Brainerd Area Sertoma Club - Brainerd, Minnesota

YE OFFICIAL SERTOMA NEWSLETTER May 28, 2008

Sertoma Sharing Tree	Newsletter Archives

Program

Marcie Carper who represented the Northstar Problem Gaming Alliance, was today's speaker. Her interesting presentation dealt with the 3-5 % of gamblers in the State who become addicted. Many people still believe that gambling is a moral question, but studies have proven that the brain-wave reaction is identical to other addictions. Marcie called it "the hidden addiction" because most of the problem gamblers are able to hide until legal or financial problems bring the cause to the attention of friends and even the police. The most common crime that gambling addicts commit is one of embezzlement.

Marcie is speaking from experience; she is a recovering gambling addict who is working with the state funded organization to educate the public and help the addicts. Marcie remarked, "It took a long time and treatment to convince me that I could control the amount of money I spent." She went on to say, "I actually know someone who lost the farm as the old expression goes." This program started in the 1990s and provides free treatment for those who cannot afford it. This includes twelve visits by concerned family members seeking help. Marcie feels that out-state Minnesota should be better covered by the state funded program that concentrates in the Metro area. This program is funded by the lottery. She mentioned that Brainerd does have two good Gambler's Anonymous groups, but we are in the pull-tab capital of the state. Questions revealed the fact that anyone can become addicted and unfortunately our young people have grown up in a society that has for the most part legalized gambling in many forms. More than 90 percent of Minnesota adults have participated in some form of gambling, and four out five gamble at least once a year. Marcie hopes that you will encourage anyone who has a problem or knows of someone with a problem to contact her office at 320-360-0567.

Thanks Pam Sachs for taking notes.

Announcements

June 7th "SERTOMA'S BEEN SMOKING IT FOR A WHILE" will represent our club at the Jaycees Downtown Barbecue. Jeff Fitch, Matt Davis and Anna Gorecky have inherited the job from the Campbell brothers and are eager to get their team rocking and rolling. Be sure to patronize the Jaycees event and visit our booth.

See Kari Robinson for Booster Tickets for the Camp Confidence Classic. June 13th is coming up quickly!! See Bill Goers about your Mariucci assignments!

Sign up to be Sertoman of the Day, unless your name is David Allen Pundt. Our President says it is a good way to "expose yourself".

Joyce Anderson and Veronica Jensen are still taking items for the auctions. Their main attraction this year is a WII donated by Anderson Brothers. They are expanding the draw by getting accessories donated by businesses. Today we collected $112 to purchase some more goodies and Kristin Larson donated her blue ticket winnings to the pot. If you would like to donate something for the WII or something else for the auction, contact either Joyce or Veronica.

Thanks to all the flaggers--the compliments continue to roll in about our patriotic displays.

Congratulations to our new District Governor, Karen Owen. She will take over from Gary Walters in July.

Next week's meeting will feature a short convention wrap-up and some special guests-the 2008 grads who are receiving Sertoma Scholarships from our club.

Brainerd Area Sertoma Club Calendar
Got a big event coming up—want to let everyone know?
Please send to Pam Sachs and it will be posted.
eglponys@brainerd.net

Pipe and Drape Schedule

Ceiling Dates

Blue Ticket Winner

Kristin Larson who donated her winnings to the WII effort for Camp Confidence

Pot-O-Gold Winner

Would have been Devi Hagen or whoever is replacing her from Maddens

Attendance

Members

Guests

Guests: Marcie Carper from the Northstar Gambling Alliance and Rachel Schumer from Wells Fargo

*Everyone is encouraged to bring potential members to a Sertoma meeting with the Club picking up the cost. However, you will be billed $9.50 for any other guests.

Greeter Schedule

Remember: As greeter you have several duties. You need to arrive about 10 minutes early. It is your job to greet people, help them find their badges and sell them a ticket if they wish to participate. The money collected must be divided by the Greeters equally--half goes to the Current Club Treasurer for the social committee and half goes to the Club President along with the bucket of tickets. Be there by 11:45 and call somebody to substitute for you if you can't be there.

June 4	Joe Schulte, Bob Sherman, Chris Velasco
June 11	Brian Skogen, Sue Slaybaugh, Tad Hoskins
June 18	Tom Steiger, Dick Stoltman, Jeremy Johnston

Sertoman of the Day

Of Note

Papa Les Franzen has not been feeling well lately. Please give him a call or stop by for a visit!!

Business Notes

Donate a WII accessory to the focal point of the auctions at Camp Confidence during the Sertoma Mariucci Fiesta. They already have the device and are looking for the games and add-ons that will make this an even hotter item. Joyce and Vern are also looking for any other services or items that will make this the biggest and best auction ever.

Rumor Corner

Mary Marana was late to her prayer session because she was being held hostage. She didn't hear Bill Goers offer to pay her $.15 ransom.
Welcome back Holly Connaker--our President thought she was a guest.
David Allen Pundt is no longer working at K Lakes--he is devoting full time to his campaign to unseat Jon Ward. Our Prez forbid anyone to give him a microphone until the election was over.
Brian Kirkpatrick introduced the beautiful Art Becker today. He was poking fun at Anna who told us her guest was beautiful.
Greg Straka claims the check is in the mail. He had to collect fines after the Prez came up with this elaborate excuse, something about a fiancee, a letter, and poor self esteem. We all got to say thank you together!
Laura Beilke paid a brown, happy and rested from my trip to Mexico fine today.
Bill Goers did get maxed out on the fines today-sexual harrassment and a f in flags.
The sergeants are taking up a collection to buy hearing aides for George Moore and Jeff Marchand who continue to ignore their chatter at the suck-up table.
Speaking of Cub boys and former Cub boys, Bryan Jelinski thought chasing his car down the road to be like Sheriff Dahl was a good idea. Unfortunately he had a sergeant who got taken for the ride.
Diane Rook Johnson who is on the top ten well dressed women Sertoman list every week got fined for being too slinky and spy-like in her long white trench coat.
Don't stop and see Joyce at Bremer if you've been to Cub and bought anything yummy to eat-she likes to taste the good stuff.
The graduating senior's parents all paid their $1 fine because after this they won't have ANY dollars to spare!!
Finally Mary got earatated last Thursday. No that isn't a misspelling. She took a picture of Pam and Obie on their very first ride together (Pam and Obie and Mary and Pam-take your pick). Notice how swell Mary's pic looks. Those are Trouble's ears in Pam's pic.

Photo's

Photos Photos Everywhere New photos go up almost every week on our new Sertoma Photo Gallery. http://sertomaphotos.brainerd.com

Notes from your President

If you are not receiving the newsletter notification or the emails announcing special events, please contact Pam Sachs either at 218 829 7761 or eglponys@brainerd.net.

Sandra Ehrich (ehrichappraisals@charter.net) is in charge of the Sertoman of the Day schedule. Contact her to take advantage of this great opportunity to share your story and get some free advertising (and no fines for the day). The form is also available here on our website.

Kari Barnes is the go-to person for Pipe and Drape information.

Need awards? Did you lose your pin? Bonnie Cumberland (bcumberland@mailstation.com) is the person in charge of awards and meeting paraphernalia.

Brainerd Area Sertoma Club - P.O. Box 9 - Brainerd Minnesota 56401

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