Durango High Noon Rotary Club

November 21, 2002

HOLIDAY PARTY REMINDER!!

All are invited to attend the Annual High Noon Rotary Holiday Party. It is Sunday, December 8th at the Historic Strater Hotel. Santa Claus will be there, spreading the joy appropriate for the season.

Things kick off with a cash bar and fellowship at 5:00 PM in the Diamond Circle Theatre. Dinner is at 6:00 PM in Henry's and the Oak Room if more space is required. After dinner, we return to the Diamond Circle at 7:00 PM for the evening's entertainment.

There is no meeting on Thursday, December 5th. DO NOT GO TO THE DOUBLE TREE THIS THURSDAY.

Remember to bring a wrapped gift valued at $10 bucks and labeled for a boy or girl, that will be donated to Project Merry Christmas. Dinner and entertainment is $28.00 for adults, $9.95 for kids 6-12 and kids 5 and under are free. Petra will have called you all by now. If you need to reach her, call 385-9102.

Jeff opened the meeting with a Welcome, announcing that it was a big day at Rotary. Len Goebel gave the invocation and led us in the pledge.

There were a lot of guests, but yours truly lost the list. My apologies to everyone. Among the guests that I recall were Jan and Joe Williams, President and member of the Daybreak Club, Deanna Devereaux of BB/BS. If you brought a guest to the last meeting, send me a note and I'll include them in next week's bulletin.

Announcements

Big Brothers/Big Sisters Needs Mentors: Deanna Devereaux made an appeal for help, just 1 hour, 1 day a week for 1 child. Bill Wright echoed here comments by urging everyone to participate. Contact BB/BS for details.

Day Break Club Grows: President Jan Williams announced that the Day Break Club has grown to 30 members and counting. Congratulations to Jan, her committee chairs and board. They meet Wednesdays at 6:45 AM at the Community Rec Center.

Snow Down Snowball February 1st: Jan Measles is managing the event, to include a dance contest, a costume party and of course, food. Contact Jan to help. This will be fun, fun.

Double Tree wants to here from us: Jeff indicated that the Double Tree wants to work with members that would like a special meal and other considerations. Thanks Peter!

Community Service

CAP Grants: Steve Redding told us of grants received, including $1000 for the San Juan Mountains Association and $1921 to purchase bikes for La Plata Youth Services. Steve thanked Tom Brossia and Russell Parker for their help.

Colorado Family Literacy Week: Paulette read a proclamation from Governor Owens concerning literacy and told us of the drive to collect $10k in order to show support for legislation to continue to provide funding for literacy projects.

Durango Disaster Recovery Coalition: Jeff told us that the club has donated $10k to the coalition and reminded us that John Anderson is co-chairing the efforts to support those in the community in greatest need as a result of the fire. John told us that 25 local organizations joined together to raise $150k for a variety of un-met needs. As of the meeting, the coalition has dispersed $85k to members of the community. John said that needs cross all spectrums of life and that work will continue until after the spring run off. John recognized Terri Lee, Bart Cross, Missy Rodey, Mark Dold and Rick Routh for their service in connection with the coalition's efforts.

Club Service

President Elect Nominee Vote: Chessa passed out ballots for the selection of the President Elect Nominee to serve as club President in Rotary year, 2004 - 2005. Stay tuned.

Sergeant at Arms: Len Goebel did the honors this week, including fines for those who had yet to turn in funds from the sale of Octoberfest tix. Others notables that were recognized included: Bob Chaput for a trip, Jeff Brown for a birthday and Bill Wright for his 51st wedding anniversary.

Bi-Laws Revision: Steve Govreau told us that draft revisions of the bi-laws are on the web site for all to review and submit comments. Send them to Steve and any other board member. Voting will be in January, 2003. Jeff recognized Steve and Chessa for the many hours they investing in bringing the bi-laws up to date.

Presentation

Jeff announced that the board had approved a new fund raiser. In that regard, he invited Joe Brown to introduce what will be a joint effort of the three local clubs. It is called the Red Ball Express. Briefly, 150 large red exercise balls will be released at the top of Chapman Hill, starting at 12:00 noon, as the newest unofficial event during Snow Down.

Each ball is bar coded and tickets will be sold to the public by local non-profits for $5 each, with up to 75% going to the charities. Based on some sort of scheme, a winner or winners will be selected and cash awarded.

Advertising opportunities in the form of both space is available at the bottom of the hill for $100 each. Wells Fargo Bank and Hydro-Pure have stepped up to provide initial sponsorship moneys. Rumor has it that a stage coach or a big balloon may be on hand. Volunteers are needed for all aspects of the event. The HNRC will be responsible for getting the word out.

The Aspen Club raises a lot of money from the event and hopes are high that we will do the same. More details, contact Joe Brown.

With nothing more for the good of Rotary, Jeff wished us all a happy Thanksgiving, reminded us not to show up on the next two Thursdays and closed the meeting.

Dec 5 No Meeting

Dec 8 Christmas Party at the Strater Hotel, 5:00 PM!!

Dec 12 St Columba Hand bell Choir

Dec 19 Ron Fogleman

Dec 26 No Meeting

Jan 2 No Meeting

Jan 9 Ft Lewis College (Bob Dolphin, Interim President)

ps: Thanks Spencer for filling in and Ward for getting the bulletin to the members.

John E. Marshall

Mountain Structures

3005 County Road 207

Durango, CO 81301

970-259-6248 p

970-259-4498 f