PDG Coleman Speaks of RI Council on Legislation

TODAY IN ROTARY PDG Jim Coleman spoke on “Why I Am a Rotarian and I Still Love It After 35 Years.”  His varied topics included his concern that there has been no New Member Orientation held in the past 2-3 years; how he found and joined the Logan Rotary Club in 1981 where he learned about the 4-Way Test and embraced the “service above self” motto.  In 1984, after moving to Southern Utah’s hot real estate market, he joined St. George Rotary, presided over the Dixie Rotary Bowl for six years and rose through the ranks of District 5420 to become the DG.  He participated in the creation of the Mesquite Rotary Club and later, voted to share Washington County with the creation of the Dixie Sunrise Rotary Club – now celebrating 20 years of service in the community.

Jim’s reason for his devotion to Rotary include:

·               SG Rotarians are my best friends

·               I value all we stand for and am proud of what we do

·               I want to be sure our community knows our identity

In his recent time in Chicago’s RI Council on Legislation, Jim took part in the review and passing of 181 policy changes out of 400 submitted by clubs around the world, including:

·               an increase in member dues of $4 per year for the next 3 years (effective on July 1)

·               an invitation to Rotaractors to have concurrent membership in Rotary (only 5% of Rotaractors worldwide join Rotary as adults)

·               elimination of admission fees to join Rotary

·               a flexible meeting schedule with requirements to have only 2 meetings per month

For more information on these and other policy changes from RI, see Jim Coleman.

Lowry Reports on Legislative Session

TODAY IN ROTARY the members of SGR heard from Lowry Snow, who recently completed his 5^th legislative session in his 4½ years as a Utah Representative (District 74) where more than 1000 bills were introduced and 400 were passed.  His 45 days in the state capitol also included a special session to “get a handle on fixed funding for information technology in schools.” 

Lowry also discussed the designation of the 1.9 million acre Bear’s Ears National Monument noting, “nothing is likely to stop Obama, but we need to be concerned about this designation which is going to have an impact on Utah.”

Lowry indicated the most important assignment legislators have in “handling the state budget, particularly relating to education.”  Utah has long had the lowest per pupil expenditure, and the legislative body in this session, voted to increase the budget by 3%, with $11 million for early learning programs, including an enhanced kindergarten program introduced by Representative Snow.

Other topics discussed:

·               medical marijuana for fairly limited use.  There is a growing movement to make marijuana in all its forms legal in the state

·               a survey shows 64% of Utahns are against the death penalty.  Currently there are 9 men on Death Row – 2 for more than 30 years!!!  According to Lowry, about 4% of all prisoners are actually innocent of the crime for which they have been incarcerated.  A bill has passed to remove “without possibility of parole” for juvenile criminals sentenced to life imprisonment. 

·               taxes on internet sales are already in place in Utah, but are not being collected.  Improving collections will increase state revenue by $1.8 million.

·               1/16 of 1% increase is assessed for water projects.

·               the non-compete clause in contracts is now limited to 1 year.

Thanks, Lowry for your efforts on behalf of the citizens of Washington County.

First Annual Southwest Slam Pickleball Tourney

This first year of SGR’s Southwest Slam Pickleball Tournament was not without its ups and downs.  Despite our best effort – including amazing support from both St. George City and Santa Clara City and lots of great sponsors - everything did not run smoothly.  Our hardworking event organizers Lynn Beecher and Janet O’Riley had countless promises-to-register from many dozens of people in the community, but when the weekend of May 18-21 arrived those promises did not materialize in a strong showing of pickleball aficionados.

Thanks to our wonderfully generous and supportive sponsors Naylor Wentworth Architects, Vive Studio; Snow, Jensen and Reece Law Firm; Drywall Shop, Inc.; Say Holdings (Jenny Lee); Basile, Davis and Ott;  BJ Cox, DDS; Pizza Factory;  Dominos; Bones and Leather; Hawks Restaurant; Daily Queen; SunRiver Golf Course; Harmon’s Santa Clara; Legends  Salon and Pure Pickleball.

On the positive side, SG City Mayor Jon Pike (also a longtime member of SGR) came to the Little Valley pickleball courts on Saturday morning and spoke to our enthusiastic pickleball players, volunteers and others.  He noted SG City had spent $1.6 million to build the additional 12 courts especially in time for the Southwest Slam Pickleball Tournament … a wonderful example of “our tax dollars at work.” 

Mayor Pike also talked about how the city and St. George Rotary Club have had a longtime working relationship on projects around the community and had worked very hard to make this tournament happen. He thanked the Rotary Club and looks forward to many more tournaments like this one. 

Chairman Lynn shared the many “service above self” Rotary projects in the St. George community as well as internationally.  He noted, “All proceeds from the Southwest Slam support the St. George Rotary Club Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization funding humanitarian, literacy and community projects.  Local projects of St. George Rotary include providing paperback dictionaries to every 3^rd grade student in the St. George area, parks and trails projects, support of such local non-profits as the Children’s Museum, the feral cat program, Coins for Kids, Operation School Bell, the Family Support Center and the WCSD’s Sterling Scholar program.  Internationally, SGR travels to and builds indoor cook stoves in Guatemala’s Mayan villages and is working on a project in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico to bring clean, safe water to every school in the community.”

In the end, a man told Chairman Lynn, “this is the most fun pickleball tournament I have ever been to” and handed him a $100 bill “for your wonderful projects.”  Many players said the same thing.  So, while our numbers were not what we had hoped, we can call this "First Annual Southwest Slam Pickleball Tournament" a success and a great jumping off point for next year’s event!!!

SGR Hears of Vietnam Conflict

TODAY IN ROTARY members heard from Bruce Rathtree and Dan Greathouse,  Washington County representatives of Vietnam Veterans of America, organized in July 2005 with 10 members.  In 2016, there are more than 100 members.

VVA’s goals are to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. VVA strives to achieve the following:

                 

*   Aggressively advocate on issues important to veterans

*   Seek full access to quality health care for veterans

*   Identify the full range of disabling injuries and illnesses incurred during military service

*   Hold government agencies accountable for following laws mandating veterans health care

*   Create a positive public perception of Vietnam veterans

*   Seek the fullest possible accounting of America’s POWs and MIAs

In support of Washington County’ 12,000 veterans, Bruce, a 3^rd generation military man, also oversees Veteran’s Court which strives to help incarcerated veterans – or those in trouble with the law – work through issues relating to their legal infractions.  To date, 25 veterans have “graduated” from the program and are now law abiding and contributing members of society. 

The duo also spoke of the ramifications of Agent Orange, a defoliant used to kill bushes and scrubs on the battlefield.  Agent Orange has been shown to contribute to more than 150 diseases and health issues, including, but not limited to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and renal failure.

“I didn’t leave anything there,” said Greathouse when asked whether he had been back to Vietnam.  “I support our troops, not our wars.”  Rathtree went on to say he remembers 130+ temperatures and 100% humidity … and coming home from this unpopular war to “people throwing poopy diapers, rotten fruit, and soda cans at us!  It was 40 years before I talked about it – even to my wife!”   

Gil Visits Japan

Gil and Pat Trujillo joined Mr. and Mrs. Dean Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Deputy and others for two weeks of travel in Japan.   During their 14 days in the Land of the Rising Sun, Gil reports they visited many churches, museums and shrines, including the Hiroshima War Memorial; enjoyed numerous opportunities to eat sushi; but were too early for the cherry blossoms.  “Next time, we’ll go in May,” said Gil of his plans to revisit the country he calls clean, historic and with people who are both cordial and polite.

Sappington Named 2015-16 Utah Rotarian of the Year

On Friday, May 6, 2016, at the recent statewide conference of Rotary District 5420 in Cedar City, SGR's Linda Sappington was named 2015-16 Utah Rotarian of the Year by District Governor Glade Hamilton.  This recognition, according to DG Glade was for "outstanding efforts in creating an exemplary District newsletter and for helping to build District 5420's Public Image in each of 50 Utah clubs, in the district and in the world."  

Linda's reaction? "I was so surprised, I was speechless and nearly fell off my chair when my name was called.  Not sure what I did to deserve this honor, but I am humbled because there are more than 1800 Rotarians in the state … most who have done amazing, remarkable things and deserve this recognition far more than I."

Also recognized, Del Beatty of the Red Rock Rotary Club was the recipient of this year's Vocational Service Leadership Award, given annually to a single Rotarian who has used his or her occupation to impact the community, demonstrate integrity in his or her profession and in Rotary and exhibited significant service to undertaking several club or district activities.

Red Rock Rotary Club was selected from the state's 50 clubs as RI District 5420's Club of the Year.  The 32-member club of community and business leaders was chartered in 2003 and place a strong emphasis on service projects to support, in particular, local youth.  Under the direction of 2015-16 President Scott Florence, Red Rock Rotary fulfilled all requirements - including membership growth, creating definable positive change in the community and enhancing public image - to receive the District Governor's Gold Citation and the RI President's Gold Citation.  

4-Way Test Essay Winners Announced

“It’s a good way to trick students into loving to write,” said Krista White, a 6^th grade language arts teacher at Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School, speaking about St. George Rotary Club’s 11^th annual 4-Way Test Essay Contest.  “And, its good for these kids to know someone thinks what they have to say is important.”

At the recent weekly meeting of the local service club, Language Arts Teachers Kris Sewell from Fossil Ridge Intermediate and Krista White on the faculty of Sunrise Ridge Intermediate, parents and members of St. George Rotary Club heard the 1^st and 2^nd place winning essays in this year’s competition from among more than 125 entries. 

To participate, students in four intermediate schools in the Washington County School District were invited by Chairman Durant McArthur and his committee, to put their thoughts in writing about someone they know who best exemplifies Rotary’s 24-word test of ethics in all aspects of life:  is it the truth?  Is it fair to all concerned?  Will it build goodwill and better friendship?  Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Awarded a $50 first prize at Fossil Ridge Intermediate School is Frankie Partridge, daughter of Larry and Amelia Partridge who wrote about “My Grandpa Delbert Ray Judy” and took home $50 as the 1^st place winner.  She shared, “my grandfather served on President Lyndon B. Johnson’s yacht but always kept his fun service experiences secret.  He also was a great father – had his own 2 children, but also raised my father, his 2 sisters and 3 brothers like they were his very own.”  A second place prize of $25 went to Summer Hardy, daughter of Terence and Karol Hardy, who shared her story of “My Dad” who “adopted me when someone else didn’t want me.  We may not be related by blood and he may not have known me since I was a baby, but he truly is my dad and my super hero.”

Owen Powell, son of Chris and Kim Powell and a student at Sunrise Ridge Intermediate School, was recognized for his 1^st place winning and well-written essay entitled “My Inspirations from Mrs. Humphrey,” who he credits with “taught me how to control my anger; be fair in settling confrontations and taught me how to develop goodwill and friendships.”  Also at Sunrise Ridge, Ben Haws, son of Tim and Paula Haws, showered praise on his father who he states, “is an example of honesty in his personal relationships and professional dealings.”

Language Arts Teachers Kris Sewell from Fossil Ridge Intermediate and Krista White on the faculty of Sunrise Ridge Intermediate both qualified for the teachers' award with more than 60% of their students participating.  Each will receive $200 to use as they see fit in their respective school classrooms.