Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

May 15, 2003

"Service above Self"

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."

- Mark Twain

WHY? Is "posh" used to describe something elegant or fashionable? [answer at bottom]

A deft Invocation by Bud Deering, the Pledge, and another fine meeting commenced.

Guests:

Pam Taylor, your Assistant District Governor and member of the Evening Club, joined us and Bill bought lunch for his brother Ted Hermesman, a member of the Early-bird Club. Rep. Mark Larson treated Jordan Sagle to a nice lunch. Jordan is a 2001 DHS grad, attends Belmont University in Nashville TN with his wife, and is working this summer as an intern to the good Representative. Tami C. brought along a co-worker from her bank John Stolfa and Jay H. introduced Steve Engell, our speaker of the day. Two visiting Rotarians from out-of-state joined us: Barbara Toth from Summerville SC exchanged banners with us, and Bill Black from Midland TX. returned for another visit.

Announcements and Updates:

Chessa hosted her new Board of Directors last Saturday by throwing a BBQ at Steve Redding's place on Lightner Creek. It featured prime rib catered by Bradley's -- and now everyone wants to be on her Board.

Speaking of Steve, he overseas both of our "Sustaining NHR projects". You know about our Highway cleanup project, but the other project is our work with La Plata Youth Services. Steve and our other volunteers have helped operate the Youth First Offenders idea. Called the "Diversion Program", it allows first offenders a chance to turn their lives around, come clean, and have the offence removed from their records. Facing serious fiscal shortfall, Steve was able to work with Bob Ledger and the City to restore the heart of the program. Good work Steve!

As John Marshall leaves for a six-week Exchange program in Argentina, Jeff presented him with banners and NHR T-Shirts as offerings for his host clubs. John will provide updates on the District website and maybe Ward can steal them for our site, or at least provide a link.

Tami C. paid a Happy Dollar on the occasion of her better-half being designated "Teacher of the Year" at DHS. Well done!

With six weeks left in Jeff's regime, Mike McGuire retires in 11 days, 4 hours and 30 minutes -- just in time to take a vacation and to prepare for next year as President-in-waiting!

Program:

Steve Engell, from the Denver office of that well-known insurance company Jay represents, covered the subject of Insurance Fraud. It is a serious cost to society involving $80 - $200 Billion and adds $200-$300 average household insurance premium every year. Suppose you have a car that no one would ever purchase from you. One solution is to sell it to the insurance company! Duh! Thousands of cars have been found in lakes and ditches around the country after their owners have collected insurance. This is called "Hard Fraud", a category including "Swoop and Squat" staged auto accidents, "Owner Giveups" where the owner orchestrates the disappearance or destruction (Chop-Shop) of their vehicle, and of course Arson a.k.a. re-financing your home or business. "Soft Fraud" is more of an opportunity circumstance, such as where a real claim is exaggerated or the same vehicle is covered by multiple insurers.

The industry is fighting back in a variety of ways. Sting operations have been established where they buy stolen cars for as little as $150 for my vehicle up to $450 for new luxury cars. Some criminal rings steal and sell as many as 100 vehicles a week. Another approach involves improved technology in claims processing -- unearthing four claims from four different people but all using the same address! Finally, the are pressing education of the problem, both their own processors but also the public. As an example of the latter, he cited a survey suggesting up to 30 percent of the public is not offended by soft fraud. Unfortunately, the insurance company is only deciding whether or not to honor the claim -- it is the responsibility of law enforcement to prosecute the perps. The program ended with both Steve and Jay recounting first-hand experiences detecting fraud.

Mark your Calendars:

5/20 Tuesday 6:30 Fireside Chat at Jeff's - all welcome - pls call ahead. Pizza, not Prime Rib.

5/21 Wed 07:00 Board meeting at DoubleTree -- again all welcome.

5/22 Program Tami's DHS business incubator class

5/29 Program Wow! Congressman (Governor?) Scott McInnis. Not to be missed!

6/05 Program Wow! Our Senate and House representatives. Not to be missed!

WHY? Answer: During the Victorian era, sailing from London to India was a long, hot and humid adventure. Absent air conditioning, the best cabins faced north in the shade. Travelers paid extra to have portside cabins on the way out and starboard cabins on the trip home. Port Out, Starboard Home became the acronym P.O.S.H. and eventually evolved into the word "posh". [This has always been your scribe's favorite acronym, as a former sailor, along with "scuba"]

Yours in Rotary,

Spencer, your scribe-sub