It is critical that the Rotary Foundation board meet as soon as possible. To that end, there will be an emergency meeting of the board of the Great Falls Rotary Foundation immediately following the regular noon meeting on Tuesday, July 30, at the country club. Any other interested Rotarians are also welcome to attend.
Last Week at Rotary
Both the noon and evening meetings last week featured Lacey Gallagher and Teddy Nault, who gave us a taste of some of the wonderful things that the City/County Health Department provides in Great Falls and Cascade County. Penny Paul joined them at the noon meeting to tell us about worksite wellness.
Lacey oversees disease prevention, so she is constantly educating about disease, from cancer to communicable diseases, STDs and AIDS prevention. She reminded the club of the importance of immunizations and the convenience of the drive-thru flu shots in the fall.
Teddy heads up the CCHD's tobacco use prevention program, funded through a settlement to a lawsuit filed against big tobacco by 46 state attorneys general. The primary focus of his remarks was on vaping. He distributed about 8 different types of vaping tools among the tables and described how each one is used. At the noon meeting, he made a point of thanking Tom Jacobson, the only legislator-Rotarian present at noon, for enacting legislation to make vaping illegal for children under the age of 18.
Penny talked to us about worksite wellness. She pointed out that wellness is more than exercise and nutrition and she tries to help workplaces implement wellness programs that are holistic. These programs focus not just on health, but on workers' feeling safe, connected, resilient, and engaged in meaningful work and lives with opportunities for growth. CCHD is part of the Wellness Council of America, created 25 years ago in Omaha, and she describes their resources as excellent.
This Week in Rotary
Peter Phillippi, Store Leader at Scheels, will be our featured presenter this week, speaking on the theme of "A Community of Giving." Peter is serving as campaign chair for United Way of Cascade County this year as a way to show his gratitude for the opportunities provided to him by the people of Great Falls. Peter is a fantastic addition to our community, as is the business he helps lead, so we're in for a treat!
There is no evening meeting this week BUT we will have our end-of-the-month social on Wednesday, July 31, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Celtic Cowboy. It's Whiskey Wednesday, but wine, beer, and lemonade drinkers are welcome as well!
What a Difference a Year Makes
In this week's e-bulletin a year ago, we published our first invitation for new members or existing members to take advantage of a new option for participating in Rotary Club of Great Falls - the evening option.
The invitation followed months of discussion on the board and a formal presentation and subsequent vote at our noon meeting. The evening proposal provided a more affordable and possibly more convenient option for people to engage in a club with over a century of remarkable work prompted by a commitment to service above self.
Last week, these attendees at the evening meeting - except for President Cari Yturri all new members of the club - were kind enough to pose for what we hope will be an annual photograph. In the back row, from left, they are Leon Green III, Katelyn Farrington, Trish Foss, and President Yturri. In the front, from left, are Heather Palermo, Troy Hallsell, and Zach Swartz.
Wonderful new members adding a wonderful new dimension to Rotary Club of Great Falls!
This and That
Don't forget: We're celebrating our end-of-the-month social on Whiskey Wednesday this week at the Celtic Cowboy. See you there!
New board member Chayleen Person turns 26 [you can thank me later, Chayleen] on Friday, Aug. 2. Nothing but good times ahead, Chayleen!
Susan Wolff could still use some volunteers to help out the Phillipsburg Rotary Club with their annual fundraising concert on August 17. The music is always great, the crowd lively, and the cause good. If you can help, contact Susan soon.
The International Peace Park Assembly will be September 13-15 in Waterton. It's a lovely time to be in a lovely place and learn more about making this a more harmonious world. Registrations are now open.
Have you reserved your Harvest Howl table yet? With Smashmouth as the headliner, tables will sell out for sure!
Weekly Warmth: Poetic Justice
“Are you two gambling today?” the 50-50 ticket hawker asked Rotarians David Cameron and Bob Holter as they checked in for the noon meeting last week.
“I think so,” Mr. Cameron responded, searching his pockets for cash.
Judge Holter plunked down $2 and told his companion, “I’ve got you covered. I owe you a dollar anyway.” Judge Holter had borrowed a dollar from David at a recent meeting for a "happy moment" urging Rotarians to purchase a "Rotary tree" for a NeighborWorks house.
“What about the interest?” Cameron kidded him. Both laughing, they pocketed their tickets and headed for the chow line.
The meeting commenced, the presentation was made, and the time came for the 50-50 drawing. Whose ticket should be drawn but David Cameron’s! Ticket sales had been brisk that day, but with a big winner last month, the new deck was missing only 6 cards. Chances were slim that Cameron would draw the 5 of clubs.
Draw it he did! Before Judge Holter could make a lawyerly case for his share of the winnings, Cameron stole his thunder. “I’ll donate the $41 to the Rotary tree fund,” he announced. Perfect. Sometimes good luck ricochets.
Both the noon and evening meetings last week featured Lacey Gallagher and Teddy Nault, who gave us a taste of some of the wonderful things that the City/County Health Department provides in Great Falls and Cascade County. Penny Paul joined them at the noon meeting to tell us about worksite wellness.
