TORRINGTON – Todd Peterson called the Torrington Rotary Club meeting to order Monday afternoon with a few kind words about Carl Rupp. 

“Before we have a moment of inspiration, I’m going to come out and put money into the happy basket. I want to acknowledge, I see Caren [Speckner] and I know many of you were at the service for Caren’s dad, Carl, on Friday. What a wonderful service that was and what a tribute it was to a wonderful man,” Peterson said. “A great man for the community. A great family man and I was sitting there in his service and I was thinking, Carl was not a Rotarian. He was still putting service above self. I just wanted to acknowledge that for the inspiration of this and Carl inspired a lot of people. He was just a joy.”

Peterson remarked it was an honor to know Rupp and then he moved on to the traditions of the meeting. 

“Our inspiration today is one of our Rotary founders, Paul Harris said, ‘This is a changing world. You must be prepared to change with it. The story of Rotary will have to be written again and again,’” Peterson said. “Spring reminds us that change is not only natural but necessary. As the world awakens new, may we also embrace wealth, innovation and the chance to rewrite out own Rotary story.” 

Peterson then moved on to the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotarian Four-Way Test. With no guests to introduce, Peterson moved on to club announcements where he stated the satellite club meets the third Wednesday of the month at the Open Barrel at 5:30 p.m. Peterson further noted they would be glad to have members of the club attended. Peterson also announced Compass Home Healthcare would be at the club for a presentation on May 5 during the Rotary lunch meeting.

“Another announcement is that the walking path project will be on hold for the fascial year,” Peterson explained.

It was noted by Tim Pieper the club didn’t get any money from the recreation board this year because there were a lot of applications.

Peterson reminded the club the Rotary District Conference will be held June 12 through the 14 in Loveland. 

Dr. Jeffry Hawes, Eastern Wyoming College President explained the college would be hosting a few different events. 

Peterson noted under old business of the agenda the club still needed a president-elect nominee. Peterson asked the club members to submit information on what can be improved and done differently regarding the recent fundraiser. 

“The initial review of the financials, they’re pretty close. We few dollars off of full reconciliation but we made $5,000 less this year than we did last year,” Peterson said. “A little bit over $3,000 of that was just from sale of entry tickets and our entry numbers were down. Of course, if you have more people that come, then they spend more money on tables and inside and all that.” 

Peterson noted he hopes for an addition 250 people at the event next year. 

“People had a really good time this year that came to it but we just need more participation and those entry tickets will wherever we make the money. It offsets the cost of the event,” Peterson said.

Peterson also shared a letter from Wyoming First Lady Jennie Gordon regarding the club’s support with the Wyoming Hunger Initiative. 

“’Thanks to donors like you who are able to create sustainable solutions and challenges to take care of our neighbors and me. You’re our true hunger hero contributing to this work and we are proud to partner with you,’” Gordon’s letter to the club explained.

Next, Britt Marsh introduced the speaker of the day, Jack Tennant, Executive Director, University of Wyoming (UW) Alumni Association. 

“Well, you know, I’ve never been to a Rotary that we haven’t sang. So, if you try to sneak out towards the end, don’t worry, we’re going to stop and sing at that moment,” Tennant said. “It was 15 years ago this spring; I actually came over as a student athlete with Keener Frye. He was my predecessor at the alumni association, but both of us worked at the Cowboy Joe Club. I should say he worked and he worked for a year for $0 as an intern. He was a pretty persuasive guy,” Tennant continued. 

“I remember driving into town. I actually grew up in a small farm town in central Illinois before I moved to Wyoming and it was like almost like driving into my hometown so it made me feel really good,” Tennant explained.

Tennant went on to explain he came to UW in 2006. 

“Almost, what was that? Twenty years ago? Nineteen years ago. It was kind of a wild thing to think about. I had a football and a wrestling scholarship. I’ll tell you a little bit more about that story. But then really, things kicked off for me with that internship in the Cowboy Joe Club,” Tennant said. “I started getting around the state, getting around the county, meeting people, meeting donors and people who support this. It was a lot of fun. If you haven’t been a part of leadership in, I’d encourage you to consider it. It a was transformational experience for me.”

Tennant noted he worked the program in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“So, maybe that made it a little more memorable. It’s a great organization. It was part of my education growing up and for 15 years I have been working at the university in several relations, seen a lot of things,” Tennant said.

Tennant explained he had been with the Cowboy Joe Club for four years and UW Foundation for eight years with his current position, three years. After a bit more discussion, Tennant then led the club in the UW fight song at the conclusion of his presentation. 

The meeting continued on until a little past 1 p.m. where Peterson adjourned.