We had 7 students from West Prep describe their experiences at TLC (Teen Leadership Camp) today.  Nice turn out for the Fun Club.  They were accompanied by principal Mike Pinccininni and counselor Jaime Pochowski.  The students were: Andrea Hammond, Jenny Purdue (who could not attend, but Mom filled in), Keara Hughes, Stephnie Valle, Vicki Pang, Aldair Callejas Lasaro, Andrew Quintanilla and Jose Banuelos.  Lynn Price asked each to describe what they liked at TLC, what they learned, what they wished they could have done more and what did they bring back with them.

There were some common threads.  All mentioned the motivational speaker, Scott Greenberg, and everyone liked the zip line and meeting new friends.  Most mentioned the problem of bullying, which was brought to the forefront by our own Miss Nevada who gave a talk. The students were honest and refreshing in their comments.  After each had spoken Principal Mike told how different it is being a kid today, and how the facelessness of social media makes bullying easier and more prevalent.  I am always gratified we have members like Lynn to lead and happy our club can contribute to such a worthy project each year.

Ted Gurr announced the recipients of the Mini Grants.  Twin Lakes received $ 500 for Artistic Visual Reference Library for K-5; also $ 500 for Leveled Reading Materials for Kindergartners.  Jydstrup got $ 500 for Library Books for Natural Science ( half their request), and West Prep $ 666 for Dictionaries and Thesauruses for 3rd and 4th graders (also half their original request).  Assisting Ted on the Mini Grant committee were Francie Summers and Sharon Jakle.

Another terrific program we sponsor is Santa Clothes, which is Thursday Dec. 6 at 7:30 am at JC Penny at the Meadows Mall.  Very gratifying and fun - each member helps a student shop for $ 150 of clothes (the cost is already covered).  It is over by 9:00 am unless you wish to accompany the kids to UNLV where they play sports with Rebel athletes and cheerleaders.  If you've never participated, it's a must do and Rotary Moment for many.

Brett told about an annual toy drive that Emily, Zachary and Domique put on for heart patient children.  You can bring a toy or money to the Christmas party next Tuesday.

I couldn't help but think, sitting with Lynn Purdue and Brett, how much they affect others, as we all do in some way.  We had a recent speaker from Dress for Success, a non-profit started by an employee of Lynn's.   Her company encourages each employee to get involved with a non-profit in the community and Paige Candee decided she wanted to start her own, which she did.  Brett's children have seen his efforts as a Rotarian and follow his example with the Toy Drive and other endeavors.  We may be tempted to think that we are such a small club, what can we do.  But we do a lot with our programs and by letting our light shine before our families and associates. 

The Christmas party is next week - be sure to RSVP to Ken Cox.

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Las Vegas West Rotary Club

October 23, 2012

We had a terrific speaker today, Paula Lawrence, who is the Southern Nevada Executive Director for Dress For Success.  Dress for Success was founded in New York City by a young woman in 1997 who, upon graduation from law school, received a $ 5,000 inheritance from her grand mother.  Desiring to do something great with the money, she went to her Catholic church to ask advice.  The out shoot was an organization to help dis-advantaged women obtain suitable clothes for a job interview.  The scope has grown to  include resume writing, interviewing and and training which results in self confidence. 

In southern Nevada Paula networks with places such as Job Connect who send her clients, and receives donations of clothing and money. They have set up a boutique, which Lynn Purdue says rivals any top retail clothing store.  Lynn has volunteered to teach resume writing and has had "Rotary Moments" in the process.  When a client arrives at the boutique (photo attached) they are assigned an Image Consultant to help with the selection process.  It is a thorough process, and includes job training for various industries, so that the client become employees of the highest order.  Walmart offered their training manuals for the classes.  Believing that their mission is to start careers, not just help clients find a job, they started PWG, Professional Women's Group, which meets monthly with speakers and support.  They will dress 200 women this year and plan to double that next year.  Houston, in their 8th year, dressed 5,000 women, and the organization has helped over 600,000 world wide.   

Paula is such a wonderful, enthusiastic speaker it is impossible not to be impressed with the program.  Dress for Success in southern Nevada was started by Paige Candee, an associate of Lynn's who has worked with our club on our golf tournament and visited many times.  Their firm encourages all their employees to be active in the community, and Paige decided to start her own non-profit rather than become involved in an existing one.  I think she really hit a home run.

Also attached is a photo of Miss Nevada at West Prep, courtesy of Tom Novotny, and a shot of Ken Fong's "seconds" at lunch, a plate filled with shrimp cocktails, which obviously resulted in a cross fine.  His reputation is intact. The food at recent meetings rivals what we had years ago - kudos to the new chef.  There is a board meeting Thursday at noon at the Porchlight Grill at Durango and Deseret Inn in a Vons shopping center.  All members are invited to attend.

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October 16, 2012

We had 12 members and no guests or visiting Rotarians.

After Steve and Ted beat me up about Texas losing a football game, the meeting proceded.  Caitlin announced her Crohn's Foundation fund raiser, a muscle car show, on Thursday Dec. 6, and Ken announced that our Christmas party is Tuesday, Dec. 4.  Francie did not announce it, but I think there is a board meeting next Tuesday after the regular meeting, somewhere off property.

Our small crowd was livened by the speaker, Chloe Powell, current Miss Helldorado Rodeo.  She tried out for Miss Nevada Rodeo, but was not selected.  However, there were some Elks Club members present and they asked her to be their Queen.  The competition involved judgement in horsemanship on two horses picked at random as well as beauty. She plans to try again for the state title in April with more experience under her belt buckle, which she wore along with big hat and smile.

Chloe graduated from Faith Lutheran in 2008 where she was Key Club president.  She got her first horse at age 7 and has never looked back, competing in barrel racing and pole bending as a teenager.  Currently she rides cutting horses and participates in Western Pleasure, which is a competition that encompasses how naturally the horse moves and the posture and aesthetics of the rider, among other things. The Elks ask her to speak to elementary students and other groups, which she happily does, since she talks real good.  Did I mention that smile? Photo attached.

Chloe told us a lot about her experiences with horses and cattle, and was a delightful breath of fresh air to our club meeting.

October 9, 2012

Dr. Robert Lang, UNLV Director, Brookings Mountain West
Robert E. Lang joined the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in January 2010 as a professor of sociology and UNLV Director of Brookings Mountain West.

Our speaker gave a rapid fire dissertation of the issues affecting Clark County as they relate to funding and relevance   He thinks it is crazy that Clark County produces most of the wealth and then sends it to Carson City for parceling out.  At least that's what I got out of it.  Unfortunately he did not offer any solid solutions, just that Nevada needs to re-organize its political structure.  It was also unfortunate that he bolted before any Q & A.  We could have had a long discussion of the issues he raised.  Still, he has examined communities all over the country and comes to his ideas from a wealth of knowledge.

Bill reminded us of the Awards program started during his term.  Ken announced we would not have a tail gate party this year due to a conflict.  And I was looking forward to some power house football...from the visiting team. He will be planning a Red Rock clean-up.  Ted's happy fine was his grandmother's 101st birthday.  Also a 30" brown trout he caught on the Truckee river.  Some were pushing for a total of $ 131 as a fine, but he didn't fall for it and just coughed up a couple of bucks.  We had 3 birthdays, Francie, Lynn Price and Lynn Purdue, pretty sweet 16's all!  Ken Fong was not there to sing Happy Birthday, and efforts to recruit Caitlin failed.  Brett was not available for Brett's corner, because he was teeing off at 1:30.  That should have left plenty of time for Rotary, I think.  Big fine next week.  Ken's Rant was supposed to have filled in, but amazingly he could not think of one.  Doesn't seem possible.

We had 14 members and 1 guest.

Segal vs Halvorson

The video of Canadian Steve taking down Nevada Steve in hockey at their de-bunk party. Brief glimpse of "Lefty" Brett Grant showing off his skills with a hockey stick.

Meeting of 05/17/2011 - Visit from the Interact Club of West Tech

It was a delightful meeting. We received the enthusiastic and energetic members of the Interact Club of West Tech. They gave a very well organized and designed presentation on their activities, and then told us about their personal and professional projects as well as their motivation to join this service organization. It is gratifying to meet these caring young people who want to help build better communities. Each Interactor received a pin from a member of our club. We all thank them for their work, the authorities of West Tech for their support and Ted Baker and Jerry Kops for their guidance and dedication to this project.
Slideshow and link to pictures below.

Corazón Superbuild in Tecate, Mexico

 A dedicated group of Rotarians from our Club and their spouses went to Tecate, Mexico over the weekend to work in a Corazón Superbuild project in Tecate, Mexico. The Pierces, the Novotnys, the Coxs and the Lotts (I hope I'm not leaving anybody out) were there. Some commented that it was only the ladies who worked, though this couldn't be confirmed. In the following picture, Robyn's shirt looks much dirtier than Tom's, which may taken as an evidence of the previous statement.

More pictures following the link below: