Club Assembly to Discuss Pickleball

Today in Rotary we took part in a Club Assembly / Business Meeting.  President Terance spoke of a potential shortfall in funds for upcoming projects and invited members to consider their support of a pickleball tournament which Lynn Beecher and Janet O’Riley are organizing in a partnership with the local business Pure Pickleball.  More to come on this project.

Tuacahn Update

Tuacahn Center for the Arts is one of Washington County’s great success stories with an economic impact of more than $85 million in revenue to hotels, restaurants and of course, to the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in the “Canyon of the Gods” in Ivins, Utah.  As the 2^nd largest economic driver in Southern Utah (#1 is Zion National Park and the 3^rd is “all-things-golf”), Tuacahn partnered with the Walt Disney Corporation in 2005 to bring popular and family friendly musicals – and more than 285,500 patrons annually - to this beautiful red rock canyon. 

In addition to nearly a dozen big-name spring and fall concerts which generate about $1 million in income annually, the summer theater season of outstanding musicals  brings in another $9-10 million in revenue in support of Tuacahn Center for the Arts and Tuacahn High School, the first charter high school in the state of Utah. 

What’s new at Tuacahn?  According to Jeff Fisher, TCA’s Director of Development, “the place is jumping with construction underway on a 19,000 square foot building to house a restaurant and café, gift gallery and a show care facility on the upper floor and a lower level / basement with a full-sized inside stage as well as classrooms for choir, dance and orchestra to accommodate the needs of THS’s more than 400 9^th -12^th grade students.

Alive and Well

Alive and Well is an alternative to traditional health care insurance programs … “like the olden days … only better,” stated Jessica Martin, wife of J. R. Martin, a Physician’s Assistant and founder of the company which provides a 24/7 medical helpline which answers questions, provides an online diagnosis, prescribes medication, orders lab tests and x-rays; and, makes referrals, as needed, to specialists for follow-up care. 

According to Ms. Martin, “studies have show 78% of ER visits could be handled over the telephone and a citizen survey found 64% would like the option of telehealth.” 

Alive and Well has three affordable membership plans, which may include general health assessments and house calls.

  

For more information or to enroll, see www.myaliveandwell.com on the internet.

SGR Learns of Family Support Center

According to FSC’s Executive Director Laura Bartschi, “respite is the key to prevention” of child abuse.  The Family Support Center (FSC) of Washington County believes in a community-centered, family-focused approach to supporting the needs of children and families.  The FSC is a non-profit organization in Saint George, Utah operating on funding from federal grants and the generosity of private groups and individuals.

FSC statistics note, the Division of Children and Family Services received 1626 referrals in 2015.  More than half – 860 – were accepted for investigation, and the largest number – 95 – were for sexual abuse of a child.  Of those referred, 1006 were placed in shelter care.

FSC provides care for children from newborn to 11-years-old.  Care provided for children ages 0-11 years old.  Respite care is provided on a first-come, first-served basis and by appointment.  Crisis care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

All staff members are well-trained individuals with experience in areas of child safety, family preservation, and child abuse prevention.  All staff and volunteers are screened and have complete background checks. Child Care Providers also have First Aid /CPR training and Food Handlers Permits.

Rotarians were asked to help with a variety of spring cleaning and maintenance projects.  Lynn Beecher to follow up to schedule a service project.

SGR Learns of the School of Life Foundation

Today in Rotary, our speaker Jack Rolfe, Founder and Executive Director of The School of Life Foundation, states, “nationwide more than 8300 students a day drop out of school and the cost to society for crime, poverty and health care for these students is about $292,000.”

Citing statistics from Education Week, Children Trends Database. Research Date: 1.1.2014 , Rolfe said, “nearly 3,030,000 students a year will receive no diploma. Upon early termination, undereducated youth will discover 90% of all potential jobs will remain beyond their reach and nearly 75% of all crimes in the U.S. are committed by their dropout peers.

On the positive side, statistics relating to the success of The School of Life Foundation show:

·               87% of those students who complete this 30-day, after school course will graduate from high school

·               GPA scores will increase by a minimum of 12%

·               94% of students show an improvement in their attitude toward school

·               those who complete the after-school program plus 10 hours of community service will receive ½ credit toward graduation and will have their restitution hours expunged

According to Rolfe, The School of Life Foundation is currently in place in 13 Utah schools in Washington, Iron and Davis County (including Water Canyon School in Hildale and El Capitan in Colorado City) and is being considered for schools in Clark County, NV.

The cost per student for the 30-day course is $189.  Students meet 2 hours a week to discuss and complete assignments relating to the program’s 10 “A’s” – Appreciation, Attitude, Assist, Aim, Align, Action, Associate, Avoid, Adapt and Always.

“We don’t know and don’t want to know what their issues are.  We are there to teach them how to school their most difficult foe … themselves.  We teach them how to handle peer pressure and to stop thinking of themselves as ‘victims’,” notes Rolfe.

The program also invites community guest speakers who can share their stories of success over challenges.  Interested Rotarians are invited to contact Rolfe at www.schooloflifefoundation.org.

Ted Dodge Shares Adventure in Puerto Penasco, MX

Rotarian Ted Dodge loves humanitarian service as evidenced by his website at www.humanitariantravel.org which not only chronicles his service to date, but invites others to join him in giving “service above self” to those in need around the world.

During his most recent humanitarian service trip to Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, Ted reported to the members of SGR, “on Christmas Day, 21 volunteers gathered at the children’s crisis center where we provided lunch for 28 hungry kids, gave each a backpack which included a toy or a blanket, school supplies and a few articles of clothing.”  Later in the day, at the Community Center, “we provided meals to another 450 people, gave them a backpack, a toy, their choice of a blanket or a stuffed animal, along with school supplies and clothing."

While in Puerto Peñasco, Ted and his merry band of Christmas elves also painted the Community Center kitchen, reception area and computer room before bringing in a dozen or more new chairs.  

It was a wonderful way to spend the holidays and members of SGR are encouraged to check out Ted’s website frequently for trip plans.

Wiley Speaks on Limiting Beliefs

Wiley McArthur, a Critical Factor Coach, shared his knowledge of the “why” and “what” of our own Limiting Beliefs asking members of SGR what would it be like to be able to know what was holding you back and seeing all you can accomplish without limits. How would you feel hearing all those around you talk about how you are able to do things they can't and feeling satisfaction knowing you have begun removing your limitations. Think about it. What if I had a button you could press to instantly remove all your limitations … all those things holding you back. The fun thing is we all have these beliefs and the best part is we can identify – and actually remove - them.

According to Wiley, studies have shown most of our limiting beliefs are formed from the time we are born and through our formative years until about 17 years old. Everything we see, hear and feel from those around us provide input in forming these beliefs, values and decisions. Most of them run at the unconscious level so we never question – just accept – others opinions of us as “truth.” If we think back to our youth when we were taught our values and we didn't question them. From birth to age 7 our potential goes from 100% to about 40% then to flying-by-the-seat-of-our-pants relating to decisions on work, money, friendships etc.  Why is it not everyone has the same limitations as you? Some believe money comes easily and effortlessly and it does. Others believe you can have fun and enjoy work while others believe success can only come from hard work and sacrifice. The crazy thing is both can be successful so which do you want for yourself?