To Guatemala and Back ...

Over the week of Memorial Day 2017, nineteen Rotarians, family members and friends of St. George Rotary Club traveled to Guatemala for the 11^th consecutive time. Covering approximately 4200 miles roundtrip to build simple stoves, help babies breathe; deliver toys, glasses and beans; and establish a local medical clinic which provided basic medical supplies where there is an overwhelming need were St. George residents Dan and Cindy Strobell, their daughter Michelle Tanner, Dave Prisbrey, Chris Parker, Gay Butler, Reed Noble and 3 of his grandsons, Cody Noble, George and Dixie Whitehead and a grandson Jason Thiriot, Tim Strobell; father and son Jason and Jaron Hendrix; and, Lynn and Lori Beecher of Cedar City.

According to event organizer Dan Strobell, Guatemala - about half the size of Utah but with a population of more than 15 million residents - has the world’s highest infant mortality rate. Currently 70 percent of Guatemalans – about 6.5 million Mayans - live in poverty and 80 percent of Guatemalan children have stunted growth due to poor nutrition. To date, families in Mayan villages have seen a “drastically improved quality of life” through the construction of 2510 simple stoves in a partnership with Guatemala’s Behrhorst Partnership Development (aka BPD) and a Rotary Global Grant totaling $56,000 funded by donations from St. George Rotary ($18,600), Aspen, CO Rotary ($5000), Cedar City Rotary ($5000), Zion Canyon Rotary ($500), District 5420 ($15,000) and $22,000 from Rotary International.

“We could work for another 100 years and not be ‘done’,” said Strobell, “but in the history of this project we have built 2510 simple stoves to replace open fires in Mayan homes, reduced deaths and burns among many hundreds of women and children; and allowed thousands of children to return to school rather than spending their day searching for firewood.

In the 4th year of the newborn rescucitation program, “Helping Babies Breathe” Cindy Strobell, an RN at Dixie Regional Medical Center has taught many midwives how to save the lives of numerous infants thought to be stillborn.

Lynn Beecher and his school teacher wife Lori transported “mounds” of school supplies, soccer balls, sewing kits, newborn blankets, handmade toys from Cedar City’s Happy Factory to children who have “virtually nothing to call their own.” In return, the couple say they had more than a few life-changing experiences in several Mayan villages.

Jason Hendrix, MD, an ophthalmologist with St. George Eye Center, made presentations to villagers explaining the health consequences to their eyes of cooking over an unventilated open fire including, “watery eyes, headaches and sensitivity to sunlight” among other risks. At the conclusion of each presentation, he distributed prescription glasses – and sunglasses – donated by generous St. George residents.

Of course, Rotarians, their family and friends also found time to enjoy the vacation aspects of their travels including climbing ancient ruins; rest and relaxation on black sand beaches; and getting better acquainted with the area and with each other.

St. George Rotarians and others will likely travel to Guatemala again next year on or around Memorial Day weekend.

To donate to this cause or for more information, see www.stgeorgerotary.org.

Olsen Named 87th President of SGR

Rulon M. Olsen, President and CEO of
a member of St. George Rotary Club since the spring of 2013, became the 87th President of his service club at an installation luncheon on Monday, July 10, assuming duties and responsibilities from Immediate Past President Collin Davis.

Prior to passing the gavel, outgoing President Davis noted the accomplishments during his tenure as SGR’s top Rotarian included support, including funding and “boots on the ground” building simple stoves in Mayan villages in Guatemala and, a successful 14^th year of purchasing and distributing paperback dictionaries to 1800 3^rd grade students in 18 elementary schools in the Washington County School District.

Incoming President Olsen pledged to follow in the footsteps of “all the amazing leaders in this club who have previously served” in the club’s top position. As RY2017-18 President, Olsen has set a goal to bring 100 new members into the club. He has also expressed a hope to focus more attention on educational issues and is working toward identifying a signature service project in the St. George community and making it as successful and life-changing as the club’s international service project in Guatemala – as he works to maintain the traditions of Rotary’s past and strives to create innovation to attract younger members.

“I look forward to what Rotary can do in the upcoming year to make a difference in our community, the state and in the world. I am passionate about Rotary and what this amazing organization is doing to make the world a better place – locally and globally,” states the new club leader.

The new president will be assisted in his duties by board members Collin Davis, Immediate Past President; Lynn Beecher, President-elect; Richard Isom, Treasurer; Linda Sappington, Secretary; as well as board members Dave Prisbrey, Reed Noble, Grant Carter, Chris Parker and Terance White.

St. George Rotary Club is one of five Rotary clubs in Washington County. For more information about Rotary, see www.rotary.org or call 435-668-0331.

Rulon Olsen is SGR's Rotarian of the Year

Rulon Olsen, President and CEO of Echelon Performance Group in St. George and incoming president of St. George Rotary Club was named his club’s 2016-17 Rotarian of the Year by outgoing President Collin Davis at SGR’s annual installation and awards luncheon on July 10.

Davis notes he selected Rulon because of his efforts last year exemplifying he has Rotary and it’s ideals at heart.  He attended the Leadership Institute and the International Convention at his own expense so he could be better prepared to lead our club this year.  He organized a fun run with a client of his in another state to raise money for the Helping Babies Breathe program which has become an important part of our service in Guatemala.  He has shown dedication in helping our club grow and provide more meaningful service in the local community by facilitating club meetings dedicated to a “visioning/refocusing” our efforts and developing new membership levels to attract more people with various economic and time constraints to join our club.

Rotarians of the Year in all of Utah’s 50 Rotary clubs must be a member in good standing who has provided outstanding service to the club exceeding the expectations of membership through their commitment of time and energy to best exemplify Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.”

Happy New Year, SGR

Eleven members of SGR now had a combined total of 74 years of perfect attendance at the end of RY2016-17. Perfect attendance certificates were presented during the installation of officers on the first Monday of RY2017-18 to Ray Robinson (19 years), Jim Coleman (17), Nick Lang (12), Richard Isom (10), Linda Sappington (4), Ken Sizemore (3), Terance White (3), Collin Davis (2), Lynn Beecher (2), Rulon Olsen (1), and Dave Prisbrey (1).

Rulon Olsen was inducted as SGR’s 87^th president, with Lynn Beecher as PE; Brandon Staples as PEN; Collin Davis as Trustee / Immediate Past President; Linda Sappington as Secretary; Richard Isom as Treasurer; Grant Carter as Trustee / Membership Chair; Dave Prisbrey as Trustee / Foundation Chair, Reed Noble as Trustee / Club Administration Chair; Chris Parker as Trustee / Service Chair; Brandon Staples as Trustee / Webmaster and Social Media Chair and Terance White as Trustee / Conflict Resolution Coach.

We are looking forward to another successful Rotary year.

Parker is SGR's Rising Star

Chris Parker, a loan officer at Cache Valley Bank’s River Road office in St. George, UT and one of 70-members of St. George Rotary Club since January 2016,was recognized at his service club’s installation luncheon on July 10 with the “Rising Star Award” acknowledging his positive attitude and support of all club activities and service projects.  According to SGR’s outgoing President Collin Davis, “Chris has consistently volunteered whenever needed and accepted the opportunity to serve on the club’s board.  He was a vital part of organizing our Night Golf tournament last year and has begun organizing the upcoming tournament as the Chair. Our club is in good hands if we can continue to attract members like Chris.”

The Rising Star Award recognizes exceptional accomplishments in service to the club, community, state or the world by a new member in good standing(those who have been members for one year or less).