Governor Gil Visits SGR

OPENING: On Monday, August 10, Jack Petersen took a turn as Sergeant-at-Arms to greet members and visitors to the 3753rd meeting of St. George Rotary Club. Ray Robinson lead the SGR choir in a rousing rendition of "My Country Tis of Thee." Nick Lang invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance and Jim Coleman asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal.

INDUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS: It was with great pleasure, President Ken Sizemore inducted Gene Jones, sponsored by immediate past president Jeff Morby and Debbie Justice, sponsored by Linda Sappington as the two newest members of SGR, bringing club membership to 77!

PROGRAM: President Ken introduced Utah District Governor Gil Trujillo and his wife Pat who were welcomed to their home club with a thundering round of applause. After three years of moving up the ranks of leadership in Rotary’s Utah District 5420, Gil is currently serving as Utah's 94th District Governor overseeing the activities of 44 clubs and more than 2000 members.

As the fifth district governor selected from among the nearly 90-members of St. George Rotary Club, Gil outlined the goals for his year as DRG, including encouraging all Utah Rotarians to more fully engage in service in their club, community, state and in the world. He also reported on his plans to coordinate an international project involving all 44 clubs working together for greater impact; develop a workable plan for the active recruitment of young men and women leaders into Rotary clubs around the state; continue in support of RI’s global partnership goal to eradicate polio in the world; and, encourage Rotarians throughout the Beehive State to dig deep into their pockets to fund water projects to bring clean drinking water to many of more than 2.6 billion people in 3rd world countries who currently live without this precious commodity.

The 72-year-old native of Taos, New Mexico and former Marine also wants to promote micro-credit programs in impoverished populations worldwide enabling people to make a living with an investment of as little as $30; and to continue supporting literacy programs in the state and worldwide.

Pat Trujillo, in support of her husband's year of service in Utah Rotary's top spot, encouraged members of SGR to attend and participate in the Utah Rotary District Conference which is being planned on the weekend of May 13-15, 2010 in St. George. She indicated this is expected to be one of the best district conferences ever and asked for the support of the full membership in planning and preparations. For more information or to offer time and service to the conference committee, call Linda Sappington at 668-9988 or see www.utahrotaryconference.blogspot.com on the internet.