SGR Learns of Social Media

OPENING: Back at the Holiday Inn after two weeks away, members and visitors to the 3779th meeting of SGR were greeted by Sergeant-at-Arms Don Pendleton. To open the meeting, Ray Robinson led the SGR Choir in a quirky rendition of the (very) golden oldie "Wait Til the Sunshines, Nellie." Terance White invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance and Allen Hilton asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Allen Hilton conducted Horseplay while Dan Strobell collected fines on behalf of the Rotary District Conference golf tournament.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: President Ken Sizemore encouraged current and next year’s board members to mark calendars for the upcoming District Assembly on Saturday, April 17 in Cedar City. He also encouraged attendance at the upcoming Utah Rotary District Conference the weekend of May 13-15 in St. George.

Kyle Case reminded members of the upcoming NJCAA tournament and asked members to consider serving as host families (providing information and directions to local "high points" as well as cheering on players) during the tournament held May 19-22. FMI, call Kyle at 674-0550.

President Ken encouraged club members to attend their Public Forum being held on Monday afternoon at 3 p.m. and read letters of thanks from Sterling Scholar award winners.

Terance White introduced a new program to increase membership through an identified "army of recruiters." Current club membership has been divided into four teams (Team Truth, Team Fair, Team Beneficial and Team Goodwill). Teams which bring in the most number of new members in the next 30 days will win prizes, including lunches paid for 4 weeks and the individual club member who brings in the most new members will win two movie tickets and a $50 gift certificate for a local restaurant. Points will be given for new members based on age, gender, representatives from unfilled classifications or bringing former members back into activity. FMI, call Terance at 669-2125.

PROGRAM: Richard Isom, of Vive Studio, Inc and a member of SGR, gave an interesting and timely presentation on social media, noting such internet sites as MySpace, Twitter and Facebook are all steadily becoming an important aspect of marketing strategies as businesses of every size and focus, try to engage with their customers and generate new business leads. Studies show dramatic increases in business by those using these (almost) free methods of reaching customers. Citing statistics relating to use, Richard noted there are more than 400,000,000 Facebook users; 200,000,000 blogs and countless "tweeters." The object of social media is "to get the customers talking about you and your business."

Reach Out and Read is Brown's Message

OPENING: Bob Bramlage stepped in as Sergeant-at-Arms meeting and greeting members and visitors to the 3779th meeting of SGR, held this week at the Abbey Inn as the year’s second All Clubs meeting hosted by Dixie Sunrise Rotary. Jeff Morby led members of Dixie Sunrise, Red Rock and SG Rotary Clubs in the 4-Way Test.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Rotarians were invited to sign up as volunteers for the upcoming Ironman competition on May 1 by going to the City of St. George website.

Jeff Morby encouraged participation in the Utah Rotary District Conference Golf Tournament on Thursday, May 13. Registration forms are available on the utahrotary.org website. All proceeds will go toward the Polio Plus Challenge.

Linda Sappington, Chair of the Utah Rotary District Conference took questions from those present about the upcoming annual event and distributed registration forms.

District Governor Gil Trujillo enthusiastically encouraged participation in the URDC, noting he did not become a Rotarian until after he had participated in his first district conference.

PROGRAM: Today’s speaker was Wally Brown, District Literacy Chairman who spoke on the problems of illiteracy and its negative impact on families and communities. He noted, in the first year of the dictionary project, approximately 13,800 books were given away free-of-charge to 3rd graders around the state. Including this year’s distribution of about 50,000 books, Rotarians have now purchased and distributed 265,810 books in Utah. The PDG noted 2/3 of those who are illiterate in the world today are women who pass their lack of education and laissez faire attitude about learning on to their children - no doubt, among the more than 130 million children who are not in school.

In the Washington County School District - the district consistently considered to have the nation's lowest per-pupil expenditure and with 13 Title 1 schools - 22% of children are reading below grade level and 30-50% (depending on the neighborhood) are second language learners. Adding to the problems of the local community, 65% of prisoners at Purgatory Correctional Facility can’t read.

Comparatively, in Guatemala 90% of children have no books and only 5% have ever even seen a computer. Wally encouraged Rotarians to read Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen, form scrabble clubs, read with your children and grandchildren and organize literacy related events on September 8 (International Literacy Day), February 2 (Dr. Seuss’ birthday) and October 16 (Noah Webster’s birthday). For more information on literacy, see http://www.betterworldbooks.com/ and http://www.booksinside.com./

SGR Visits Habitat ReStore

OPENING: Bob Bramlage stepped in as Sergeant-at-Arms meeting and greeting members and visitors to the 3778th meeting of SGR, held this week at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. To open the meeting, Ray Robinson led the SGR Choir in a gentle rendition of the first and last verses of "America." Jim Coleman asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Allen Hilton conducted Horseplay while Dan Strobell collected fines on behalf of the Rotary District Conference golf tournament.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: President Ken Sizemore reminded members of the All Clubs meeting on Thursday, March 25 at the Abbey Inn. The meeting, hosted by Dixie Sunrise Rotary, begins at 7:30 a.m. (7 a.m. for breakfast for which Ken Seefeld has arranged to pay). As such, there will be NO MEETING on Monday, March 22.

PROGRAM: Speakers for today’s meeting were Dave Huber, immediate past chairman of Habitat for Humanity of SW Utah’s board of directors; Michelle Hill, executive director of the non-profit Christian ministry; and, Tracy Sahleen, Asst. Manager of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Dave Huber noted more than 2/3 of Habitat affiliates across the United States have ReStores, a great resource for deep discounts on new and gently loved home improvement materials and supplies. Michelle Hill shared her enthusiasm for the mission of Habitat to eliminate substandard housing for families in Washington County, announcing the recent dedication of Habitat’s 15th home in a dozen years. Tracy Sahleen shared her own personal story. Her sister-in-law, a Habitat homeowner, had the opportunity to return to school to get a degree in pharmacy. Following her graduation, she accepted employment out-of-state and Habitat allowed Tracy and her family to purchase the home. She also encouraged Rotarians to come to the ReStore . . . and to come back frequently because "new merchandise is coming in every week! If you can’t find it today, come back in a few days." The program ended with a tour of the ReStore.

Fire Trucks and Baby Care Themes for SGR Meeting

OPENING: Don Pendleton managed his post as Sergeant-at-Arms meeting and greeting members and visitors to the 3777th meeting of SGR. Ray Robinson led the SGR Choir in a spirited rendition of "Oh, Canada!" in honor of 13 visiting members from Swan City, Edson and Grande Prairie, Canada Rotary Clubs. Members and visitor also followed Ray’s lead in singing "Home on the Range." Nancy Neff invited members to follow her in the Pledge of Allegiance and Sam McArthur asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Bob Bramlage conducted Horseplay while Dan Strobell collected fines on behalf of the Rotary District Conference golf tournament.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: President Ken Sizemore reminded members of the All Clubs meeting on Thursday, March 25 at the Abbey Inn. The meeting, hosted by Dixie Sunrise Rotary, begins at 7:30 a.m. (7 a.m. for breakfast).

SGR will move the meeting next week offsite to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Watch e-mail for more information and directions.

PROGRAM: Rotarians from Canada shared the details of their 6-year service project. In a town with an approximate population of 55,000 residents, members of three Rotary clubs have worked to secure and renovate used fire trucks, ambulances, school buses, wheelchairs and other equipment for transport more than 1500 miles from Canada to Mazatlan, Mexico. "It’s amazing what four Rotarians will do to get out of the office!" joked Allen Giersch from Grande Prairie Rotary Club. "We are stopped frequently driving to our destination in Mexico, but a stop in Las Vegas is always mandatory."

Debbie Justice, Executive Director from The Learning Center for Families, took a portion of the meeting to share information about her organization. The Learning Center for Families, is located at 1192 W. Sunset Blvd. "in the back where no one can find us! It’s so bad, we’ve had new staff people tell us they can’t find their way back after lunch." TLC, which began in 1993 with 18 infants and toddlers, is a private, non-profit agency contracted by the Utah Department of Health for families who reside in Washington County and Colorado City/Centennial Park/Cane Beds, Arizona. TLC has provided care for more than 8000 children in its 17-year history through two programs: Early Intervention, serving families of children birth-to-three years of age who are showing any kind of developmental delay; and Early Head Start, for low-income pregnant women and families of children birth-to-three. "How can you help us in our efforts? We always need diapers (sizes 1-4) and pull-ups. We need volunteers, such as handymen and clerical support. We need you to support legislation to help this population, we need your help to build a new building and you can also take part in the 10th annual Run4Kids Sake on April 10."

SGR Board Outlines Activities

OPENING: Don Pendleton was back at his post as Sergeant-at-Arms meeting and greeting members and visitors to the 3776th meeting of SGR. Ray Robinson led the SGR Choir in a spirited rendition of "Grand Old Flag" because no one knew the words to "Oh, Canada!" as the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia are now history. Linda Baker invited members to follow her in the Pledge of Allegiance and Chris Coons asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Kris Neal took her very first turn at conducting Horseplay while a high energy Jim Coleman collected fines on behalf of the Rotary District Conference golf tourament.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Bob Wallace from the Grande Prairie Rotary Club in Alberta, Canada (District 5370) spoke of his club’s efforts to raise funds to purchase fire trucks, ambulances and school buses for Mazatlan, Mexico. A parade of these vehicles, on their way south, will be passing through St. George soon.

President Ken Sizemore reminded members of the All Clubs meeting on Thursday, March 25 at the Abbey Inn. The meeting, hosted by Dixie Sunrise Rotary, begins at 7:30 a.m. (7 a.m. for breakfast).

President Ken also announced he had received letters of resignation from Sandee Card and Kerry Hepworth (bringing club membership to 65) . . . but was pleased to announce Chapin Burks, a former member of SGR, has asked to come back into membership.

A meeting is being scheduled to discuss the future of the Huntsman World Senior Games’ International Festival and Rotary’s involvement in its success. Watch for more information.
Greg Basso announced the last call for donations to send wheelchairs to Haiti.

PROGRAM: President Ken announced today’s meeting will be a club assembly with speakers selected from the board. Grant Carter (President-elect) reported on his joint role with Terance White to increase membership. Grant noted he, as with all board members, is frustrated by the downturn in membership and is planning some kind of competition to build membership. Watch for more information.

Linda Baker (President-nominee) indicated she has struggled some to find speakers this year and would welcome suggestions from the membership. Upcoming meetings include a visit to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and presentations by Debbie Justice from The Learning Center for Families and by representatives from other local Rotary clubs, are being planned.

Dan Strobell reminded members of the opportunity to travel to Guatemala (April 23-30). The trip will be "part work, part vacation and part motivational!" He encouraged members to contact him as soon as possible to indicate interest in traveling with him.

Jeff Morby announced he and Reed Noble will be working with Phil Hall on developing district and global grants through RI’s Future Vision Plan. He is also enthusiastic about the upcoming Utah Rotary District Conference golf tournament and April’s Youth Service Day project at the SK8 Park.

Kyle Case (Service) asked members to call him with ideas for service projects and Phil Hall expressed his hope for a district or global grant to purchase utensils for a Haitian orphanage which will in turn allow them to be recipients of food from the "Feed the Children" Foundation.
Terance White encouraged members to "keep looking" for potential members of SGR.

Ken Seefeld expressed his gratitude to Kris Neal for her efforts to manage the Accts. Receivable function in the club, and noted, "we have been living off ourselves for too long and need to develop a succesful fundraising project."

Linda Sappington (District Conference) outlined plans for the Utah Rotary District Conference (May 13-15) and encouraged members to sign on for the fun!

Ken Sizemore wrapped up the meeting with a heartfelt request for members to help build SGR back to what it has been in the past and can be again. "Ours is a great tradition, although this year’s downturn in membership has been a real challenge." He also noted, "attendance at district and international conferences ‘made me a Rotarian.’"