Tom began the meeting with his welcoming smile and grand presence. He asked Joe Thompson to open with prayer and pledge.

Tom then moved to the welcoming of our guests. We were introduced to Missy Rodey, the new Director at United Way. Marsha Porter Norton was introduced as our guest speaker. Linda Mack, the betrothed of Wynn, was introduced to the club as the loveliest women known to Wynn. Chip Lyle was introduced to the club. His father, Chuck Lyle, was our Charter President. Chuck also was the charter President of the Parker and Steamboat Springers clubs. Chuck passed away a few years ago. Chip had the good fortune to go to Brazil as an Exchange Student in 1988 and he was helpful in founding our first Interact Club.

Petra Lyon made an announcement that the Fort Lewis Chamber Choir is headed to Carnegie Hall. There are forty-seven students and staff going. They have raised the funds for the trip but are in need of money for food. To help with the food need the Choir will perform on the 14th of March at the Concert Hall at Fort Lewis. Tickets will sell for ten dollars each.

Jill Bruce was given the floor to induct a new member and recognize a member who has achieved his Blue Badge status. This young man is Russell Parker, now a full-fledged member of Rotary.

The newest member of our club is a Librarian at the City Library. This woman has traveled to Washington State, to Maryland and Alaska and is now in Durango. Her husband is a lobbyist in Alaska and they maintain a home there. She is a mom and has the distinction of being a Grandmother. She is looking forward to working hard with us and is thankful to be a member. Oh, who is she? Well. Her name is Sherry Taber. Please make her welcome.

Rick Routh then gave the club an update on Pete Holton. This past member is living in British Columbia. It appears that he is intending to stay as he is buying a home and ten acres on the river in Ellison. Pete will be in town on April 15th and hopefully he will be able to come to our meeting.

Kevin Bruce was given the floor to do a more gentle and caring fine activity. Kevin told Wynn that he barely avoided a fine for the introduction of Linda as Kevin has the distinction of having the loveliest wife. Kevin fined a table for facing the wrong way. He fined Bob Chaput for a joke. Mike McGuire was fined for his recent promotion. Mike is one of four in the state with the rank of Technician. Congratulations to Officer Friendly. Mike said that his goal was to catch Len Goebel on his motorcycle before he retired. Kevin fined Sherry Taber for not wearing her new pin. Brian gave an update and paid a fine for his recent adventures in fishing and teaching. Brian mentioned that we will do Locks for Life at another event this summer. Bud Deering then asked if each table would be able to put money in the kitty to buy food for the Fort Lewis Concert Choir. He said he would match up to five hundred dollars if they would. We did and he did pay 500 bucks. The club Board had given a thousand dollars so we added another thousand bucks to their kitty.

Marsha Porter Norton then spoke to the group about Operation Heathy Comminutes. Marsha is the immediate past Director. The position of Director is currently filled by Laura Lewis. The organization has four purposes that it serves in the community. The first is that of a neutral convener and facilitator. Marsha noted that many issues in the community are divisive with strong opinions on both sides of the issue. They will serve as the facilitator to help achieve common ground.

Secondly, they have taken on a few projects and have helped to find funding to help resolve community issues in Silverton. This has lead to an After School program, a Teen Center and an Early Learning Center in Silverton. Marsha noted that our club helped to fund Baseball for Bosnia another effort coordinated by Healthy Communities.

Thirdly, they also provide workshops seven times a year. Two workshops, which Marsha mentioned were Team Building and Conflict Resolution. The final area of effort is the Healthy Community Index. This project is away to measure how the economy is doing in La Plata County along with other indicators like schools, recreation, environment and families. The purpose of the index is to inform and build consensus regarding issues in the community to make things happen. Marsha is currently working on a Community Summit that will be held on Friday, May 18th at the College Union Building Ballroom. They will focus on five issues that have been developed from surveys and interviews with people in our community. A group of Teenagers will be doing a Photo Essay to inform participants at the Summit what they think is important or not so important in our small town. Thanks, Marsha.

News from Margaret Landrum

I wanted you to know that I read the Rotary Bulletin on email every week and love hearing about the club. Here in the Dominican Republic my daughter and I continue to have a really wonderful experience. The country and its people are wonderfully friendly. Coming here and living is one of those "dreams come true". I have made many friends and continue to learn Spanish as I can. The school where I work and my daughter(Amy) attend school is wonderful mixture of Dominicans and many kids from various embassy families. We have felt really lucky to have had this experience this year. We will be in Durango April 5-9 and I hope to attend a meeting and say "hello" to all of your then.

ONE FINAL NOTE: "Anger is only one letter short of Danger." Bear

Tom Galbraith-President

Steve Wheeldon-President-Elect

Margaret Gray-Secretary

Mark Seiter-Treasure

Steve Govreau - Club Service

Chessa Gill - Vocational Service

Jeff Brown - Community Service

Tom Brossia - International Service

Charlie Albert - World Service Projects

Jill Bruce - Membership

Marv Collentine - Programs

Joe Thompson - Club Bulletin

Kevin Bruce - Sergeant at Arms

Ward Holmes - Public Relations

Steve Redding - Director

Mike Matheson - Director

Paulette Church - Director

Pete Sanders - Past President

Steve Wheeldon - President-Elect

Durango: Tuesday, 6:30 P.M.

Strater Hotel

Cortez: Monday, 6:30 P.M.

Elks Lodge

Dolores: Tuesday, 6:30 P.M.

Ponderosa Restaurant

Farmington: Thursday, 11:45 A..M.

Holiday Inn

Pagosa Springs: Thursday, 11:45 A.M.

Pagosa Lodge

Telluride: Monday, 6:30 P.M.

Lyons Club