Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

May 23, 2002

"I don't know what your destiny will be. But this I do know: the only ones among your who will ever be

truly happy are those who have sought and found how to serve others."

Albert Switzer...............................

Steve opened the meeting saying that it was to be a real special day, celebrating current and new Paul Harris Fellows. With that, he asked us to reflect on important international issues lead us in the pledge.

Guests were introduced, including:

District Governor, Bill Tarpley

Puifai

Chuck Owens

Chuck's students: Austin Lashley, Nate McCadden, Justice Richardson, Jesse Duelly

Gordon Hensley

Pat Myers, (Mrs. Brian)

Doug Walser

Bill Cartwright

Phillip McClendon

Community Service:

Buckley Park Capital Project: Tom Brossia reported on a successful public meeting that included representatives from the city, 9-R and interested community members. Go to the following for the Herald's take on the meeting. http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bin/article_generation.asp?article_type=news&article_path=/news/news020523_7.htm

The Capital Projects Committee will meet to incorporate ideas generated at the meeting. Tom recognized Dean, Brian K. and Mike M. for their continuing efforts.

Durango Nature Studies: Next to the last reminder! Saturday, June 1st, 9:00 AM till Noon at DNS. Help build a hummingbird garden. All skill levels needed.

Community Summit: John M. made some brief comments about his participation in the Community Summit. Missy Rodey, Jenny Kane and John Anderson also participated in what was billed as 'Not Just Another Meeting'. The club was presented with a plaque in appreciation of it's sponsorship of the reception following the day-long event. The 2002 Summit Topics were: Community Action to Understand and Improve Mental Health, Getting a Handle on Growth, Safer Schools = Enriched Learning Environments, a Youth-led, Youth-run Session, Transit in La Plata County and Affordable Workforce Housing; The Road Ahead.

Club Service:

George Litow: He is progressing well after surgery and Susan circulated a get well card.

Bob Salzer: Steve presented Bob with his blue badge today, indicating that he has met all the requirements of a new member.

Board Meeting: Steve reported that the club has $50k in the bank and that revenues were $125 this year. $2500 in mini grants were awarded and Tom B. named the groups receiving the awards. A seed money investment in the Buckley Park project by the club was approved at the board meeting. An application was completed to qualify HNR as a Distinguished Club for meeting the objectives set forth by RI President Richard King.

Mexican Food Fiesta Dinero: Mark Prouty asked that this reminder be included in the bulleting. "Please add to the bulletin that I still need tickets/money from the Mexican Food Fiesta from the following":

John Anderson, Terry Aspin, Dean Brookie, Melisa Caskey,

Cathy Crum, Bob Foster, Bill Hermesman, Greg Lyman,

John Marshall, Richard O'Block, Marv Collentine

If they would bring the ticket money next week it would be greatly appreciated.

Vocational Service:

Chuck Owen's Entrepreneurs: Russell Parker and Tami Coddington recognized Chuck and four of his students. The kids were selected based upon their business plans, prepared with the assistance of several club members and others from the community. B-plans included the 'Booze Cruise', a floating bar for Animas River rafters, and beverage bar at the Rec Center and a trail-head supplies company. Each future business leader received a certificate of accomplishment and a cash award from the Vocational Service Committee. Russell then recognized Tami for her efforts! Each student wrote a b-plan with such elements as financials, insurance considerations, marketing studies etc. The club was urged to get involved with the project.

Announcements:

SAA Pam Moore: Pam introduced a 'parade' of members with a birthday, anniversary, birth announcement or other happy event, including Paulette, Mike M., Bert C., Cathy C., John M. (for Jill and Kevin) and Jeannie. Ward 'won' the ticket drawing and was asked to name all the club's Johns. He named them all and was presented with a Rotary key chain.

Adult Education: Paulette announced that a bill is making it's way through the process and which would allow for donations to be made for adult education.

American Heart Association: Scott M. introduced the Heart Walk with the sobering statistic that we have a 42% chance of dying from heart disease, more than the next seven leading causes of death combined. To support the efforts of the AHA, he was selling gift certificates donated by J.C. Penney, with all $2000 going to the cause. If you didn't do the Heart Walk this year, sign up next year!

Park Dedication: Steve indicated that invitations were being sent to key people to attend the dedication of the Amphitheatre next to the Rec Center. It will include the unveiling of a plaque and the planting of a tree honoring the work of Past President Tom Galbraith and his board.

Habitat for Humanity of La Plata County 3rd Annual Golf Tournament: Mark you calendars, Friday June 28th, 2002. The event is being held at Tamarron Resort, a best ball, shotgun start at Noon. The cost to play with a cart, including food, prizes is $125 per person. Sponsor a hole for only $500. Contact Tami @247-1818 with questions.

High Noon Rotary and United Way Golf Tournament: Mark your calendars again, August 17, 2 002. 8:00 AM Shotgun start. The fee is $125 player(includes lunch) at Dalton Ranch. Hole sponsorships are still needed. $1000 full hole or $ 500 for a half hole. Contact either Melisa Kaskey or Missy Rodey with any questions and to register.

Program:

The day's program was devoted to the recognition of current and new Paul Harris Fellows. Steve introduced Jack Walls, Past President of several clubs and a past District Governor. Jack asked that all current Paul Harris Fellows (PHF) to stand, as well as club members that are contributing to same. To become a PHF, a member must have donated $1,000.00 or more to the foundation.

Since we have a lot of newer members, Jack took the time to explain the Rotary Foundation and how it is funded through donations apart from our monthly dues. The work of Rotary is supported from the money that members and others contribute to the foundation. Jack provided each member present with a Quick Reference Guide to The Foundation of Rotary International. If you forgot to take a copy, more information is available at www.rotary.org.

The foundation divides it's resources among 3 programs: Polio Plus, Humanitarian Programs and Educational Programs. There are more than 30,000 Rotary clubs around the world.

Jack introduced our District Governor, Durango's own Bill Tarpley, for further comments about the Rotary Foundation and PHF. DG Bill opened his remarks by sharing his experience at the Viet Nam Memorial in Angel Fire, NM.

Bill explained that Rotary International runs on the dues we all pay, supporting the administration, overhead, facilities, salaries, computers, travel, publications and so on. The good we do comes from our voluntary contributions to the Rotary Foundation. Bill described it as the heart of our service capability. Every dollar is put to work, with the interest earned used to cover overhead.

The largest single project ever undertaken by Rotary is Polio Plus. To date, Rotarians have contributed over $400 million toward the eradication of the disease and the effort is 99% complete. It will take an equal amount to defeat the disease world-wide. To help with that effort, the Gates Foundation has agreed to match up to $80 million raised by Rotarians.

Much of the money contributed to the foundation comes back to the district, in fact after 3 years, 60% is returned to the District Designated Fund. This supports the Group Study Exchanges, Ambassadorial and Cultural Scholarships. Durangoans Vanessa Holgate and her sister Susan were awarded the Ambassadorial and Cultural Scholarships respectively.

DG Bill and Jack than ask the newest Paul Harris Fellows to come forward to be presented with their awards of recognition. Those honored include: Bud Deering, Laurie Forbes, Jim Mulkey, Brian Myers and Mike Schafer. Further comments from the presenters expressed their appreciation for the contributions, which make world understanding and peace just a little bit closer. Its about helping people, many of which you will never meet.

Jack challenged the club to have 10 new Paul Harris Fellows this time next year. To close the meeting, DG Bill said that each and every club in the district is doing the Work of Rotary. Few are exceptional he said, and he then presented Steve with the District Governor's Citation for Exemplary Rotary Service.

Steve closed the meeting by thanking DG Bill and Past DG Jack for conducting the PHF awards and reminded us that next weeks program involves teen issues.

5/30: Teen Issues, Deb Duncan.

6/6: Director of Tribal Education, Arnold Santistevean.

6/13: Club Round up, no program.

6/20: Park Dedication, no program

6/27: Final meeting Steve Wheeldon as President