March 5, 2005

Last Week’s Program...
Senior Chief Brian Williams, officer in charge of the Coast Guard cutter Obion, spoke to Owensboro Rotarians about the history and mission of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and explained its presence in the local area. The USCG is one of the nation’s five armed services and its oldest seagoing service. It was founded as the Revenue Cutter Service in 1790 at a time when there was no navy. The USCG received its present name in the early twentieth century when it merged with the Life-Saving Service and Lighthouse Service. During its history, the USCG has been a part of the Navy Department, the Treasury Department and the Transportation Department. In 2003, the service was transferred to the Department of Homeland Security. Today there are 39,000 active members of the Coast Guard and 8,000 reserves.

Chief Williams reviewed the five USCG missions: maritime safety (search and rescue), national defense, maritime security (enforcing federal laws and treaties), mobility (maritime commerce), and protection of natural resources. Changes brought about by 9/11 include the creation of Maritime Safety and Security Teams – there are 13 of these Coast Guard "SWAT teams" stationed along the coast – and the use of more heavily armed boats and helicopters. The local USCG detachment is primarily concerned with maintaining navigational aids in area’s rivers. From its homeport of Owensboro, the Obion patrols approximately 600 miles of the Ohio River and 100 miles of the Green River. The cutter has a crew of 13.

Attendance: 103

Highest Attendance This Year: 103

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: Patty Drury

Fellowship Report: Jim French

Introduction of Guests: Darry Cain, guest of Sara McNulty; Philip Travis and Marty Traylor, guests of Jeremy Bradford; Gary Satterwhite, guest of Tim Bradshaw; Darrell Higginbotham, guest of Larry Mayfield

Introduction of New Member: Bob Morris was introduced by Marilyn Brookman. Bob is publisher of the Messenger-Inquirer and a former member of the Hammond, LA and Madisonville, KY Rotary clubs.

Proposed New Members:
• Jim Mattingly, proposed by Larry Vick. Jim is superintendent of the Owensboro Catholic Schools
• Darrell Higginbotham, proposed by Bill Dexter. Darrell is president of Independence Bank and a former Owensboro Rotarian.

Thought for the Week: "To win without risk is to triumph without glory."  - Pierre Corneille (1606-1684) "The Cid" 1636

ROTARY ANNOUNCEMENTS...
• Mark your calendar! This year’s District Conference is April 15-16, here in Owensboro at the Executive Inn. Donna Risley is handling conference registration and Pat McFarling is organizing a group of sergeants-at-arms. They’re looking for volunteers; so if you’re willing to help out, give them a call!
• Indoor Playground contributions and/or pledges may be mailed to Jeff Ebelhar, Owensboro Rotary Foundation treasurer, at the following address:

Jeff Ebelhar
100 W. Third Street
P.O. Box 1824
Owensboro, KY 42302-1824

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Our second meeting in April will be held on Friday, April 15, at noon at the Executive Inn. We’ll be joining attendees of the District 6710 Conference for a luncheon meeting and special speaker. This will take the place of our regularly scheduled meeting that week and the club will cover all meal charges. We’d like to get an idea by March 15 of how many members will be able to attend. Donna Risley circulated a sign up sheet at last week’s meeting and will do so again this Wednesday. Please make plans to attend this special meeting in April. We’d like to have a good group there to extend a warm Owensboro welcome!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...   
Glenn Higdon - March 5
Joy Horton - March 7
Garry Binegar - March 9

ROTARY REMINDERS  
• Don’t forget to make up your missed meetings at Daviess County Rotary, 7 a.m. on Tuesdays at Heavenly Ham Restaurant in Towne Square North.
• Tim Bradshaw is the program chair for March.
• Jim Ed Oberst will be at the Fellowship during March
• If you have an email address and are not receiving the Impetus online, or you have changed your email address, please send an email to kim@mediaworksadvertising.com and you will be added to the Rotary email address list.
• Log on to Rotary’s 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 more!

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS:     
"In like a lion, out like a lamb." March has arrived in true-to-form fashion. It’s a busy month, marked by unpredictable weather and jam-packed with special observances – Women’s History Month, Read Across America, the Ides of March, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, spring break… and of course, that strange period of obsessive frenzy over a game played with a round inflated ball. March is a month of transitions; a time when the earth comes back to life and the changing weather lifts our spirits. The coming of spring brings to us all a sense of rebirth and renewal.

For Rotarians, March 2005 is a special time of transition. This month marks the beginning of Rotary’s second century of service. Let’s spread the news about the great things Rotary is doing and will continue to do. As we reach out in service to our community and beyond, let’s do so with renewed commitment and energy. We can take pride in being members of a wonderful organization that is truly making a difference.

Have a great week!

Pat

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

Mike Wallace
MediaWorks Advertising, Inc.
208 West 3rd Street
P.O. Box 1866
Owensboro, KY 42302
Phone: 270-684-4554
Fax: 270-684-7314
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
March 16: Face Off – Candidates for Owensboro Rotary Board of Directors
March 23: Daviess County Judge Executive Reid Haire
March 30: Mayor of Owensboro Tom Watson

2004 - 2005
OWENSBORO ROTARY CLUB OFFICERS
President: Pat McFarling - Phone # 270-852-3257 Fax: 270-926-3196, email: patmc@kwc.edu
Vice President: Bill Dexter
Past President: Jeff Ebelhar
Secretary: John Kurtz
Treasurer: Bob Nation
Directors: Tish Correa-Osborne, Todd Inman, Patty Drury, Tim Bradshaw, & Noel Maddox

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