SGR Celebrates the End of Summer

SGR gathered for the annual End-of-Summer Family Social on Monday, September 26 at the home of Phil and Renae Hall (well, more of a compound according to one young attendee).  The weather was a perfect 78° … the water was cold (but refreshing according to swimmers) … there was volleyball, pickleball, soccer, croquet … sheep, chickens and a dog named Shilo … lots of socializing to get better acquainted and pizza cooked in Phil’s very own pizza oven.  In all, it was a very fun evening to celebrate surviving another Dixie summertime and another successful Rotary year!  Thanks to all who helped organize the evening and to all who turned out for the fun, food and friends.

Visioning in SGR

The discussion continues in the meeting after the meeting!

Visioning … a process resulting in the development of a plan, goal, or vision for the future.  TODAY IN ROTARY members of our dynamic SGR club, spent an hour working together to find a local service project which our club can “own,” benefits a group of citizens, and provides lots of opportunities for good public relations exposure.  Facilitated by PE Rulon Olsen, the list of possibilities included:

·               A project relating to suicide prevention

·               Adopt-a-trail and/or donate trees for the City of St. George

·               Something for Switchpoint

·               A project to support the Alzheimers and Dementia Society

·               Build administrative offices for Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah

Rulon suggested a radio-thon as a day long fundraiser.  President Collin Davis encouraged
members to consider these – and other project ideas – and email thoughts and/or concerns to
Rulon Olsen at rulon@ruloninc.com.  SGR will continue working to identify a local signature
project at our next meeting on October 3.

Operation Underground Railroad Educates SGR on Child Sexual Slavery

Celeste Maloy, SGR’s 71^st member was inducted TODAY IN ROTARY by President Collin Davis.  Sponsored by Terance White, Celeste comes to Rotary with a classification of Civil Attorney as a member of the staff of the Washington County Attorney’s Office.

Steve Woodfield, a representative of Operation Underground Railroad, spoke to the mission and purpose of the organization which has rescued more than 500 children from sexual slavery in the 3 years since it was organized in 2013.  Said Woodfield, “we've gathered the world's experts in extraction operations and in anti-child trafficking efforts to bring an end to child slavery.”

O.U.R.'s Underground Jump Team consists of former CIA, Navy SEALs, and Special Ops operatives that lead coordinated identification and extraction efforts. These operations are always in conjunction with law enforcement throughout the world.

Once victims are rescued, a comprehensive process involving justice for the perpetrators and recovery and rehabilitation for the survivors begins. 

According to Woodfield, “American tourists are the #1 consumers of these young sexual slaves, exploiting more than 2 million children annually.  But, we believe providence is in the work we are doing.  We’ve seen too many miracles to deny His hand in our ability to rescue children from this life.”

For more information, see www.ourrescue.org.

Rest in Peace, Dear Andy

Elvin Martin Anderson, a longtime member of St. George Rotary, passed away on Monday, August 29, 2016 at the age of 104. Andy was born March 5, 1912 in Oasis, Utah to Peter M. and Tora Jensen Anderson; grew up on a farm and graduated from Hinckley High School.  He left the farm behind to move to California where he began his working life doing odd jobs and where he met June Barg on a blind date which lasted for 69 years. 

From 1933 to 1946, Andy worked for Standard Oil Company then joined the Marine Corps, serving three three years in the South Pacific. After his service, he and June ran their own gas station in Malibu, CA for seven years. They contemplated retirement at this time, but soon found out there was more month than money so decided to try their hands at real estate.  This new field kept them happily engaged for the next 21years. 

Andy was a member of the Malibu Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, American Legion and President of the Malibu Board of Realtors. 

Andy and June retired to Oceanside, CA where they spent 13 happy years golfing and enjoying the San Diego area. In 1989, when California began to feel too crowded, they moved to St. George, Utah. They loved St. George and became active in ICL at Dixie College. He also joined the St. George Rotary Club where he found friendship and service opportunities for nearly a decade. They also enjoyed local cultural activities and golfing at the Bloomington Country Club.

June passed several years ago.  Andy is survived by his nieces and nephews throughout the United States.  A service will be held at a later date.

Rest in peace, good friend.

DG Shaun Visits SGR

TODAY IN ROTARY was the official annual visit from our District Governor.  DG Uwe Shaun Michel (a member of the South Jordan Rotary Club) shared the story of Jonathon and Charlotte (from Britain’s Got Talent) and reminded members of SGR “the Lord wants to bless your lives and I’m here to help.”  The leader who came from Germany while still a youngster noted, “I’m a business man and I like to make money.  I want to get a good return on my investment.”  He also asked, “since clubs run everything, how do we measure our success?  We have to make ourselves a little uncomfortable in order to truly serve humanity.”

Wife Annette Michel reminded members of SGR, “Rotary is a family affair.  Our first large service project involved all of our kids gathering 6 tons of equipment to equip a small hospital in Guatemala.  We began working on a Hopi Indian reservation several years ago and have two former exchange students we call our own children.”

Referring to RI President Germ as “a Jonathon” DG Shaun reminded St. George Rotarians, “we have to take care of the mother ship (RI).  Utah Rotarians have big hearts, but we can’t work in silos.  We must partner more.”

RI President and D5420 Governor Introduced to SGR

TODAY IN ROTARY Egor Shulman, Assistant Governor for Area 17 represented D5420 Governor Uwe Shaun Michel in preparation for DG Shaun’s official meeting on Monday, August 29.  AG Egor played the 13-minute “Rotary Serving Humanity” video of John Germ, RI President (RY2016-17) and a southern gentleman from Chattanooga, TN, introducing the year’s theme.  He also played a 3-minute welcome video from Governor Shaun; handed out the RI and district pins for this year and presented the "Rotary Serving Humanity" theme banner to SGR’s President Collin.

SGR Hears from Utah State Treasurer

TODAY IN ROTARY David Damshen, Treasurer of the Great State of Utah, asked SGR’s members and guests to support Constitutional Amendment B designed to provide “intergenerational equity” to Utah’s school children by continuing to “grow the land trust program” ($2 billion achieved in 2015) to guarantee quality education into the future.  Changes to the wording of the current statute will be as follows:

·               “interest and dividends” to be changed to “earnings”
investing “safely” to “prudently”

·               annual distribution capped at 4% as a “hard ceiling” to prevent government raiding of this fund.

According to Damshen, these changes constitute a “consummate no-brainer!”

When asked if the fund would grow at the same rate as student population growth, the State Treasurer responded the fund is designed to keep up with student population growth, but Utah’s birthrate is slowing slightly.

When asked why we are still bonding for school buildings since this funding is already in place, Damshen noted these funding sources are separate and distinct.

The Treasurer then turned the focus of his presentation to Utah’s unclaimed property, which is $30-40 million annually, of which approximately 27% is claimed by rightful owners due to improvements in imaging technology, “fast track” automation and an efficient call center system.

He noted, too, there is about $9 million in unclaimed property for Washington County residents which funds are “held forever” until claimed.  To search for unclaimed property  in the name of an individual or a business, see www.mycash.utah.gov.