Minutes of the Closed Club Meeting, August 23, 2001

Steve Wheeldon opened the meeting asking Len Goebel to offer a prayer, followed by the pledge. All in attendance knew something was up, as we were given leis to wear, we found numbered bananas at each chair and the membership committee was all wearing tropical attire.

The term We re going bananas seemed to be whispered at every table and it was a packed house.

Steve introduced guests and from the sign in sheet they were:

*This reporter suggests that the sign in sheet be revised to include a space for guests to print their names.

Steve asked the team behind this year s Nigh Noon Rotary/United Way Golf Tournament, Missy Rodey, Melisa Caskey and Bob Chaput to come forward to be recognized for their efforts and achievement. Each was presented with a Service Above Self pin. Melisa indicated that the event will add $14,000.00 to the club s coffers. Missy, Melisa and Bob were saluted with applause from the members.

The newest HNR (High Noon Rotary) capital project, on the site of the new rec center, was approved as originally submitted and Mike Matheson will present details to the club on September 6.

Steve reminded us that registration for the District Conference, October 5-7 in Telluride, can still be made. Don t forget, Steve and Jeannie are hosting a reception at their condo and will serve banana daiquiris.

Our own Top Banana introduced the members that had 100% attendance for the last year. Attendance awards were presented to all. They include:

Steve turned the meeting over to Jeff Brown, next year s Top Banana , who heads up Club Organization and Development.

Jeff introduced Jill Bruce, Chair of the Membership Committee, who got things moving with a power point presentation. Jill wrote and produced the presentation and it was put into images and sound by Corey from PCS. It was very well done and included pix of the Rotary Wheel at various events and candid shots a number of members and spouses.

Karen L Argent and Roy Crow were recognized for their efforts in recruiting new members, a poorly disguised challenge to the rest of us.

An appeal was made to Dick Pearson, who meet the challenge with a generous supply of a boat load of bananas and he was thanked for his efforts.

Robin Jackman took the floor and continued the banana theme by asking us all to check our bananas . Turns out that each of us had a banana with a number written on it and door prizes were awarded to those that held the lucky bananas. Drawings continued throughout the meeting.

Jill then explained the new member process and directed us to the hand out provided. We were reminded that guests are just that and they are not to be introduced as prospective members. Len G. demonstrated how to properly introduce a guest and Scott M. showed us how not to do so.

Jill took us through the process and you can read all the details in the hand out you took with you.

Chip Lile, from the membership bunch, spoke to us about the recruiting process and the club s goals for new members. It includes more good Rotarians, with a focus on diversity and a reach to all parts of the community. Bankers and accountants need not apply, as Chip pointed out, the club is made up of the above and then everyone else.

As a guide to recruiting, Chip reviewed his hand out, Service Above Self , that included the object of Rotary and a Candidate Recruiting Guide. Well presented and well done!

The recurring sound of Let s go Bananas signaled another door prize and we all checked our bananas, again.

Bob Chaput, club internet/computer/photography guru told us of RI s decision to limit the types of membership to just two, Active and Honorary. He told us that clubs are limited to no more than 10% of any occupation or classification, except retired .

A new classification list is under development and new members will be matched with the classification that best describes their principal activity.

We checked out bananas, again.

Mark Prouty spoke of the Star(t?) Program , which asks sponsors and others to spend more time with new members, to make them more comfortable and to be certain they understand the Object of Rotary.

Ted Robson introduced a new aspect of the new member orientation. In addition to their sponsor, each newbie will have 2 mentors to assist with introductions to club members, answer questions and get them involved with club activities.

Mark Prouty indicated that during the new member induction ceremony, the sponsor would ask for two mentors from those attending that meeting. The membership committee wants everyone to get involved.

We checked our bananas, again.

Jill introduced us to the Banana Tree , where new members and their sponsors will hang faux bananas as part of the induction ceremony. How memorable can you get?!

Jenny (Miss July) Kane and Scott Mathis were the first to hang their bananas.

The banana tree will be a permanent feature at future meetings as a reminder of our drive to add new, quality members to the club. There is no limit to the number of member we can have.

Jeff announced that an anonymous member has agreed to match the $25.00 of each new member s initiation fees. Thank you whoever you are!

Jeff and Jill recognized members wearing the Eagle Rotary pin for their commitment to recruiting new members and presented pins to those of us that pledged to bring in a new member.

Scott Mathis, looking like a cross between Ed Kookie Burns and Dano of Book em Dano fame from Hawaii 5-0, got us excited about bananas, again, by leading us in a cheer, Lets go bananas . Scott seized the gavel, admitting he always wanted to say, Anything else for the good of Rotary and brought the meeting to a close with a peel of the rotary bell.

The Membership Committee did a stellar job!

Let s Go Bananas!

Aug 30 Political Cartoonist

Sep 6 Fun Stuff

Sept 7 Rotary night at the Melodrama. Forever Plaid , a 50 s musical.

Sep 13 Julia Hubbel - Expanding Rotary/Building Membership

Sep 20 Kiwanis Pancake Day at Fairgrounds

Oct 4 Cowboy Poetry (Bob Volger)

Oct 5-7 District Conference in Telluride

Oct 11 Jenny Kane San Juan Mountain Association

Nov 1 Hardly Angeles (Pam Moore)

Nov 8 Open

Nov 15 Club Assembly- Russell Parker

Nov 22 No Meeting Happy Turkey Day

Nov 29 Ken Fusco Youth Exchange

Dec 6 No Meeting

Dec 9 Christmas Party