SGR Learns of Social Security

Lance Stallings, an agent with Guardian Life Insurance residing in Tooele, spoke on the topic of Social Security, noting, “there are 1000 ways to collect and 2400 ways to decide.”  He also opined, “Social Security as it currently exists is unsustainable, so some changes need to be made.  Social Security will only continue if the government decreases benefits, increases taxation or if enrollment is delayed for millions of seniors.”

According to Stallings, women are the most likely to be uninformed and negatively affected by their decisions.  Most don’t know they can collect Social Security from the husband they have divorced, as long as they were married for at least ten years.  Men and women who remarry before age 60 will lose benefits from their prior spouse, so consult a Social Security expert and then move forward cautiously. 

A working spouse can “file and suspend” Social Security benefits until age 70, but the non-working spouse can still claim his / her benefits.

Applying to receive Social Security benefits at age 62 can result in the lose of 25% of benefits … but the longer you delay applying you will see an 8% increase for each year you delay.

The SS expert spoke on “how to ensure adequate retirement income,” reiterating the importance of delaying as long as possible, looking for other ways to cover your fixed costs, build a cash cushion, go for investment growth and, “most importantly, manage your spending!”

For more information, see www.socialsecurity.gov on the web.

RYLA Youth Report to SGR

TODAY IN ROTARY members of SGR met and heard from the enthusiastic participants of RYLA, held in late September in Heber Valley.

Matt Callister, 16-year-old son of Thomas and Cami Callister and a student at Dixie High School, called his time at RYLA "my greatest experience ever," noting he had attended youth leadership programs in the past, but none had left the kind of lasting impression he came home with from RYLA.  He was particularly impressed by the personality test he took at the beginning of the weekend, and which identified him as a lion.  He also enjoyed "amazing guest speakers" but was most excited about the culture walk where he learned to appreciate the differences in people from other cultures, religions, countries and social classes.  "I have always been told to get involved in service, but it was at RYLA where I learned HOW to serve."  He promises to attend again next year as a RYLA alumni.

Megan White, 16-year-old daughter of Terance and Tiffany White and a student at the Success Acade
my, called RYLA "super fun.  I had a great time."  Megan shared her enthusiasm for the lessons she learned, including "the importance of communication and her personal need to be more sensitive and not always be in charge." She is committed to serving as a RYLA alumni next year.

Tiffany White called RYLA "a great experience but no one knows what it is.  We need to do a much better job of educating young people - and school counselors - about this amazing program and about the needs which need to be met right here in our own community."  She also shared her surprise to find out "these kids have so many struggles."  She committed to attend again next year - and to bring Terance along.

Aaron Taylor, son of Jenny Lee and Mark Taylor, and Richard Isom, who also participated in RYLA, were unable to attend.

SGR Hears of Q'ero Efforts

TODAY IN ROTARY representatives of the HeartWalk Foundation, a local non-profit which “supports the preservation of native cultures and earth-honoring traditions” shared their efforts on behalf of the Q’ero tribes, scattered across the Andes Mountains east of Cuzco, Peru, living in tiny villages at elevations between 12,000 and 15,000 feet.  Because access to these remote villages is so difficult, the people lack communication, plumbling, electricity, and access to jobs.  Their lives are extremely harsh.

Since the HeartWalk Foundation was established, the NPO has funded 110 greenhouses to provide leafy green vegetables for every family; and, stocked alpine lakes with over 12,000 trout to provide a protein food source for malnourished men, women and children.

The Heart Walk Foundation also provides the Q’ero with a safe means to earn an income by buying and reselling their weavings with all proceeds re-invested in community projects.

The Heart Walk Foundation has built 12 classrooms in the region and assists with teacher salaries, leveraging our accomplishments to engage Peru’s Ministry of Education to fund teachers and classroom materials in these isolated communities.

The Heart Walk Foundation also sees to improve the health of mothers and babies by supporting the needs of the first modest clinic outpost in the region where a nurse and an assistant provide care to 1000 people scattered across the mountains.

Current needs for the new clinic outpost include:

*          Solar panel system for light and power                 $1000

*          2 burner camp stove w/ a 5-gallon gas tank          $100

*          Portable dental system                                           $2000

*          Satellite phone or short wave for ER’s                  $900

*          Beds, mattresses and blankets                                $900

*          Fetal monitor, battery-powered with gels               $50

For more information or to donate, see www.heartwalkfoundation.org or call Penelope Eicher at 435-619-0797 or Tim Eicher at 435-669-0804.

SGR Plays Pickleball

What’s pickle ball?  This is the question Rotarians asked each other on Monday, September 21 when club members met in Dixie Middle School’s gymnasium where they had been invited to try their hand at playing the fastest growing sport in America.  A team of pickleball experts from Dixie Middle School, Dixie State University and the community explained the intricacies of the game best described as a racquet sport combining elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Learning how this sport is played - and how popular it has become in the US - is in preparation for a proposed fundraising pickle ball tournament in our future.  Attendance was good, boxed lunches from Einstein Brothers were tasty, the school and its staff were pleasant and accommodating and “a fun time was had by all!”

If you're wondering about the out-of-focus action shots, its because everyone was enjoying the game and moving quickly in and out of "the kitchen." 

At the end of our time together, there was a drawing for a pickleball paddle.  And the winner was Nick Lang.

Thanks to everyone who made this fun meeting happen!

Farewell to Summer Rotary Family Party

On the beautiful summer evening of Monday, September 14, 2015, SGR members and their families gathered at the amazing home of Phil and Renee Hall for pizza, swimming and socializing while the sky tried to decide if it wanted to rain or shine.  In true Rotary spirit, those who showed up for the first party of the new Rotary year, came prepared for fun and friendship.  Thanks to all who had a part in this great social event.

YouthLinc Meets SGR

TODAY IN ROTARY Terance White presented a check to Kris Neal in the amount of $425.  These funds, in support of her feral cat program, were raised during May 2015 Horseplay.  Reed Noble noted receipt of a report from the Washington County School District showing 1627 3^rd graders in the 18 schools where we deliver dictionaries. As such, the price tag on this year's project will be $4200.

Today’s speaker was Heather Rogers, Asst. Operations Manager and Community Liaison from YouthLinc, the non-profit organization, which since 1999 has been working to create lifetime humanitarians of young people, ages 15 to graduate students, through local and international service in 7 countries.  In its 16 years of operation, YouthLinc has had 2250 students involved in its 9 month program and who have provided more than 150,000 hours of service in Cambodia, Thailand, Guatemala, Kenya, Nepal, Peru and this year adding Madagascar.  Through a holistic community development approach focusing on access to education, access to capital, the ability to keep families healthy and the ability to generate income – and in a strong partnership with Rotary’s District 5420 – YouthLinc committees spend approximately 6 months each year planning service projects and fundraising for their travel experience in June or July. 

How can members of SGR help this program and its participants succeed? 

·               support a young humanitarian

·               partner on an international project

·               serve as a mentor to a team

For more information, see www.youthlinc.org on the internet.

District 5420's Governor and First Lady Visit SGR

Today in Rotary, District 5420’s Governor Glade Hamilton and his wife Vicki shared their enthusiasm for Rotary principles and programs, including Polio Plus.  According to the First Lady of District 5420, there were 350,000 cases of polio diagnosed in the world every week in 1985 – the year Rotary International jumped into the fray.  Today, in all of 2014, there were only 29 cases diagnosed.

DG Glade introduced this year’s theme … “Be A Gift to the World”, shared experiences relating to the Teton Dam disaster in his home town of Sugar City, ID and other stories of heroism.  He noted Rotary gives us all an opportunity to give back, to be heroes, to promote world understanding, strengthen our family, expand business opportunities, grow professionally and be a unifying influence in the world. 

He reminded members of this year’s district goals, including 200 kids to RYLA, grow membership, increase giving to TRF, and encourage attendance at district level events (i.e., District conference and district assemblies).

SGR’s goals for RY2015-16 include:

·               sending 5 youth and 2 facilitators to RYLA

·               add 12 new members

·               donate $11,100 to TRF (not including polio plus)

·               send 13 members to district assembly, and ….

·               32 to the district conference

Speaking of the District Conference, it will be held May 5-7 in “beautiful Cedar City.”