Program
Hal Leland gave his classification talk and a historical review of the past 40 years of Fergus Falls Noon Rotary.
Hal & his wife of 62 1/2 years, Donna Mae, moved to Fergus Falls in the fall of 1963. They came from Buffalo, ND where Hal had been teaching music, science and social studies in addition to driving half a bus route. During his time in Buffalo, Hal received a grant from the US Government to attend the Guidance Counselor program at UND. These grants were made available after the Russians launched Sputnik and the US felt it needed to catch up better math, science and technology classes for students and with better school guidance counselors to direct kids into needed careers.
Upon his graduation from UND, Fergus Falls senior high school was advertising for a guidance counselor. He applied and received the job. He served 5 years at the senior high, adding Assistant Principal to his title the last two years there. In 1968, Wes Waage, who was President at the Community College and also a Rotarian, asked Hal to join the Community College staff.
Hal noted here that all three of his children and his wife received education in Fergus Falls: Lonnie Jacobson went on to become a teacher & is retiring now from the Fergus Falls School district; Hal Leland Jr. became a doctor and practiced in Brainerd until his retirement, and Kirsten Newman became a nurse and has served in the psychiatric unit at Lake Region Healthcare for over 20 years. Donna Mae received her nursing training in Fergus Falls and worked as an orthopedic nurse and later a public health nurse.
In 1969, sponsored by Bob Olson, Hal became a member of the Fergus Falls Noon Rotary Club. The Olson's were great family friends. The children played & grew up together and the families camped and socialized together often.
Hal served at the Noon Rotary President in 1976-77. He listed the many, many projects and committees of the club and noted there was a roster of 77 members at the time. One of his main goals during his Presidency was to introduce 15 new members and the club was successful in achieving this goal. Hal suggested we try a similar goal for our 100th year.
In 1987, the Supreme Court decision to allow women to join Rotary was a positive change in Hal's opinion. He says Rotary has been blessed by its women members and they have revitalized Rotary's efforts in community service.
In 1991, the Noon Rotary club helped establish the Fergus Falls Sunrise Rotary Club. Hal said the joint projects between the two clubs have been excellent and should continue.
The 75 Years of Noon Rotary newspaper insert was at each table at today's meeting with enough copies for each member to take one home. It was published in April of 1996 and Hal reviewed several of the historical highlights of the club as outlined in the publication.
He concluded by reading from Bob Russell's closing comments in the article highlighting his year as District Governor in 1994-95. It is a quote from Rotary Internal President at the time, Bill Huntley: "Rotary declines when its service declines. Rotary becomes uncaring when Rotarians cease to care. Rotary loses all life and meaning when we Rotarians only see ourselves ; only think of ourselves; and only care for ourselves. So let us all give. Giver our understanding. give our talents. Give ourselves. To all those who wait. To all those who expect. To all those who need."
Hal thanked President Lori, the board and all member for a fine Rotary year.
We all owe a debt of thanks to Hal for 40 years of leading by example what Service Above Self looks like and what it means to live by Rotary's ideals. Thank you, Hal, for being the inspiration.
