This Week at Rotary: Woot!

Together again!

Now that the mask mandate has been rescinded locally, we will gather again in person at the country club for this week's meeting. Because of the critical importance of doing all we can to protect each and every club member, the tables will be spaced and we will seat no more than 6 at a table. Some members in attendance will not have been fully vaccinated, so please wear your mask to and from your table. Obviously, if you are feeling unwell or still feel the need to preserve greater distance, please stay home. We will accommodate you by making sure you can attend by Zoom.

Our speaker will be Bob Hermes, who will focus on the importance of reading and outdoor activities as we raise children.

Last Week at Rotary

At last week’s meeting, Rotarians were able to get a briefing on the newest area of focus for Rotary International: protecting the environment. On video, former Rotary International President Ian Riseley explained how and why this new area was added to RI’s to-do list.

For many years, RI has had six areas of focus: peace-building and conflict prevention; disease prevention and treatment; water, sanitation, and hygiene; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and community economic development. But as the world’s population nears eight billion, all of whom rely for sustenance on this spinning sphere we call Earth, Rotarians became increasingly convinced that protecting this planet was an essential issue for “a global group of problem-solvers” like Rotary to address.

Riseley headed up the task force charged with considering adding this area of focus. Because the environment also affects many of our other areas of focus, there was serious consideration given to folding it into existing areas. “Ultimately, though,” Riseley said, “we recommended that it be a 7th, stand-alone area of focus.”

He acknowledged that there was some concern that the issue was political ... "but what is political about saving the environment?” Some task force members were “spooked by the mere mention of the phrase ‘climate change’ and the supposed political repercussions of using it.” But after robust discussions, the task force concluded that they had to mention climate change or it would be “a phony area of focus.”

When the task force presented their recommendation to the RI Foundation, they had anticipated they would have some convincing to do. Not so. “There was no ‘light bulb moment,’” he said. The board foundation board heard the recommendation and agreed on its importance. As of July 1, 2021, grants related to protecting the environment will be funded as a seventh focus area of Rotary International.

A discussion among club members followed the video. It was noted that we are already planting trees, a good project to expand greenspace. Last year we began picking up plastic and other trash from along the river, a project with great potential to engage students. Lots of exciting possibilities for an added focus for Rotary Club of Great Falls!

One Step at a Time

Can it be over a year since we sat around a table at Rotary with Ryan Miller? Why, yes, it can be. Just before the pandemic set in, Ryan was in our midst again, albeit in a wheel chair, quiet and unassuming and smiling as always.

If the rest of us have had a stressful year since then, think of Ryan. His knee operation didn't quite take. He fell, returned to Denver for care, had yet another operation, and is once again determined to get, quite literally, back on his feet. He's working hard - three hours a day! - to do just that. The good news is that he is well enough to move to a new facility concentrating on physical therapy.

And yet ... when Kurt Baltrusch called to check on him last week, what was foremost on Ryan's mind? "How's everybody doing?"

Gotta love Rotarians ... always looking out for one another. Can't wait to be at a table with you soon, Ryan.

Updates

It's time to beginning preparing for the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy this summer. Of pressing concern is finding volunteer drivers to deliver the students on July 10 to the camp outside Livingston or to pick them up on July 14. Because drivers need to have completed background checks, which can take some time, we need to get volunteer drivers now! Contact Megan if you can help.

Our spring camp clean-up is scheduled for May 1, with a back-up date of May 8, should the weather have a hissy-fit. Clear your calendars now for an invigorating start to a new camping season! (Isn't it exciting to be talking about spring?)

Milestones

March has been good to Rotary Club of Great Falls. The following Rotarians celebrate anniversaries this month:

Bob Holter – 33 years
Ryan Miller – 25 years
Bill Salina – 13 years
Lew Card – 11 years
Mary Moe – 10 years
Rebecca Bogden-Richards – 9 years
Malissa Hollan – 7 years
Bob Wigdorski – 3 years
Shim Abbasi – 2 years

That is a whole lot of service above self!

More Wisdom from the Senior Section

1. I decided to stop calling the bathroom the "John" and renamed it the "Jim". I feel so much better saying I go to the Jim morning, noon and night.

2. Old age is coming at a really bad time.

3. Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven't met yet.

4. Of course I talk to myself. Sometimes I need expert advice.