The Cuyuna Range Medical Center presented their Partnership for Success program. Theresa Sullivan, Resource Partners Administrator; Jody Rau, Staff Recruiter; and Becky Thiesfeld, Director of Human Resources were joined by Crosby High School Principal Jim Christenson.

Theresa began the presentation with Christmas Party entertainment compliments to our Swinging Sertomans. She went on to explain that this unique program was started in 2001 because of staff shortages in the health care fields. Their organization partnered with Central Lakes College, several medical centers and schools and formed LAHEC.

The group encourages students to become involved in health care occupations by exposing them to rural medical facilities. Jody went on to explain the high school program was originally funded by a grant but was so successful that their organization agreed to help pay some of the expense to the school district. As of January 2006, sixty two students have taken part in the program for juniors and seniors at Crosby. They are rotated through several positions in groups and individually. The program of job shadowing includes evaluations, journalizing, class debriefings weekly and community information articles.

The basis of the program is the idea that it is possible to "Grow our own." Mr. Christensen went on to explain that this program is a springboard to more involvement in the "Ready or not, here they come" program which is also in place. This is the concept of a borderless school district that grants academy credits for these special programs of study.

Her first exposure was her acceptance speech when she was named Sertoman of the year in 2000 when she was still serving as Mayor. Bonnie was impressed with the group's resemblance to her classes and her sponsor, Milo Johnson, kept encouraging her to join us, so she did.

Since her retirement from her 34 years at Brainerd High School, she has kept active in many volunteer activities. She talked about her family's reaction to her career as a commencement speaker when she said, "I look much better and sound much better the further away from home I get." She likes to read, volunteer, talk and write as well as being active politically.

Bonnie is in charge of coordinating our scholarship program, specializes in pipe and drape takedowns since setups are for tall people, and helps with gossamer ceiling and bell ringing. She is single and her family consists of a brother, her father, and a cat who is totally tired of politics and is changing the locks on the house in protest.

Thanks Bonnie for choosing Sertoma. President Mau remarked, "We wish we could all achieve the level of public service that Bonnie has."

Over 140 people attended, the current Camp Sertoma donation is over $800, and everyone is encouraged to continue to make their fund grow through their purchase of Ritzy pictures (see announcement for details).

Anita Traveca was the winner of the Karoke contest and she also lead the rookies in their outstanding rendition of, you guessed it, "YMCA". Paul and Lori are pictured on the red carpet at Cragun's having their paparazzi entrance. Scott Hanson was truly hilarious. The rookies issued a special thanks to Steve Augustinack for all his help with the technical aspects (live TV interviews and a video which will be sold).

President Mau complimented this group on achieving the goals of getting a large number of people together to celebrate the Sertoma theme of contributing to the community while having fun and creating relationships. This batch of Rookies epitomizes the teamwork, camaraderie, and bonding that this event is meant to create.

Special thanks to Thomas Krekow and his Papparazzi team and to all the individuals and businesses who contributed to the prize pool. The response was so overwhelming that the Silent Auction for Camp Sertoma was made possible and everyone still had a great chance to win a door prize.

• Rumor has it that our sergeant Bill is confiscating all the DVD's. Thanks Bill for being such a good sport!
• Carol Winegar escaped a non greeting fine today because Pam got the date wrong on the sign. Actually, her sponsor should have explained it all to her.
• Welcome back Joyce Frid who is rejoining our organization under the auspices of a different job.
• Bill thinks that Bryan Jelinski has now joined his sergeants with no boundaries group, something about someone bringing their daughter to the Ritz party!
• Steve Mau's leftover voting sticker meant one of three things to Sergeant Bill--either he voted today and wondered why the lines were so short, he slept in his clothes, or he never went home last night? Inquiring minds want to know.
• Again just a thank you to the rookies for a great party--you go rookies. The gossamer ceiling is their next big project.

Kari Barnes and her assistant Cathy Picek are the go-to folks for Pipe and Drape information.

Need awards? Did you lose your pin? Tami Webb is the person in charge of awards and meeting paraphernalia.