THE PIKES PEAK SERTOMANNow in our 62^nd Year  

Meeting on December 17, 2009

 

 

 

 

Nineteen members interrupted their Christmas shopping to attend lunch today.

The menu consisted of tossed salad, pork loin with apple sauce, chicken with some kind of tomato sauce, rice, the usual veggies, bread, butter and cookies furnished by the hotel.  Eric led us with the Sertoma Song, followed by Skip Hale’s choice of Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer to get us in the holiday spirit.  Dick Wilhelm led us in the pledge and Skip got double duty by praying for us all.   

 

     

                Guest Sertomans & Guests

 

There were no guests of any kind today.

 

                                             

            

                        Announcements

 

Frank Ulrich thanked the following members for volunteering to ring the Red Kettle for the Salvation Army: John Whitten, Jim Clark, Dana Franzen, Dick Rackley, Skip Hale, Mark Elliott, John Poyzer, Jon Handy and Mike Cimino.  Don Cloud also showed up, but Jon Handy had already filled the empty spot. Thanks Don for your willingness to help! Also, thanks to Harry Hoth who also volunteered.

Bob Louden advised that USA Cycling is moving out of his building on 12/23 and there are still filing cabinets etc. to be had at very reasonable prices.  If interested call Bob.  He also commented on Home Front Cares and what a wonderful organization it is helping wounded soldiers.

 

 

Dick Wilhelm reiterated that a survey will be mailed to all members and some previous members on 12/26.  It is  important that you give this your utmost attention and return the completed survey by the middle of January.  It is also important that you be honest and don’t hold back any concerns and/or complaints you have about the club. There are some thought provoking questions and these answers could determine the direction of the club. The board hopes to review the surveys in the January board meeting.

 

 

Frank Ulrich gave a brief report on the funerals of Dave Wilson and Midge Smartt. He also admitted that he has been a darn poor club representative for H.E.A.R.S. as he is unable to attend any of their board meetings and asked if anyone would be interested in taking over. So far, no takers.

 

It was mentioned  that a good friend and past president of the club, Bill Woods, who currently resides in Texas, is in dire need of hearing aids.  Ulrich emailed H.E.A.R.S. to see if they could help with no response as of yet. Any suggestions would be appreciated.   

 

Important, important, important!!!

 

Hear ye one and all!! There are no club meetings for the next 2 weeks!!!  The next meeting will be January 7, 2010.

 

 

                    Business Notes                                   

 

                           None

 

                         Culture

 

                            None

 

                                    

                         Program

 

There was  no program today as the 3^rd Thursday of each month is our fellowship meeting.

 

 

                           

                         $$$$$$$$

 

Tully Weiss got the small pot and Mark Elliott walked away with the big bucks.

 

 

      MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

THE PIKES PEAK SERTOMANNow in our 62^nd Year  

Meeting on December 10, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

A great turnout of 22 members showed up for the meeting, setting a near attendance record!   The menu included turkey, veggies, rice, bread and butter and great cookies thanks to Chris Walters (or should we thank Janet).  Our Prez got things going with the Sertoma Song. Our guest speaker suggested we sing Smile which was a disaster and mercifully  ended half way through.  Skip Hale then said we should try When you’re Smiling, which made everybody smile as we made it to the end in grand style. Mike Cimino led the pledge and Gay Hatler prayed for us and asked the Lord to be with Midge Smartt’s  and Dave Wilson’s families in their time of grief.

 

     

             Guest Sertomans & Guests

 

Norm Andersson  introduced Maria Macafee (sp) and Rob Brinson. Rob announced he was with Bailout Bucket Brigade, an organization to help those who have helped so many in the past and now need help themselves. They are newly formed and are asking for monetary contributions.  Maybe we should consider contributing.

 

            

                     Announcements

 

Frank Ulrich asked for additional members to help with the Salvation Army Red Kettle collection, December 15^th at King Soopers, Academy and Austin Bluffs. Call Frank at 598-0292 if you  can help.

Your Board Of Directors has announced that all members will be receiving a survey asking for your opinions  and views on several subjects within our club. It is important that you give this your utmost attention and return  your completed survey,  by the middle of January, as per the instructions. A fellowship meeting   will be scheduled after all surveys have been received to review the results.

Ladies night out,  celebrating Valentines Day, is tentatively scheduled for February 13^th  with dinner and show at UCCS. More specifics on this later but mark your calendar for 2/13/10!  

       

            

               

                    Business Notes

 

                            None                                   

 

                           Culture

 

                             None

 

 

                           Program

 

Jon Handy  introduced our speaker of the day, Tom Binnings who spoke on the national, state and local economy.  Tom is a graduate of Colorado College with a BA in economics and an MBA from Dartmouth College. Tom has taught business and economics at both Regis  and Webster Universities and is a partner in Summit Economics. He stated  unemployment is up and inflation is close to historical rates, but leading indicators such as the stock market are up, which is good.

The job growth average is in a downfall since the mid 1990’s as many jobs have gone overseas. 

As far as Colorado goes, gaining government, military strength , federal and defense outlook is good for  jobs and Colorado is the 4^th most preferred state to live in.   Those jobs that seem to be improving are in health services, education, professional and business services and leisure and hospitality. The economic bad news is in wages, unemployment and  building  permits.

Nationally the years of our resilient dollar may be over, baby boomers are aging  and retirement is facing a reality check and 17%  of our GDP is spent on health care.  It was a general consensus that leadership from the business sector in Colorado Springs is in decline and that we can possibily expect changes in the way our government does business.  Thanks to Jon for a good program.

 

                           

                                $$$$$$$$

 

Sorry, didn’t note who won the money, all I know it wasn’t me.

THE PIKES PEAK SERTOMANNow in our 62^nd Year  

Meeting on December 3, 2009

 

 

 

14 members braved the cold weather for our meeting today. We were rewarded with beef tenderloin over rice, the usual steamed veggies, bread, butter and thanks to Willie horst, cookies for lunch. Eric Scott got things started with our Sertoma song, while Chris Walters chose Always,  to sing (I think we should re-name it Never and never attempt to sing it again!).Dana Franzen led us in the pledge and Skip Hale prayed for us all.

     

         Guest Sertomans & Guests

 

There were no guests today, however, Chris Walters made his trek down from Monument to be with us. We wish that Chris  could make more meetings and looks like he will be with us again next week.

            

                 Announcements

 

Rod Wells advised  the next board meeting will be Thursday, December 10th at 11:00AM prior to our scheduled noon meeting.  Last minute reminder: Christmas party this Saturday, December 5^th, Antlers Hotel, 6PM.  Dick Rackley announced that FREE H1N1 vaccine will be available Saturday, 12/5 at the Citadel Mall thanks to the El Paso County Health Department. Frank Ulrich needs volunteers for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle program. We are scheduled for Tuesday, December 15^th at  King Soopers, Mall of the Bluffs,  and needs 2 more persons, one for 5:00PM-6:00PM and another for 6:00PM-7:00PM.  It would be nice if we had a couple of additional members available in case one of the members has to cancel.  Rod Wells has suggested a possible Valentines dinner at the El Paso Club (with our wives of course) and will also pursue another night at the theatre.  More on this later.

       

              Business Notes

 

                      None                           

 

                    Culture

 

Chris Walters had a good one. (you had to be there)

                   Program

 

Our scheduled speaker failed to show up. Eric called on Chris Walters to catch us up to date on what is happening in the world of rodeo.  He reported that he still works with Steve Rempelos. Of the 600 or so sanctioned rodeos, they  have contracts with Justin Boots and Wrangler Jeans to send advertising materials to about 300 of these rodeos. Included are such things as placemats, back numbers, etc. Chris mentioned that the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) has a new commissioner  and  business is thriving. He also gave us a rough schedule of where he will be playing which included New Years Eve at the Broadmoor.  Anyone with $400 could attend at which Dick Wilhelm had his usual comical comeback!

 

                       $$$$$$$$

 

Chris drew John Poyzer’s name for the small pot and would’nt you know, Chris drew his own name for the big bucks so we will see him again next week with the cookies!!