State slogan, etc. Not much money was raised because Ambuc members are unusually smart. The sergeants now count all the money in the toilet and decide that they have hit their quota, they flush it and ring the bell safe at last. Sergeant Dirt Hot Line dennis@bgcons.com or call or text (620) 200-4859.
TUIT: Brad Thompson decreed that people who do business with him are exempt from Tuit fines. Well, isnt that just fine and dandy. Therefore did these members pay or not pay, Pat Fallon, John Knipp, Mark Clark, and Guy Gann? The editor doesnt know due to temporary ADD. Snapping out of it and getting it right the editor recorded that Sergeant Dennis presented to Brad a special Round Tuit plate with honor and recognition for being The Father of the Tuit. One wonders who was the mother?
ANNOUNCEMENT 1: President Rick Mitchell talked about an Ambucs display booth at the Chamber Annual Dinner meeting and the need to have a few members staff the booth.
ANNOUNCEMENT 2: Jeff Brewer announced that 58 people have signed up for the Super Bowl Party on February 6th at The Eagle Room located at City Beverage. Starting at 4:30pm the admission is bring a snack, City Beverage is providing everything else. There is still time to sign-up, call Jeff to do so.
PROGRAM: Program Manager Darren Wicks introduced Shara Gonzales, President and CEO of New Beginnings. The organization provides shelter for men, women, and children who have lost their homes and helps them to recover. A number of specific programs and strategies are available to carry out their purpose. The organization is solution-based, therefore seeks to remedy problems that cause homelessness. It operates with several different areas of work solutions.
1. Emergency Housing – the purpose of this program is to provide temporary emergency housing for people who have become homeless. After an needs assessment and determining the income of the client options are temporary rent payment, motel vouchers, negotiating with landlords, or a work program.
2. Transitional Housing – New Beginnings provides all aspect of housing including furnished studio, 1bedroom, 2 bedroom apartments, utilities, food, personal supplies, and programs designed to offer opportunities to rebuild lives. There are 16 apartments that an individual or family may utilize for 12 months.
3. Community members offer mentoring, job coaching, financial planning, job training and a support network.
4. If a person has been living in transitional housing and wishes to move to permanent housing, New Beginnings provides a Housing Specialist who has contacts with various housing providers and has listings according to need. The Housing Specialist can help a person or family find the right housing and the right neighborhood.
New Beginnings needs volunteers and donations. They have an excellent web site with more information and how to contact them. www.newbeginnings-inc.org
50/50 DRAWING: Proxy Brenda Janda for Doyle Ehling had the lucky number and won $25. Brenda gave his winnings to New Beginnings and he pays the tax next week.
NEWSLETTER DRAWING: Jerry Daltons name was drawn, but he did not read the Newsletter. He could have won $10, instead the pot will be $15 next week.
NEWSLETTER QUESTION NEXT WEEK: How many people have signed up for the Super Bowl Party?