Last week Heather Palermo, Director of the Center for Lifelong Learning at Great Falls College MSU, told us about all the learning opportunities at the college that are short-term, low-pressure, and just plain fun.
The Lifelong Learning team customizes classes to appeal to a broad range of community interests. That might mean one 2-hour class a week for six weeks on how to play the guitar, or a full-day workshop for professional women on "leaning in." Demand and interest shape the offerings.
The Center also offers a variety of classes for kids, especially in the summer. Through a vibrant partnership with the Great Falls Public Schools, some classes are offered at Great Falls College and others are offered at appropriate school buildings throughout the district.
Heather encouraged Rotarians to take a class - or to teach one! The College is always looking for instructors with a particular area of expertise who would like to share their knowledge with others.
This Week at Rotary
Did you set your clocks forward? It's later than you think!
This week we'll hear from the new President of the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce, Brad Livingston. Brad is relatively new to the position and will be coming to us on the heels of the Chambers annual banquet, so he'll be full of news and insights. Join us at noon at the country club!
Congressman Gives Us Thumbs-Up!
Congressman Ryan Zinke was unable to attend our 100 Years Celebration last week, but we received his well-wishes in the form of a letter to the club. The Congressman praised our unique service project, Camp Rotary, noting that we have served over 70,000 children over the past century through the camp. He also praised the part we are playing in Rotary’s international effort to eradicate polio.
“Business and professional leaders working together to help others in humanitarian service, promoting high ethical standards and striving for peace and goodwill to all, is something this club and society should be proud of,” he wrote. “It is what this country needs more of, to ensure a great America, and world, for all.”
Opportunities to Serve Coming Up!
Yes, the work surrounding Harvest Howl is months away, but there are still several opportunities to serve in the coming months. Rob Rezek, service project coordinator, reminds us that our goal is to have at least one service project each month. So far, here's what we have scheduled:
March 26 - We’re researching a project to install smoke alarms through Red Cross. Once we confirm local fire department support, we’ll finalize the details.
April 16 - The YWCA needs 3 windows replaced and a partition wall installed in their Mercy Home. Apart from donations, we need Rotarians to paint and finish the wall partition on April 16 – drywall and framing experience would be very helpful!
May 14 - Camp Rotary Clean-up May 17 - Highway Clean-up
We are always looking for service project ideas. If you have a need or a project idea, please let Rob Rezek know.
To sign up for these events, contact Rob or go to our club calendar at: http://greatfallsrotary.org/Events/Calendar and
select on the organizer to email that you are planning to volunteer. Remember family and friends are always welcome!
Rotarians ... Are Award-Winners!
Last week the Montana Ambassadors recognized fellow Rotarian Susan Wolff with the "Michael Malone Award," given to the individual in higher education in Montana who has most contributed to the well-being of the state we all love.
Some might find it remarkable that the CEO of little ole Great Falls College MSU would outshine all the talented faculty and administrators and CEOs we have in the Montana University System. But not if they've met Susan Wolff. Susan lives and breathes the student-centered mission of Great Falls College and epitomizes the service-above-self philosophy in an academic setting.
"Every day I get up and think, What student can we help today?" Susan said as she accepted the award.
Rotarians were much in evidence at the ceremony, as were Susan's family and many leaders in business and public life in Great Falls. Congratulations, Susan ... and thank you for contributing so positively to the Montana University System and the community of Great Falls.
Weekly Wisdom for St. Patrick's Day
There’s no sense to being Irish unless you know the world will break your heart someday. (Thomas Adcock)
That’s the Irish: they treat a serious thing as a joke and a joke as a serious thing. (Sean O’Casey)
The Irish are one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is no help whatsoever. (Sigmund Freud)
It’s not that the Irish are cynical. It’s rather that they have a wonderful lack of respect for everything and everybody. (Brendan Behan)
May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, the foresight to know where you're going, and the insight to know when you've gone too far. (Irish Blessing)
Last week the Montana Ambassadors recognized fellow Rotarian Susan Wolff with the "Michael Malone Award," given to the individual in higher education in Montana who has most contributed to the well-being of the state we all love.
