Club members are reminded they can do make-ups on the web at  http://www.rotaryeclubone.org.

The Blair Rotary Golf Tournament is scheduled for October 3rd.  If you can help out please contact Bob Hill at the Rivers Wild Golf Course.  All members are asked to form/create/sponsor a team to play in the tournament.  

Blair's Rotary September Student of the Month, Kevin Bair, was honored at Tuesday's meeting.  Kevin is involved in a number of activities including:   National Honor Society (President 2003-04); FBLA (4 years); Class A-2 State Champions Journalism Team Member (2002, 2003); numerous awards from the Nebraska High School Press Association Yearbook Competition  (2002-2003); Science Club Member (2002-03); Golf (2001); community volunteer donating more that 150 hours of service and one of the grant writers and recipient of the $100,000 Teens Against Tobacco Grant for FBLA.  As a Blair Rotary Student of the Month, Kevin will receive a $200 scholarship to be used for educational expenses next fall.  Kevin is planning to major in journalism or mass communication and is currently considering UNO, UNL or Northwest Missouri State.

Notes from the September 16th  Meeting - Program Chair - Mick Jensen

Mick's guest for the day was Mr. Dave Heineman, Nebraska State Lt. Governor.  A major responsibility for Mr. Heineman is serving as the Head of Homeland Security for the State of Nebraska.  The Lt. Governor indicates that the U.S. and the State of Nebraska are better prepared than they were prior to 9/11.  However, we must not be lulled into a false sense of security.  Given our proximity to Offutt Air Base and the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Station, makes Washington County a prime target.

In Nebraska approach to homeland security is a team effort involving the integration of a number of agencies, such as the National Guard, local police and fire departments and health care providers and agencies.  In addition, the state encourages the public to pay attention and watch for unusual activity.  A unique initiatative is the "Highway Watch Program", which involves training of truck drivers to observe and report any questionable activities.  Given the number of trucks on the road this dramatically expands observation within the state. 

Mr. Heineman reported that there are three areas of focus within the state with regard to homeland security:

1. First responders - the training of emergency response teams to react to biological or agricultural terrorism, chemical spills or other natural/man-made disasters.  The state has received $15 million to use for homeland security, Washington County will receive $154,000 to assist in development of plans and training.
2. Bio-terrorism - the state is far ahead of many others given the activities of the Nebraska Medical Center.  In addition, the state has developed a small pox vaccination program that is the envy of others.
3. Communication - one of the biggest issues facing Nebraska is the coordination of our communication systems.  Currently there are good lines of communication between public health districts, physicians and hospitals, in fact, we are ahead of most states.  The goal will be a radio system allowing seamless communication between all fire, police and emergency care providers.  That system does not exist but plans to develop the infrastructure to support a system are in the works.

Rotary Question of the Week

Name at least two of Rotary International's strategic goals.

Rotary Fact of the Week (from  the RI or District Website)

An April 2001 report of the RI and Rotary Foundation Governance Committee cautioned that without a strategic plan, Rotary's course would lack continuity and be subject to "patchwork development" at the expense of the organization's vast resources.  In response, the RI Board of Directors set in motion the process of developing a strategic plan for Rotary.  The following are the goals have been established:        

• Eradicate Polio.
• Sharpen program focus.
• Select new corporate program focus.
• Refine governance/leadership structure.
• Improve training and education at all levels.
• Expand and integrate membership globally.
• Enhance public image.

 Thought of the Week

"Many people in our times believe 'healthy' and 'happy' are adversaries when in fact they can be great friends."
                                                                            - Chris Downie, SparkPeople Founder

September Birthdays
Bob Hill 20th