Rotary Meeting Minutes, September 30, 2004

“Never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the world; Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” --Margaret Mead

The invocation was given by John Lopez

Guests included: _________the FLC Librarian; Kathleen May, the new Executive Director of Habitat For Humanity; Jim & Ruth Jackson; Bill Braden of Fort Collins and Ted Erickson

Announcements:

Long time Rotarian Arvella Higby was visited by other fellow Rotarians who presented her with a plaque of appreciation, flowers and two wheelchairs named in her honor
Marv Collentine announced that La Plata Youth Services was planning to hold the first-ever “Chicken Bingo,” a fundraiser at the Oktoberfest. He had 20 $5 tickets to sell to the group and succeeded. Marv thanked Rotary for their generosity in presenting LPYS with a substantial grant to fill the void left by a restricted budget.
Jennifer Simon told the group about the Journey of Hope 5k on Saturday, Oct 2, and the upcoming Pink Ribbon Affair to be held at the DoubleTree Oct. 13. Both events raise money for the Journey of Hope, a special fund held in trust by Mercy Medical Center for women who cannot afford mammograms and have no other means.
The recent implementation of “table captains” was discussed. Essentially, one person per table will be designated to act as the leader for said table. Their job will be to ensure that the information placed on each table is properly disseminated, and to lead any fundraising efforts.
Steve Redding shared with the group that Jake Billingsley, former contender on the TV show “Survivor” would be speaking in honor of prostate cancer awareness week, Oct. 5 at the Rec Center in Durango. Mr. Billingsley presented at Rotary last year and will be addressing survivorship: Not only of cancer, but of life. The event is free, but donations to the American Cancer Society are appreciated. The event is made possible by the Man To Man Prostate Education Group.
Bob Chaput exhibited the wheelchair folder, a nice presentation piece which would go to designees.
Bill Cartwright asked for 6 people to represent Rotary at a water stop at the Durango Marathon October 10. He said the stop would be on the south end of Hermosa, and from approximately 8:15-10:30 a.m. He is confirming times and location.

The Sergeant At Arms, Steve Wheeldon, in his LAST appearance, wheeled and dealed (no pun intended) to raise $ for more wheelchairs. He relayed that 205 have been purchased so far, and of those, between 9 and 12 are without names.

If you gave a wheelchair in September, please see Bob or Don Freemier to get names on the certificates. Included in his wheelchair-raising efforts, he fined the following Rotarians: Sue Compton, one wheelchair for being the newest member; Chessa Gill, for not only being on a cruise with her granddaughter, but for being on a DISNEY cruise…he felt that was worth at least 2 wheelchairs; Steve fined an “anonymous” Rotarian for “harassing” someone at the airport and felt that was worth 2 wheelchairs; David Farmer was fined for making the newspaper-1 wheelchair; Spencer voluntarily bought 1 chair for his daughter’s birthday; Sherry Tabor bought 1 wheelchair; Jan Measles bought one;

More announcements: In anticipation of the scheduled program to be presented by Cowboy Poets, we improvised:

Pam Bowen read a lighthearted e-mail from her son Steve, who is an exchange student on a Rotary scholarship in Sweden. Sweden is very different from Durango. One example is that the high school kids are given smoking breaks. There are a lot of pretty girls, but he doesn’t have a “serious” girlfriend. His understands about half of what his host family is saying and is enjoying his time there (with the exception of the mosquitoes). His e-mail address is: steve_b_149@hotmail.com
Bob Volger told a vulgar joke about cowboys and balls. (we won’t repeat it). He also announced he is in charge of the motor less parade as part of the Cowboy Gathering.
Bob Gette chipped in the $13 difference for another wheelchair.
Bill Cartwright called Steve Wheeldon “the Human Microphone” and gave some happy bucks for the following reasons: 1) Construction on his home began 2)He felt that Steve Osborn should also chip in for all the business that would be given to Steve’s store and 3) In the Telluride Rotary Golf Tournament, our club took second place
Steve W. challenged next month’s Sergeant At Arms Bob Volger to match Steve’s success in obtaining wheelchairs
Tom Wright announced that after 17 years with Vectra Bank, he was moving over to the Bank of the San Juans
Dean Brookie’s daughter is in the homecoming quart
Jill Wark’s daughter recently celebrated her 30^th birthday (which nobody believed). Jill paid the price for spending time with family in California, which included her two little grandsons.
Bill Cartwright and Dave Ganefsky successfully finished the Imogene Pass Run, a 17-mile trek from Ouray to Telluride
Bob Griffin’s daughter is also a candidate for the homecoming court
Steve Wheeldon is happy that the Diamond Circle Melodrama season is over
Wayne Bedor bought another wheelchair

Club updates/More Announcements:

Steve Redding reported that the board subsidized La Plata Youth Services with $10,000. The diversion program is intended for juvenile first-offenders and has an 82% success rate for those who do not repeat, and 98% for those who do not repeat if they have a Rotarian mentoring them through the program. We always need more mentors.
Charlie Albert talked about the Chihuahua, Mexico club who are planning to drill 2 water wells in the small town of El Colorado. The funding comes from our club, in the form of a matching grant. High Noon Rotary and the La Villa club in Mexico City are increasing the breakfast program in Mexico City. The program provides 250 kids with a hot breakfast, Monday through Friday. We’re giving $5,000, about a quarter of total funds to establish another program in another area.
This month is the Tri-District Conference to be held in Durango. This is also a project fair and an opportunity for us to share with other clubs.
John Marshall announced that the GSE travel team from the Philippines will not be able to make it due to the inability to get visas. Our outbound team leaves in February and interviews will be conducted on the 8^th at the conference. There are several solid candidates, including Melissa Yousef.
Howard Wilson’s arts and crafts conference is coming along nicely, and will be Oct. 22-24
Chip Lile updated the club on the changes to the youth exchange program. Students have arrived, the program is underway and coming along nicely. We will only be able to send and receive one child in the future, and for a flat fee.
A wrap-up meeting for the golf tournament will be held. The only negative feedback is that the silent auction items did not earn what they were worth. The group will re-evaluate the strategy for next year. Other changes include: moving the club to Tamarron and signing a 5-year contract; dividing the teams into two flights, to “give others the opportunity to win.”
The three major fundraisers are: Red Ball Express, which will begin selling tickets in November, The Old Car Show and the Golf Tournament.

At the end of the meeting (the program never did show up), 25 wheelchairs were purchased!