Ellen Ryder reports that the Blair Rotary N-Lighten Nebraska team members have completed their exercise regimen and have lost a total of 34 pounds.  Team members walked, biked, swam and exercised.  All activities were converted to miles and the Blair team had a total of 4,316 miles.  God job and better health to the following Rotarians who participated: Chris Boswell, John Cromwell, Blake Dillon, Jim Nelson, Vicki Olson, LuAnne Patak, Mary Jean Rahlfs, Ellen Ryder, Shirley Schmidt and Dave Ward.

Club members are reminded to save the date of August 13th for the annual Blair Rotary Golf Tournament.  Additional details and assignments will be given at a later date.

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

Notes from the June 15th Meeting - Program Chair - Tom Sternberg

Guest speakers for the day were Donna Mahlendorf and fellow Rotarian Lana Pleak.  The topic of discussion was the Three Rivers Public Health Department which serves the three counties of Dodge, Saunders and Washington.  Members of the Board of Directors include the County Supervisor (or designee) and two individuals from the county.  The Washington County directors include Betsy Anderson, Donna Mahlendorf and Kent Wilcox (Ernie Abariotis serves as an alternate to the Board).  The objective of the department is to address health and safety issues of the residents of the county.  Initial efforts have included an assessment of the counties to determine if there is a duplication of services provided and, where no services are provided, to determine how products and services can be provided to citizens within the counties.

The Three Rivers Public Health Department currently has a staff of 8 and expects the staff to grow to 11.  The total budget is approximately $300,000 which is primarily funded by the Tobacco Fund settlement dollars.  The majority of budget sources include Tobacco Settlement Funds ($226,000); Bio Terrorism Funds ($52,000) and Home Health Grant ($16,000).  Budgetary expenses fall into the following categories:

• Personnel 66%
• Office 20%
• Advertising 5%
• Travel 2%
• Utilities 2%
• Education 1%
• Insurance 1%
• Programs 3%

There is a source of contention with regard to the budget expenditures.  As is indicated above very little is actually being spent on programs and services to the citizens.  It is obvious that far too much of the resources go to support staff and the operation.  A number of Blair Rotarians asked questions about the use of funds and the apparent lack of helping out citizens.

The Washington County Board members are suggesting that the Three Rivers Public Health Department be dissolved and combined with the Douglas County Health Department.  The differences in opinion within the Board are tremendous and it appears as though it is only through mediation that issues can be resolved.  It is hoped that through mediation the Board can work toward a common goal and hopefully serve the citizens within the three county area.  

If you would like more information on the Three Rivers Health Department please feel free to contact either Donna Mahlendorf or Betsy Anderson.

Rotary Question of the Week

Where will the 2005 Rotary International Convention be held?

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

The Chicago Centennial Convention will begin on Saturday, 18 June 2005, one day earlier than usual, to accommodate the Rotary International Parade in the morning and Host Hospitality in the evening. Combined Convention Registration and RI Ticket Order forms will make it easy for you to plan your convention itinerary.

To provide better customer service and to handle the projected demand for accommodations, the Hotel Reservation Form and the Group Block Housing Request Form are now available to download. You may also register online.

We encourage you to submit forms early to avoid unnecessary delays and to ensure hotel availability. The Registration and Housing Department experiences high volumes of activity upon opening and on and around deadline dates, so there may be lengthier turnaround times and communication delays during those periods.

Thought of the Week

"People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy after" - Goldsmith

June Birthdays
Bob Schmoll 20th
Mick Mines 21st
Ellen Ryder 24th
Shirley Schmidt 24th

Service Above Self!