Thursday, January 29, 2009

I am a Phoenix

Welcome to the 624th meeting of the Rotary Club of Dixie Sunrise. Today we were pleased to hear from Jon Noel, Enrollment Manager for University of Phoenix, St George Campus. This is his report:


One of the main goals of the St. George Campus of the University of Phoenix is to help build this community through education. University of Phoenix offers a high quality learning experience with a schedule that is tailored to working adults. As Washington County continues to grow, it will be necessary for its citizens to be well educated and work force ready.


On a bigger picture, if we as a nation are going to remain competitive, we must raise more working adults to higher skill levels. According to the Making Opportunity Affordable initiative, the U.S. will need 16 million more Americans to earn degrees by 2025 in order to remain competitive with other leading developed nations. That represents a 37 percent increase in productivity per year, as estimated by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems. Pretty sobering. But, we can start making a difference now, right here in St. George.


The St. George Campus of the University of Phoenix is currently enrolling Associates, Bachelors, and Masters level students in degree programs that vary from Criminal Justice to Mental Health Counseling to Business. All the students are proud to say “I am a Phoenix” and make the changes in their lives necessary to reach their goals of obtaining their degrees. Many stories like the ones found in St. George can be seen on our website www.iamaphoenix.com. (Warning: videos are highly inspirational and may cause leakage of the tear ducts.)


The Campus if found on 700 S. 965 E. Suite 304 and contain 4 classrooms, a student resource center and a counseling center. Students in St. George attend classes both on-line and in the classroom depending on degree focus. We welcome walk-ins who are interested in school, or just anybody who may be interested in seeing the facility. For more information about available class times, financial aid , or course descriptions contact Rotary member Joe Bowcutt or just come by the campus. Thanks!

Jon Noel

New Member Induction--Carl Kulyk



We welcome Carl Kulyk as the newest member of our club. He comes to St George via Cypress California where he was a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Cypress which started in June of 1977.
Carl was raised in Detroit, MI. He Joined the Marines and happened to be at Guantanamo Bay during the Cuban Missle Crisis. He remembers seeing the missles and feeling a pervasive sense of fear as we plunged to the brink of Nuclear War with the Soviet Union.

After the Marines, Carl worked in Law Enforcement for the US Bureau of Prisons, and then as a police officer. In 1974, he was admitted to the Bar and has practiced criminal law, family law, and currently maintains his practice in Cypress doing probate work.

In his club back in Cypress, he was the foundation chair for 10 years. He was President of his club in 1990 when women became part of Rotary. And most inspiring of all, Carl has perfect attendance that goes back to June 1977. Today he shared with us his feeling that Rotary attendance is the key element that makes our clubs effective service organizations.

It is an honor to have Carl as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Dixie Sunrise.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Search and Rescue in Washington County


Welcome to the 623rd meeting of the Rotary Club of Dixie Sunrise!

Dean Cox, Emergency Services Director for Washington County was our guest speaker today. He was asked to give a presentation about the Washington County Search and Rescue. Dean began his remarks by saying explaining that the motto of the Search and Rescue team is, “So That Others May Live.” He went on to make the point that Search and Rescue members routinely participate in life saving activities.

He explained that occasionally other public safety professionals occasionally have that chance, but Search and Rescue members - because of the inherent nature of their service – do on a regular basis.

Mr. Cox explained that the Search and Rescue consists of approximately 85 volunteers who participate on one of three different teams. They are the Dive Team, High-Angle (or rope) Team, and the Ground Search Team. The ground search team has two divisions: one on the east side of the county and the other on the west.


The Search and Rescue team is an outgrowth of the old Sheriff’s Posse. About five years ago the teams were reorganized under the county to assure better liability coverage for the team members and county and to minimize the county’s potential for liability exposure. Each team meets regularly and trains monthly. Many members participate on more than one team. Some of the teams are highly technical in nature and require advanced certifications of members before they can fully participate.

Requests for assistance often come at hours that many would consider inconvenient, i.e. late at night or under other adverse conditions such as during inclement weather. This is because missing person reports are not filed until after a party is long overdue. These volunteers are committed and give of their time and resources which might include 4 wheel drive vehicles, ATV’s, and specialized climbing or diving equipment.

Hard costs associated with a search such as for fuel and food is usually at least partially compensated by a special State Search and Rescue Fund. This fund is financed by a 50 cent tax on all off-road vehicle registrations. The County also helps defray costs and ensure the safety of the response by carefully working with the volunteers to see that they have ropes and other equipment that is safe and reliable. There are however, many items that the team would like to acquire to improve the quality and capability of their responses.


An item which was recently acquired was a used Snow Cat. Many of our rescues are in the Kolob area and deep snow is a winter regular event. The Search and Rescue team recently completed a long and labor intensive search and recovery effort on the Ivins Red Mountain, near St. George. Nearly a thousand man hours went into the effort which spanned nearly two weeks.


Search and Rescue is a valuable resource to the Citizens of Washington County. The County could not afford to buy the quality of service that is provided by the volunteers. They play a vital role in the overall spectrum of public safety.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Ancient American Civilization

Jeff Reber was our quest speaker this week. Jeff is the owner of a commercial real estate company here in St. George called Real Estate Asset Strategies. They do traditional commercial brokerage i.e. leasing, acquisition and dispositions and management. They manage and office in the Tower at Ancestor Square, just above the Painted Pony Restaurant.

Jeff is also an amateur archeologist with a focus on Mesoamerican cultures. He has spent the last 20 years studying, traveling, and exploring archeological sites in the Yucatan, Belize, Mexico, Peru and many locations throughout the United States.

Jeff’s topic this morning was focused on the diversification of pre-Columbian cultures throughout the North, Central, and South American regions. Jeff pointed out our expanding knowledge of the extensive continental trade routes that enabled these pre-Columbian cultures to interact through trade commerce. He also pointed out the extensive diversification of cultures that existed at the time of “first contact” with the European explorers, and that these cultures represented a much more complex and integrated society then many of us could imagine.

With new discoveries being made on a monthly basis throughout the Mesoamerican region, our perception and understanding of these cultures is changing dramatically. The interaction between cultures for a period of approximately 4,000 years is complex and will take many more years of work, interpretation of exotic languages, and exploration of the estimated 100,000+ archeological sites that lie predominately undisturbed throughout South and Central America.

Jeff and his wife Susan plan on many more adventurous trips to remote locations in Belize and the highland regions of Mexico over the next few years. He has promised to come back in the future with updates on his discoveries and the discoveries within the world of archeology.



Dixie Care and Share Donation

Dixie Care and Share lends a truly charitable hand to the neediest souls in our community. We salute their efforts and presented them with a $1,000 dollar donation at our meeting this morning. They report that business is brisk and the need has increased with the economic downturn.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Inside a Board Meeting



One of the fun changes we made to our Board meeting schedule this year includes rotating our meeting among the businesses of our Board members. It hearkens back to the original purpose of Rotary. When Paul Harris started Rotary in Chicago in 1905, their meetings were rotated among the first members businesses--hence the name, Rotary.


Our Board meeting at 7am this morning was held at the Farris-Utley law firm. Thanks to Tyler Todd for arranging it. Pictured above is the view from their conference room. Below, you can see the thoughtful efforts of your Board, hard at work in the boiler room of Rotary service.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Elections for 2009-2010 Board



The 621st meeting of the Rotary Club of Dixie Sunrise was busy and full of fun. We presented a check to the president of the Board of Directors for the Ted Worthen Center, Sandy Hyer and heard her talk about the service they provide to the community (see the preceding post).

We also held elections for the 2009-2010 Board of Directors for our club. Thanks to all who are willing to serve and all who were willing to be considered on the ballot for stepping up for duty. Your commitment makes this one of the finest clubs in Rotary. The election results were close, but certifiable according to Professor Joe. We had none of that monkey business like they've got going on between Al Franken and Norm Coleman in Luther's hometown--Minnesota.

Our President Elect Nominee is Kyle Ashby, the Advertising Manager at the Spectrum. Kyle brings a fun leadership style to our club to which we can look forward. Hopefully we will get a little XITSONGA, Kyle's 2nd language which is full of explosive clicks and South African wit. President Elect Nominee (President Elect Elect or PEE) is a 4 year commitment that ascends through President Elect, President, then Immediate Past President. Kyle's year to serve as President is the 2011-2012 Rotary year.

As pictured, our new Assistant Directors are Dr. Justin Poppe over International Service; Ted Stromness over Youth Service; Paul Chrisco over Club Service; PEE Kyle Ashby; Past President Todd Watts over Vocational Service; and Dr. Kris Hansen over Community Service. The Assistant Director is a two year commitment that begins in July 2009 as understudy to the VP of that avenue of service. The following Rotary year that begins in July 2010, they will become the VPs of their respective avenue of service.

Almost by tradition, our club Secretary, Marge Shakespeare, our club Treasurer Steve Quinn, and our Sergeant at Arms, John Johnson were voted back in by acclamation for service on the 2009-2010 Board of Directors. We appreciate their tireless, thankless work to keep the club straight. Without doubt, they are the backbone of the club.

Thanks John, for stopping by the post office to get these photos.

The Ted Warthen Center

Being associated with the Ted Warthen Center for the Terminally Ill has given me a great opportunity to see true charity in its purist form. Our facility provides a dignified, homelike, peaceful place for those in our community who are dying to stay and be cared for regardless of their financial situation. Volunteers and the staff at the Ted Warthen Assisted Living Center furnish day to day support, allowing the family to spend their precious remaining time giving tender comfort. We so appreciate the generosity of the Sunrise Rotary Club in donating $1,000 to this incredibly worthwhile and unique charity so we can continue to serve those among us who are truly in need and so appreciate what we can provide. Thank you deeply - Sandia Hyer, President of the Board

BLOG Guests

Today's Rotary International News

A Brief History of Dixie Sunrise Rotary

  • The first meeting of the provisional club was held May 9, 1996 at the Hampton Inn in St. George. There were 4 attendees: Gerald C. Harrison, Chapin Burks, David Prink and T. Robert Cochran.
  • The second meeting was held at the Hampton Inn with 3 attendees: Gerald C. Harrison, Chapin Burks and T. Robert Cochran. (What were they thinking?)
  • Subsequently, attendance grew until there were 25 attendees, and Rotary International issued the club’s charter on September 5, 1996, four days short of four months after the first meeting.
  • Charter Members were:

Bryan “Chuck” Barton, Chris Jones, Annette Basso, Jill Jones, Gregory F. Basso, Peggy Lynch, James L. Brownell, Fay McFadden,Chapin Burks, James G. Mersman, T. Robert Cochran, Rick A. Parker, Rick Evans, David J. Prink, Christine Evans-Burks, Evan J. Racker, Darrin Hallman, Sean Ray, Gerald C. Harrison, Lynn R. Spafford, Brad Hasty, Nate Staheli, Kerry K. Hepworth, David B. Turner, John L. Johnson

  • Founding Officers and Directors were:

Gerald C. Harrison President, Chapin Burks President-Elect, T. Robert Cochran Secretary/Treasurer, David J. Prink Club Service Dir, Christine Evans-Burks Community Service Dir, Bryan “Chuck” Barton International Service Dir, Kerry K. Hepworth Vocational Service Dir

  • Presidents:
      • 1996-1997 Gerald C Harrison
      • 1997-1998 Chapin Burks
      • 1998-1999 David J Prink
      • 1999-2000 Gregory F Basso
      • 2000-2001 Vardell H Curtis
      • 2001-2002 Paul R Gooch O.D.
      • 2002-2003 Rhys Weaver
      • 2003-2004 Margaret S Shakespeare
      • 2004-2005 Rocky E Neal
      • 2005-2006 Todd Watts
      • 2006-2007 Joseph Christopher
      • 2007-2008 Joseph H Bowcutt III
      • 2008-2009 Paul Gooch
      • 2009-2010 Marla Shelby-Drabner
      • 2010-2012 Jeff Wilcox

  • Member Census at Rotary Year-End (June 30):

1997: 27, 1998: 48, 1999: 50, 2000: 45, 2001: 58, 2002: 66, 2003: 57 All-time High: 72, 2004: 59, 2005: 43, 2006: 43, 2007: 41

  • Attendance by Rotary Year:

1996-1997: 72.09%, 1997-1998: 75.78%, 1998-1999: 78.06%, 1999-2000: 70.09%, 2000-2001: 72.38%, 2001-2002: 71.51%, 2002-2003: 73.05%, 2003-2004: 73.40%, 2004-2005:, 2005-2006: 60.31%, 2006:2007: 60.62%