Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

February 14, 2002

"The trouble with experience is that by the time you have it you are too old to take advantage of it."

Jimmy Connors..............

Steve opened the meeting with his traditional call of WELCOME and a wish for a happy Valentine's Day to all. After some reflection about family and those close, we joined in pledge.

Guests were introduced, including our District Governor Bill Tarpley and his wife Dorothy, making his official visit to the club in that capacity. Other guests the signed the registry included:

Mike Sandberg

Elizabeth La Fortune

Puifai

Justin Bradshaw

Judy Michalski

Sheila Casey

Kevin Schneider

Charlotte Walls

Kisses and hugs were on sale, with Clifton and Jeannie doing honors. Proceeds went to the heart program at Mercy. Something tells me that Scott Mathis just might be involved. Dorothy Tarpley remarked, upon being presented with a bunch of flowers, that is was a rather small bouquet for putting up with Bill for so many years.

Steve asked the group if anyone knew the significance of February 23rd, with Tami answering correctly that it is the anniversary of the founding of Rotary International. He said we should make an effort to let the community know what Rotary does for it and it's residents.

Steve introduced Russell Parker Chair of the Vocational Services Committee, who then introduced several vocational 'Heroes' from the community and the club. He said that they are recognized for, among other accomplishments, helping the community and the schools.

The first to be recognized, introduced by Steve Govreau, was Elizabeth La Fortune, owner of Thru the Lens Photography and Old West Photography. She is a Fort Lewis grad and has been a strong supporter of the community. In fact, her businesses have been a first time employment experience for over 100 DHS students. She is a member of the Downtown Merchants Association, DACRA and supports Project Merry Christmas, Habitat for Humanity, The Women's Resource Center, The Hardly Angels among her many interests in the community.

The club is pleased to recognize Elizabeth as it's first Community-at-Large Vocational Hero!

Next to the podium was PE, Jeff Brown. He began by stating that there are many Rotary heroes within the club that save or in other ways positively affect the lives of kids in the community. Perhaps first among those and exhibiting high ethical standards in the process is our own 'Officer Friendly', Mike McGuire.

Accepting the certificate, Mike said that, for him, this is what it's about, community in action. He then had a comment about a club member that is becoming famous for racing against women.

Russell was back up front to introduce yet another 'Hero' from the club. This time he honored Tami Coddington for her efforts with the DHS incubator, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Study Connection and more. The statement was made that 'This is what vocational service is."

Steve thanked Russell and then spoke about the fun that he has with members and vice versa. He explained that one of our members thought that our scholarship efforts should include kids that need vocational assistance, not just college. That fellow is Bud Deering, who annually donates $1,000 toward vocational scholarships and is often the one to put in the last dollars to help the club meet a special goal.

Bud said that Rotary holds a high place in his life and that children are very, very important to him and his wife. Thanks Bud!

Steve asked Kevin Bruce to take center stage. In his introduction of Bill Tarpley, he told a story about how dedicated Bill must be to Rotary, by giving up one of his passions, vintage car racing, to serve as District Governor.

Saying hello to all, DG Bill says that he arrives a day early when he visits clubs in the district (52 1/2 of them), spending time with the club President and others, to learn about each club and their community. He saluted our club, mentioning the rather large volume of information we provided about our activities. In his words, 'You're doing it all."

Saying that he is a 'map person', Bill held up a world map that was marked with the destination countries of the 15 outbound exchange students from our district. The countries include; Australia, Japan, Thailand, New Zealand, India, Argentina, France and many more. "We are making the world smaller though Rotary Youth Exchange."

Producing another map, Bill said that after the events of September 11, 2001, he bought a map of the Middle East. He then made a list of all the clubs in the region and then found them on the map. There are a bunch, with 185 clubs in Turkey alone and 84 in Pakistan. However, there are no clubs in Iran or Afghanistan, but a strong presence in India.

Returning to the district, Bill said that he has visited 43 of the clubs in the district and explained what 1/2 of a club is. In this case, it is a provisional club, not yet at the 20 member threshold required to apply for a charter.

Geographically, the district covers the state from I-70 south, coming as close to Denver as Castle Rock. There are 2,500 Rotarians in the district, with clubs ranging in size from 170 to 9 members. Among the projects in the district, Bill cited drivers for a seniors van, tutoring programs and a community center for the visually impaired.

Dispelling the myth that Rotary revolved around meals, he told us of the newest club in the district that meets at 4:46 PM and adjourns at 6:00 PM. When the traffic has died down, members head home to their families. Another variant to the norm, is an experimental E-club, where members do not physically meet, but conduct club business on-line. I have forwarded a message from Bill to you all separately that goes into more details about the E-club.

With the emphasis this Rotary year on membership, Bill said that every Rotarian should have as a goal, to replace him/herself every year. Unfortunately, less than 10% of all Rotarians have sponsored a new member.

Bill then explained that our dues go to RI HQ to be used for administrative costs required to run a 1.2 million member business in 163 countries. It is our voluntary contributions that go to support the many programs of RI.

Bill asked us to do everything possible to nurture the Interact Club and to involve the sponsor, Robert Logan, in Rotary. Regarding the image of Rotary, Bill recognized Steve O. for his efforts to make our Rotary wheel the success that it is. We also need to work on the misimpression that Rotary is a bunch of old men having lunch with their fathers.

Bill, after telling us how he was almost confused with another Bill (Owens), told us that his new best Rotary story was how the President of the host club pulled the chair out from under the First Lady. Bill ended his remarks by stating the he would serve as DG again!

Steve thanked Bill and Dorothy for joining us and invited Jim Wotkyns to tell a story about an experience his nephew had as an exchange student in New Zealand. Turns out he arrived 5 days before the school he was to attend was set to open. Getting on the internet, Jim was able to arrange things and the nephew stayed with the registrar! Rotary!

Terri indicated that not enough kiss/hug tickets had been sold, reminding us that there was to be a drawing for two prizes. With that, more cash was produced and DG and Bill received appropriate Valentine's greetings. Chessa won a bear and John M. a box of chocolate in the drawing.

Next week, Rick O'Block will bring Dr. Salka to the meeting, to address us on the hospital and it's preparation for Bio-terrorism and Emergency Management.

Announcements:

Board Meeting, Wednesday February 20th, Double Tree, 7:00 AM.

The bulletin will be published for the next 3 meetings by Frank Valen, Ward Holmes and Spencer Pearse respectively, while this scribe is on vacation. Please give them your support.

Upcoming Events:

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: Steve Whiteman, Fisheries Biologist, Southern Ute Indian Tribe

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

6/6:

6/13:

6/20