Announcements:
Niel: Please put your cell phones on silent!

 

Linda Telaak:

Our visit (Linda and Sunny K.) to Jim Tindall last Tuesday to celebrate his birthday was a big hit. Jim enjoyed the cards and your messages, and his chocolate birthday cake! Jim is now at Genesis (nursing home on Fowler St.)and welcomes cards and visits.

 

Sunny K.

Will Hawkins. Sunny K. and two counselors (Cliff and Silver High) had a great meeting about RYLA. The counselors will be helping us identify interested participants for this year's camp.
DG John Drusedum thanked us again for the Abbey Roast coffee.  He and Sharon REALLY like it. (Niel circulated a thank you note from John also.)

 

Lucy Falley asked us to announce that we need a new club photographer. Thank you Tom Bates, for leaping into the breach.

 

Our Fireside Chat attracted no new members; however, old members Kathy Eaton, Linda Tealaak, and Peter and Lucy Falley joined Sunny in brainstorming about our upcoming centennial and other issues.  We've suggested a party for new members on March 17th--St. Patrick's Day.  Stay tuned!

 

If anyone knows of former Rotarians who passed away in the last year, please let Sunny know. The District will be honoring departed members of the Rotary family at the District Conference.

 

Please note that the amended bylaws have been circulated to the membership and a vote to approve them (and the updated Constitution) will be held on February 28 (two weeks from today.)

 

We are only $700.00 away from achieving our goal of donations to the Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund of $100.00 per member (on average.) If you have not yet made your donation for this Rotary year, please do so by June 1 (if possible) to Art Thorn, our Foundation Chair.

 

Art Thorn: 

Thank you to Leslie Bush and Annie Jones for their support of our food project with the Commons last Wednesday. Everything went well and was completed in record time. The Commons will be expanding this project to provide food security assistance to 12 schools next year.

 

Happy Dollars and Bittersweet Memories: 

Dave Konopnicki wished us all a Happy Valentine's Day!

Kathy Eaton reported that beloved dog Champ passed this morning--but left behind wonderful memories.

Jim Callender reminded us all that our departed friend Art Eaton always lit up Valentine's Day by dressing as Cupid (complete with pink tights and leotard--and wings!) and handing out roses to us in celebration of the day.

 

Steve Chavira introduced our speaker, Dr. Kathy Whiteman, Director of the Center for a Sustainable Future and Outdoor Programming at WNMU. She spoke about the importance of the outdoor industry--not only for our personal well-being but also for the economy. We heard an update on a multitude of programs, including Continental Divide Trail projects, Wilderness First Response and First Aid certification programs, trips offered for students and WILL members, a Gear Rental Facility (yes, they even have canoes and kayaks) a fire service program, and a Bike Assembly and Repair Technology Program which is in the works.  (The university is currently looking for a 3,000 sq. ft. space--talk to Kathy Whiteman if you have a lead on this.) The outdoor industry is one of the sectors identified for economic growth and there are currently more jobs available than there are people to fill them. This was an inspiring and fascinating program! Tanks to Kathy Whiteman and to Rotarian Steve for bringing her in!

Kathy Whiteman, speaker, and Niel McDonald, Rotary president.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes taken by Sunny K.   Thank you!

Photo taken by Tom Bates--another thank you!