Meeting Notes, 2-19-08

President Ferris called the meeting to order at 7:15 a.m. with president-elect Tom Downey announcing his choice of leaders for the weekly Pledge of Allegiance (Judy Willis), 4-Way Test (Tom Brewer) and Rotary Invocation (Marvin Pollard). Sgt.-at-Arms, Bob Leith introduced visiting Rotarians Bob Nelson and Horace Brock of the Denton noon club and from Lewisville, Russ Kerbow. Russ will present our program.

Glen McKenzie’s ticket was drawn for the weekly lottery, but his chosen card, not being the joker, continues our quest for a winner until next Tuesday. Bob’s “pearl of wisdom” was a poem by John Whittier: “We Shape Ourselves.”

Announcements and Business.

Ralph Wiley announced the application by Lisa Eickemeyer for an Ambassadorial Scholarship was considered by an interviewing committee of three Denton-South Rotarians who were highly pleased by this UNT student’s qualifications. Her application has been forwarded to District 5790 for consideration. District 5790 will approve two Ambassadorial Scholars. Ralph described Lisa’s candidacy in very complimentary terms. Best wishes, Lisa.

Treasurer Joe Zellmer announced: “Checks given to Rotary in July and in November have not cleared the members accounts. I am trying to forensically find out what happened to the checks. If a member has submitted a check and it has not cleared, I would like to know the date of the check, check number, and amount of the check.”

President Ferris presented a large shopping bag filled with “Thank You” cards and notes from third graders at Pecan Creek Elementary School. The students’ messages were in appreciation for Denton-South Rotary’s gifting of a dictionary to each of them. The bag was handed from table to table for Rotarians to examine.

Judy Willis reported that the Heart Luncheon, held on valentine’s day, was a huge success both in the funds raised for American Heart Association and the “good time” shared by those attending. She singled out John Rademacher and his wife, Joyce, who attend annually, and are lucky winners of raffled items.

Program.

Glen McKenzie introduced the presenter for today’s program, Lewisville Chief of Police, Russell Kerbow. Chief Kerbow has lived nearly all of his life in and around Lewisville. He joined the police department in 1977, becoming an officer in ’78. On May 2, 2007, he became Chief of the department; after assignment to many areas of police work and advancing in rank. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Lewisville, meeting at noon on Wednesdays. Russell is member of the Board of Directors of The Heroes of Denton County. The purposes of that organization was his topic.

The Heroes of Denton County is a non-profit, charitable organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas. It exists to respond within twenty four hours with emergency funds to the family, or families, of any Law Enforcement Officer or Firefighter from any department within Denton County who loses their life, or suffers serious injury in the line of duty. That response will mean that the family, or families, of our fallen heroes will not have to endure the pain of instant financial peril while at the mercy of their unrelenting grief.

Chief Kerbow gave examples of several instances where funds administered by the organization were of assistance to the family of fallen heroes. Employee benefits are usually not made available immediately.

A source of Funding for HofDC is generated by an annual banquet. The banquet recognizes Law Enforcement and Firefighters who have been cited for service “above and beyond.” Our members were provided with a handout explaining corporate and/or individual sponsorship opportunities in support of this charitable organization, Heroes of Denton County. Contributions qualify for 501 (c) (3) status.

Chief Kerbow was applauded for his presentation and his community service. President Ferris informed him that a library book would be donated in his name to the Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s home.

Ed Velayos notified us that Art Gionet is experiencing illness and suggested members include him in comforting prayer. John Rademacher announced that the last gifting ceremonies for our Dictionary Project will be delayed until after TAKS testing at the schools on March 5^th. Marion Scott urged members to log onto our web-site (www.dentonrotary.org) and note the numerous updates.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 a.m.

Respectfully submitted, Marvin Pollard.

Speaker Schedule

02-26 Eric Burns

Questions about the schedule? Contact Judy Willis

UFOs give Texas club chance to help community

Rotary club president Amy McDonald answers questions from reporter Matt Smith, of the Cleburne Times-Review, and Jane Pratt, correspondent to the Abilene Reporter-News and Stephenville Empire-Tribune. Both local and international reporters gathered in the Dublin Rotary Building in mid-January to interview witnesses of purported unidentified flying objects seen by hundreds of people near Dublin, Texas. The gathering allowed members of the Rotary Club of Dublin to bring Rotary hospitality to the attention of media around the world. The four Avenues of Service just grew by one for the Rotary Club of Dublin, Texas, USA, which can add extraterrestrial to the list now that it has gained international attention through recent UFO sightings in the area.

What some are calling the largest cluster of sightings in the United States since the mid-1990s provided the opportunity for club members to host 500 visitors, ranging from UFO investigators, witnesses, the media, and the curious, for a daylong gathering in their own historic building in downtown Dublin, 90 miles southwest of Fort Worth.

Eyewitnesses, including a constable, schoolteachers, and business owners, reported bright lights that silently hovered near the horizon. Spokespeople from a Fort Worth military base originally denied having aircraft in the county at the time of the sightings but later said a dozen F-16s had been practicing maneuvers then. But most witnesses remained unconvinced that they had seen conventional aircraft.

The Dublin Rotarians’ involvement began 15 January, when club discussions turned to the Mutual UFO Network, scheduled to meet five days later in a cattle auction barn in Stephenville, 12 miles from Dublin. The Rotarians, however, thought the setting was inhospitable. Rotarians expected about 50 attendees, but given the international attention, that number grew to more than 500, including representatives from major networks such as MSNBC and National Public Radio. “This was the most unusual event we have ever hosted,” said club president Amy McDonald. “We had fun with it, and we accomplished a lot for the community and our organization. We saw an opportunity to draw attention to our small town of 3,800, and it gave local businesses the chance for increased traffic and sales.

“We also had the opportunity to tell the amazing story of our building, the original home of the Knights of Pythias fraternal order,” McDonald continued. “When the local KP group disbanded four years ago, we purchased their building. We have invested hundreds of hours in sweat equity to restore it. We use the downstairs for our weekly Rotary meetings and rent it out for public gatherings. With the rental income, we are restoring the second floor for a community facility. It will be magnificent with its original metal ceiling, hardwood floors, and a stage for theatrical performances.

“The restoration is an expensive process, although our 21 members sand floors, recaulk rock walls, and replace windows,” she said. “When finished, the building will fill a huge gap for local rental facilities. And we will proudly display the Rotary name as a symbol of what a few people can do when they are willing to get dirty – and are willing to be hospitable to even the most unusual of audiences.”