Til We Meet Again, Shar Heitkotter

Our beautiful, fun-loving, hardworking, no-holds-barred, devoted and true blue, mouthy and outspoken,"service above self" Rotarian Sharlet (Shar) Heitkotter left this life and her friends in SGR on Sunday, December 14, 2014 from compilations of heart surgery.  Shar didn't just join SGR in August 1996 ... she fell in love with the organization and jumped in with both feet.  She served as a board member, as SGR's 72nd president in 2002-03, as an Assistant Governor, chairman of the Dixie Rotary Bowl Foundation and, until the very end, brought her enthusiasm and energy to every meeting and numerous service projects.

In addition to Rotary, she donated time and money to various non-profit organizations in the community including the Family Support Center, St. George Art Museum, United Way and Children's Justice Center.  She always looked forward to Christmas and the chance to ring the bell for the Salvation Army.  Helping others and giving back to the community was her gift to the world.  She will also be remembered for her love of Michael (her husband of 30 years), her daughter, two sons and 3 grandchildren, black coffee, dressing up for Halloween, and giving hugs to strangers and friends.

From a card at her memorial service:

If I should die before the rest of you, break not a flower nor inscribe a stone, 

Nor, when I'm gone, speak in a Sunday voice, but be the usual selves who I have known. 

Weep if you must, parting is hell ... but life goes on, so sing as well. 

Shar Heitkotter leaves a huge void in the world and will be missed for always and forever by those who knew and loved her.

L'Rotary Visits L'Chef

Dennis Leavitt, General Manager of L’Chef in the St. George Industrial Park, told members of SGR during a site visit, “wheat is one of the earth’s most valuable commodities” and his company – which had its official beginning in 1979 when his mother Eloise opened Leavitt’s Bosch Kitchen Center in St. George – has exclusive distribution rights for Bosch and also manufacturers a variety of other food processing products.  Although the company headquarter is are located at 100 S. 500 East, the manufacturing side of the business is located in the old RMC building, a landlord Leavitt calls “kind and gentle and who treats us like royalty.” 

“We are the #1 seller of flour mills on earth and have exclusive distribution rights in the US for Bosch," noted Leavitt who reports his company is creating 70 units per day.  He also introduced SGR’s members to the company’s 2^nd high speed flour mill with sales expected to launch in March in Chicago.

  

“Mom made St. George a Bosch town,” said the club’s newest Rotarian, but added "manufacturing is capital consuming.  Our motors - and the bamboo box for our newest product - come out of China."  L’Chef’s product line includes Bosch, NutriMill and several fruit and veggie blenders.  “Our products are built to last,” said Leavitt, “but we pride ourselves in being able to deliver outstanding customer service repairs and response when needed from right here in our own hometown.”

The delicious lunch was catered by Grandma Tobler's Bakery.

Cahoon Shares His Love for East Africa

“Teaching is the most important thing we do,” said Dr. Drew Cahoon of his dental work in the East African countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, speaking to SGR on Monday, December 8.  Supported in his efforts by a handful of Rotarians in his home club in Raymond, Alberta, Canada, and donations from SGR, his program has raised more than $2 million in ten years for the purchase of 106 dental chairs, x-ray and other equipment and have taken the work “from dream to clinic in 2 ½ years.”

“Our next goal is to go from 98% extraction to 50% extraction and the rest prevention and control.  We’ve done what we set out to do but there is so much more we can do,” noted an enthusiastic Cahoon   Other accomplishments during a decade of work in East Africa include partnerships with 13 regional referral hospitals which provide free dental work; a donation of $22,000 worth of equipment and supplies from A-dec (an Oregon-based manufacturer of ergonomic dental equipment), the implementation of ACT (atraumatic restorative treatment) which provides filling decayed teeth at a cost of just $2.30 per students (to date 66,500 family members have been treated through this program); and, 23 courses completed each with 18-20 participants, and each receiving 2 sets of instruments to enable them to provide limited dental care for others. 

“Come join us,” Drew invited.  “You will love the experience and the people and I will promise you a miracle a day.”

Merry Christmas, SGR

SGR members, spouses and dates gathered at The Ledges' Rock Fish Grille to celebrate friendship, "service above self" and the holiday season of 2014.  On Friday, December 5, 55 revelers enjoyed the yuletide musical repertoire of the Dixie High School Madrigal Choir under the direction of Sheryl (Mrs. Lowry) Snow. Following a festive can-can number by the boys and a cappella carols by the girls - then a delicious dinner of steak, salmon or cornish game hens - Rotarians and their guests were further entertained by Taibree Coleman, 15-year-old daughter of Bob and Stephanie Coleman, granddaughter of Jim and Margaret Coleman and Desert Hills Middle School student body president. The evening also included a book drive to help fill the shelves of the library at Water Canyon School in Hildale.  A silent auction of donated goods and services raised a total of about $250 in support of SGR causes.  It was a delightful evening filled with outstanding entertainment, great food and wonderful friends.

Learning to Network

TODAY IN ROTARY Richard Isom,  graphic designer and owner of Vive Studio, shared his expertise and enthusiasm for the topic of networking which is defined as “the process of developing and activating your relationships to increase your business, enhance your knowledge, expand your sphere of influence or serve the community” by Dr. Ivan Misner.  In Rotary, networking was one of the main reasons for bringing a handful of members together each week.  Meeting at each other’s businesses was the idea of RI founder Paul Harris, who was new in 1905 Chicago, and wanted to build a network of business people he could do business with because he knew he could trust them. 

Richard noted, “we choose to do business with those we know to be honest, trustworthy, pay their bills and are likable.”

Some tips on being likable and developing business connections:

1.              Don’t pitch someone you just met.  

2.              Ask questions to get to know them.

3.              Ask about their needs.

4.              Get to know who a good client might be for them.

5.              Educate your connections – don’t try to sell them.

6.              Share your lowest common denominators.

7.              Share brief interesting stories.

8.              Remember: the goal is to develop a relationship.

9.              It doesn’t matter if they need what you’re selling.

10.          When you get a referral, remember to say “thank you,” follow thru and report back.

Richard concluded by encouraging club members to take time to meet 1-to-1 with other club members outside of club meetings to better get to know each other; be a connector by looking for opportunities to give referrals; and to get involved in club projects and leadership. He noted that these are opportunities to stand out and become trusted and better known by fellow club members.