We'll see the changing of the guard next week at Rotary, as President Yturri hands the gavel to President-elect Connors. Cari is excited to celebrate, so join us at noon or on Zoom at the country club!
Last Week in Rotary
With about 20 people at the country club and another 5 or so on Zoom, we were treated to an excellent presentation on the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce by Executive Director Shane Etzweiler.
Like Rotary, the Chamber is dedicated to serving others, specifically to serving the interests of local businesses. Shane reminded us of how far we've come in just the past 3 years. Three years ago, West Bank landing was just getting started. The Great Falls Public Schools had just passed a $99 million bond, but all the news schools and school additions we see around us now had yet to be built. There were lots of empty spaces downtown. Even with the challenges brought on by COVID-19, we've built a lot in the past three years, and the Chamber has been in the lead, supporting growth.
The Chamber has been active in supporting our local schools because good schools attract good businesses and staff our future workforce. They supported the recent mill levy request as a board and promoted it in the community. Through their "Business Goes to School" program, Chamber members visit local schools and walk in the shoes of a school principal for a day so that they can share their observations with the community. The Chamber is also actively supporting schools through school appreciation events.
Other areas of emphasis for the Chamber are tourism and the airport. The Chamber is now conducting its second campaign to raise "incentive funding" to expand air service in Great Falls. They were hoping to help provide a conference for airlines here in Great Falls in the fall, but with the pandemic issues, that has been postponed for a year.
Meanwhile, through an active board and an engaged membership, their committees advocate for businesses, especially with regard to COVID-19 impacts; develop leaders in the community and in the high schools; support agriculture as a key component of the Great Falls Economy; promote an expanded and updated presence of Malmstrom in the community; and in a new endeavor, draw attention to the nonprofit sector that is also such a vital sector in our local economy. This year, in spite of the COVID-19 closures, the Chamber's Non-profit Alliance was able to raise over $40,000 in charitable giving during their second annual "Give Great Falls" campaign.
Shane is a go-getter who keeps an audience riveted to his message. Great Falls - and the Great Falls Chamber - is lucky to have him!
Service above Self Opportunities
This Wednesday, July 1, at 5:30 p.m. the RYLA Committee will be hosting a hot dog dinner for this year's RYLA selectees and their families. RYLA had to be canceled this year, but the same group should be eligible to attend next year. In the meantime, we want to recognize them and keep them engaged. Join us, if you can, on the back patio at the country club.
This Thursday, July 2, at 2 p.m. Beth McFadden will once again be coordinating food distribution for families in need at Whittier School. There are some boxes of food already there, but if you can donate packed food items such as pasta, tortillas, jelly, beans, and other non-perishable food, that would be great! Also, bring boxes!
Sometime soon we must do the Camp Rotary Clean-up before this summer's campers. Please visit
Friday, July 17, is the golf tournament to raise funds for Leadership High School. Anybody interested in forming a foursome? If so, contact Art Taft.
Farewall to a Phe-Nom
Gina Carey once said, “A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.” She must have known Cari Yturri.
The year of Cari’s presidency has been a year of unparalleled challenges. First, the unsafe bridge to Camp Rotary imperiled the work that defines Rotary Club of Great Falls, the work that sets us apart. Second, mere days before Harvest Howl, not one, but both bands fell through. Then, for most of the final three months of her presidency, COVID-19 fell like a blight across the land, making it unwise to gather in person to meet.
Cari Yturri looked these challenges in the eye and gave them a wink. She reached out for support, and because we all know that whatever you give to Cari you will get back tenfold, she got it. Cari’s leadership team and the club at large stepped up, met each challenge head-on, and rose to new heights. Harvest Howl was fantastic. The bridge is getting shored up next fall. And in the past months we’ve had some of the most engaging meetings ever on Zoom.
No matter what obstacle fell across our path, with Cari’s unflappable serenity, ability to mobilize, and attention to detail, we linked arms and found another way. Cari’s presidency will probably be remembered for “the three challenges.” But what I will remember are the three gifts I saw her unveil as our leader. First, she truly appreciates every member of this club and her appreciation is contagious. When you’re seeing someone through Cari’s eyes, you’re discovering someone beautiful. Second, she will do whatever has to be done to reach the standard of performance she thinks the club expects. No task is big or too small for Cari, and big or small, it will be done on time and with quality. Perhaps most impressive, though, has been the time she has carved out for each of us and for all of us.
Committee meetings and board meetings and evening meetings and Zoom meetings. The phone calls. The documents. The projects. The emails. And still, with all of that, in the year of the three challenges, she took the time during the pandemic shut-down to call virtually every member of the club “just to check in,” making sure none of us was isolated or in need of a friendly voice.
Phenomenal woman. Phenomenal President. Thank you, Cari, for a phenomenal year.
Your eBulletin Editor
Milestones
With all the bylaws ink last week, we neglected a birthday celebration, so we'll close out June with a nod to last week's celebrator as well as this week's. Happy birthday last Monday to Bob Norbie, whose service above self has been extraordinary ... just as extraordinary as this week's honoree, Sheila Rice. She turns 29 tomorrow. Or so it seems. What a pair to draw to !
