A Visit from District Governor Mark Finnicum
Posted by Adele Gibbs
Minutes of the Missoula Sunrise Rotary Meeting September 9, 2009.
District Governor Mark Finnicum joined us today as we celebrated our fellowship and spirit of service through Rotary. Our meeting began with Brett Felton leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Marshall Delano offered another beautiful invocation, by reading from Oglala Sioux Black Elk on the importance of the earth and the sun.
President Susan Hay Cramer introduced special guests District Governor Mark Finnicum, District Governor Elect Dave Kinsey (of the Missoula Noon Club) and Noon Club President Dan Smith. Sergeant at Arms David Bardwick introduced guests Annie Meyer, Deirdre Flaherty (Darko Butorac), Jennifer Ewan (Paul Williamson), Kjerstin Gurda and Agustina Hatem (Lisa McFarlane), and Leslie Wells, wife of John Wells who was inducted into membership at the meeting.David dispensed his usual dose of good humor, first by pointing out that Al Jensen was wearing Adele Gibbs' badge. David then offered the musing: "Do you ever think the gene pool could use a good dose of chlorine?" He then said there is the oft-heard line, "I have a degree in Liberal Arts, do you want fries with that?" Ba-dum-bum!Susan Cramer reminded all that the "soap box" is available for travel size toiletries that we all may collect in our travels. The items are given to the Pov and are much appreciated. Keep it in mind when you're on the road!Susan announced that the next highway cleanup is September 26th. Many have signed up (THANKS!) and the signup sheet was again circulated. Susan also announced that the Who's Who Revue talent committee was meeting following the regular meeting.Dan Smith, Noon Club President, then announced that all three Missoula clubs will be joining together to celebrate and support the Montana Repertory Theatre's program in February. Greg Johnson let out a big, "Yay!"Speaking of the Montana Repertory Theatre, Chris Warden then announced that we have sold $6,500 in sponsorships for the Who's Who Revue, our fundraiser which jointly benefits the Rep. Chris said we are halfway there with sponsorships and thanked all who have helped and encouraged all to continue to seek sponsorships, large and small. Tickets to the event should be available in about two weeks.Mary Windecker provided the Rotary Minute, reading about the first-ever all-wheelchair GSE team in 2009 between Arizona and Australia. It was a fantastic story, and Mary said a good reminder that as we think about membership growth we should think about non-traditional members. Mary also announced the membership social on September 16th at Finn & Porter from 5:30 to 7:30. All current and potential members are encouraged to attend!Jim Clark announced that the next dictionary project is starting to gear up. Signups will be available at next week's meeting.COOKIES: Those receiving cookies from Susan this week: (Well, in fact, it was an IOU for cookies as the cookies forgot to come to the meeting.) David Bardwick, celebrating his 15th wedding anniversary this week; Rusty Lockner, celebrating a wedding anniversary and 5 years as a Sunrise Rotarian this week; Dave Kinsey, celebrating a birthday this week; John Wells, on becoming a new member at today's meeting; Bill St. John, who will have a tonsillectomy this week (keep Bill in your thoughts!); and District Governor Mark Finnicum.We then inducted our newest member, John Wells. John thanked the club for the welcome, and shared that his son has been a RYLA camper and counselor. John said Sunrise Rotary has great programs and he's looking forward to the work we'll be doing. Welcome, John!Susan Cramer then introduced our District Governor, Mark Finnicum. Mark was raised in Lewistown, is an Air Force veteran, and is now a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones in Great Falls. He and his wife Jacque (who is an accomplished pottery artist) have two children. Mark joined the Great Falls Rotary Club in 2001.Mark first presented Susan and the club with the RI theme banner for this year and told us he believes that at Missoula Sunrise he's very comfortable that the future of Rotary is in our hands. DG Mark told us that one of RI President Kenny's charges is that we need to grow Rotary. He said by inducting John Wells today and having others joining soon we are doing great. He also said we are a fun club that has fun, and that helps to attract new members. Mark said we need to grow our club by adding new members and asking each existing member to do more (time, talent and treasure). He stressed the importance of contributions to the Rotary Foundation, and having our club be 100% Sustaining Paul Harris ($100 per member per year).Mark said our District is doing very well and is on track with leadership and finances. He asked that we consider giving more time to the District, by offering service on the District Membership or Youth Exchange Committees. He said that the RI Foundation last year ran out of money to fund grants, but those projects which had been approved and not funded are now at the top of the list. Mark said he was excited that he signed a DSG grant application just this morning at our club!Turning to Polio Plus, Mark reminded us of the Gate Challenge and the work that Rotary has done in eradicating polio. He said that Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nigeria remain countries where polio is present. He said there are three types of polio, with a vaccine available for Types 1 and 3, and Type 2 eradicated worldwide. Mark said he hopes our current fundraising efforts will be our last for polio! Mark encouraged us to watch for advertising coming out in late October, kicking off a fundraising campaign targeted at the general public for the eradication effort. Mark said that there are 5 million people in the world who don't have polio because of Rotary!Asked about the vitality of clubs in the state, Mark answered that there may be a third club coming to Bozeman, and perhaps a new club in West Yellowstone, but growing Rotary in Montana is more about growing each existing club. He also said there are a couple of clubs in the state "on the ropes" that are shrinking and aging.Mark closed by telling us that we are having fun and are being good stewards of Rotary.Susan Cramer thanked Mark for visiting us today, and for his terrific service to the District. We then closed the meeting with a recitation of the Four-Way Test and a reminder from Susan that the future of Rotary is in our hands.
President Susan Hay Cramer introduced special guests District Governor Mark Finnicum, District Governor Elect Dave Kinsey (of the Missoula Noon Club) and Noon Club President Dan Smith. Sergeant at Arms David Bardwick introduced guests Annie Meyer, Deirdre Flaherty (Darko Butorac), Jennifer Ewan (Paul Williamson), Kjerstin Gurda and Agustina Hatem (Lisa McFarlane), and Leslie Wells, wife of John Wells who was inducted into membership at the meeting.David dispensed his usual dose of good humor, first by pointing out that Al Jensen was wearing Adele Gibbs' badge. David then offered the musing: "Do you ever think the gene pool could use a good dose of chlorine?" He then said there is the oft-heard line, "I have a degree in Liberal Arts, do you want fries with that?" Ba-dum-bum!Susan Cramer reminded all that the "soap box" is available for travel size toiletries that we all may collect in our travels. The items are given to the Pov and are much appreciated. Keep it in mind when you're on the road!Susan announced that the next highway cleanup is September 26th. Many have signed up (THANKS!) and the signup sheet was again circulated. Susan also announced that the Who's Who Revue talent committee was meeting following the regular meeting.Dan Smith, Noon Club President, then announced that all three Missoula clubs will be joining together to celebrate and support the Montana Repertory Theatre's program in February. Greg Johnson let out a big, "Yay!"Speaking of the Montana Repertory Theatre, Chris Warden then announced that we have sold $6,500 in sponsorships for the Who's Who Revue, our fundraiser which jointly benefits the Rep. Chris said we are halfway there with sponsorships and thanked all who have helped and encouraged all to continue to seek sponsorships, large and small. Tickets to the event should be available in about two weeks.Mary Windecker provided the Rotary Minute, reading about the first-ever all-wheelchair GSE team in 2009 between Arizona and Australia. It was a fantastic story, and Mary said a good reminder that as we think about membership growth we should think about non-traditional members. Mary also announced the membership social on September 16th at Finn & Porter from 5:30 to 7:30. All current and potential members are encouraged to attend!Jim Clark announced that the next dictionary project is starting to gear up. Signups will be available at next week's meeting.COOKIES: Those receiving cookies from Susan this week: (Well, in fact, it was an IOU for cookies as the cookies forgot to come to the meeting.) David Bardwick, celebrating his 15th wedding anniversary this week; Rusty Lockner, celebrating a wedding anniversary and 5 years as a Sunrise Rotarian this week; Dave Kinsey, celebrating a birthday this week; John Wells, on becoming a new member at today's meeting; Bill St. John, who will have a tonsillectomy this week (keep Bill in your thoughts!); and District Governor Mark Finnicum.We then inducted our newest member, John Wells. John thanked the club for the welcome, and shared that his son has been a RYLA camper and counselor. John said Sunrise Rotary has great programs and he's looking forward to the work we'll be doing. Welcome, John!Susan Cramer then introduced our District Governor, Mark Finnicum. Mark was raised in Lewistown, is an Air Force veteran, and is now a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones in Great Falls. He and his wife Jacque (who is an accomplished pottery artist) have two children. Mark joined the Great Falls Rotary Club in 2001.Mark first presented Susan and the club with the RI theme banner for this year and told us he believes that at Missoula Sunrise he's very comfortable that the future of Rotary is in our hands. DG Mark told us that one of RI President Kenny's charges is that we need to grow Rotary. He said by inducting John Wells today and having others joining soon we are doing great. He also said we are a fun club that has fun, and that helps to attract new members. Mark said we need to grow our club by adding new members and asking each existing member to do more (time, talent and treasure). He stressed the importance of contributions to the Rotary Foundation, and having our club be 100% Sustaining Paul Harris ($100 per member per year).Mark said our District is doing very well and is on track with leadership and finances. He asked that we consider giving more time to the District, by offering service on the District Membership or Youth Exchange Committees. He said that the RI Foundation last year ran out of money to fund grants, but those projects which had been approved and not funded are now at the top of the list. Mark said he was excited that he signed a DSG grant application just this morning at our club!Turning to Polio Plus, Mark reminded us of the Gate Challenge and the work that Rotary has done in eradicating polio. He said that Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Nigeria remain countries where polio is present. He said there are three types of polio, with a vaccine available for Types 1 and 3, and Type 2 eradicated worldwide. Mark said he hopes our current fundraising efforts will be our last for polio! Mark encouraged us to watch for advertising coming out in late October, kicking off a fundraising campaign targeted at the general public for the eradication effort. Mark said that there are 5 million people in the world who don't have polio because of Rotary!Asked about the vitality of clubs in the state, Mark answered that there may be a third club coming to Bozeman, and perhaps a new club in West Yellowstone, but growing Rotary in Montana is more about growing each existing club. He also said there are a couple of clubs in the state "on the ropes" that are shrinking and aging.Mark closed by telling us that we are having fun and are being good stewards of Rotary.Susan Cramer thanked Mark for visiting us today, and for his terrific service to the District. We then closed the meeting with a recitation of the Four-Way Test and a reminder from Susan that the future of Rotary is in our hands.