Bountiful Interacters Feed the Hungry

From the November 12, 2012 issue of the Standard Examiner:

BOUNTIFUL — Every month, the Bountiful Community Food Pantry serves 600 to 700 families living between North Salt Lake and Farmington, and while that number is continually growing, food donations the pantry receives annually are decreasing.

In September, the pantry’s total food donations were 20,000 pounds less than in September 2011, said Lorna Koci, director of the food pantry.

In order to make up the difference, Bountiful High School’s Interact Club has recruited the efforts of students at the high school, as well as those from a dozen of their neighboring junior high and elementary schools.

“Every food drive is important, and Bountiful High’s food drive is one of those helping us fill in the gap,” Koci said.

After several weeks of food collection at each of the participating schools, Interact Club members picked up the food Friday and loaded it onto a semitrailer provided by the food pantry.

Steady snow did not deter the students, though some commented on how chilly it was while they sorted through the food to put in the right bins inside the truck.

“It was a little bit hard because it was really cold in the trailer. But the fact that we were helping out and that my friends were there made it worth it,” said senior Kaitlyn Tullis.

Tullis joined the club because she enjoys volunteer work and helping other people — the main goal of the Interact Club.

The most interesting food Tullis said she came across during the sorting was a can of pink salmon.
The most common items donated were cans of soup, she said.

Though senior Shannon Engberson, president of the Interact Club, was excited to see all of the food accruing, filling most of the 18-wheeler, it was not her main reason for doing the food drive.

“The food drive isn’t necessarily my motivation, but rather helping other people, so this is one way to achieve that,” she said.

Helping the students serve others is exactly why Bountiful High School teacher Jan Wray enjoys working as the club adviser.

 

“We’re making these students become lifelong lovers of service, and I love that I can help them love service as much as I do,” Wray said.

“I find kids who give service are more on top of everything because they seem to get their homework and assignments done on time and still work service around their schedule.”

For more information, contact Anne Lee Wiese at anne_lee73@hotmail.com.

Service in Action in Moab

Local BSA Troop #802 and five members of the Moab Rotary Club came together on Saturday, October 27 to help Drake Hackney complete requirements for his Eagle Scout badge. Moab Rotarians, including Tara Richardson (Moab Club President), Jared Shumway (past president), Steve Getz (Foundation Chair), Kate Cannon and Mike McCue worked alongside members of Drake’s troop and their leader Jimmy Hawks to build a gazebo at Moab Rotary Park.  This light weight metal, powder-coated black gazebo will be a wonderful addition to what is considered one of the best outside musical areas in the world!

Another outstanding example of Rotary service in action!

MURRAY ROTARY'S FALL SOCIAL OUTING

Murray Rotarian Wynn Tate shared his lovely cabin with fellow Rotarians the end of September.  His cabin is in Sterling just south of Manti, Utah.  The cabin over looks Gunnison Reservoir, although there wasn't much water in the reservoir this fall!!  The weekend began with those interested in playing golf at the Palasades Golf Course midday!  The course is known for the most scenic golf hole in the Friday night was a BBQ out on a bluff over looking the reservoir!  All on Wynn's property!!  Murray Rotarian Tyson Soffe and his family took one of Wynn's paddleboats for a spin on the reservoir that evening!

The views and scenery were amazing Saturday morning breakfast was served at Wynn's before heading out on the ATVs!  Dressing warmly was a must for those higher elevations!  More beautiful scenery

One ATV didn't quite make it through the mud . . . and needed a little help!  And that ATV had none other than our own District Governor Jerry Summerhays on it! He quickly manuvered his balance in keeping his camera safe from the mud! DG Jerry was quoted as saying "This made the trip!"

Saturday night was another delicious meal for the hungry ATVers at the Tate's home/cabin! Some departed for home after dinner and others stayed until Sunday! A very memorable trip.

Once again, Murray Rotary lived up to it's motto:  Fun with a Purpose!

MURRAY AND BOUNTIFUL ROTARY'S SERVICE PROJECT CONTINUES YEAR ROUND IN MEXICO

In August, a 15 passenger van was delivered to the Kings Kids Orphanage in Empalme, Mexico just in time before school started.  Prior to the van arriving, their bus hadn’t been repaired and the van they had was moments away from going to the junk yard!

We learned the orphanage needs two vans to operate.  Currently, they have 19 orphans, the house parents and their kids (which makes 16 more) so if everyone went to an event that would be transporting 35 people!  The orphanage only had one car seat and they have at least seven children who needed car seats.  Along with the van, Murray and Bountiful Clubs sent 7 car booster seats and 24 backpacks with school supplies inside the packs! 

Getting the van to Mexico was a joint effort with the Missions for Jesus International (MFJI) Team in Prescott, AZ.  Two team members drove up to SLC to take the van back to AZ.  Then Jenny and Jessy from the orphanage drove to Prescott to pick up the van!  What great team work of several organizations working together!!

We learned later the kids from the orphanage were thrilled to have their own car seats.  A counselor at the orphanage said she thought the kids would be squirming and complaining but in actuality it was like they had their own space!  Kids who live in group environments often feel like nothing is really theirs.  Something as simple as their own car seat makes them feel like they are an individual!  This small simple thing is HUGE in their development as individuals!  In September, the children were able to load up in the van in their “Mariachi” outfits and go to a school event, which is similar to our 4th of July!  Without the Murray and Bountiful Club’s support in the items they sent, the orphanage would not be able to afford their children to participate in these extra programs!

The Rotary District Foundation Committee awarded Murray Rotary $3200 towards the Empalme Rotary Club Project in Mexico.  The Murray and Bountiful Clubs are working together with the Empalme Rotary Club on a fire truck and ambulance for the tiny town in Mexico.  A Fire Truck was purchased in October at an auction for $5500.  Now we just need to equip it with hoses, axes and whatever else is needed on a fire truck!  Murray Rotarian Jim Charnholm is coordinating with local fire stations in town to find out what all is needed to equip the truck before sending it to Mexico.

To learn more about the Kings Kid Orphanage, visit their website at www.kingskidsorphanage.com and see the children in action!  Their everyday needs are so important and in these economic times of “leanness” they often suffer at the basic level!

Holladay Rotary Picks Punk Pop

Here's an exciting Vocational Service project story submitted by Sue Vanderhoof of Holladay Rotary Club:

Weilenmann School of Discovery in Salt Lake City has a program which invites 6^th, 7^th &  8^th graders to participate in an Entrepreneurial Business Venture by creating, marketing and selling handmade items at a school-sponsored “Market Day” held three times throughout the school year!  All prospective participants are required to submit an application and a business plan for review from which 15 student vendors are selected to “set up shop” and sell their products to the school community.   

When Holladay Rotary became aware of this program, members immediately recognized it as a wonderful vocational service opportunity for Rotarians to mentor young entrepreneurs.  Teresa Criscione, Market Day coordinator for the PTA, welcomed our involvement! 

Five Holladay Rotarians were involved with the first Market Day in September.  We met with each student vendor, evaluated their product for creativity, presentation, pricing & marketability, advertising & signage and asked each student questions about simple business concepts.  Overwhelmingly, we were impressed that at such a young age, these students had put so much thought into the development of their products and were so enthusiastic about answering our questions and learning from our input. It was a great experience and a great day! 

Rotary’s involvement in this program is still developing and we are excited to be able to share this vocational opportunity with the students at Weilenmann School of Discovery.          

Holladay Rotary’s choice and Weilenmann’s actual Entrepreneur of the Day was Punk Pop!   

 

RYLA: Lifechanging for Youth and Rotary Leaders

2012 RYLA Chairman Shelly Dansie (Cedar City Rotary Club) reports:  RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) was held this year September 19-22 at the beautiful Heber Valley Camp. We had around 130 participants and 40 staff attending the annual event. Rotary Clubs chose their participants from their local high schools. RYLA is open to sophomores and juniors. Many Rotary Clubs have functioning Interact Clubs and select the leadership from that club. RYLA is an unprecedented event in District 5420. It gives the students and the Team Leaders (Rotarians) an opportunity to have an experience of a lifetime. I recently received a thank you letter from one of the participants. He commented “RYLA was one of my most memorable and life changing experiences."
 

This year each of the clubs assisted with the transportation of the students. A big thank you to all who helped with this endeavor. This will help RYLA grow in the future. As the students arrived, the Alumni (past participants) involved the students in getting-to-know-you games and fun. On Thursday we had the opportunity to have several speakers. Jeff Dansie taught the students about how to listen for the principles they would be taught over the couple of days and how to incorporate them in their lives. Guest speaker, Sam Bracken, taught the students how to overcome difficulties and triumph. Larry Chatterton taught the students some amazing memory skills and communication skills.  Mike Wells (Youth Services Chairman) coordinated a cultural walk to help students understand even though they are each very unique, they also have many things in common. This is one of the most memorable events at RYLA. 

 

On Friday, we had the opportunity to listen to Amanda Dickson from KSL. She taught an impactful message about living in the moment and making the most of it. Our day was filled with team activities and several classes about Interact and Rotary. We taught the students how to start an Interact Club, conduct activities and retain their membership. RYLA is an important event for the students to get excited about Interact and making a difference in their community and the world.

 

Saturday, the final day concluded with the very popular speaker Chad Hymas. He gave us inspiration to make a difference in the world. Our days are long at RYLA, but on the final day no one wants to go home. 

 

As the 2012 RYLA Chairman, I am soliciting one member from each club to attend RYLA next year. We need your help in this important event and it will be an event you will cherish. RYLA 2013 will be held Sept. 11-14. We hope to see you there.

More Ideas on Membership from The Chairman

Jim Coleman, a longtime member of the Rotary Club of St. George and Past Governor of Rotary District 5420 (2000-01), has assumed responsibility for increasing membership to a net 150 in clubs throughout Utah.  The 2006 GSE Team Leader to India (District 3420) brings years of Rotary experience to this position, having served previously as a Club, District and Zone Membership Coordinator.

Jim has already established some goals in his new assignment.  For instance, the goal for the Saturday, November 3 District Membership Seminar @ Westminster is for 100% of Club Membership Chairs to attend. Presidents – please follow-up to ensure their attendance. 

Soon he will meet with the 10 southern Membership Chairs and communicate his goals and direction for growth with Assistant Governors throughout the district.

Growing Rotary clubs know membership attraction and retention requires constant and consistent attention at every meeting and between meetings.

Tips from a successful Utah Rotary club . . .September membership success tip: treat your new member as though she is your best new customer!

*  Be a ‘high touch relationship’ club. New members who build relationships quickly will want to stay. Introduce your new member to everyone and vice versa. Ask her to be the greeter for the next month.

*  Your new member wants to be ‘a part of’ your club. She wants to be an insider who understands what Rotary International is - as well as your history, the jokes, terminology and what is going on at the meeting and club level. Help her feel comfortable ASAP. Orient her within a week of her induction.

*  Reinforce the importance of attending every meeting. Make sure she sits with different members each week. Help her select a committee that interests her AND introduce her to the chair, so she can start participating immediately.

*  Presidents, check in with your new member and see how she is doing. If she misses a meeting, call her! Speak with her periodically – do not leave this to chance. If she knows you and your club care, she will keep coming back and be active.

Membership is job #1 and it is every member’s job. As a ‘high touch relationship’ club, you will have enduring success in attracting and retaining members.

In the meantime, are you working your plan?  Holding a prospective member meeting?  New member orientation?  Mentoring? Review what your club decided to do in your Planning Guide For Effective Clubs.