Durango High Noon Rotary Club

October 18, 2001

"Rotary is an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world"

Len Goebel opened the meeting by reading a prayer by Billy Graham and then led us in the pledge. President Steve was last seen riding into the sunset with his bride.

Guests were introduced, including:

Rebecca Hwang

Colleen and Gareth Simmons, District 6200, De Rider, LA

Mr. and Mrs. Soppa Noponen Mikkeli, Finland

Ginny Davis

Steve Ruduski

Bonnita LeGault

Jeanne Costello

Justin Bradshaw

John Klubal

Chris Hall

Bill Vega

Jim and Nancy Burpee

Puifai (pronounced Pwee-fi, like eye)

Cliff Callicottte

Denise Maurer

Aaron Tucson

Mr. & Mrs. A.J. Courtney, Ramona, CA

The introduction of guests was followed by the induction of Dr. Jim Burpee, with Jill Bruce providing the usual welcome and assortment of High Noon Rotary accoutrements. Jim was introduced by his sponsor, Vern Swanson, who provided details of Jim's accomplishments and professional life. Jim spoke briefly and then hung his ceremonial banana on the new member banana plant. Vern indicated that Jim's new book, " Inside Durango" would be available soon. Welcome Jim and Nancy Burpee.

Chip Lile was recognized for fulfilling the obligations of a new member and Jill presented him with blue badge! Chip's father, Chuck Lile, was the first President of our club!

Ted Robson was saluted by Len. We learned that Ted is recovering from a stroke and he expressed thanks for his Rotary friends and reminded us to take that one aspirin a day. We are all thankful to have Ted among us!

Chessa reminded all of us of the assignments we each committed to for the Octoberfest, to get our tickets sold and the money to her of Paulette. This is gonna be fun!!

Len introduced Ginny Davis of the Ft. Lewis drama dept. and she in turn had one of the players do a portion of Kiss-Me-Kate. It runs November 1-3 and 7-11 at the Fort. If the rest of the play is as good as the sample we enjoyed, it's bound to be fun!!

Trooper McGuire was Sergeant at Arms, quite effectively, and the tables were littered with bills.

Tom Brossia indicated that the CAP grant was on the way and thanked the membership for support of Ducks Unlimited.

Karen L'Argent is 'in jail' courtesy of the American Society and made a plea for bail money. Ah, the old gray bar motel!

Bill Vega, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Durango Community Access Television, (DCAT) took the podium to introduce us to the two year old channel 22. He indicated that it is much like Rotary, devoted to service, in this case, the community. He indicated that it is a platform for social issues important to the community (6,000 cable subscribers are reached) and he offered Rotary a partnership to help with out mission.

Bill indicated that cable companies must provide up to 3 public channels for:

Public access.

Educational access.

Governmental access.

Bill said that DCAT provides an alternative to commercial TV that 'has an ax to grind'. Bill introduced Jeanne Costello and she told us that TV is the most powerful communications tool available. In the case of DCAT, it is one of the ways we can exercise our First Amendment rights.

DCAT grew from one video cam and VCR tw0 years ago, to working with $29k of start of the art equipment and it is all available to individuals and groups to produce their own work to be aired on ch 22. They are on the air from 6:00 AM to midnight. Could we take advantage of DCAT to get our Rotary message out to the community?

John M. announced the Rotary-UNICEF partnership for the next two Halloweens, whereby all funds collected by UNICEF and Rotary International will be invested in the eradication of polio. RI's goal is complete eradication by 2005. As soon as the little orange boxes arrive, business/ merchant members will be asked to put them in their place of business. Additionally, we will be asked for contributions at the Octoberfest. For just 7 cents, the cost to vaccinate one child, RI and UNICEF will take more steps toward the goal of completely and forever eliminated polio! Change is good!

Len presented our immediate Past President, Tom Galbraith, with the two citations that were awarded our club at the District Conference. One was for being a Significant Club and only one such award was given in the entire district of more than 50 clubs. Good job Tom! Len thanked guests and presenters and closed the meeting.

The new member process requires that candidates be submitted to the entire membership for consideration after approval by the membership committee. Below is information on Mr. Clifton Callicotte.

Proposed member: Clifton Callicotte

Sponsor: Jay Hwang

Classification: Restaurant

Clifton owns and manages a Subway franchise along with his wife, Briana, and his father Roger. He is a Colorado native and recently moved to Durango from Grand Junction. He has been with Subway for 4 years and was a nominee for Manager of the Year in Colorado.

His past service activities include Read-a-thons, and Cure for Cancer runs in the four corners area. He loves owning his own business and is able to help with sporting events such as Kayak races, roller hockey, football and soccer matches by donations and reduced prices.

He looks forward to being active and a leader in Durango and wants to contribute his time and energy to community works.

Members are asked to direct any comments to Jeff Brown and/or Jill Bruce by Wednesday October 25.

Coming Events:

10/25 NO MEETING, OCTOBERFEST DINNER

11/1 Pam Moore-Hardly Angels

11/8 Barber Shop quartet

11/15 Club assembly/ Russell Parker, Vocational Service

11/22 NO MEETING

11/29 Ken Fusco... youth exchange

12/6 NO MEETING

12/13 Senator Isgar

12/20 ????

12/27 NO MEETING

1/3 Peace Corps

1/31 Dr. Mary Fuka, Quetzal Biomedical