Meeting Minutes — Torch Club of the Fox Valley
Meeting Minutes
17 September 2025
Torch Club of the Fox Valley
Notes taken by: Kris Stahl, Secretary
ATTENDEES: Nancy Van Rooy Bodway, David Debbink, Marcia Debbink, Paul Freiberg, Barb Kelly, Bill Kelly, Dale Lewellyn, Elaine Lewellyn, John Palmquist, Jan Mirenda Smith, Kris Stahl, Bert Wiegand via Zoom, and guest Sofia Wilson via Zoom
A buffet dinner was served by Touchmark.
BUSINESS MEETING: Bill conducted the meeting for Bert and called the meeting to order at 6:25 p.m.
MINUTES: There were no corrections or additions to the 5/21/26 minutes. A motion was made by David to accept the minutes, which was seconded by Paul. All were in favor and the minutes were approved as published.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Barb reported a beginning balance of $2,285.26 as of 5/15/26. There were no receipts and no disbursements, leaving a balance of $2,285.26 as of 9/13/26. It was moved by Jan and seconded by John, to accept the Treasurer’s report. All were in favor and the report was approved. Barb reported that she paid a personal invoice to Go Daddy in the amount of $24.19 for the annual cost of our website. The club will reimburse Barb for this expense.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Bill reported that speakers are still needed for the November and December meetings.
OLD BUSINESS:
Paul updated the club on that International Torch Club Convention that was held June 11-13 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He also reported on the Torch Club Board meeting he attended two weeks ago in Sarasota, New York, where one of the interesting topics discussed was the utilization of AI (Artificial Intelligence.) That club reported using AI as a recruiting tool and as a help in the presentation of their papers.
Bill and Barb shared information about Peter Thiel’s obituary (use this link:
https://www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/peter-thiel) and discussed the book selection for his Torch Club memorial. His Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Congregational Church, 724 S. River St., Appleton, on September 26.
Barb asked members to update their personal contact information on the spreadsheet she passed around.
NEW BUSINESS: Bill shared greetings from former club member, Camille Wade Maurice. Barb noted that there was a copy of a book by Laurel Schoenbohm, daughter of former member, Richard Schoenbohm, on the table at the back of the room. Bill had read the book and found it very interesting. The theme of the book was dealing with the forest fires in the west.
The business meeting was adjourned at 6: 35 p.m.