Tuesday, September 4, 2012

The Chamber Visits Rotary

 In another awesome Rotary meeting of the Dixie Sunrise Rotary Club, we were fortunate to have a report by one of the Devil Pups who we helped to support at Camp Pendleton in the Devil Pup Program.  It is always fascinating to hear from the young men and sometimes the young women who return from this 10 day experience and share with us what they learn and how their lives have changed.  They are always confident, well spoken, and focused as they report on their experience and what it meant to them.  I think I can speak for the Club when I say we are happy to make this investment in our youth.  The ROI is worth it.
 In this photo, the Devil Pup recruiter is presenting President Wittwer a token of his appreciation for our support with the Devil Pup program.
Our main presenter last week was Gregg McArthur, the Executive Director of the St. George Chamber of Commerce.  The fourth (4th) largest Chamber of Commerce in the state of Utah.  Gregg gave us some great information on the Chamber, who they are, what they do, why they do it and how they do it.  We appreciate him taking time out of his schedule to come talk to us and keep us up to speed on what is going on not only with the Chamber but around our community. 

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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%