RotaryGram

What is Rotary and why am I a member you may ask, well here is part of a letter we received that tells you all you need to know. We want to take advantage of Mary Sol s visit amongst you to share with you a Rotarian Dream. It s been long ago, that we were lucky enough to meet a man and marvelous human being, called Joe Williams, who came along with other members of Durango High Noon Rotary Club, to collaborate in a non-parasite program that the Colorado District was to have in Mexico City . . . As a result of this friendly relationship, and the great service attitude to those in need, more help among our people, began a Rotarian relationship that we consider marvelous. From this meeting the two clubs have provided daily breakfasts to more than three hundred children, provided an ambulance, seen parasite infestations reduced, provided computers, and stocked a clinic with medical equipment. All this by way of a friendship built upon Rotary.

Steve Wheeldon filled the rostrum today in long pants. The era of bony knees and shorts has passed. Tom s year is past, but the accomplishments are not forgotten. Steve asked Joe to open in prayer and pledge.

Steve asked if the club was ready for the World Cup and it appears that most are attending the event. Tonya has taken on the orchestrating of the event. She has gotten the drinks, food, and ice all ready to go. She will need help moving the goodies up the hill and Ron Holligan has offered the use of his ATV. This appears to be a great event and all spouses and guests of members are invited. There was a group of members who met after the meeting to discuss the logistics of the move up the mountain.

We did introduce our guests after we learned that Jim Mulkey attended a Rotary meeting onboard a ship. He attended two meetings during his voyage. John Anderson presented a Flag from his trip to Arizona where he had the good fortune to babysit his grandchildren. We met some great people; Frank Vallens and Jennie Kane. Bob Volger looked as proud as he could be when he introduced his daughter, Magen, to the group. We had two other special guests and folks who support the ideals of Rotary in their actions and hearts, Joe and Jan Williams. Joe and Jan are working with us on international projects and have offered matching monies to help accomplish a potable water project. A most special guest was Mary Sol, who is from our sister club, La Villa in Mexico City.

We then met Jacob Marley and Ebenezer Scrooge. Jeannie Wheeldon does have a natural flair for the theater. She had Bud Poe, Tanya Kahler, Carl Clark, and John Anderson played Scrooge. These players had a strong resemblance to Harpo Marx. They did, however, display a great attitude and a flair for the play.

Steve presented three members of the club with recognition for helping out at Camp Courage. This was an idea fostered by Mike McGuire to have kids from all over with various backgrounds spend a week at the Southern Ute Camp. Steve was a chef, Bob was a master boater and Tami served as a counselor. This does match our theme of Mankind is our business. Great work; Oh, by the way the club did give help with funds to support this effort.

Jill Bruce was given the floor to present to Arvella Higby her Blue Badge. Arvella has met all the steps needed to become a non-red badge member. Jill did point out the great help Arvella and her husband were at the Mexican Food Fiesta.

Chessa read a note from Bill Mauer s family thanking us for giving a scholarship in his name. There has been $1,850 raised for the scholarship.

Steve then offered the floor to Past District Governor, Jack Walls. The presentation had to do with International Service. Jack serves on the Board representing this Avenue of Service. (There are four avenues of service International, Vocational, Community and Club). A highlight for the club was seeing what Rotary does. We met Mary Sol who is staying with Jan and Joe. Mary is living with them as she wishes to learn English. Jan and her son spent a month with Mary s family two years ago learning Spanish. Mary gave the club copies of the report as to what has happened with our Breakfast project and the Ambulance. She also gave Tom and Steve clocks as tokens of friendship. Mary gave a brief speech of thanks and gratitude to Joe and Jan and the club. Tom then read a letter of introduction from Jorge Gallardo, which introduced Mary and spoke to the results of our project with the La Villa Club. Tom said that this year we will be working on a potable water project that will capture fog. The fog will be caught on a screen and then collected into barrels. We are working on this project with a Dr. Pilar Ser from Santiago. The other project Tom mentioned is a literacy project that will focus on a grant in our community and a similar grant in another country.

Paulette Church was given the floor to speak to Rotary Youth Exchange. We are hosting an inbound student from Thailand this year. Her name is Thom Puifai. She will be in the eleventh grade at Durango High School and her written English is excellent. She will need warm clothes for the winter and Paulette is looking to the club to help with this. Paulette has two homes for Thom, but she is in need of one more and a standby home. Please contact Paulette if you can help. Paulette gave us some helpful hints as to the outbound students we are sending to India and Italy. Paulette needs help with her committee as she is the only one working on this.

Jack read what Mike Schafer had as goals for the foundation. He would like to see 80% of the club involved in sustaining memberships or donate to the High Noon Foundation. Mike feels that we should become more involved in the Ambassador Scholarship Program that Rotary offers. Rotary has an Academic Scholarship that allows a student to spend one year abroad. They also have scholarships that are multi-year and one that focuses on learning a language, which lasts three to six months.

This was a great program and next week we will hear from Mike Matheson, Chair of Community Service.

ONE FINAL NOTE: The only rose without thorns is friendship.

BEAR