RI Founder is Natalie Isom's NHD Topic

Natalie Isom, 10-year-old daughter of Richard Isom, longtime treasurer of the Rotary Club of St. George, did her National History Day project on RI founder Paul Harris, explaining the “Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History” he and Rotary have had on the world, including PolioPlus and last year’s District 5420 service in Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Judges who viewed and heard the Diamond Valley Elementary School 4th grader’s presentation reported, they were very impressed with her knowledge, understanding and confidence. One judge even noted it brought tears to her eyes because she was so touched by the impact of Natalie’s presentation. Congratulations to Natalie ... no doubt, a future Rotarian.

Pickleball for Lunch

It was a spectacular spring day when members of SGR met at The Fields in Little Valley for lunch and a lesson on the intricacies of pickleball leading up to a proposed tournament in the fall.  Lynn Beecher and Janet O’Riley are heading up the planning committee in a partnership with Pure Pickleball.  Lunch today was provided by Dickie’s Bar-be-que.  Fun meeting!

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.