September 23, 2006

This Week’s Program…
Major Alecia Edgington, Director of Kentucky Homeland Security

Last Week’s Program...
Gary Murphy – Rotary Club of Westport, New Zealand and International Local Government Managers Exchange Program

Assistant County Administrator, Steve Johnson introduced Gary Murphy of Westport , New Zealand . Steve was our county government’s exchange ambassador to Westport in Buller District on the south island of New Zealand .

Gary, a fellow Rotarian, is now in Owensboro/Daviess County to do as Steve did in the spring - learn, teach and synergize with the local lawmakers and administrators to see how we can all live better. Gary is the Chief Executive Officer of The Buller District Council.

Gary described the 10,000 people of his district as proud people with significant history and heritage built mainly around gold and coal mining. "Pride, determination and a hard-working attitude, unfortunately, cannot overcome the fact that the Buller district has a population that is largely marginalized and disadvantaged. The Buller district, like our area, is an agricultural area that is trying alternative crops. While our crops might be peppers and broccoli, Gary ’s hometown is venturing into cranberry production.

There is also a slightly different movement in the evolution of their representative form of government to a more participatory form. Since it was enacted in 2002, the process of public administration has been opened more widely to public input. There are critics and supporters alike. It will be interesting to see if New Zealand redefines government administration or even calls to question what "public" really means.

Gary showed us all that the beauty of New Zealand , 10,000 miles away, is like no other – but the human issues are mostly the same as they are here at home.

Thanks Gary .

Attendance: 79

Highest Attendance This Year: 93

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: Jeremy Bradford

Fellowship Report: Tim Bradshaw

Introduction of Guests: Steve Johnson was a guest of the Club, James Kincheloe was the guest of Ann Kincheloe, and Matt Robins was the guest of Tom Shelton.

Meeting Make-ups: Martel Wightman had two make-ups at Marshall County.

Thought for the Week: Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible -- the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family.  ~ Virginia Satir

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS:
As people continue to come to me and ask what they can do for me and our club, I’m reminded of our District Governor, Kay Sharon’s quote, "You can bring anyone into Rotary; the challenge is to get Rotary into those people".

I fall deeper in love with this club every week. I think it’s because I’ve had the privilege of getting to know so many of you, (I hope to know all of you better) and I’ve finally seen this club from a 30,000 ft. view, inside and out. It’s marvelous with all the opportunities for service, fellowship and education. We all should learn through Rotary that we’re just scratching the surface, as far as what we can get out of Rotary – and what we can put back into this club both here and in New Zealand and Uganda and so on.
Find what you love about Rotary – make it yours and make it better.

Have Fun!

John

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...
Mike Filbin - September 23
Bob Morris - September 27
Tim Bradshaw - September 28
Rich Litov - September 28

ANNOUNCEMENTS...
• Tish Correa-Osborne is in need of program chairs for June & July in 2007 ~ Please help if you have good program ideas.
• Congratulations Donna Risley for providing the winning answer to the Rotary Know-It-All challenge. She correctly identified Warren G. Harding and Gerald R. Ford as the two Presidents of The United States of America who were also active Rotarians. For Donna’s brain-letting she picked up the Kurtz Auction prize pack of $25 in Chamber Bucks!

ROTARY REMINDERS
• Don’t forget to make up your missed meetings at Daviess County Rotary, 7 a.m. on Tuesdays at American Bounty.
• Chief John Kazlauskas is the program chair for September.
• Tom Smith is the program chair for October.
• Tim Bradshaw will be at the Fellowship Table during September.
• Phil Travis will be at the Fellowship Table during October.
• 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!

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
Oct. 4: Rod Kuegel, Tobacco and Farming update for Daviess Co. and region
Oct. 11: Tubby Smith, UK Men's Basketball coach
Oct. 18: Steve Vest, KY Monthly Magazine
Oct. 25: Bring Back Baseball' presented by Bruce Brubaker, Malcom Bryant, Rodney Berry

2006 - 2007 OWENSBORO ROTARY CLUB OFFICERS
President: John Kurtz
Vice President: Tish Correa-Osborne
Past President: Bill Dexter
Secretary: Tim Bradshaw
Treasurer: Bob Nation
Directors: John Kazlauskas, John Medley, Sister Suzanne Sims, Jeremy Bradford, Kirk Kirkpatrick, & Ed Wathen.