Heart of Rotary Awards
Last Wednesday Rotarians were greeted with a warm welcome to the Rotary Club of Missoula’s “Walk of Fame” gallery. A series of 10 + posters highlighted all the Rotarians who served and contributed to the success of the Rotary year 2013-14. It was the opening of a great day which demonstrated The Heart of Rotary, it’s members. Board members recounted personal examples of Rotary moments and personal recognition of various Rotarians which further emphasized our Rotary family and spirit. President Lauretta shared ‘a little’ of the many accomplishments of the club this year. Thirty- six Paul Harris Fellows were awarded during the year. The Rotary Youth Exchange Program was successfully launched with 2 outgoing students to Taiwan and Equador and 2 incoming students arriving early August. Three students will be attending Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) this summer, every 3rd grader in the Missoula County Public School District received dictionaries and every month middle school students throughout the district were given an award for demonstrating good character. The success of the GRIZ/CAT END POLIO NOW challenge was unprecedented. There were many other areas of progress and success highlighted throughout the day. Rotarians came to know during the day that when a several little accomplishments were added together the Rotary Club of Missoula accomplished a lot and that became evident when President Lauretta shared the overall club giving in 2013-2014 was $87,733.82. (Paul Harris Fellows, END POLIO NOW campaign with Gates Foundation Match, Rotary International Foundations annual fund, Missoula Rotary Foundation and the Community Giving Grant). They day included an outstanding music performance by Soprano Lisa Corrigan accompanied by Dan Smith. The day wouldn’t be complete however without the special recognition of a few. Mr. Conor Smith for his support as Past President and Advisor, Leslie Wustrack for her outstanding support in PR/Media and her whole heart contribution to the END POLIO NOW campaign and Mr. Bob Minto as supporter, advisor, and lead cheerleader in the END POLIO Campaign. “An idea develops into reality only when someone ignites the fire.” There were five “The Heart of Rotary Awards” presented for the 2013-2014 Rotary year. Each of them was a representation depicting the quality and character of those who represent the Heart of a Rotarian committed to Service above Self in its truest form.
1) The Heart of Rotary-“How can I help?” Award Kurt Ingold
To be a successful Rotary Club, it is essential that members answer “yes,” when asked to pitch in. There is one Rotarian in particular who cheerfully, consistently and uniformly answers not only, “Yes,” but also asks, “How can I help make this happen?” “What can I do?” “What do you need most?” Then he listens, before he moves, in a most spritely manner with an engaging smile, to follow-through with requests. He serves our Foundation. He secures inspirational messages. He plays ragtime piano. He steps in. He steps up. He steps to. And it is one Giant Step that Kurt Ingold chooses. Assuming leadership, he encourages the rest of us to follow without ever having to ask, “Captain, May I?”
2) The Heart of Rotary “Here I am, send me.” Award Martha Ripley
Service is something that many will be happy to do providing it fits into the framework of their own schedule. There are others who seem to recognize that sometimes you have to step outside of yourself and give anyway. And then there are those who’s heart to serve is built into the fiber of their being. The one seeking help barely gets the words on their tongue when they hear “Here am I send me”without question and without hesitance. Our next award goes to an individual who as served our Club since 2002. They have focused on serving our youth in just about every category. They oversee the Rotaract Club, Serve on the YE Committee, served on RYLA. This person took on ClubRunner when no one knew how to work with it and then helped to teach others. She always makes herself available to fill in wherever there is a need and always with an attitude of whatever you need, let me know. She has the true spirit of Service Above Self. The Heart of Rotary “Here I am send me” Award goes to Martha Ripley.
3) The Heart of Rotary “serving with vision and purpose” Award- Dolores Bandow
There is always that one individual that demonstrates a quality that is recognizable from a distance. One who most always sees a situation at a higher level, a greater impact and who aspires to incorporate that degree of vision in whatever area of responsibility they assume. Their ideas take on a life of their own. They have the ability to see beyond and bring others along. This vision was demonstrated in the board room, in the meeting room and during our END POLIO NOW campaign. I am truly happy to present The Heart of Rotary “serving with vision and purpose” to Dolores Bandow
4) Heart of Rotary “through thick and thin award”
There was a time in Rotary when Membership was a privilege. Many clubs had waiting lists and meeting attendance was required to remain a member. (Conditions to attendance) An individual was highly regarded and awarded for 100% attendance. I know as a president, membership involvement and interest was high on the list of priorities. Preparations for weekly meetings and Rotary events was thoughtful and deliberate. But no matter how thoughtful or prepared he message, come meeting day, without member attendance and participation, the message could not be delivered.
That is why I would like to present the Heart of Rotary “through thick and thin award” to the following members who faithfully came meetings because that’s what Rotarians do.
Your faithful attendance didn’t go un noticed.
Peter Dayton, Paul Eichwald, Tim Furey, Beth Hammock, Bob Homer, Kurt Ingold, Scott Johnson, Bill Jones, Louie Knudsen, Otto Koester, Lewie Matelich, Kevin Miltko, Martha Ripley, Betty Robinson, Cate Sundeen, Betty Wilkins
5) The Heart of a Lion Award-Ty Robinson
It is a lucky man who lives to become a legend in his own time, and I do literally mean lucky. He served in WWll, and was one of the lucky ones to come home whole. He stayed home to celebrate a birthday with his family instead of accompanying Montana’s governor on what turned out to be an ill-fated lethal flight. Having confronted his own mortality more than once, one might think he had made a pact with the heavens that since he had been selected to live, he would live his life in the most productive, generous and loving ways a man possibly could. Ty Robinson has earned every accolade and honor he has ever been awarded. He is a lawyer, a leader, a consummate volunteer, a charmer, a friend, an officer and a gentle MAN, and a 65-year Rotarian. We are truly the lucky ones to have known, learned from, been led and inspired by, our very own legendary icon, Ty Robinson.
