EAGLE-GARDEN CITY: DIGNIFIED CLUB WITH GREAT LEADERS!

Well, okay, scratch the "diginified" moniker.   I asked this club to clown a bit for the camera, and this is what I got...A GREAT PICTURE!  Yes, the dignified Rotarians are in the front row (from l. to r. in first row: Scott Bower, Melissa Schweigert, Gretchen Brown (president-elect), Chris Iverson (brand new member), Jim Hogge, assistant governor.  In second row from l. to r.:  Darrell Manning, Dick Norquist, Joe Russell (with 4 fingers above Melissa's head), Dr. Robin Dodson (two-time president and class clown!), Jack Spencer, Mike Seiler, Troy Knutson (president), Surbir Chadha and Gene de Laveaga (perhaps Robin Dodson's twin brother and another class clown and also a past president.)  Josh Sears had to leave early because of work, or he would have been pictured, too.

TROY KNUTSON, CURRENT PRESIDENT, IS A DYNAMIC LEADER AND COMMITTED ROTARIAN

Troy is flanked on his right by Jim Hogge, assistant governor and on his left by Gene de Laveaga

Several weeks ago, I featured Troy Knutson, president, on the district website.  He wrote a testimonial   explaining his commitment to Rotary and his focus on the District 5400 slogan this year of Promoting Ethics, Pursuing Peace and Providing for Children.  I repeat his testimony below.

I am a Rotarian because the members of the Eagle Garden City Club were simply a heck of a lot of fun and showed me what “service above self” looks like in action. Rotary has truly changed my way of thinking and how I see the world. I have new friends and mentors that I have met through Rotary and my life is absolutely better because of them. I have great appreciation for our districts direction to “promote ethics, pursue peace and provide for children.” These are not just words to me but are truly a way I want to share my life with others. I am so grateful to be part of an organization that teams together and actually changes the world. The ways in which Rotary has made our community better and how we have helped other communities around the world makes me proud to be a Rotarian. Rotary has enabled me to help more people than I had ever imagined. I am excited to see what we will do next, and how the world will change because we are Rotarians.

THIS CLUB DOES GREAT WORK 

On the day I visited on 8.25.10, Troy proudly handed out the club's business cards with the District slogan emblazoned on it.  I also learned that the website is up, and what a great site.  Google it for yourself.

The District is especially proud that they had adopted Eagle Academy, "... a school designed for youth who have had difficulty in a traditional setting. Each quarter the club provides the "Persistence Award" to students who are nominated by their instructors."  (Quotes from their website)

The website proclaims that the club is actively engaged in the following projects:

• Dictionaries for 3rd Graders in 10 elementary schools in our neighborhood;
• Annual Halloween party hosted by the Boys and Girls Club of Garden City;
• Christmas party with gifts from Santa for deserving kids under 10 from Pierce Park Elementary School;
• This year, we started a Handyman for Seniors program in Star, volunteering to do light work for elderly citizens as needed. Seniors call Gene de Laveaga, the current president, or their Senior Center and explain what is needed. The club will telephone the person to make a convenient appointment to scope and/or perform the work requested.
• In addition, we have been partnering with other area clubs in an international water project in Ecuador for the past couple of years. 
• The club is actively seeking new members to expand our ability to lend a hand to those in need. If a Thursday noon meeting is convenient for you, please visit us for an fun hour of fellowship---there's plenty of free parking!
• The club also hosts a bike rodeo for young people in honor of Tom Bettger, a Rotarian and bike rider, who was killed in an unfortunate card-bike accident.

OKAY, NOW FOR THE DIGNIFIED PICTURE

As you can see, everyone in this picture is dignified and proper.  I think it's because I jumped into the frame with my bow tie and all that represents.  Or perhaps it's because these Rotarians didn't want to be besmirched by my presence or have to answer questions from the FBI about me when the agency calls them. 

Anyway, this is a great club, well led by youthful leaders and more seasoned ones as well.

 Thanks Eagle-Garden City for a great visit.

- Terry Gilbert, DG 2010-11

CANYON COUNTY SUNRISE ROTARY CLUB: THIS LITTLE PIGGY!

At the end of my visit with the Canyon County Sunrise Club on Tuesday, Aug. 24, I spied a pink piggy bank on the president's dais, so I called upon Dan Evans, secretary, Bonnie Enes, president, Nancy Johnson and Scott Jacobsen to pose for a picture with the pink critter, and here they are!  Nancy is putting either monopoly or real money into the bank.

The function of the pink piggy?  Explained Dan Evans, "It's one of the ways we raise money for PolioPlus!"

LET'S MUG FOR THE CAMERA! 
I always enjoy meeting the club leaders.  The leaders of Canyon County Sunrise met at Music of the Vine in Caldwell.  Now, you may think that the club leaders below had a little too much of the Music of the Vine before this picture was taken, but that is not so.  They are just mugging at my request.

Yes, it's an interesting shot, as are the other mug shots various clubs have provided upon my request.  (I have determined to submit the mug shots to a qualified psychologist so we can understand the dynamics of leadership more completely.)

Here are the leaders in the picture from first row l. to r.:  Bonnie Enes, president, Frankie Daglen, Shirley Conger, Jan Brown, Carolyn Gilbert, my wife, Music of the Vine owner whose name I did not record.  The second row l. to r.:  Joe Daglen,  Norm Brown, Dan Evans, and Linda and Bob Larson.  (I have bolded the Rotary members and revealed what they said about Rotary below.)

Bonnie Enes, president.  She joined in 2005 because Nancy Johnson, her customer at her hair dressing business, asked her.   Plus, it was Shirley Conger's warm laugh that added to the attraction of the club.   She enjoys the camaraderie of the club and the good community organization.  Thanks for your leadership, Bonnie.

Frankie Daglen.  Frankie and I sat by each other at the Music of the Vine and traded stories about trips to the Caribbean.  Her story about being caught in a hurricane on a small island of the country of Belize topped anything I could relate to her.  Frankie joined the club because Shirley Conger asked her to do so and the club gives her an outlet to volunteer on behalf of the community.  (It was evident by the number of times that Shirley's name came up that she is a great member of this club.)    Thanks for your enthusiasm for Rotary, Frankie.

Shirley Conger.     Look at Shirley's picture above once more.  She may be the most experienced member of the club, but she has retained her youthful enthusiasm for the work of Rotary.  Shirley is a life-long volunteer and joined Rotary International because it is the largest volunteer organization in the world!  Thanks for all your contributions, Shirley.

Norm Brown.  Norm first joined 18 years ago with the Blue Lakes - Twin Falls Rotary Club (the club of my origin).  Before Rotary, he was a member of the Kiwanis Club in Laramie and Twin Falls, but he found that Rotary provided the fellowship and service projects he enjoys.  He spoke with special enthusiasm about the pancake breakfast the club puts on for various events and the sophisticated Canyon County Sunrise Club traveling pancake breakfast trailer.  Thanks for your commitment, Norm.

Dan Evans.  Dan has been a member for 26 years and in radio for 40.  He joined Rotary because it is "the top of the class,"  and he embraced what Rotary stood for, espeically PolioPlus.  If you have met Dan, you know he is energy personified.  He has been secretary for years and has also served as president.  He produces a Caldwell and Nampa edition of The Stat Sheet, a publication about good kids.  It is supported by hometown ads.  Dan included in both editions he gave me an ad for theCanyon County Sunrise Rotary Club which stated, Service Above Self" -  It's What We Do!"  Thanks for your service to Rotary, Dan.

Bob Larson.  A public school educator who recently retired, Bob is shown above holding Linda Larson's chin, an interesting pose!  He has been a Rotarian for five years, has served as president of the club already and guess what, was invited to join by Shirley Conger.  He is especially interested in literacy and riding Harley Davidson motorcycles.  He and Linda just rode to Sturgis, South Dakota, a trip he enjoyed more so than Linda.  Thanks for your life's work in public education, Bob, and your work in Rotary!

I'M PROUD TO BE A ROTARIAN EVEN AT 7 A.M.!

Yes, the members of this club meet each Tuesday at 7 a.m., but they are lively.  Here the club members raise their hands in enthusiasm as they state, "I'm proud to be a Rotarian."

From l. to r. in front row:  Nancy Johnson, Tomi Coons, Missy Hughes, Frankie Daglen, Kelsey Williams & Marcus, her newborn.  Second row:  Scott  Jacobsen, Ed Burnett, president-elect, Bonnie Enes,
Al Ellis, Bob Larson, Norm Brown,. Third row:  Brett Tolmie, Dan Evans, Vern Carpenter.

I enjoyed your club. Thanks.  - Terry Gilbert, DG

IN THE KETCHUM-SUN VALLEY CLUB, WHAT'S THE WORD? DUCK!!

(Things are just ducky for this group of Rotarians holding Great Wagon Days Duck Race posters.  Front row l. to r.:  Joshua Fields, president, Ben Varner, Christy McPherson.  Back row l. to r.:  Amy Federko, Davis Hein,, John Scherer, and Will Duke)

The first question the secretary of the Ketchum Sun Valley Club asked me when I met with the club leadership on August 23 was, "Want to buy a ticket?"

"Well, of course," I said to Bob Stone and from that time on I had to fend off other club members who greeted me with, "Want to buy a ticket?"

(This is Bob Stone, a 33-year faithful Rotarian and long-time secretary.)

"Bob already asked me," I responded.  (In fact, for a mere $25.00, I bought a six pack.) 

Yep, the 14th Annual Duck Race is a big deal for this Rotary club.  They have grossed as much as $100,000 on the race in previous years -- before the downturn and the fire-- and are admittedly somewhat anxious about the amount they can raise this year.  But, they are working at it!

YOU TOO CAN BUY DUCK RACE TICKETS
There are many, many prizes for the winners, including a chance at $1,000,000, although I think I may have won that opportunity with my six pack.  (Sorry.)

The duck race takes place on Sunday, Sept. 5 with live music from The Mark Slocum Band at 1 p.m. along with beer and food vendors at the Rotary Park in Ketchum.  Ducks hit the water at 3 p.m.  To purchase ducks, call 720-7948 or 721-7481. 

THIS CLUB IS RICH IN TALENT AND COMMITMENT
The club leadership met Monday evening at the Ketchum Bar and Grill, a marvelous restaurant owned by Rotarian Scott Mason.  Have you ever had a waitress describe food choices by saying, "This salad features (exotic vegetable here) I picked from my garden just this morning?"  Now that's amazing and shows a commitment of this waitress to great food at a great restaurant.

As Joshua Fields, president, and his leadership sat around the table that evening, I was deeply impressed with the energy of this club and the balance of new club members with experienced ones.  The group included Bob and Betty Stone, Ben and and Susan Worst, Will and Ramona Duke, Hailee Blomquist, Ben Varner, Mark Beelaert (president-elect), Teresa Lipman, Curt and Linda Chambers and Christy and Tom McPherson.

I was not able to take a group shot of the entire contingent named above, but several of us lingered a little later and here they are.  From left to right:  Tom and Christy McPherson, Joshua Fields, Will Duke, Teresa Lipman, Ramona Duke and Hailee Bloomquist.

DO YOU HAVE AN OLYMPIAN IN YOUR CLUB?

Do you recognize this 1968 Olympian?  His method of high jumping was a "challenge to the conventional thinking, but it broke world records and changed high jumping forever -- or for as long as forever is in sports."  (This quote comes from the book Mind Sets by futurist John Naisbitt.)

This is Ketchum Sun Valley Rotarian Dick Fosbury of the world-famous "Fosbury Flop."  A native of Medford, Oregon (my home state!), Dick became a sports revolutionary when he perfected the technique of flinging his body backward over the bar with his back arched, his legs following, landing on his shoulders.

Go to YouTube and search for "Fosbuy flop."  You will see a short video of Dick defeating the American and Russian finalists with his amazing technique, which is now standard in the sport.

DO YOU RIDE YOUR BIKE TO YOUR ROTARY CLUB
When Josh Fields rode up to Ricco's Pizza on his bicycle, I said to myself, "This is the first president of my 19 clubs I have visited who has ridden his bicycle to his meeting."  Here Josh poses with Rick Ryerson.

Thanks for the good time at your club, Josh and members.  I had a great time!  - Terry Gilbert, DG

BOISE SOUTHWEST: THEY START 'EM YOUNG!

Who is this young man? 

He is 1) ... the president of the Rotary Club of Boise Southwest,  2) ... the DG of Rotary 5400, or  3) ... the RI president.

Answer:  You are correct, whatever your choice!  He is destined to be all three. 

This ten-year-old is Jack Haynes, grandson of Linda Gerber of the Boise Southwest Club where I visited on Aug. 18.  He has been attending the club with Linda since he was seven years old and has a better attendance record, I am surmising, than many a Rotarian.  Yes, they start 'em young in this club. 

Yes, you guessed it.  He is a Paul Harris Fellow!

JACK HAS GREAT ROLE MODELS!

What great role models Jack has to depict a vibrant, energetic and fun Rotary club.  I met with the club leadership on Aug. 17 at Lock Stock and Barrel and  took this picture of the group after the meal, some libation (obviously), and the evening conversation. 

In the front row on the left is Nancy Chinn, Sarah Wolverton, Minnie Benton who is being kissed by Marshall Baker.  In the second row standing from left to right is Dave Shaw (open mouthed), Mike Jones (rabbit ears),  Frank Taylor (great beard), and Mike Fease, (laughing president).

ARE YOU OLD ENOUGH?  LET ME SEE YOUR I.D.!

The waitress at Lock Stock and Barrel demanded to see Sarah Wolverton's identification to determine her age.  What a howl went up from the rest of the group who demanded that they be carded, too! 

WHAT KIND OF CLUB ARE WE?
Yes, the picture above show a fun group, but they are very serious about the work of Rotary and about growing their membership.  President Fease has set a goal of gaining 18 members this year so the club can bounce back from a current low of 87 to 105. 

As we discussed why we joined Rotary, Marshall Baker posed the question about the type of club Boise Southwest wishes to be, a service club or a checkbook club.  This is a great question with which each Rotary club should grapple.

Are there clues to the final answer for this club in the answers the leadership gave about why they joined?  Perhaps.  President Fease joined in 1998 as a way to make contacts for his company.  He stayed because of the service projects, grateful that Doug Colwell asked him to join.  Sarah Wolverton has found Rotarians to be amazing people, working in the community, which is her passion.  Dave Shaw, head of the Youth Exhchange Program of District 5400, mentioned that he joined because of the international aspect of Rotary and RI's work with youth.  Frank Taylor, a Rotarian of only three years, said he was casual about charity before Rotary, but finds that Rotary can assure that the money contributed to its causes gets to the needs.  Mike Jones said he likes the idea of many hands, one voice working on great challenges like matching Bill Gathes contribution to end polio.  Minnie Benton voiced her passion for helping veterans.  And Nancy Chinn said when she joined in 1995, it was an obligation because of work, but now she sees the club as a

way to help her become involved in the community.

GREAT CLUB...GOOD VISIT...WITH GOOD PEOPLE.
Thanks Boise Southwest Club for your gracious acceptance of my visit.  I am closing my Rotary Ramblings with a picture of two of the sterling members of the club, David Hawk and Wink Jones.  (I received the privilege of giving Wink Jones his Paul Harris plus 3 pin the day I visited.)

Jack, here are two more Rotarians to emulate!

ROTARY CLUB OF ASHTON: HOW ABOUT A BANANA SPLIT?

Where does your club meet? 

I'll assume it does not meet in a restaurant that houses an old-fashioned soda counter?  The Rotary Club of Ashton has you beat then.  In the picture above, a friendly female soda jerk (now, that's not a term I would apply to a female.  Let's just call her a soda jerkess) offers a banana in a milkshake glass to owner and Rotarian Jeff Hamilton, owner of the Five 11 Main Restaurant.

A YOUNG PRESIDENT

Laine Eckersell and I met with the young and studious president, James Allen, who has accepted the responsibility of leadership for the last two years.  Eager to learn, he took notes as Laine and I conversed with him about providing direction to his club.

James explained that the club in this agricultural community touches the lives of many young women through its Junior Miss program for which it is known and honored in the community.  This small club also organizes food drives for the Ashton Food Pantry, participates in RYLA most years,  participates in the 4th of July breakfast, and purchases equipment and pays the fee for re-charterings of the Community Boy Scout Club.

THIS CLUB HAS CHALLENGES AND GREAT HEART!

Like many of our small clubs, this club faces challenges.  Growing the membership is one.  Encouraging new leaders to step forward is another.  However, like so many of our small clubs, their work enhances their community.  Rotarians have large hearts and want to make a difference, as does the Ashton Club.

ROTARY CLUB OF SALMON: WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR DINNER?

If one is going to Salmon, what might they serve for dinner?  Yes, SALMON!  And, that's exactly what Scott Taylor, president of the RC of Salmon, cooked for the Rotarians and family members who gathered for a picnic in his and Marilyn's backyard on an evening that promised rain.

However, the Rotarians and family members who gathered seemed not to be perturbed.  Why?  The RC of Salmon did not want it to rain on their picnic, so it did not.  That's how powerful the club is!  (It rained after the picnic.  What more proof do you want of the power of the RC of Salmon?)

Who gathered for the picnic?  Mark and Stacy Oliverson, Kevin and Melissa Wright, George Miley (he rode in on his electric tricycle...I think it was electric), Dick and former mayor Pat Hoff, Tammy and Lynne Bowerman and Tammy's handsome sons, Kyle and Billy, Jock and Roberta Slaving, and Tammy Bailey and Larry Zuckerman.

WHAT IS LARRY ZUCKERMAN CONTEMPLATING HERE?

Obviously, Larry Zuckerman above is a thoughtful fellow.  Here Tammy encourages him into even deeper thought, although I think I heard her tell him, "Take the smaller piece."

I met with President Taylor and Tammy and Larry after the picnic as we talked about the club.  Animated and creative people, they are!  They want their club to grow from 27 to 50 in five years, thanks to their participation in the District 5400 Visioning Adventure (our new name). 

Projects?  You want projects?  The club provides kindergarten pencil bag kits (glue, crayons, erasers); distributes dictionaries;  strings Christmas lights;  engages in Adopt-a-Highway;  shovels horse droppings during the parade;  maintains the pavilon;  provides scholarships;  particiaptes in RYLA and etc...

FRIENDLY CLUB...WONDERFUL SPIRIT

I asked the club to pose for a picture after our Aug. 10 meeting.  First row l. to r.:  Phil Anderson, assistant governor, Bruce Slavin, Jock Slavin, Molly Newcomb, Joe Proksch, Pat Hoff.  Second row l. to r.:  John Burns,  Fred Snook, George Miley, Scott Taylor,  Steven Clark,  Tammy Bailey, Joey Foote and Larry Zuckerman.

THANKS TO THE TAYLOR'S FOR PROVIDING PHIL AND ME A BED AND BREAKFAST

Phil Anderson and I enjoyed staying in Taylor's beautiful home.  Marilyn and Scott, thanks so much!

SCENES FROM RYLA 2010

RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is simply amazing.  Nancy Lemas' leadership has consistently produced a memorable learning experience for RYLARIANS.  Here are some pictures of the scene on Thursday and Friday, August 5 and 6 on the campus of College of Southern Idaho. 

POCATELLO CLUB: A SYMPHONY OF SERVICE

On Aug. 5, Howard Burnett, the president of the Pocatello Club, gave me a tour of the L.E. & Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center, atop a hill overlooking the city.  Constructed from $34 million in private funds, this impressive 123,000 square foot edifice provides the City of Pocatello with outstanding service featuring music and theatre. 

I thought as I was touring with Howard that the Center was like the Rotary Club of Pocatello, elegant, useful, serving the community, welcoming the world.

Howard and his wife Carol, are patrons of the arts and both have had a profound influence on Pocatello,  Howard's native city and Carol's adopted home.  For me, these two impressive people who welcomed me into their home symbolize the Rotary Club of  Pocatello, thoughtful leadership, intelligent, focused and warm hearts. 

Here Saeid Arezaii poses for a snapshot in the Burnett home in the festive dinner on the evening of August 4.

THE SYMPHONY OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP

In recent years, two leading citizens of Pocatello have served as District 5400 Governor, long-time educator  Richard Sagness (2003-04) and dentist Gene Hoge (2008-09).    Both are gracious, civic-minded and focused on Rotary's mission.  Gene serves as the District PolioPlus chair.   Dick repesented the district in Rotary International's Council on Legislation.

After dinner, the leaders of the club met on the porch and shared the reasons they are committed Rotarians.  Each told a different story from the other but the themes were clear:  influence of a father or other person, friendship and fellowship,  networking in the community, service to the community, international service and an evolving understanding of what Rotary is and does.

 

Front Row l to r;  Dena Green, K.C. Felt, Jody Jackman, Ruth Jackson, Tim Forhan.  Back row: Saeid Arezaii, Keevan Shropshire, Tom Clark, Kert Howard, George Loyd, Howard Burnett, Darl Bennett, Jay Kunze, and Assistant Governor Alan Stanek.

A recent article in The Idaho State Journal stated the following:

Rotary Club of Pocatello is well-known locally for its sponsorship each year of fundraising public performances of  "The Nutcracker" ballet (including free performances for area school children.)  Through the volunteer efforts of its members, and with the proceeds of its fundraising activities and personal donations made by its members, Rotary Club of Pocatello also supports numerous in international health, literacy and student exchange projects as well as many local projects and organizations such as Idaho State Civic Symphony, Idaho Foodbank, Salvation Army, the Dictionary Project for third graders, Science Trek, Girls' State, Boy Scouts of America, Simplot Games and highway cleanups.  

ALL THIS AND HUMOR, TOO!

 Yes, an impressive club full of impressive people, but a club that likes to laugh, too.  When he was DG Gene Hoge frequently said, "If it ain't fun, we ain't doin' it." 

So, on the day of my presentation, Richard Kirkham, sergeant at arms, lectured the assemblage about proper decorum, emphasizing that all cell phone should be turned OFF among other rules he articulated!  Sounded reasonable to me, as I quietly grabbed my cell phone and ensured that it was OFF! 

Then during the middle of my speech whose cell went OFF!  You guessed it, Richard Kirkham's!  I fined him five bucks!

-Submitted with profound respect for the Rotary Club of Pocatello

THE AMERICAN FALLS KISS

You never know what will happen when you take a picture of Rotarians.  Like the day I visited the Rotary Club of American Falls on August 4 and asked the Rotarians to gather outside so I could take a picture.

Suddenly, two Rotarians started kissing!  "Are they married?" I think I shouted (maybe not, come to think of it).  Yes, they are.  That's Karen and Dan Hammond, Rotarians who obviously love their work.

The others looked on, obviously enjoying the spectacle.  That's Wade Povey on the left, Elaine Neibaur with her newborn in front, Brent Schvaneveldt, on the right and R.J. Hawkes, club president, overseeing everything.

WHY ARE YOU A ROTARIAN?

Steve Love, assistant governor, and I met with the leadership before my presentation to the club.  "Why are you a Rotarian?" I asked each one.

Donna Thornton, a new Rotarian, mentioned service and friendliness;  Terrel Sorenson mentioned fellowship and club projects;  Joey Richardson said he joined initially because his boss requested he join a civic club but now he is motivated by his respect for Rotarians, the junior miss project and matching funds;  Wade Povey discussed PolioPlus;  and R.J. Hawkes, the president, mentioned Rotary's support for high ethics, a value that motivates me, too.

Steve Love, assistant governor, reflected his motivation.  "I joined in 1986.  I have learned that the organization of Rotary International can reach farther than my arms would ever reach."

THE ROTARY CLUB OF AMERICAN FALLS FIVE YEARS FROM NOW?

R.J. Hawkes has a vision of the 16 member club growing to 32 members just five years from now.  That's a great goal.  And, based on the picture of the Hammond's kissing, it's pretty clear than this is a loving club that should attract lots of other good people of American Falls. 

Front row:  Elaine Neibaur, Brent Schvaneveldt, Greg Miller, Ron Miller, Joey Richardson, Steve Love.

Back row:  Wade Povey, Karen Hammon, Don Hammon, R.J. Hawkes, Terrel Sorenson.

-Submitted by Terry Gilbert who enjoyed the kiss

POCATELLO PORTNEUF FROM STAID TO UNAFRAID

PICTURE OF A HO-HUM CLUB?
Yes, it was kind of sad the night I visited the Pocatello Portneuf Club, a young professional's club (or young at heart club, at least I thought).  I asked the group to pose.  Like tired beings, they assembled for the shoot, stared in to the camera (except Pam McKinley, third from the left on the from row closed her eyes and nearly fell on her head apparently from sleep deprivation.)

Oh, sure, some smiled, but I told myself babies also smile, usually from stomach distress.

I'm twice as old as some of these people, and I can keep up with them on one of my bad days, I thought.

AND THEN...BOOM!  BOOM!!  BOOM!!!
"So, mug," I said and suddenly the room burst into color, life.    McKinley awakened.  Staid individuals in the previous picture exploded into energy they had kept hidden.

They went from staid to unafraid.

And they wouldn't stop...

They inducted new members...

They contributed to one of my favorite causes, the Idaho Academic Decathlon.  (Thanks!!)

This club as adopted the slogan, "Fermenting a Spirit of Service and Friendship."  They meet in the Portneuf Valley Brewing Company.  I was exhausted by the end of the evening with these high energy folks. 

After the meeting, I checked into a Super 8 and plopped myself in a recliner and fell alseep.  "I'll keep up with them someday," I thought.  "When I'm younger.  How does Roland Smith do it?" I asked myself.

Great club!! 

ABERDEEN: WE ARE FAMILY!

Front Row:  Vicki Gamble, reporter for the weekly newspaper, Joel Wilson, president.  Back Row:  Ken Westfall, Jerry Freeburne, Marty Freeburne, Len Schritter, Diana Schritter, Steve Love, assistant governor, his grandson, Gavin, his niece Zoe, wife, Monaquita, David Whalen and Gary Abercrombie.

August 3, 2010

There are some happy events happening in the picture above.  First, it's a family portrait representing a small town with Steve Love's wife, grandson and niece joining the shoot which occurred after the meeting.

Secondly, five members of this ten member club received their Paul Harris Fellowship and pins on the day I was there, and I had the privilege of presenting the awards to them.  The new Paul Harris Fellows include Marty Freeburne, Len Schritter, Diana Schritter, Steve Love and Dave Whalen.

Thirdly, Len Schritter, fourth person on the back row, is not only a Paul Harris Fellow but a published author, having written the book, The Secret Life of a Snowbird.  Yes, this Aberdeen farmer heads to warmer climate at the first hint of cold weather.

But, wait, there's more to Len than that. 

You are looking at the Rotarian who won the second raffle prize of the 2010 Sun Valley Convention drawing!  (In back of him is a listing of the club's past and current projects.)  The prize?  A 42 inch TV set, which Len traded for two sofa recliners!  Way to go, Len.

THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Front row: Terry Gilbert, DG,  Lorin Dixon (Idaho Falls), Terry Jones (Emmett), Dave Broka (visiting from Arizona), Patti Richey (Boise Sunrise), Russ McCoy (Pocatello – Gate City), Rick Excell (Pocatello Gate City), Phil Anderson (Idaho Falls East), John Biggs (Emmett), Mark Shelamar (McCall).  Back row: Rick Phillips (Pocatello), John McGuire (Boise), Dick Halsey (Boise East), Tom Rosenthal (Boise Sunrise), Marianne Barker (Blue Lakes – Twin Falls), Jim Hogge (Boise Sunrise), Don Reiman (Boise Metro), Alan Bosch (Boise Metro).  Not pictured because they could not attend  include Tim Kershaw (Rexburg), Ed Sharp, (Mtn. Home), Laura Lineberry (Mtn. Home), Jan Welch (Boise Sunrise), Joel Phillips (Pocatello Portneuf) and Dennis Rompala (Boise East).

RMLI:   HELPING CLUB MEMBERS ATTAIN "CONSCIOUS COMPETENCE" ABOUT ROTARY

What a good day for District 5400 on Saturday, July 31. Greg Podd, a master Rotary trainer and friend of D5400, and I greeted 18 other Rotarians at CSI’s Taylor Building for an all-day training from the Rocky Mountain Leadership Institute.

We had offered the training to Rotarians with an emphasis on those who displayed outstanding leadership abilities. Once the trainers have refined their skills, they will be prepared to conduct innovative and participatory sessions to members of your club. We want your club members to evolve to conscious competence about Rotary. 

Greg says that many Rotarians don't know what they don't know about Rotary.  The RMLI team wants to change that.  More information will be forthcoming.

What kinds of courses will be offered? Here’s a sample:
The Perfect Meeting
Motivating Rotarians and effecting change
Membership development
Membership orientation and activation
Creating service projects
Analyzing a Rotary club
And much more.

Greg Podd, master trainer, addresses the RMLI in Twin Falls on 7.31.10 
(Picture by Kevin Bradshaw, Rotary Club of Twin Falls)

THE TEAM WILL MEET ON OCT. 16.  INTERESTED IN  JOINING US?

The RMLI team will meet again on Oct. 16 (9-4 p.m.) in Twin Falls. If you are interested in serving as an honored Rocky Mountain Leadership Institute trainer, let Terry Gilbert know (glennsson@msn.com or call 695-9262). We will provide training for you on Oct. 16, while you are having a good time.

"Only through excellent education in Rotary and leadership skills can we develop the quality leadership we need to keep Rotary in the forefront of world service organizations." (Past Rotary International Director, David Linett)

THE CLUB OF MY ROTARY BIRTH: BLUE LAKES - TWIN FALLS

Front row, l to r, Don Acheson, Shari Stroud, Andy Barry, Peggy Watland, Theresa Gabica, Kyle Poppleton.  2nd row, l to r, Casey Clements, Marla Barnes, Joel Newton, Steve Quale, Dennis Tilley, Marianne Barker, Chris Tiu.  Back row, l to r, Tim Murphy, Chris Bell, Gene Day, Phil Uhlig.  (Taken on July 26, 2010)

THESE ARE PROUD ROTARIANS!!

Note that many of the club members are holding up their bumper or window stickers proclaiming, "Proud to be a Rotarian."   I offered the stickers for $20 to fulfill their commitment to PolioPlus and to advertise Rotary throughout the community.  When I come to your club, I will make the same offer.

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I ALMOST DID NOT JOIN IN 1987!  WHY?  READ ON.

I was asked to join the Blue Lakes – Twin Falls Rotary Club in 1987.

Being a community-minded individual, I was grateful for the invitation. However, I nearly rejected the offer to join. Why? In 1987, women were still not invited.

As an educator, I had worked with talented and dedicated women throughout my career. Why would I join an organization that excluded females? I was aware, however, that a court case brought by a California Rotary Club had made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the exclusion of women. I had faith that women would soon be allowed into Rotary. I joined.

I was right. A few months later, the Court said that Rotary (and other civic organizations) could not exclude women.

I approached the executive committee on which I found myself serving and alerted them that I was going to nominate the first female member of the Blue Lakes – Twin Falls Club. The committee asked me to allow them to nominate this woman instead. I agreed.  The first woman was inducted shortly thereafter.

Note the picture above:  There are five females pictured, including Shari Stroud who serves on the District 5400 Scholarship Committee, Assistant Governor Marianne Barker, former assistant governor Theresa Gabica and Marla Barnes who serves on the Youth Exchange Committee.

Females through D5400 have contributed profoundly to Rotary.

FAITHFUL FACES


Since 1987 the club has brought in new faces, lots of them! But, members faithful to the early days remain, including District 5400 Training Coordinator & Past President, Casey Clements, President Joel Newton, Past President Andy Barry and Past District Governor Gene Day.

FAITHFUL TO ROTARY

Marianne Barker received recognition for being achieving her eight Paul Harris Fellow pin and is here being congratulated by Joel Newton, president.  Eight!  Thank you, Marianne.

Another pleasure of my morning was presenting Shari Stroud her first Paul Harris pin.  Thanks, Shari.  I wish you many years as a Rotarian!
 
Submitted with affection for the club of my birth -- Terry Gilbert