Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

June 13, 2002

"Do you really believe that the sciences would ever have originated and grown if the way had not been prepared by magicians, alchemists, astrologers and witches...."

Friedrick Wilhelm Nietzsche...............

Steve opened the meeting with a hearty Welcome! He then told us that the fire is threatening some club members. As we now know, some were preparing to evacuate.

We were reminded that donations of time and money to support the firefighting efforts are welcomed by the authorities and especially the fire fighters. Steve asked Bob G. to lead a prayer and then we recited the pledge.

Guests were introduced, including:

Puifai

Bob Soto

John Jordan, inducted today.

Peter Marshall

Brandon Fleming, Mike McGuire's grandson.

Ken Fusco

Announcements:

High Flyers: Mike M. took Puifai on a glider ride before the meeting. She seemed relieved to be back on terra ferma.

Ken Fusco: Ken announced that he will make it official and join the Durango High Noon Rotary Club as of July 1st.

Charlie Albert: Charlie is back from Chile for a visit and to attend the wedding of his son and Dick Pearson's daughter. Charlie has been in small villages in Chile.

Letter of thanks: Scott Mathis read a letter of thanks from the homeless shelter for the donation of $160.00 in gift certificates at J.C. Penney. The shelter thanked the club for it's ongoing support.

Shade Structure: The dedication of the amphitheatre at the Rec Center will include the long awaited shade structure and the plaque that memorializes the efforts of the HNR club to make it happen.

Youth Service to Lose Funding: Marv Collentine indicated that as a result of state budget cuts, La Plata Youth Services will lose it's funding. The city and county will jointly fund the program for 3 months, allowing time for the development of a local funding effort. Marv called for ideas from the club.

Ice Cream Social: Sherry announced that the Library would host a free ice cream social at the library on June 15th.

Youth Service:

Rotary International Youth Exchange: Students will arrive on the train at 5:00 - 5:30 PM Tuesday, June 18th and will be taken to Rotary Park for a pot luck dinner at 6:00 PM.. They will take a tour of Mesa Verde on Wednesday, not a raft trip as was previously planned. Hosts have their assignments and will take their students home after the pot luck. Contact Paulette if you have any last minute questions: 259-2143 (home), 385-4354 (work), 946-4855/4856 (cell). Of the 45 students scheduled, all but 6 are being hosted by High Noon Rotarians!

Puifai Speaks: Puifai took a moment, this is her last meeting with us, to tell the club how much she appreciated our help and how much she has learned as an exchange student. She has fond memories that will last a life time. She handed out her personal cards with e and home addresses.

Terry is blue: Jill awarded Terry Aspin with her blue Rotary badge, indicating that she had fulfilled all the new member requirements.

Tom Brossia met the challenge: Steve recognized Tom for bringing 3 new members to the club in the last year. For his efforts Tom received a special banner and pin, the only member of the club to do so.

John Jordan welcomed as the club's newest member: Tom Brossia, John's sponsor, introduced him to the club. John is originally from Oklahoma, is married and he and his wife have a 17 year old son and a 2 year old daughter. He is in the commercial real estate appraisal business, with the main office in Durango. John's wife is an Oncologist practicing here in Durango. John said that he enjoys motorcycles and bicycling and thanked the club for the opportunity to join and to serve.

Club Service:

Updated to Club Roster: Steve Govreau is out of town and Steve Redding is leaving next Saturday. Under the circumstances, please direct changes to Bob Chaput (247-9332 or rchaput@frontier.net) Bob has sent out an information questionnaire to each member requesting information updating.

On the Table: The Community Service Committee provided a recap of it's efforts and accomplishments for the current Rotary year. The committee oversees Capital Projects, Fund Raising, Highway Cleanup, Mentoring Program and the Blane Immunization Grant program. The committee chairs include: Mike Matheson, Tom Brossia, Steve Redding, Marv Collentine and Spencer Pearse.

Program

Steve introduced committee and project chairs and they in turn recognized their committee members for the work of the past year. Members were awarded the coveted key chain, pens, pins, note pads and other Rotary logo items. Many individual committee members were recognized as well.

The Membership Committee (Global Quest), under Jill Bruce's direction, did a stellar job reviewing and submitting candidates to the board for consideration.

Steve Govreau, Chair of the Club Service Committee, recognized his group, including: Chessa Gill; Programs, Ward Holmes; Website, Susan Sander and Arvella Higby; Caring, John Marshall; Bulletin. Steve gave a special nod to Bob Chaput for his work on the club roster.

The Vocational Service Committee, headed by Russell Parker had a busy year. Those recognized for their contributions included; John Anderson, Frank Valen, Tami Coddington and Sherry Taber.

Jeannie Wheeldon reminded us of the efforts of the Fun Committee, including the Holiday Party, Valentine's Day, decorating the 'Wheel' for parades and presenting it at various Rotary and community events. Her helpers received a special 'horseshoe' Rotary pin.

The Community Service group recapped the fund raisers, including the golf tournament, Mexican Food Fiesta, October Fest and the silent auction at the Holiday party. Proceeds were in the neighborhood of $25k.

Jack Walls, chair of the International Service Committee, reviewed a number of projects that were considered, with special emphasis on those that were acted upon. They were; contribution toward the construction of a water line to a small village near Durango, Mexico; the donation of dental equipment and musical instruments to a village in Mexico. Jack's committee also coordinates the youth exchange program and with Mike Schafer's help, maintains the PHF records.

Next week, the meeting will be at the new Rotary Amphitheatre and Kid's Park at the Durango Recreation Center. It will be a picnic and dedication of the new structure. Sandwiches, soft drinks, water, chips and cookies will be provided by Cliff's SubWay. Special guests have been invited to join the celebration.

With nothing more for the good of Rotary, Steve closed the meeting.

Coming Up!

June 19th, next board meeting. 7:00 AM, Double Tree

June 20th, dedication of new amphitheatre.

June 27th, last meeting conducted by President Steve.

July 11, Durango School District 9-R Bond Referendum, Dr. Mary Barter and Debra Uroda

July 17, Durango Nature Studies w/ Ann Rilling and E.D. Cheryl Weiscamp.