Message from Our Outgoing President

Dear Great Falls Rotarians:

As I reflect on my last year as Rotary Club president, I am hoping that “Be the Inspiration!” rang through my Rotary year. I am certain our club has the capacity to grow and be viable to secure Camp Rotary’s future for years to come. Our club impact is far beyond what I expected when I first became a Rotarian.

When I started out as club president, we reviewed our values in action and club goals. We established our strategic plan, and I am very happy to report we hit many goals as set, thanks to you as a club.

The First Arm of our strategic plan was to “Support and Strengthen the Club.” We fostered club innovation and flexibility with evening membership. We as a club encouraged a variety of service activities, involving everyone in our club with their passion of choice. We promoted membership diversity, improved membership recruitment and retention, and developed leadership.

The Second Arm was to “Focus and Increase Humanitarian Service.” Our club strives to eradicate polio. This year we increased sustainable program activities and focused on the support of youth and young leaders. We have increased collaboration and connection within our organization and club. We have created significant projects, both locally and internationally.

The Third Arm was to “Enhance Public Image and Awareness.” We have unified our club image and raised Rotary awareness. Two examples are the coverage we received on KRTV in the last week. We publicized action-oriented service, as well as enhancing vocational service. We encouraged club members to promote Rotary with networking events and socials. Finally, we have a unified, professional Rotary badge program that encourages us to wear our new badges proudly at the Harvest Howl and other events.

The Fourth Arm of our strategic plan was to “Establish Club Goals.” We set them and we met them! Our first goal was to increase membership to 110 members. At the end of this year, we have 114. Great job, Rotary Club of Great Falls! Our second goal was to increase service projects and participation. Our club completed a grand total of 20 service projects during this Rotary year. Our third goal was to reach at least $2,400 in Rotary Foundation giving. We raised $3,526 this year.

What I have learned during my Rotary year will be invaluable to me as a person and in my career. I recently used the 4-Way Test to open a speech I delivered to 4,000 people. This club has provided me so much in terms of learning how to handle difficult situations, I feel as if I have earned an honorary MBA! So please be inspired and continue our great work with our new club president, Cari Yturri.

Bye for now. Here’s hoping a new bridge is on our horizon.

Yours in Service,

Todd E. Neighbor

This Week in Rotary

Just a reminder that there will be no Rotary meetings next week. We'll meet again at noon on February 9, when Carol Kruger will address us on the Wendt Agency's 90 years of success. The next evening meeting will be July 11 at 5:30.

Welcome, Dr. Jennings!

Last week Dr. Charles (Chuck) Jennings gave his three-minute talk at our noon meeting and assumed full membership status.

Chuck grew up in Lexington, Kansas, and attended Carlton College. When he graduated, he went to the University of Kansas for med school, where he specialized in orthopedic surgery. Orthopedic surgery was originally just for children, generally children debilitated by cerebral palsy or polio, but during the course of his career the practice broadened to include all muscular/skeletal issues.

Attracted by Montana's wide open spaces, Chuck joined Dr. Bloemendahl and Dr. Tierney here in Great Falls to establish Great Falls Orthopedics Associates, a very successful and respected orthopedic practice for decades. He has been very active with the River's Edge Trail and indeed was one of its founders. He is also active in the Silver Crest Trails Association. Married to community activist Gerry Jennings for 52 years, he's equally active in her activities.

Chuck and Gerry have 4 children and 14 grandchildren. Both recently won the Paris Gibson Award, recognizing their extraordinary contributions to our community. We're lucky to have him as a member. Welcome, Chuck!

Thank You!

We have shiny, sleek, 21st-century badges now! Our thanks go out to Lara Tait, Chayleen Person and Beth McFadden for heading up the design and purchase project ... and to Past President Todd Neighbor for paying the tab! They're beautiful!

We are so lucky to have an active board. Beyond Past President Todd Neighbor, President Cari Yturri, President-Elect Lacey Gallagher, Secretary Carol Lindseth, and Treasurer Megan Connors, we have the unsung board members who do their jobs, often without acclaim. Kurt Baltrusch lines up our speakers every week. John Juras is taking over as Camp Rotary Liaison. Heather Palermo and Zach Swartz, both evening members, handle our press relations and website respectively. Joann Gogo has produced terrific results recruiting new members, Heidi Hockett engages us in community relations and Chayleen Person oversees our international and foundation accounts. Our gratitude to all of you!

Milestones

Lots of Rotary birthdays in the first two weeks of July! Best of birthday wishes to:

July 6 - Aaron Weissman
July 7 - Sydney Blair
July 8 - Jeff Albrecht
July 10 - Barb Mullens

Weekly Warmth for Independence Day

Oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above!

Don't fence me in!

Let me ride through the wide, open country that I love.

Don't fence me in!

Let me ride to the ridge where the West commences

And gaze at the moon until I lose my senses,

'Cause I can't live in hobbles and I can't stand fences!

Don't fence me in.

Raleigh Meade Photograph