Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

January 16, 2003

"Nearly 60% of women with MBAs have direct deposits bigger than their grooms."

Bureau of Labor Statistics, by Pace University........

Jeff opened the meeting by asking our immediate Past President, Steve Wheeldon, to give the invocation and to lead us in the pledge. Jeff called for guests and they were:

Candice Nelson, DHS Interact Club

Katie Steelman

Bess Meisel

Richard Goff

Keoki and Jenny Sears

Mary and Glenn Sears, Keoki's parents

Bill Black, visiting Rotarian from Midland, TX

Sheryl Ayers, County Commissioner

Jennifer Simon

Jonathon Bedor

Jeff commented that the previous day's board meeting was well attended, with lots covered by an overflow crowd.

Announcements

Spaghetti Dinner: Candice Nelson told us to save Tuesday, February 18th for a spaghetti dinner hosted by the Interact club to raise money to support their activities.

La Plata Open Space Conservancy: Wine tasting, Bank of Colorado, January 30, 2003. For more info and an invitation if you didn't take one at the meeting, contact Steve Wheeldon.

Dave Spencer Ski Classic: Feb. 28 - March 2, 2003, a 20th Anniversary Celebration and annual fund raiser for Durango ASA. Contact Scott Mathis for more info and visit http://www.asadurango.org/events.html for all the 2003 events.

SnowDown Snowball: Jan Measles asked for help in setting up the February 1st event and told us to get out there and sell tickets. More will be available at the next meeting. Entertainment will include the Excell School Steel Drum band and Hues of Blues.

Silent auction items are still requested to add to those now committed, which include 5 nights in Cancun from the Double Tree, gift certificates to restaurants and hotels and more. Remember, this is a community event, part of SnowDown, so get your friends and neighbors to buy tickets before they are gone.

SnowDown float?: Tom B. asked if there was support for the club's float to be in the SnowDown parade.

Community Service

Buckley Park Renovation Project: Jeff asked Dean Brookie to bring the club up to date on the progress of the effort to renovate Buckley Park. Dean, with appropriate credit to Brian Kimmel, showed us the latest concept drawing, which included a monument in the intersection of 12th and Main, creating a traffic circle or, to quote Dean, a "Rotary rotary".

The plan incorporates a kid's play area with an historic Durango theme, trolley stop, steps and terraces for informal seating that take advantage of the natural topography, a fountain, information kiosk and a fountain. Jeff asked Dean to get a copy of the draft layout to Ward to post on the website.

Red Ball Express: Momentum is be gathering for the Feb 15th event. Tickets @ $5 bucks each are being sold by the non-profits and club members alike. The fund raiser has had coverage on TV and in the Herald. Tom Brossia explained that the charities pay us $1.25 for the tickets and resell them at $5.00, keeping the difference. Money from the tix we sell go the Rotary clubs, to be divided equally.

The expected net to the community is in the range of $75k. Tom called for volunteers to set up and run the event. There will be balloon rides, a mall at the bottom of Chapman Hill, a great community event. Get in touch with Tom to help if you didn't sign up at the meeting. And, expect to pick up your ticket packet next week.

CAP Grant Deadline: The deadline to apply a Community Assistance Program grant is upon us. Get is touch with Tom B. with your ideas and suggestions.

Club Service

Keoki Sears Inducted: Our newest member, Keoki Sears, was inducted at the meeting. Paulette gave us some background details and Jill presented him with a bundle of club-related materials. Keoki recently relocated to Durango from Germany, where he guided the upgraded a network serving 6.3 million people, including cable, high speed data and telephony. He will operate his business from Durango.

Keoki told us he is a flautist and also plays the trumpet. He wanted to join Rotary because "Rotarians get things done!". He is working now to help bring broadband to the region and looks forward to meeting German Rotarians as his work takes him there. Welcome Keoki and family.

Sergeant At Arms: Mike Matheson had the duty, calling first for recent birthdays. Those confessing included Jim Jennings, Howard Wilson, Mark Dold, Steve Osborne and George Litow.

Gordon Hensley drew the Ace of Hearts from the deck and won the pot. He instinctively donated the winnings to projects supported by the club, including $100 to Polio Plus and $233.00 to La Plata Youth Services.

Steve Wheeldon started a Polio Plus challenge, with several members pledging $100 bucks. Remember, Rotary can deliver a vaccination against polio for just 7 cents!

Follies Tickets Auctioned: Through the generosity of Bob Chaput and Bud Poe, Mike Sandberg was able to raise $145.00 for the scholarship fund with a spirited auction. The winner will get more than there money's worth, with Laurie Forbes in the chorus line and the seats next to Mike and Carol Mc Guire.

Program Ideas: Mark Prouty called for ideas for future programs. Dates are available in April and May.

Transportation needed: An exchange student, Timothy, needs transportation to Glenwood Springs/Grand Junction and back on February 6 and 7. Please contact Paulette if you can make the drive.

Program

Introduced by her sponsor, Bud Poe, club member and attorney Ellen Roberts, spoke to us about estate planning issues. Ellen is Vice Chair of the Mercy Medical Center Board of

Directors, a member of the library steering committee, a recipient of the Southwest CO Bar Association Professional (s) (ism) Award and a member of the CO Women's Bar Association.

Ellen said that many include estate planning in their New Year's Resolutions. To lighten the subject, she called for six volunteers to assist. They were Robin, Chessa, Laura, Melisa, Mike Mc and Bud P. The teams were given 15 seconds to answer a series of estate-related questions, including: What is the difference between a will and a trust?, What is probate?, What is a power of attorney?

Ellen told us that wills are simple, fast and low cost. Poi's act for you (us) when we cannot and typically name a friend or family member to see that your (our) wishes are carried out. The presentation included comments on revocable and irrevocable trusts and the exemption that excludes a portion our the estate from federal death tax.

For more details, get in touch with Ellen. Jeff thanked Ellen and presented her with the newest version of the much sought after Rotary Mug.

After a great program, Jeff closed the meeting.

Coming Up

Jan 23 Club Assembly

Jan 30 Bobby Lieb - DACRA

Feb 6 Charlie Albert - Chile Trip

Feb 13 Burt Coleman - Annie's Orphans Humane Shelter

Feb 20 Rocky Mt Chocolate

Feb 27 Jay Hwang - State Farm Insurance Fraud Unit