Thanks to Cindy’s wonderful ‘geekness’ we had a super Zoom meeting, with over 50% of our club in attendance.

 
 
 
Knowing we only had 40 minutes, we agree to forgo the pledge/invocation and jump straight in ….
Unfortunately, and not surprisingly, our April Grant Project Beautify Saginaw Day, in partnership with the Art Place, is not going to be possible.  We have already passed the check onto the Art Place, per District guidelines (working with a non-profit basically equals not needing to follow-up with all the individual receipts) so it was decided that the money ($400) is to be split between the Art Place and providing fruit trees for the Community Garden – in keeping with the basis of the original Grant request. 
*Update: We have since received the $200 reimbursement check from the District. 
We also have our May activities to consider and all agreed that we would cancel the Trailblazers Special Olympics Banquet and use the money to support the Community as the need arises.
We also agreed to adapt the Emergency 1st Responder’s Breakfast to provide breakfast to the usual recipients at their place of work – having checked with them that they’d like breakfast, or prefer a lunch etc.  Deb will work with Dr Chadwell on this.  Due to the current situation, and the hardships many of our local businesses are facing, we can use the funds from the Special Olympics Banquet to offset costs rather than rely on donations.
RYLA may also be on the chopping block – the District will be making its decision on that later this month.  Todd confirmed that while students had been identified we had not sent any money to the District at this point, so if the event is cancelled we will use the money to support the Community as the need arises.
We also discussed what to do with the $400 odd money that would have been used for 2 meals we’ve already missed due to Covid-19, and future meetings we continue to be on lock-down.  I don’t actually remember if we came up with a decision yet, except to hold off to see what needs arise, but Cindy did bring up the potential need for reusable face masks for everyday use, per the CDC’s recent suggestions we all wear masks when we go out …
Having checked with Police Chief Lee it was decided that, for now at least, the Club would provide the materials and oversee the making of 50 fabric masks for the Saginaw Police Force, which will be worn over their N95 masks, thus extending their use. 
** Update: Cindy and Deb talked at length on how to piece meal the project to involve the Senior Center, but later determined that it probably wasn’t wise to outsource at this time, so Cindy has prepped the materials and Deb is currently sewing! (Full disclosure – these masks are not likely to win a blue ribbon at the local County Fair, but they are stitched with love and gratitude for all those working our frontlines right now)
  If you have elastic supplies you can donate that would be fab – just let me know and I’ll arrange collection.  In the meantime, we anticipate having 20 completed masks for Lee by the end of this week, with the remaining 30 being available shortly thereafter.
You’ll be happy to know it’s time for the next round of dues invoices.  I had hoped to have these sent out by the end of the weekend but got carried away with face masks! Rest assured they will be in your in-boxes shortly so please look out for an email and pay promptly.
And then we finished with the Four Way Test with just a few minutes to spare...
 
Thank you again to everyone for joining us it was great wasn’t it?  I might even be inclined to suggest we do this on a semi regular basis – maybe even having a Zoom meeting as our 2nd meeting of the month … thoughts?!!

Deb
President, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Rotary Club
Cell# 623-810-8957