Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

August 28, 2003

"As Rotarians, we must open our eyes to see those around us who cannot

afford shelter, health care, food and other essentials. We must address

these problems with compassion and pragmatism. I ask all Rotarians to make the alleviation of poverty our number-one aim."

Jonathan Majiyagbe, President, Rotary International

Chessa asked Wayne Bedor to give the invocation and to lead the members

in the pledge. Guests were introduced and they included:

Barbara O'Brien, speaker and President of Colorado Children's Campaign.

Jim Jackson and wife Ruth, visiting Rotarian from Mt. Vernon, Il.

Diane Wildfang, visiting Rotarian from Lake Havasu City, AZ

Erin Silver and Chris Watney, guests of the speaker.

John W., guest of Ted Robson

Joel Jones, guest of Mary Barter.

Marsha Porter-Norton

Digging right in with announcements, a ground breaking will take place at

the Vallecito Community Center on September 5th.

Bess indicated that a tree planting opportunity was upcoming and that

more info will be available at the meeting on September 4.

Chessa said that the Perrins Peak hike and the bike ride coordinated by

Doc Sanders was great fun, and a challenge.

Jeff Brown reminded us of the ceremony to be held at 1:00 PM at the

fairgrounds on Saturday, August 30th in conjunction with the display of the

traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall.

Bess spoke of a club service project to assemble and provide 'welcome

bags' for new members. They can include a variety of information, including

business related.

Chessa suggested that this year's holiday party include a train trip and

the event is scheduled for December 6th.

Paulette reminded us that the Oktoberfest will be held on Friday,

October 24th and that there are 76 jobs that need to be done.

Durango will host a visiting Group Study Exchange Team (GSE) from Milan,

Italy. In conjunction with their visit, Mike McGuire told us of the planned

pot luck dinner at the Rail Road Museum, Friday night, September 19th at

7:00 PM. The Italian team will make their official presentation to an

assembly of the three Durango clubs. I am told that the other two clubs

have a commitment of well over 50% of their members as of today.

All GSE teams are required to give a presentation about their sponsoring

district, including a bit about each of the team members. It is traditional

for the host district clubs to turn out in force to make welcome and to show

respect for the visiting teams. Contact Mike McGuire, 385-5991, to sign up

and to get a dish assignment.

Chessa welcomed Steve Wheeldon to the podium for a 5 minute recap of his

life. He began by saying he can trace relatives back to the Mayflower and

that he was born in Pocatello, ID. He graduated from the University of Utah

and was recruited to Price-Waterhouse in SoCal, where he served a number of

clients in the entertainment fields. Bob Chaput rang the bell, with Steve

having more to tell so, stay tuned.

The Bud and Bill show included David F. and Wayne B. drawing a card from

the deck, without success. Bud challenged a member to name all the other

members on his page in the directory and promptly raised some cash for the

club. Bill Wright saluted Ellen Roberts for her election to the Chair of

the Board at Mercy.

Tom Brossia announced that planning for the next Red Ball Express is

underway.

Chessa invited Dr. Barter to the podium to introduce the day's speaker,

which became a joint assembly with the Kiwanis Club. Mary indicated that

the Colorado Children's Campaign is 'about kids' and that funds raised are

used to support the children and youth of the state.

O'Brien that the mission of CCC is "To mobilize individuals and

organizations to think and act on behalf of children, with particular

attention to the health, education and safety of those most at risk." CCC

is a statewide non-profit promotes the well-being of all children through

research, advocacy, change initiatives and capacity building.

The theme of O'Brien's presentation was that the that state's response

to the economic situation in terms of budget cuts and the ongoing ceilings

on tax revenue increases, continues to put the state's kids at risk.

For a complete overview of CCC, please go to: www.coloradokids.org

As a statewide non-profit organization the CCC champions the full

development of all children in Colorado.

CCC provides information on child well-being by researching and publishing

data on health, education, safety, and economic security.

CCC stimulates dialogue on children's issues by implementing media and

communications strategies to raise awareness.

CCC promotes accountability and action by contributing to government

committees and commissions involving children's issues and organizes groups

to advocate for children.

CCC works with child advocates, community leaders, academic institutions,

and government officials on the common goal of improving the lives of

children in Colorado.

"The soul is healed by being with children."

O'Brien said that the La Plata County 'It's About Kids Advocacy Network'

has served as a model for the rest of the state and a number of the members

of the steering committee were in attendance, including. Mary Barter, Jeff

Brown, Joel Jones, Bill Mashaw and Marsha Porter-Norton. She ended her

remarks by indicating that the grid lock in Denver must be broken, starting

with changes to three constitutional amendments that are restricting the

increase in taxes that CCC feels are necessary to support their efforts.

Chessa presented Mrs. O'Brien with the Rotary Speaker's mug and the

thanks of the service clubs and the community.

Coming Up:

9/4 Adult education /literacy reading program

9/11 honoring our local heros - 2 policemen shot in the line of duty

9/18 vaudeville show from diamond circle theatre

9/25 ALP

10/2 cowboy poetry?

John E. Marshall

3005 County Road 207

Durango, CO 81301

970-259-6248 p

970-259-4498 f