June 9, 2001 

Last Week’s Program... 
The Big Project...
This Wednesday was the big day - the selection of The Big Project. Tom Smith, Donna Risley and Chrissy Kurtz did a great job of presenting the three projects that made the final list: Carousel, Riverfront Stage and Indoor Playground Facility. 

Tom Smith described how a Rotary Carousel located near the riverfront would be a unique attraction to visitors crossing the bridge or coming to town on Highway 60. This carousel would provide excitement and entertainment to children of all ages in our community. It could even be located inside a building and complement an existing recreational site. 

Donna Risley discussed how a Riverfront Stage could be a vital component of the new plan to remake our riverfront area. Many different groups could stage productions at this site. The size of the stage would depend upon funding, but it could range from a basic structure to a large floating structure. Many of our existing events, like “Friday After Five,” could occur there. 

THE WINNER: INDOOR PLAYGROUND FACILITY 

Chrissy Kurtz had each Rotarian visualize what they would expect to be in an indoor playground facility. Each person’s idea could become a reality, because the IPF could accommodate almost anything we would want for kids, limited only by space and funding. An indoor recreational facility would be a major attraction for parents and caretakers with kids. While Owensboro is blessed with a wonderful parks and recreational infrastructure, there is a great need for a place to take kids on rainy, snowy or sultry days (218 days last year). The Indoor Playground Facility would offer the advantages of a comfortable climate, less wear on equipment from the elements, a clean area, year-round use, and ready hosts for management and supervision. At this time, the location has not been finalized, but the IPF team has been working with the Museum of Science and History and the Parks Department. It could be inside an existing structure or on land managed by the Parks Department. While cost could range from the low end of just buying a basic piece of equipment for $20K and locating it in an existing structure, it is expected that any project that meets the goal of Rotary would be in the $175-200K range. 

NO FELLOWSHIP REPORT THIS WEEK 

SPECIAL EVENT! 
The Rotary Gala will be held June 28 from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Owensboro Country Club. Social hour 6-7; dinner 7-7:45; program 7:45 – 8:15; awards 8:15 – 8:30; passing of the gavel 8:30 – 8:40. Call Angie at Alexander & Company at 684-3237 to make reservations. Please plan to join us for a night of food, fun, and fellowship! 

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS: THE BIG PROJECT - NEXT STEP 
First, let me thank Tom Smith for the great job he did in leading The Big Project selection committee. Identifying and selecting a major project for our club to rally behind and give to our community was a major goal of our club this year. And, like most projects, I know Tom never expected it to be as time consuming as it turned out to be. He pulled together a great team, who also deserve a big “thanks” (Bill Kurtz, Nick Palmer, Chris Crumpton, Buddy Maddox and Carol Higdon), and developed a process that allowed for maximum input. After developing 6 criteria, the team used them to narrow down a list of over 40 ideas to 5 that were presented to the board. The board then used the same criteria to choose 3 of those ideas to present to the membership. The winning project had to get 50% plus 1 of the votes or there would be a run off between the two projects getting the most votes. What a great, deliberative process! The fact that each of the 3 projects got a lot of votes is a testament to the screening process. I thought we would have a run off until the very end of the count. We had 96 votes, which meant to win outright a project had to get 49 votes to win. How many votes did the Indoor Playground Facility get? 49! The Riverfront Stage got 27 votes and the Carousel got 20 votes. 

The next step is for the IPF team to develop a detailed plan that will include exactly what will be or could be in the facility, exactly where we will locate it, how it will be operated, and firm cost figures (as of today). This team will report its recommendations to the board for final approval. At that time, necessary documents will be prepared to use in a fund raising campaign. As I have stated before, our primary donor audience will be Rotarians – individuals and their companies. We want a plan that recognizes our donors, just as the project itself will be used to recognize Rotary. I am hoping that many of you will see this project as a way you can show your support of Rotary now or in your wills. Of course, we will pursue all funding options. Time line? As long as it takes. 

Many of you, especially the board, have heard me say that The Big Project, which is for evermore now The Indoor Playground Facility, is about much more than just buying the community a needed facility. It is about our club pulling together towards a common goal. A goal that is a tangible embodiment of our mission – “Service to Others.” A goal that will generate a lot of fun and excitement in the club and in the community. We belong to an organization that dreamed of eradicating polio and set about doing it. I know that our club of 200+ leaders can surely make this project a reality. 

Thanks and have a great week! 

Sim 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Day of the Dinosaur, a Rotary volunteer project led by Ed Allen, will be Saturday, June 16, at the Museum of Science and History. Ed needs 2 volunteers per hour from 8 to 4. This is light duty and one of the best kid events in Owensboro each year. Call Ed at 687-2732 to volunteer. 
• If you have an email address and are not receiving the Impetus online, please send an email to kim@mediaworksadvertising.com and you will be added to the Rotary email address list. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO... 
Jack Wells - June 9 
James Hashem - June 9 
Bill Stinnett - June 10 
Ed Pulliam - June 13 
Bob Hudson - June 14 
Frank Yarbrough - June 14 

ROTARY REMINDERS...
• Don't forget to make up your missed meetings at breakfast Rotary at 7 on Tuesday mornings at Moonlite Barbecue.
• The Program Chairman for June is Malcolm Bryant.
• The Program Chairman for July is Candance Brake. 

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 
June 20: President’s Annual Awards 
June 27: No Meeting due to Gala on June 28th 
July 4: No Meeting due to July 4th holiday 
July 11: Discover College - Nick Brake (DCPS) and David Johnson (OPS) 
July 18: Rotary District Governor Loretta Williams 
July 25: Herald Taylor - Progress of the Daviess County Detention Center 

Log on to Rotary’s new website at www.owensbororotary.org. You’ll find our current member directory, photos of new members, past copies of the Impetus, some interesting history, and much more! The site is not finished, but check it out and be sure to let Pat know what a great job she’s done. 

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