Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

January 3, 2002

"In life, all good things come hard, but wisdom is the hardest to come by."

--Lucille Ball

Steve opened the first meeting of 2002 appropriately, by asking each of us to take a moment and reflect upon our own commitment to the work of Rotary International for the New Year. We joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Guests we announced including:

Pat Hayes

Maura Carroll

Ken Fusco

Jim F. (sorry, Jim, couldn't read your sig.) Feldman?

Ken Schneider

Mike Sandberg

Mark Dold

Bart Cross

Steve asked all new members, inducted from July to date, to stand and be recognized, encouraging them to get involved and for the blue badgers to make them welcome. New members by month include:

July - Jenny Kane

August -

September - Frank Valen

October - Jim Burpee

November - Kendall Blanchard and Cliff Callicotte

December - Walter Parks and Bob Salzer

We were reminded that there is a 'Fireside Chat' scheduled for the evening of Saturday, January 26th at the home of Kevin and Jill Bruce. It begins at 6:00 PM and includes dinner! Their home is at 2620 CR 250, about 2 1/2 miles North from the corner of CR 250 and Florida Road (Texaco) and is on the East side of the road. New members need to attend a 'chat' in order to complete the requirements of the new member process.

Steve gave Paulette the floor to speak about the short-term 6 week summer exchange program. This is one of the programs in which children and grandchildren of Rotarians can participate. Submit candidates for consideration to Paulette and the sooner the better.

And, June 18 and 19 a group of traveling exchange students will pass through Durango. There is discussion of a joint meeting with the evening club and there will probably be a need to house the kids for a night or two. Be ready to volunteer.

Jack Walls, Chair of the International Committee, reviewed the group's projects, focused on world community service. He has been working to connect with like-minded members of the Peace Corps in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, to help identify Real Needs projects. Progress is slow, but Jack doesn't discourage easily.

The Board voted to support a project in Afghanistan with $300.00 toward the purchase of 5 solar ovens to bake bread. The intention is that they will eventually find their way into the hands of entrepreneurial women who will start bakeries. Give a person a loaf of bread or teach him to bake...........

An ongoing effort has been to provide materials and or cash, for the construction of devices that condense and capture moisture from the air (Fog or Cloud Catchers) to be used for potable water. After some time considering how best to participate, it was decided to add our support to an existing, successful project in Peru. Yours truly was in Lima in 1972 and the area around the city included shanty towns with 55 gallon drums placed strategically to collect rain run-off from the roofs of shacks.

Jack told us of the Ambassadorial Scholarship, $25k, for international educational study. Got a candidate in mind? Get the names and cv's to Jack ASAP. Deadline is the end of the month. Candidates are current college students.

While on the subject of exchanges, Paulette asked for volunteers to pick up Puifai at school and take her to and from our Wednesday meetings. The opportunity is to do so for just one month, so give Paulette a call. (385-4354). Speaking of Puifai, a photo of her and her distinguished snow boarding instructor, Bob Chaput, circulated for everyone to enjoy. Word is she is an excellent student and is making good use of her Christmas gifts from the club.

Carl Clark did stellar duty as Sergeant at Arms this week, with Bob Foster expertly wielding the 'fine snapper'. OK, gotta a better name for it? For the New Year, Carl added a new responsibility to his high office, let's call it "Keep America Rolling: 4 members admitted to purchasing new vehicles in recent weeks. Those continuing to stimulate the economy include Jill Bruce, Melisa Caskey, Steve Wheeldon and Ted Robson. Hey guys, don't forget to put Rotary license plates on those vehicles! One-time fee of $35.00. Carl will be checking to see who has them on by next month.

And, in the Keeping your Eyes Rolling department, Mr. Clark offered his usual dose of humor to lighten the moment. I'm usually laughing too hard to write them down, so see Carl.......

Jack introduced the day's guest, Maura Carroll, Durango native, DHS and UC graduate and currently a member of the Peace Corps serving in Nicaragua. She lives in a region with several villages and 14 - 15,000 people. Maura told us that the Peace Corps has three goals.

To better the lives of those that are reached by the volunteers.

To teach others about the United States.

To bring back and share what the volunteers learn during their period of service.

Personally, she indicated that one of her goals is to work to erase intolerance.

Nicaragua has 4.5 million residents and held their first democratic election in 1990. In the most recent election, the turnout was reported at 94%. Unfortunately, unemployment is running at 56%. Does this increase the numbers going to the poles?

The per-family income averages $402.00 per year and, according to Maura, families can be quite large in this predominantly Catholic country. Her assignment is as a Community Health Volunteer and she works with the Ministry of Health. Her broadly defined duties have included hygiene at the elementary level, working with pregnant girls ranging in age from 11 - 14 years, assisting in the development of a disaster preparation committee, domestic violence group workshops and she is currently planning an AIDS conference.

She runs every day and encourages the youngsters she works with to participate. There are 7 Rotary Clubs in Nicaragua she reports. She does a lot of public speaking, all in Spanish, and from her presentation to us, she is comfortable doing so.

She took several questions, including favorable comments about the Peace Corps website. www.peacecorps.org Give it a look! Steve presented Maura with the sought after Speaker's Mug, following the applause of an appreciative audience. Whatta great kid!

Steve announced that the Board is considering providing members with the opportunity to advertise their businesses in the Club Bulletin and invited comments and opinions to be sent to him and Jeff Brown. Similarly, there is discussion among the Board to provide member-businesses with the opportunity to have a link on the Club website. Talk to Steve and Jeff!

The annual bell ringing efforts put forth by a great number of Rotarians, helped the Salvation Army collect $66,700.00, all of which will be put to use here in the community. This represents a 10% increase over last year. I had the privilege of two, two hour stints and recommend to those who have not had the opportuntiy to participtate, to do so next year.

Next week's meeting will include the unveiling of the Capital Projects Committee's next effort. Mike Matheson and his crew will present their work to date, including drawings, on an exciting new project. Steve asks that every member make a special effort to attend.

With nothing more for the good of Rotary, Steve brought the meeting to a close.

Announcements:

As a reminder, the cost of meals is now $13.00.

From the Prez., Let's make the effort to arrive at 11:45 AM to enjoy more fellowship.

Keep the deadlines for the exchanges in mind. 6 week summer tour, January 31, 2002. Ambassadorial Scholarship, January 31, 2002.

And, once more, next meeting's presentation of the next Capital Project.

Coming Up!

1/10: Capital projects meeting

1/17: Greg Hoch, city planner

1/23: Board Meeting

1/24: Brad Finch - kids in community

1/26: Fireside Chat, at the home Jill and Kevin Bruce. 6:00 PM

1/31: Dr. Mary Fuka, Quetzal Biomedical

2/7: Tina Beekman

2/14: District Governor Bill Tarpley (possible Valentine surprise )

2/21: Rick O'Block - Hospital bio-terrorism

2/28: BUSINESS MEETING - No program or program to be arranged

3/7: Scott Stewart - Durango MTN

3/14: Ward Holmes - Web site

3/21: John Gamble and city councilmen

3/28: BUSINESS MEETING - no program or program to be arranged

4/4: Blue grass

4/11: John Piel, Durango Herald columnist

4/18: Hospice / Michelle Appenzeller

4/25: BUSINESS MEETING - or program to be arranged

5/2: no meeting - MEXICAN FOOD FIESTA

5/9:

5/16:

5/23:

5/30: BUSINESS MEETING - or program to be arranged

6/6:

6/13:

6/20: