This week we'll hear from Brenda Peterson on the very successful program, Leadership Montana. We'll also vote on the bylaws change allowing for electronic voting on future votes coming to the membership. In order for the vote to be valid, we must have at least 32 members in attendance. Changing the bylaws requires a super majority of "Yes" votes from 2/3 of those voting. Join us at noon at the country club!
Seems like it's the week for an end-of-the-month Rotary social, but the where-and-when were not available at press time. Ask about it this week at Rotary.
Last Week at Rotary
Last week we were treated to a tour of Montana's State Parks, courtesy of Tribune reporter Kristin Inbody (pictured) and former Tribune reporter and current Communications Director at Great Falls College - MSU, Erin Granger.
Montana has 55 state parks. When Kristin and Erin were both at the Trib, they talked the editor into allowing them to do a year-long series featuring one or both of them visiting every single park. A lot of work went into it, a book came out of it, and a lot of good memories caulk it all together for the two young women. Sensing that caulking was part of the pleasure of last week's presentation.
Montana's state parks serve a variety of functions. Some of them - like Travelers' Rest outside Missoula or Tower Rock at the Hardy Creek turnoff on I-15, have historical significance, as well as scenic beauty. Others showcase Montana's many beautiful landscapes and offer outdoor recreation opportunities, like Wild Horse Island on the Flathead or Pirogue Island near Miles City. Still others are geological marvels, like Lewis and Clark Caverns or Makoshika State Park outside of Glendive. Erin and Kristin gave us a taste of many of them - and a hankering for more!
Their book, Montana State Parks: Complete Guide & Travel Companion, is a must-have for your Montana collection.
Recent Presentation Touts Tourism
Not last week, but the week before, we were treated to an update on tourism in the Great Falls area by Jake Bash. The tourism partners in Great Falls -- the airport, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, local restaurants and lodging owners -- have worked hard to create a new and inviting brand for the city: the Basecamp for Art and Adventure.
With 9 museums ranging from the History Museum to the CMR Museum of Western Art and from the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center to Paris Gibson Square, Great Falls has a rich menu of cultural experiences to offer visitors. In addition, its location on the Missouri River between two national parks makes it a natural basecamp for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds: anglers, hikers, cyclists, skiers, snowmobilers, birders, paddle-boarders, kayakers .... We've got it all!
Jake's particular niche is drawing conventions to Great Falls. He encouraged us to make him aware of groups we belong to that have national, regional or state conferences that Great Falls could attract. Conventions are an economic boost to the entire community, and we have an inviting palate of activities and amenities that would be of interest to convention planners and attendees.
It was nice to hear such a positive presentation about our community from a young man who is unabashedly enthralled with Great Falls!
The Proposal to Change the Bylaws
We won't be having a club meeting on July 3, but that doesn't mean Rotary Club of Great Falls will be giving Independence Day short shrift. We'll have an entry in the Fourth of July Parade this year! To promote the "rubber duck race," a scholarship fundraiser that will be a focus of incoming president Todd Neighbor, our parade entry will be - well, just ducky!
Carey Gray and Cat Graphics has created this fetching banner, and Kurt Baltrusch will be driving one of his vintage cars to draw interest. Various children and Rotarians will be distributing rubber ducks to parade-watchers to promote the event. Come on down!
Milestones
Only one birthday this month, but it's a biggie: On Thursday, Sheila Rice celebrates the completion of another year on this little orb in a vast universe. She exemplifies the difference one life committed to service above self can make in the lives of others. Happy birthday, dear Sheila!
Weekly Wisdom
Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.
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