SGR tours AllConnect with Rotary friends from Canada

It was an exciting week for SGR as we gathered with our Rotary friends from Canada at the Five County Association of Governments offices for lunch before our tour of AllConnect. We had with us members of the Lethbridge, Lethbridge Sunrise, Grand Prairie, Grand Prairie Sunrise, and Grand Prairie Swan City clubs. It was a packed room with 46 in attendance. In honor of our guests, we sang three songs to open the meeting including "My Country 'Tis of Thee," "O Canada," and to properly welcome them, we finished with "Are You From Dixie?" to provide a proper St. George welcome.

After finishing our opening and enjoying some socialization over boxed lunches, we headed across the parking lot for our vocational tour of AllConnect.

We gathered outside their front entrance where we received an overview of the company before being divided into two more manageable groups for the facility tour.

AllConnect provides consultative services to help customers have a one-stop shop for setting up their utilities including phone, internet, and TV. There is no cost to the customer as the utilities pay a commission to AllConnect.

AllConnect focuses on helping the customer choose the right service for their needs. Power companies sign-up with AllConnect to work with their customers because they have found it increases customer satisfaction by providing convenience and knowledge about the various options for TV, phone, and internet.

Our Rotary friends from Canada were passing through on their way to Mexico to deliver fire and rescue vehicles and busses. This is their annual humanitarian international project. This is the second year we have enjoyed having them join us during their journey and we look forward to many more.

As they prepare to leave, we get a look at the vehicles they are delivering.

Highlights of Club Assembly Reports

SGR started out the Monday, March 7 meeting, a Club Assembly, in the usual manner, with Ray Robinson leading the singing of "I'm looking over a 4 leaf clover," Sam McArthur leading the reciting of the 4-way Test, Kip Bowler leading the club in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Kurt Johnson providing the invocation.

President Grant Carter read a thank you card sent from Taylor Seegmiller expressing thanks for the YouthLinc sponsorship. Ray Robinson announced that on March 24-27 that all the Youth Exchange students in the district would be in town and requested a couple of hosts, but Dan Strobell quickly resolved the need by offering to host all the students. Continuing and incoming board members were reminded of the District Assembly being held in St. George on March 26. The District Conference is May 12-14 in Cedar City and the Rotary International Convention is May 21-25 in New Orleans. Dan Strobell announced the Guatemala project trip is scheduled for May 20-27.


Phil Hall kicked of the board member reports talking about the Foundation. He noted the importance of EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year) contributions of $25.00 per quarter that help fund the work of Rotary through the Foundation. He noted the opportunity with a matching grant of up to $1000 by May from the LDS church and $15.00 quarterly contributions from each club member that our club could get back on track to fulfill our obligation for PolioPlus of $10,000. We currently have contributed about $4500. Currently 33 of 65 members of our club are Paul Harris Fellows ($1000 or more of lifetime giving to the foundation). Club and District are willing to match points on a 50/50 split to help members reach the next PHF level for donations by May 1.

Ken Sizemore reported about upcoming club activities including a yet to be scheduled spring planting project at the St. George Sk8 park, a planned family picnic at Dean Terry's Enterprise ranch sometime in June, All Clubs meeting with Fred Berthrong on April 14, the announced District Conference and Stove Project trips, and the AllConnect tour for next week's meeting. He also provided an update of the club's 501(c)3 foundation transition from the former Rotary Bowl organization.

Ken Seefeld first filled in for Quinn Hadley who is seeking club members to take 1 month each to help schedule programs for the club's meetings. He also told club members to submit program ideas to Quinn. Kris Neal then explained the quarterly billings. Ken noted that shortly they would have each member complete a pledge card showing their willingness to participate in EREY and PolioPlus. Ken finished by noting the improved financial health of the club over last couple of years.

Jenny McDowell reported on the February attendance statistics noting there are 65 members of the club, 50% attendance at the weekly meetings, and 33% of members that didn't attend one meeting in February. She noted our Challenge of 80 goal to have 80 club members by the end of 2011.

Richard Isom, club secretary, then quickly shared a few membership statistics he had put together before taking club members on a quick tour of the new club website. He finished by showing the new club trading flags scheduled to arrive shortly. You can view Richard's Slides here.

SGR has a new website!

Come check out the new SGR Website. We got it launched today. It includes a public side with lots of fantastic Rotary information and a private Members Only section. All club members should have received an e-mail detailing how to log-in. Let me know what you think of the new site.

SGR learns about Education and Domestic Violence

OPENING: On the last day of February, Don Pendleton welcomed Rotarians and Guests from his usual post. Ray Robinson led the singing of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and Sheldon Banks started off the recitation of Rotary’s 4-way Test. Jack Peterson led the pledge and Durant McArthur invoked the blessings of Heaven upon the meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Former member, Lee Phillips, visited to return the original President’s pin that he had found amongst some positions. This pin is traditionally passed down from President to President each year. President Grant Carter announced the change in regular meeting time for the board to the first Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. to be held at the WCF building. This Wednesday is the first time for the new schedule. If Rotarians have lost their Rotary lapel pin, replacements are available for $5.00. See club secretary, Richard Isom, to get a replacement.

TRIP: Dan Strobell is working to nail down the final travel dates for the Guatemala Stove Project trip. Interested club members should contact Dan and provide their feedback for the best dates in May for them. Dan estimates a cost of about $2000.00 per person.

PROGRAM: The program was a combined presentation from Dixie State College and the Dove Center. DSC is working with the Dove Center to host a benefit fundraising event featuring author and humanitarian Greg Mortensen. Mortensen has built 120 schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan with the requirement that the schools educate the women as well as the men. It was noted that the people strongly desire this to strengthen their society.

Del Beatty, dean of students at DSC, kicked off the program talking about the college’s philosophy of providing both an academic and a social education. He attributes the growth at DSC to this because today’s students are struggling with communication skills and this dual focus helps them learn to socialize in society. DSC is committed to getting students involved in service and invited the club to involve students as partners on projects.

DSC homecoming queen, Jessica, presented about the recent Women’s Conference she put together and was put forward as an example of the quality of student DSC has.

Katy Peterson from the Dove Center finished the presentation and talked about the prevalence of domestic violence in the community. She expressed a belief that it is important for the community to help by making it more acceptable to seek help.