A Message From Your President

President's Message     
by Kraig Kobert

When my presidential year started out, I asked myself this question: "What makes Rotary attract and retain such good people?"  True, it is arguably the best organization in Jackson Hole (and perhaps the world) in which to network with some of the brightest business people.  Additionally, thanks in large part to our "Family of Rotary" social chairperson, Joni Upsher, we have had great fun at a variety of social events.  But these things are not what makes Rotary so successful.  In my opinion, it is because Rotary provides a vehicle for participation in service to our fellow man and improvement of the condition of the world in which we live.

I firmly believe that  we have done a darn good job in all four of the Rotary "Avenues of Service."  Internationally,   I set the goal high, but we met it, raising over $10,000 in contributions from our members for the Rotary International Foundation this year.  This represented more than a 35% increase in contributions toward Paul Harris fellowships compared to the previous year.  Stuart Palmer raised more money and used RI and District 5440 matching fund grants to buy cancer detection equipment for Tlaxcala and a truck for a homeless center in Brazil.  Additionally, our club contributed to the Interact Club's trip to an orphanage in northern Mexico.  It was our good fortune, and with gratitude to Steve & Chrissy Brewer, that we were able once again to host a Foreign Exchange Student, who will no doubt spread goodwill about Rotary and America throughout his life.

In vocational service, the "Student of the Month" programs have continued to recognize great High School students who have excelled not only in academics, but also in sports, speech, drama, tutoring, art, and civic activities.  Our Rotary Club of Jackson Hole Foundation awarded a record number  and record amounts ($47,000) of scholarships to students and teachers (27 and 5 respectively).

On the Club Service Avenue, Tim Bradley did a fine job of bringing us quality programs, of interest to everyone.  Ed Liebzeit and Jeff Ward headed-up a Wine Fest committee that put together a record-shattering wine tasting, raffle and silent auction fund (and fun) raiser. Many other Rotarians, such as all the board members and officers, contributed large amounts of personal time to make 2005/2006 a very successful year in RCJH. 

We truly excelled in Community Service this year.  Don Harger and his team including Matt Lee and Bob Norton, took the lead role in organizing the Town Clean-up, when the Chamber of Commerce bowed out of this project.  Pete Karns and his committee, got a big jump on a long-term effort to "Save the Arches."  These are community service projects of epic proportions, which we all have gotten behind.

To say "Thank You" to all who have contributed to a very successful Rotary year (and you know who you are although I could not possibly name everyone here), only scratches the surface in expressing my gratitude to the wonderful members of this club.  The true reward for all of us however, and the real reason Rotary is so successful, is the inimitable feeling we all receive from having made the community and indeed the world a better place, through our efforts together.  Thanks for letting me be a small part of all of these great efforts.

Yours in Rotary,
President Kraig