Feb. 5: Fred Vorsanger on the Rotary Foundation more...

Feb 12: Paul Batson on Mediation through the Eyes of Rotary more...

Feb 19: David Pinkus on Reel Baseball more...

Feb 26: Derrick Gragg on Integrity, Compliance and College Athletics more...

Feb 5 : Fred Vorsanger on the Rotary Foundation

President Barbara Taylor - Sergeant-At-Arms Chaddie Platt - Invocation John Threet- Song Smile - Led by Bill Burrows - Accompanied by Mel Phillips.

ROD Fred Vorsanger kicked off University Awareness month with a totally non-related program about our own Rotary Foundation, the "Giving Arm or Rotary International." He let us know that our club has $2,300 to match Paul Harris Fellow or sustaining member donations, up to $500 per. Our club has donated over $280,000 through the Paul Harris fellowship to RI. Dick Forsythe and Elaine Longer both spoke to us on how they have given Paul Harris fellowships to family members, and suggested other club members do the same. Contact Fred for more information.

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Feb 12 : Paul Batson on Mediation through the Eyes of Rotary

President Barbara Taylor - Sergeant-At-Arms Chaddie Platt - Invocation Diane Warren - Song R-O-T-A-R-Y - Led by John Tolleson - Accompanied by Mel Phillips.

ROD George Bulter introduced Paul Batson, who took us through the mediation process through the eyes of Rotary. Ofr instance, Is it the Truth? Since mediation is concerned with all the issues involved in a dispute, this draws out the truth. Is it Fair to All Concerned? As both parties reach a resolution, then mediation is fair to boht parties. Will it Build Goodwill and Better Friendships? Mediation is performed in order to promote goodwill, and there is a better chance for friendship through mediation than through a court battle. And finnaly, Will it be Beneficial to All Concerned? In meidation there is the hope fo rboth parties to emerge with an agreement, so both parties benefit. Clearly, mediation fits in with the Rotary philosophy!

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Feb 19 : David Pinkus on Reel Baseball

President Barbara Taylor - Sergeant-At-Arms John Holmes - Invocation Jim Huffman - Song Take Me Out to the Ballgame - Led by Ken Ballinger - Accompanied by John Tolleson.

ROD Howard Brill gave us speaker David Pinkus, who told us of his book, "Reel Baseball." David related how he played baseball as a boy in Brooklyn and fell in love with the game, and then with film ten years later. The book relates how baseball has been portrayed through film over the years, including works with Kevin Costner, films such as Bull Durham, and also Pearl Harbor.

Feb 26: Derrick Gragg on Integrity, Compliance and College Athletics

President Barbara Taylor - Sergeant-At-Arms John Holmes - Invocation Kenton Ross - Song Smile - Led by Ken Ballinger - Accompanied by Mel Phillips.

ROD Howard Brill presented Derrick Gragg, Sr. Director Men's Athletics at the U of A. Derrick gave a insightful and delightful talk about college athletics, including the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. While Derrick loves his job and all the perks, he wanted us to know that he earns every single one of them, which is Good. As for the Bad, he tells us that as coaches salaries go higher and higher, so do the expectations of the fans for top preformance. And as for the Ugly, he listed 5 problems plaguing college athletics: 1: Gambling, 2: Academic Fraud, 3: Agents, 4: Extra Benefits from Boosters, and 5: Recruiting Practices. To help combat the ugly, Derrick educated the students; as a recent student athelete, he feels he can talk their language and show the repercussions of student's actions.

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