Vol. 45, No. 25 -- December 30, 2000

This Week's Program
Robert Hill - Football Season Review

Last Week’s Program
Dan Heckel, editor of the editorial page for the Messenger-Inquirer, spoke to Rotary about the purpose of newspaper editorials and the process of preparing them. The purpose is not to tell people what to think but to just get them to think. Communities cannot grow if they are not thinking about issues, Heckel said. Owensboro does not have a “combative”nature, like most Southern communities, and many times the M-I writes editorials for the purpose of spurring people to action and getting them to act on their convictions. The editorial process is a two-way communication process, with the newspaper expecting and wanting feedback from readers. Almost everyoneagrees with the need and right of the newspaper to editorialize, said Heckel, except when political candidates are endorsed. Many people object to this practice, expecially when their candidate did not get endorsed. How do editorials get written? Heckel advised the club that twice a week he will present topics for discussion to the editorial board. These topics originate from reading papers and identifying issues the community is confronting. The board approves the topic and position of the newspaper and then Mr. Heckel writes the editorial. Editorials are not signed, as they are the opinion of the newspaper and not an individual. Newspapers can’t lead, only individuals can. The M-I can only encourage and motivate leadership within the community.

Attendance: 72

Highest Attendance This Year: 115

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: Bob Burns

Fellowship Report: David Edds, Jr.

Visiting Rotarians: Nancy Lovett, Greencastle, IN

Introduction of Guests: Jim and Mark Pulliam, guests of Ed Pulliam; Al Bell, guest of David Edds, Sr.; Russ Wilkey, guest of Joe Castlen; Jamie Sanders, guest of Terry Roark; Janna Wayman, guest of Bob Wayman; Kirk Kirkpatrick, guest of Tom Smith

Thought for the Week: 
It’s better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing perfectly.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...
John Miller - December 31
Don Newsom - December 31
Larry Mayfield - January 1
Frank Weer - January 5

* We are currently in the process of updating our database with new member names and birthdays.

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS: MID-YEAR REPORT
We have just completed our first half of the Rotary fiscal year. I think it is appropriate that you have a mid-year status report on our performance. I say “our” because we all know that I and the board can do very little; it’s up to you whether or not we achieve goals and move forward.

We are on track to increase our membership a net 10%. We began with 187 members and have netted 19. We must continue to identify prospects due to known losses that we are facing. We have regained our position as the second largest Rotary club in the state, beating out Paducah which had moved ahead of us.

We have completed two community projects: Salvation Army and Christmas Wish. Average participation is 15 members. We probably need more participation. Day of the Dinosaur and Readifest are two known future events.

The partnership between Rotary, the schools and the Hager Foundation in support of Readifest has been revised and greatly strengthened. This is THE major community project of Rotary and you will hear much more about Readifest in May.

We participated in Philanthropy Day, which may become an annual event for us. Also, we conducted our first mid-year fellowship event with the Christmas party at Woodwards. Our student reporter partnership with the city and county schools has proven to be of great benefit to the schools and Rotary.

Our Big Project is on track to be identified and approved by the club by July 1. We have many milestones ahead of us with this project, but I have no doubt about our future success and the impact it will have on our club and the community.

Our new web site is well under way. We plan to use this site to provide our online and paper membership guide, another commitment. Soon, we will have our new Matched Club identified and the fun will begin! Our new Rotary Foundation/Contribution Committee has been formed. And, we will support Rotary’s revised VOTREK program by supporting the Regional Alliance’s Career Day event in January.

I hope you are proud of what you have accomplished. I am.

Thanks and have a great week!

Sim

ROTARY ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS...
• Don't forget to make up your missed meetings at breakfast Rotary at 7 on Tuesday mornings at Moonlite Barbecue.

• The Program Chairmen for January is Tom Smith.

Please mail any questions, suggestions, or comments regarding the Impetus to:

Mike Wallace
MediaWorks Advertising, Inc.
One Executive Boulevard
P.O. Box 1866
Owensboro, KY 42302
Phone: 270-684-4554
Email: mike@mediaworksadvertising.com  

DEADLINE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE IMPETUS IS THE WEDNESDAY PRIOR TO MONDAY'S PUBLICATION DATE.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
January 10: Jim Hashem - Postmaster of Owensboro (to be introduced by Martel Wightman)
January 17: Dr. Terry Tyler - Developments in Radiology
January 24: Don Ross - President & CEO of National City Investment Management Company with Kathie Barr - Sr. Vice President of National City Corporation
January 31: Ed Wardle - Director, Foundation for Health

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Rotary International is to assist and guide Rotarians and Rotary clubs to accomplish the Object of Rotary, to ensure Rotary’s continuing relevance, and to help build a better world, emphasizing service activities by individuals and groups that enhance the quality of life and human dignity, encouraging high ethical standards, and creating greater understanding among all people to advance the search for peace in the world.

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