Rotary Gram

Durango High Noon Rotary Club

June 26, 2003

"Where words fail, music speaks"

Hans Christian Andersen.

Soon to be Past President, Jeff Brown opened his last meeting as club President on a beautiful SW Colorado summer day. He recognized Bob Griffith on his wedding anniversary and asked Bob to give the invocation and to lead us in the pledge.

Guests were introduced, including:

Bob Geffe, introduced by Wynn Berven and a guest of Scott Mathis

Ellen Ganevsky, Dave's wife

Charlotte Brown, better half of Jeff Brown

Malia Behr, guest of Jim Burpee

Ken Walker, Ardmore, OK, Rotarian

Bill Cartwright, visiting Rotarian and soon to be club member

Dan Morgenstern, Emil's guest

Angie Beach, Ron Holligan's guest

Cheryl Duresky, guest of PE Mike McGuire

After the introduction of guests, Jeff promised a short meeting, but certain members had other ideas. Jeff reminded newer members that they needed to have Bob Chaput take their pictures for the roster. All members with out of date photos were encouraged to have current photos take as well.

Golf Tournament Golf Tournament Golf Tournament Golf Tournament Golf Tournament

August 9th is the date for the club's annual fund raiser, jointly sponsored by United Way. Contact Tim Walsworth or Melisa Caskey to donate an auction item, to sign up a team ($125.00 per player), or to be a hole or half-hole sponsor. This is the club's largest fund raiser and 36 half-hole sponsors are needed @ $500.00 or $1000.00 for the whole hole. Get your neighbors and friends involved in the event. The shotgun start is at 8:00 AM, with reduced prices for play the day before.

Jeff thanked the club for the honor and privilege to serve as President and recognized his Board, Sergeants at Arms and Committee Chairs for their efforts. He cited club activities during his year, including:

Octoberfest

Mexican Food Fiesta

Red Ball Express

Golf Tournament

Work day at Durango Nature Studies

Senior's firewood delivery

Ed Decker quilt project for wheel-chair-bound seniors

Senior immunizations via the Blane Immunization Grant

Members 'Bell Ringing' for the Salvation Army

Judges for history day and Destination Imagination

Snow Ball

the Holiday Party

Relay for Life]

a salute to Steve Osborne as the keeper of the Wheel

Mini grants totaling $7k

CAP Grants to La Plata Youth Services and the San Juan Mountains Association

Long Term Disaster Recovery

The Relay for Life

Folsom Field maintenance

Jeff recognized the efforts of the committee members and chairs of the avenues of service.

Vocational Service, headed by Sherry Taber, awarded the most scholarship money, $9,500.00, to date. Kevin Schneider for RYLA and Tami Coddington for the Business Incubator were saluted.

The International Service efforts included a contribution to a community center in Argentina and $3,500.00 to polio plus.

Jeff honored Tom Brossia for his continuing efforts heading up Community Service. Sustaining projects, including highway clean-up, La Plata Youth Services and the Buckley Park project reviewed.

Jeff thanked John Anderson for his efforts as Co-Chair of the Disaster Recovery effort, and recalled the club's contribution to the cause.

25% of the programs, a Club Service function, during Jeff's year were given by Rotarians. Steve Govreau headed Club Service.

Attendance averaged a little over 75% for the last year, Jeff suggesting that it was related to the excellent work by the programs committee. Jeff thanked Ron H. for the invocations schedule and the Caring Committee for their work.

16 new members were inducted during Jeff's reign and he asked his outgoing Board to stand and be recognized. Jeff quoted Dr. Martin Luther King, saying that "Greatness is determined by service" and the members saluted Jeff with a standing 'O'.

At this point, President Elect Chessa Gill took control of the meeting, presenting Jeff with a bobble-head doll bearing a striking resemblance to Mr. Brown and a bag full of pennies to repay him for the purchase of a meal for a guest that was a no show.

Patty B. had some kind things to say, including pointing out his support over the years of United Way. Dave Ganevsky told us about observing Jeff having a 30 minute argument with his car and Chessa proceeded to give us a review of Jeff's year as club President.

She produced a series of photos of Jeff with a number of dignitaries, including the Governor of Colorado, a U.S. Senator, and ex-President and a golf outing with two former U.S. Presidents. Steve Wheeldon presented Jeff with a set of golfing attire, with the intention of auctioning them to the members. The members had other ideas and felt that Jeff's wardrobe could use an upgrade.

Additionally, Jeff, given his two passions, golf and development, received as parting gifts, work boots with golf spikes and the ultimate golf club, complete with hammer, screw driver, wrench and more. Look for this item on the home shopping channel. To complete his send off, Jeff received a team building work book authored by Bob The Builder.

Now, with the crowd expecting to see a golf cart with a backhoe and bucket, Jeff was saluted in song with a rendition of Macho Man by the Village People. With absolutely nothing more for the good of Rotary, Chessa closed the meeting and Jeff's year as President, with the clang of the Rotary bell.

Thanks Jeff, good Job! Welcome Chessa, good luck!

John E. Marshall

3005 County Road 207

Durango, CO 81301

970-259-6248 p

970-259-4498 f