Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

September 5, 2002

"Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction." Erich Fromm.............

Jeff opened the meeting by asking Wayne to conduct the invocation and lead us in the pledge. Guests were introduced, including a special guest, District Governor Chuck and his wife Jo Ann.

Other guests included:

Cameron Van

Dick Bartlett

Howard Wilson

Pam Taylor

Bob Geffe

Lynell Corbett

Ann Dold (Mrs. Mark)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

District Conference

Pam Taylor announced that his year's conference has been moved from Gunnison to Crested Butte. The dates are October 4 - 6. In addition to the conference agenda, there may be a flyfishing contest, a sock hop and a hypnotist.

Jeff will make a presentation at the conference and asked the club to provide photos of the fire and it's aftermath.

Sergeant at Arms

Rick O'Block handled the duties, starting with a recitation of things not to say to a Police Officer. He commended our President Jeff, for the great job at the dedication of the Rotary Amphitheatre at the fair grounds.

Members with birthdays were recognized, including; Jim Burpee, Bud Deering, Nancy Hammond, Petra Lyon, Bud Poe, Susan Sanders, Sherry Anne Taber and Jack Walls. Each was asked for an appropriate contribution.

Those celebrating wedding anniversaries were; Wynn Berven, Bob Chaput, Burt Coleman, Bart Cross, Peter Marshall, Ward Holmes, Steve Osborne, Bud Poe, Bob Salzer and Kevin Schneider.

Golf Tournament

Jim Williams was recognized for hitting the longest drive at the recent golf fund raiser.

Four Corners United Way Radiothon

Tune in to 101.3 FM, 100.5 FM and 930 AM from until 6:00 PM today, to bid on a variety of items. See the auction items at www.unitedway-swco.org.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Amphitheatre Dedication

Jeff thanked everyone that helped plan and carry out the dedication of the Rotary Amphitheatre. Speakers in addition to Jeff included Past Presidents Tom Galbraith and Steve Wheeldon and Bob Volger. The sound system was provided by Ward and food by Dick Pearson. Tom B. and Steve G. were saluted for help with setting up for the event.

Dean Brookie was recognized for his architectural work, with Steve O. thanked for again, hauling and displaying the Rotary Wheel.

Disaster Relief Coalition

John Anderson gave an update of the coalition's progress and activities, assisting residents that have needs following the fires. New advocates are needed to interview and screen applicants. Get in touch with John if you can help.

Octoberfest

Sign up sheets were on the table for task at the fund raiser. If you didn't sign up for a job, get in touch with Paulette. She asked if there was support/interest in expanding the menu to include pork chops. Send her your comments.

CLUB SERVICE

Blue Badge

Mark Dold was awarded his blue badge by Jill Bruce, signifying that he has completed the tasks required of new members

Treasurer Duties

Steve Govreau has assumed all the treasurer's duties, to the obvious delight of Steve Redding.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

Argentine GSE Team Accommodations

Chip Lile asked for volunteers to house two GSE team members from Argentina, arriving on October 12th. One host is still needed, so drop by the El Rancho and become a Rotarian. Additionally, the team will take a mid-trip break and will need hotel or similar accommodations. If you can help, see Chip.

VOCATIONAL SERVICE

Scholarship Donation

Bud Deering presented the club with his annual donation to the Vocational Scholarship fund. Thank you Bud!

ON THE TABLE

Diamond Circle Theatre

Don't miss the Old Time Radio Show and a Vaudeville Review, featuring "The One for the Mojave Kid", by Louis L'Amour, and the music and humor of George Gershwin.

PRESENTATIONS

How I Spent My Summer Vacation,

by Commander Mark Dold

Mark, attired in his Naval Commander cammo, made a power point presentation, with highlights of his recent duty in the Republic of Korea (ROK). He directed a Joint Combined Testing operation, working out of Tonghae. He held several briefings for the Admiral and was allowed to see a North Korean submarine that was sunk by the South Koreans in 1966. Rather than allow his sailors to be captured, the Captain of the vessel shot them all.

On a happier note, Mark was a guest speaker at a local Rotary Club meeting, complete with a translator. Welcome back Mark and thanks for your continuing service.

District Governor, Chuck Tutor

Jeff introduced DG Tutor, citing his background as an educator and experience in the insurance business. He is active in community affairs and a Rotarian for 16 years and Past Club President.

Chuck called for Tom G. to present him with an honor, but Tom was not present. He then presented Jeff with a special Sew the Seeds of Love pin, gold plated!!

Chuck began his remarks with comments about RI President, Bhichai Rattakul. He met his a year ago during DG training in Lafayette, LA and found him to be kind and generous. The circumstances were difficulty, given the events of September 11th that took place during the training. Those attending the meeting took the opportunity to affirm that they could rise above events and that we have a Rotary job to do! Chuck spoke again of September 11, saying that if you want to fight evil, go out and do good!

Chuck told us the our RI President believes in bottom up management, where clubs set their own goals and that they will step forward in times of needs. Chuck then saluted our club for the efforts we make in the community and elsewhere.

Mr. Rattakul was a charter member of the 2nd club in Thailand, following his father who was a member of the first club. He has been involved at high levels in the Olympic movement, the United Nations and has received the highest recognition of a number of countries.

While substituting for another member on an outing with boys from an orphanage, Chuck says that Mr. Rattakul found the difference between being a member of Rotary and being a Rotarian. Rotarians build pools they will never swim in and parks that they will never play in.

2005 is the 100th anniversary of Rotary International. President Rattakul's challenge to the 30,000 Rotary Clubs is to find a project in your community and get it done by the celebration in 2005. It will be a celebration of 30,000 community gifts in 163 countries.

Polio eradication is high on Chuck's list and he gave us a recap of the beginnings of the Polio Plus effort back in 1985. The efforts of Rotary have made such a difference that the World Health Organization (WHO) often takes credit for our work! The number of new cases of polio reported worldwide have dropped from 500,000 at the start of the program to just 432 last year.

To meet the goal of eradication, RI asks that each club member donate $100.00 over the next 3 years to support these efforts.Go to http://www.rotary.org/newsandinfo/newsbasket/2002/020130/ for more information on the Polio Plus efforts.

Chuck then spoke of the Annual Fund, moneys used for matching grants. This last year, $120k came back to the district in the form of matching grants. Chuck asked that each member consider a donation to the Foundation of $134.34.

In his closing remarks, Chuck that members consider leadership opportunities in the district, which includes most of Colorado south of I-70.

Jeff thanked Chuck and JoAnn for visiting our club and they were thanked with warm applause.

NEXT WEEK

Susan and Rodney Cross, DayBreak Rotarians, will be the presenters, relating their personal experiences on September 11, 2001. Susan was at work in the WTC.

COMING UP

Sep 12 - Susan and Rodney Cross

Sept 19 - Kiwanis Pancake Luncheon

Sept 26 - NFIB State Director

Oct 4 - 6 - District Conference, Crested Butte