Minutes of the Missoula Sunrise Rotary Meeting December 3, 2008.
 
With Christmas fast approaching, we started our meeting by thanking the wonderful staff at the Blue Canyon for all their help over the past year, and provided a small (monetary) gift as a token of our appreciation.  The staff is always available to us and provides a wonderful meal each Wednesday morning.
 
Sergeant at Arms David Bardwick greeted us and introduced several guests:  former Sunrise Rotarian Ruthmary Lovitt back for a visit; Lou Bahin (guest of Bobby Clay); Mandy Moore (guest of Derek Smith); Nick Taber (guest of Mark O'Neill); Kelly Durbin (guest of Darren Bayer) and Mark Springer (guest of David Bardwick). 
 
In a follow up to a recent wheel spin David Bardwick had Gordie Campbell pay $5 in "hush money" but also awarded him a set of tickets to this weekend's symphony, courtesy of Darko Butorac.  Because Gene Sterbis is leaving on Monday for the warm California weather (see you in April, Gene!) David had him spin the wheel --- and Gene paid $2 as he's a "good Rotarian."  Darko also had a pair of symphony tickets for Gene, though Gene already had tickets.  Because Mark O'Neill had the next birthday (December 8th-Happy Birthday, Mark!) he received that pair of tickets.  Speaking of the symphony, this weekend's concerts promise to be spectacular.  Darko announced that the "Holiday Pops" concerts will feature soprano Teri Hansen in a jazz/big band and holiday program.  Don't miss it!
 
Chris Warden reminded us that the meetings for the next two weeks will be "next door" at the Hilton rather than at the Blue Canyon.  Chris also thanked Rusty for filling in as Sergeant at Arms last week.
 
Chris also announced that the next Orientation session is Thursday, December 4th at 5:15 pm at Washington Corporations.  All are invited and attendance by Red Badge members is required.
 
Ellie Hill told us about the two "Poverello Kids" she has added to the Christmas wish list envelope and encouraged us to help provide their Christmas wishes.  These "kids" include Jose, a 44-year old Cuban refugee and his 7-year-old son, Michael.  Please help!  Ellie also reminded us to please collect travel-size toiletries and provide them to the Pov.
 
Self-accompanied by a toot of the train whistle, David Bardwick announced a meeting of the Money Train committee to be held Wednesday at 4pm at Washington Corporations.  Jeanine Nguyen has tickets to the Money Train, and we were reminded that the event will be Saturday, February 7th.  Tickets are $125 and if interested please get in touch with Jeanine.
 
Jeanine Nguyen also announced that Julianna from Brazil will need a new host family home from the end of January to the end of the school year.  Please consider being a host!
 
Susan Cramer had stork news:  Both Kim Anderson and Kelly Katz are expecting!  Congratulations to both Kim and Kelly!
 
Chris Warden announced that Julie McFarland has agreed to serve as Public Relations Chair/Director and will serve out the remainder of the current term.  Thank you, Julie!
 
Susan Anderson announced that the Sustainable Business Council is helping to sponsor the Environmental Film Festival, Thursday, December 4th from 6-9pm at the Wilma.  Tickets are $11 and include a wine and cheese reception.  If you would like tickets, or would consider purchasing tickets for the Youth Homes, please contact Susan!
 
Bob Brown announced that volunteers are needed to judge the Garden City Speech and Debate Tournament to be held December 12th and 13th.  No experience is necessary-please help!  Bob had forms available at the meeting, and you may also contact Libby Brunell Oliver at lmoliver@mcps.k12.mt.us or 360-5295.
 
Bob also announced that a free screening of the film I.O.U.S.A. will be held Friday, December 7th at the Wilma at 7pm.  This sobering look at our nation's economic status and national debit features former US Comptroller General and others. 
 
Paul Williamson reminded us that the Baskets of Plenty are now available and we need to sell 100.  Paul again circulated a list of local businesses which might be good contacts for sales of Baskets of Plenty.  Members were again asked to note any business that they will contact.  Chris Warden encouraged members to purchase a basket, remembering that the proceeds are to fund our activities with local community youth!
 
Chris Warden announced that Rusty Locker and Carol Williams will serve as non-voting members on the Nominations Committee, which per our bylaws includes four board members.  This year those members are Chris Warden, Susan Cramer, Arnie Didier and Anne Guest.  Chris said that by December 21st the committee will email the nominations out to the club and on January 21st we will hold our club assembly (as our regular meeting).  Nominations will be taken through that January 21st meeting.  If you are interested, please contact one of the members of the Nominations Committee.  Chris asked Marshall Delano, as a past President, to share his thoughts on club leadership.  Marshall said that our club needs effective members, and to have a balanced and enthusiastic membership we need high quality leadership.  Marshall said he got a real sense of Rotary when serving in club leadership.  Please consider stepping up. 
 
Kelly Katz announced that many "wish lists" for the Youth Homes children and some children at the Poverello are still available.  An envelope was circulated and members chose the tags with the wishes they'd like to fulfill.  There is also a master list/sign up sheet-if you have taken a gift tag, please be sure to note so on this sheet! 
 
Chris Warden reminded us of the following upcoming dates/meetings:  12/10 at the Hilton (choral program) and 12/17 at the Hilton (Santa/Youth Homes Christmas Party).  We will not have regular meetings on 12/24 and 12/31.  Our holiday social will be held Tuesday, December 30th at Cynthia Bryan's home.  Directions to Cynthia's will be sent out to members via email and available at the next couple of meetings.
 
We then welcomed our speaker, Wayne Tinkle.  Wayne has been Head Coach of the UM Grizzly Men's Basketball team since 2006 following five years as assistant under three different head coaches.  His record was 31-31 in his first two years, and following Tuesday evening's win over North Dakota his team is 3-4 so far this year.  They've played a challenging schedule, including a trip to undefeated Duke.
 
Wayne was a standout forward for the Griz from 1985-89, and a three-time All-Big Sky conference pick for three years.  He is ranked fourth in career rebounds and sixth in career points at UM.  Wayne played professionally in the US at overseas for twelve years before returning to Montana.  Wayne and his wife Lisa (former Lady Griz star Lisa McLeod) have three children:  Joslyn, a senior at Big Sky who recently signed to play basketball for Stanford, and Ellie and Tres.
 
Wayne first thanked us for welcoming him, and said our fine work doesn't go unnoticed.  He said his team is willing to help out with our work when necessary!
 
Wayne said he was born in Milwaukee and raised in the Midwest (with ten older brothers and sisters).  His father, Wayne, was dean of students at Marquette, then Loyola of Chicago and later Gonzaga.  Wayne explained that his father was raised in a difficult situation:  both parents were alcoholics and he had to quit school in the 10th grade.  His father served as an excellent role model to Wayne, teaching him the importance of a strong work ethic, strong faith, and surrounding himself with good people. 
 
Wayne said that while his win/loss record has "not been great" the past two years, he stressed that being a coach and having an impact on kids 18-22 years old is of paramount importance.  He and his staff focus on keeping the student athletes doing well in class and being involved in the community.  Last year his team had the highest team GPA (3.05) in several years, and was one of the top ten schools in the country.  He and his staff work to recruit "a different kind of kid" though they realize their jobs are essentially 18-22 year-olds running up and down the court with their paychecks.
 
Wayne said that his team has had a challenging schedule this year, including the game at Duke, and feels the kids represented UM well.  He said he believes with recruiting they've set a good foundation on which to build and balance the classes, to avoid ups and downs.  Wayne said it is a "win at all costs job" yet he feels confident in his players and team.
 
The Griz will be hosting the inaugural Karl Tyler Chevrolet Grizzly Basketball Classic this Thursday through Sunday.  It will be a round robin tournament, with the Griz facing Denver on Thursday night, Denver vs. Texas Arlington on Friday night and the Griz vs. Texas Arlington on Saturday night.  Wayne said we are all very happy to have a strong and successful football program, but he and his team really want people to embrace and support basketball as well!
 
Wayne concluded by saying there is one key message he likes to focus on when speaking to groups.  And, when he heard recently the story of a local 12-year-old boy who attempted to hang himself because he was being bullied at school, the message seems even more important.  That message is that we need to act and conduct ourselves as teammates-that we are all on the same team.  Wayne said that everything today seems to be built on success, but that we need to work toward success without compromise in other areas.  He feels it is important not to lose sight of what is important and that our overall contribution in life is key. 
 
Rusty Babington asked Wayne just how did the Griz get a game set up with Duke?  Wayne said that Duke called last spring and said they had three teams in mind for a game, and UM expressed interest.  Duke later called to say they'd selected the Griz.  Wayne said that call came just three days after grades/GPAs were announced, and in addition to a great opportunity, the trip and game were a reward to the players and the program.
 
Jim Clark said that as a regular blood donor through the Red Cross, he is always so pleased to see Griz players involved in blood drives and throughout the community.  Wayne said that Walt Muralt (former Griz football player) does a great job with his blood drive and most players participate.  He said a few kids pass out and some just can't participate, but it's something the team is happy to do.
 
Susan Cramer asked Wayne how his daughter, Joslyn, selected Stanford.  Wayne said it was an emotional couple of weeks.  He and Lisa somewhat selfishly would have loved her to play at home so they could see her often and watch her play.  Yet, he said they did not pressure her and encouraged her to be diligent, take her time and not to panic into making a hasty decision.  He said that Joslyn based her decision on where she felt she had the best opportunity to succeed both academically and athletically.  He also said that it was a tough decision for her, in that she's been so close to the Lady Griz program and Coach Selvig all her life.  Given that he and Lisa both played here, Wayne believes she also wants to create her own identity.
 
Wayne's words were timely and important - thanks to the Programs Committee for bringing him to us!
 
As is our tradition, we closed the meeting with a recitation of the Four Way Test.