OWENSBORO'S ROTARY IMPETUS

March 24, 2001


This Week's Program...
Tony Miller, Kentucky Circuit Court Clerk - Trust for Life Organ Donor Awareness 

Last Week's Program... 
- Kelsey Clark & Allison Jarvis - OHS 
Rotarians were privileged to hear three excellent speeches from high school students around the area who participated in the District Speech Contest. Adrian Rhoades from Muhlenburg South received first place, while Shaneka Springfield from Calloway County and Jeffery Oldham from Daviess County received runner's up honors. Each speaker had the same motif of "create awareness...take action", which is Rotary's national theme. Speeches ranged from Rotary's history and achievements to ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles) and drug awareness. Rotarians want to thank all of the participants for coming and wish Rhoades the best of luck as she competes in the district championship in Central City. 

Attendance: 100 

Highest Attendance This Year: 115 

Invocation, Pledge, 4-Way Test: Tony Dunn 

Fellowship Report: Pat McFarling 

Introduction of Guests: John Bryenton, guest of Kirk Kirkpatrick; Dennis Northway, guest of Nick Palmer; Steve Lenox, guest of Bruce Brubaker; Bill Jansing, guest of Ed Allen; Jeremy Edge, guest of Malcolm Bryant; and Bill Angelo, guest of Frank Wagner 

Guests of the club: Kelsey Clark & Allison Jarvis - Owensboro High School 

Meeting Makeups: Frank Wagner at Breakfast Rotary Club 

Visiting Rotarians: Loretta Williams - District Governor Elect; Larry Yates - Assistant District Governor; Aggie Lewis, Dave Roberts - Breakfast Rotary Club 

Speech Contest Participants and Guests: Deborah Eaves, Adrian Rhoades, Eddie Prunty, Shareka Springfield, Anne Farless, Jeffrey Oldham, Liz Oldham, Jeff Oldham, Sandra Bowman; 
John Jones, Suzanne Craig, Jackie Kirk - Judges 

Thought for the week: 
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi 

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS: 
Impetus As I thought about what topic to write about this week, it occurred to me to write about the source of my problem – the Impetus. After all, if we didn’t publish the Impetus, I wouldn’t have to be scratching my head to figure out a topic. Now I know how Dan Heckel feels. I’ll never complain any more about no Monday editorials. He deserves a day off! 

I certainly can’t speak for all presidents, but the first thing I thought of as July 1 approached was, how in the world could I write a column every week? After figuring out a scheme whereby I would get each of our former presidents to write a column and take over half my burden, I moved on to worrying about who would write the minutes every week. Larry Mercer agreed to serve as secretary another year only if he didn’t have to write the minutes. What could I say? That was the same agreement I made with Bob! So, with necessity being the motherhood of invention, I came up with the great idea of having our local high school students write the minutes. 

Now, the thrust of this week’s column is, is the effort of publishing the Impetus really worth it? Specifically, do members read the minutes of the weekly program, the president’s column, attendance information and announcements? Recently, to paraphrase a discussion I had with a longtime member, it was suggested to me that many, maybe most, members don’t read the Impetus. Unlike the Messenger-Inquirer, which can judge its effectiveness by ad and subscription sales, we have no way of knowing readership. 

If most people read the Impetus, then we need to continue publishing it in its current format and continue to be sensitive to adapt it to the needs of the membership. If few read the Impetus, we need to decide to determine its worth then decide to not publish it or take action to increase readership to an acceptable level. My personal opinion is that it is a critical part of our operations. I tend to use the president’s column to explain goals and objectives, board action, important initiatives and programs, etc. Announcements include voting information, meeting information, etc. So, here’s my unscientific method of getting feedback. Over 70% of you have e-mail addresses and should be receiving the Impetus on line. Give me a quick e-mail at Sim.Davenport@bellsouth.com to let me know if you read the Impetus and give me any suggestions or comments you may have. Do it now! 

Oh, that scheme I had of using former presidents to write a column? Didn’t work. Only Cap Gardner responded. Hey, I tried! 

Thanks and have a great week! 

Sim 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO... 
Bill Meadors - March 28 
Avery Smith - March 28 
Pat Strehl - March 29 
Larry Hager - March 30 

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

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 March is John Meister. 
• The Program Chairman for April is Bill Barron. 

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:
April 4: Gary Noffsinger - Planning Director for the Planning & Zoning Commission 
April 11: TBA 
April 18: Representative Brian Crall - Current Session Update 
April 25: Jo Barron - National Day of Prayer


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