Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

January 24, 2002

"Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life".

--Sophia Loren

After a week's absence, Steve opened the meeting by asking each of us to focus our thoughts on a family that is dealing with the problems of life. Steve has two close friends each in a battle with a medical problem. We recited the pledge and Steve asked for the introduction of guests.

Guests on the sign in sheet included:

A contingent of students from DHS, including some from the Interact Club, accompanied by Chuck Owens

Mark Dold

Puifai

Mike Sandberg

Linda Brossia

Doug Glym (sp)

Announcements from the floor included:

100 GED recipients were to be celebrated for their accomplishments.

Steve asked members belonging to the club from at least 1985 to sit with members that have been inducted since July, 2001. Spread the wisdom and the commitment!

The recent board meeting had 20+ members attending.

The La Plata Open Space Conservancy is holding it's annual Wine Tasting and major fund raiser at Bank of Colorado, Thursday, January 31, 2002, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. $60 each or $80 per couple. RSVP, w/check to PO Box 6151, Durango, 81301. "Because they're not making anymore land......"

Roy is still down recovering from eye surgery.

Sherry Taber indicated that 9 packets of information had be requested by individuals that would like to win the $25k Ambassadorial Scholarship. She asked that the members be reminded that Rotarians, relatives, employees of the club etc. cannot take part in this opportunity.

Ward indicated that member's websites and e-mail addresses can now be 'hot-linked' to the club's website. Get in touch with him for details.

Steve Osborne indicated that the club now owns a suitable trailer upon which to permanently mount the Rotary Wheel. Contact Steve in order to help with the installation of the wheel and improvement of the trailer. The 'new' trailer and wheel will make it's debut at the annual Snowdown parade. Volunteers are needed to participate. Toga, Toga, Toga...........

The much anticipated Fireside chat has been moved from Jill and Kevin Bruce's home to the Brossia's. The turnout exceeded expectations. Directions to the Brossia's were at the meeting.

Steve asked Dick Pierson, Past President and Charter Member of HNR to prepare some historical remarks for the fireside chat, with the possibility that they would be forwarded in some form to District.

The hockey club from DHS were whipped in the tournament in San Diego, but they looked good doing it, thanks in part, to the generosity of the club.

Len Goebel and Dick Pierson presented Steve W. with a garland of bananas to commemorate the half-way point in his Presidency. It was a moving moment.......

Steve announced that the board has changed the manner that elections are held. See a board member for details. Further, the board is developing policy with regard to members that are not current with dues payments, including interest charges on balances over 60 days.

The Club Bulletin will now include business card-sized ads, at the rate of $40.00 prepaid per month, limit 6 ads per month. All input as to how to do this is appreciated by your servant, as he struggles to figure out how to plug in his scanner and load the software.

Pam Moore conducted SAA duties, with several members making contributions for the privilege of being so acknowledged.

Steve asked Scott Mathis to introduce one of the days programs. We met Brad Finch, Project Director for the Service-learning Initiative for SW Colorado. Brand said he likes to me with Rotarians, finding us like-minded in terms of service. He has been a teacher and run a non-profit in the past.

The Initiative is funded by money from the Colorado Department of Education and Federal equivalents. The program stresses to it's young participants,

Citizenship

Service to community

Academic achievement

A sense and awareness of community connection

Brad presented examples of the work of several groups of kid, include a bunch of 6-9 year olds that created a bi-lingual activities guides for the Cortez area. They received special recognition for their work, the Outstanding Environmental Project in Colorado!

Students at Bayfield Middle School built 40 owl boxes, Mancos high is involved in a project to stem erosion at Mesa Verde, the # 1 concern at the park. Wetlands are being built and the Ranger HQ in DRO was re-landscaped and turned into a demonstration garden, among many service-learning projects in the immediate past.

Brad stressed that through involvement of the kids and the community, a sense of wonder and hope can be created to replace indifference. To that end, 21 Mancos teachers have received training, with 7 currently trained in DRO, with 7 more on the way.

In closing, Brad said that "People don't care what you know, unless they know that you care"!

A frequent guest and recipient of the club's support, Chuck Owens presented members of one of his marketing classes at DHS and their service-learning project. He arranged for Mike McGuire to address the class about a seat belt campaign and 5 students, with Mike's help, put together an awareness drive to get more DHS kids to wear their seat belts.

Part of the concept is to allow young people a hand in solving some of their own problems. Suzy Francis is in charge of Service-Learning at DHS and was recognized for her efforts. One of her students spoke of 'adopting' residents of a local long term care facility, that didn't receive many visitors. Haley Jones, VP of the Interact Club, coordinated the visits to the residents.

An appeal was made to the club to consider assisting with funding for kids involved with Service-Learning to attend a conference in Seattle in March. Contact Suzy Francis to help. Steve indicated that the board would give it consideration in February.

At the conclusion of the presentations, Steve awarded Rotary Speakers mugs and asked for more announcements. They included;

A short meeting of the fun committee

Tom B. indicating that he can get money from Ducks Unlimited for the development of shallow water, low slope riparian areas.

An appeal for parade participants and float decorators.

Steve stated that he intends to raise the quality of humor offered by members of the club. So, you leviathans of levity, get together before each meeting and decide who has the best to offer.

Don't forget the fireside chat, Saturday night, 6:00 PM at the Brossia's.

Next weeks' program will presented by Scott Mathis, High Noon Rotarian, community leader and senior clinical guru at Quetzal Biomedical, a Durango-based medical device company working on breakthrough technology in the treatment of congestive heart failure.

New Member Candidates

Please review the proposed new members submitted by the Membership Committee and direct any comments to Membership Committee.

Proposed Members:

Kevin Schneider Sponsor: Tom Brossia Classification: Electrical Contractor

Kevin was born and raised in Nebraska and attended W. Iowa Tech and Northeast Community College, majoring in Electronics. He is married to Ellen and they have an 8 year old son, Nicholas.

Kevin moved to Durango in 1981. In 1989 he purchased an existing electrical business and then changed the name to Durango Electrical Services, Inc. The business currently employs 25 people. Most recent commercial jobs have been Wells Fargo Bank, Fort Lewis College-Student Life Center and Concert Hall, Digestive Health and the old Morehart Building. In 1992 he also opened the Light Store, which is next to Kroegers and

In 1998 he purchased Nice Electric in Cortez. Kevin wants to become more involved with the community and believes in the goals that Rotary adheres to.

Justin Bradshaw. Sponsor: Chip Lile Classification: Beverage Supplier

Justin was born and raised in Stillwater, Minnesota, and attended the University of Denver. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Molecular Biology. He is employed with Breckenridge Brewery as their Key Account Manager. Justin is responsible for sales and distribution of Breckenridge beer on the western slope of Colorado. He is single and enjoys skiing, golfing, biking, camping and cooking (with Beer)

Volunteerism has always been a part of his life and has received the St. Croix Valley Volunteer of the year award. Justin’s father, Jim, is a Past District Governor, and his brother is a Rotarian in St Paul, Minnesota. Justin traveled with his father to Glasgow, Scotland, for the Rotary International Convention. He is very interested in our Rotary group and he feels he is in a good position in the community to help with our ongoing projects and fundraisers.

Mark Dold. Sponsor: Jim Williams Classification: Aviation Services

Mark was born in Alcombury, England, U.K. and in 1981 he received a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Wichita State Univ. During and following college he was self-employed as a general contractor. In 1982 he entered the Navy as an Ensign and student pilot. Mark began a career as an eighth grade science teacher in Rio Rancho, New Mexico and went on to become an assistant principal. In 1996 Mark moved to Durango and became a Social Studies teacher at Silverton Public Schools. Then in 1998 he took a position with Durango Air Service as an executive charter pilot. Then in 1999, he formed Skyhawk Aviation Services, a FAR part 135-air charter service. He now offers flights from Durango to any destination in the US.

Mark is married to Ann and they have three children, 13, 11 and 6. He wants to be more involved and committed to Durango and La Plata County and be part of an organization that strives to improve themselves and others around them.

Barton Cross Sponsor: Tom Brossia Classification: Retired

Barton was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Brooklyn Technical School and then moved to Los Angeles, CA. He worked for Douglas Aircraft and then joined the US Army. He also attended UCLA and became a Geologist. He moved to New Mexico and became a mine foreman for the Jackpile Mine, the largest open pit uranium mine in the world. He went to graduate school at the Univ. of Arizona and graduated with an MS in systems engineering and joined the staff as a Lecturer. He went on to become a Consultant for CompuTech Research in Arizona.

Barton and his wife Ruth retired to Durango in 1995, and have two grown children. They want to become more closely integrated into the Durango community and to contribute their services.

Coming Events:

1/26: Fireside Chat, at the home Jill and Kevin Bruce. 6:00 PM

1/28 (29)? Fun Committee Meeting, 5:30 PM, Brown Wheeldon Associates

1/31: Scott Mathis Quetzal Biomedical

2/7: Tina Beekman

2/14: District Governor Bill Tarpley (possible Valentine surprise )

2/21: Rick O'Block - Hospital bio-terrorism

2/28: BUSINESS MEETING - No program or program to be arranged

3/7: Scott Stewart - Durango MTN

3/14: Ward Holmes - Web site

3/21: John Gamble and city councilmen

3/28: BUSINESS MEETING - no program or program to be arranged

4/4: Blue grass

4/11: John Piel, Durango Herald columnist

4/18: Hospice / Michelle Appenzeller

4/25: BUSINESS MEETING - or program to be arranged

5/2: no meeting - MEXICAN FOOD FIESTA

5/9:

5/16:

5/23:

5/30: BUSINESS MEETING - or program to be arranged

6/6:

6/13:

6/20