Centennial Rotary Meeting Notes for: Tue, March 14 2006

Greeter-Kent
Invocation-Roxy
Pledge-Greg
Notetaker-Frank for Jack
Custodian-Hugh for Paul

President Roxy rang the bell at 7:33 a.m.

Announcements

• Kent shared information about the Interfaith Golf tourney, Puttin' on the Green. It will be held on Saturday, May 13th. Kent will ask our Foundation for the $1000 donation.
• Roxy thanked Laurie for running last week's meeting.
• Roxy then passed around three sign-up sheets and thoroughly confused many members, even though the top of each sheet explained what it was for. They were for two projects at the Denver Children's Home and also the Signature project.
• PLEASE REMEMBER OUR UPCOMING FELLOWSHIP FUNCTION HOSTED BY THE BUCKS. March 24th is the date and Tom will bring maps to the next meeting. Bring your own beverage if you don't want to drink Kent's excellent homebrew.
• Please sign up for the upcoming District Conference.
• Greg announced an open house at his business to be held on Weds., 3/15. He would later take a lot of grief for this.
• The Willow Springs sign is up and Bob reported that that is all the City will allow.
• Ambassadorial Scholarship committee is set and will do the interview late this month.
• We received a thank you from the new Coal Creek Club for our donation of lanyards.
• Don't forget the Charter night for the Winter Park Club is approaching. See Roxy for details.
• Marcos has resigned from the Club because of work challenges.

Happy Bucks

• Pete for disrupting the meeting.
• Mark Garfinkel just because.
• Paul for "guess why!"
• Dan for the exact same reason as Paul.
• Jeff gave a few bucks for "Bucky the Rodent." He obviously has too much time and disposable income.
• Bob for everything good that Home Depot has done.
• Barb for the upcoming DCH projects.
• Kye for surviving the move into their new home and thanks to her folks for helping in many ways.
• Mark Gale in recognizing Paul's support of the Marble game with 10 tickets purchased. Way to go Scooter!
• The Jaws of Life for getting a buck out of Cottrell's wallet for unauthorized advertising of his business. Greg was contrite.
• Randy for the great job notetakers have done thus far and in apology for not singing Happy Birthday, early, to Dan R.
• Hugh in thanks for Paul's help in custodial duties.
• Roxy in celebration of daughter's birthday and welcome back to Kye.

Program

Irina Bulkley-Hopkins from the Big Club made a wonderful presentation on Russia, myths and truths etc.-- She is a dual-citizen and is proud of both citizenships. She is speaking to as many Clubs in the District as possible to explain the importance of RI's decision to make Russia its own District. She explained that Grant Wilkins, former RI Director and member of the Denver Club has been the major mover and shaker.

She spent about 20 minutes explaining the major differences between Russia and in particular St. Petersburg (the financial and cultural center of the country in her opinion), in the past and now. Approximately 100 people now control 25% of the GNP of Russia and there are 27 billionaires in Russia now. Forbes now lists Russia as the second richest country behind the US. Irina explained that those "rich" people have basically stolen the natural resources of the country to make their money. Many of these newcomers have purchased much of the property in St. Pete to increase their riches. Ballet, museums and other cultural activities used to be free or very affordable and have now been priced out of the reach of the "regular" people. Culture is vanishing at a rapid rate. Widespread corruption has now forced many normally free services, i.e.; ambulance service to now be charged for.

Irina was very passionate about her two countries and Rotary. She could have talked longer and we could have heard more.

Marbles

Barb, again, had her number drawn. Alas, a clear marble found her grasp and pot starts at $1043 next week. Please don't forget that that much is going to our Foundation. Buy those tickets.

Attendance

Secretary Mark Paller gave me the attendance sheet for February. Fellow Rotarians, we need to MAKE-UP more often and increase our attendance. When you go to make-up, please call a newer member and ask them to meet you there.

King Soopers Coupons!

Don’t forget to see Kent Ostedgaard for your King Soopers coupons! The club makes 4% on every dollar we spend. Coupons are available in $25 units & are sold at face value.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BUY SOME TODAY!

Nearby Club Locations for Makeup's:

Tuesday’s:
11:45 AM – Tech Center @ Glenmoor CC
Noon – Littleton @ Columbine CC

Wednesday’s:
12:00 pM – Englewood –
(Location Change ) *
Embassy Suites on Hampden, near Tamarac Square

Wednesday 's:
Littleton-Sunrise
7:15AM -- Chammps Restaurant in the Aspen Grove Shooping Center on South Santa Fe

Thursday’s:
7:15AM – Denver SE/ Wyndham Hotel
Noon – Highlands Ranch @ Lone Tree CC

24 Hours: www.rotary5450.org/eclub