It’s no stretch that I would include a musical reference in my 2010-2011 presidential message and motto.  The idea of harmony is based on the notion that a group working together can create something greater the sum of its parts. This is the way I have viewed Rotary since I became a Rotarian 20 years ago and my experience with this club has reinforced this ideal.

    Ray Klinginsmith’s 2010-2011 motto “Building Communities-Bridging Continents” exemplifies what The Rotary Club of Grand Junction has been about for 91 years.  The local projects such as back to school supplies, dictionaries, Rotaract and Interact clubs, funds raised from the Masquerade for drug endangered kids,  Youth Exchange, and our local club’s  foundation  exemplify our work toward building the Grand Junction community.  Hurricane relief, Matching Grants, Shelter Boxes, Polio Plus, Group Study Exchange, Paul Harris contributions, and the myriad of global projects that Rotary International supports through our donations are indicators of the clubs willingness to reach beyond the local community and help build a better world community.

     Today we are honored with a visit from District Governor Steve Berg.  Steve’s goals are to ensure your continued success as Rotarians and Rotary Clubs.  Let's look at the new guidelines for a Presidential Citation and see to it that every club in our district qualifies for one.  Let's make it a priority for every club to be represented at District Leadership Seminar.  Finally, let's celebrate the fun, fellowship and excitement of Rotary by having every club represented at the District 5470 Conference October 1-3, 2010 at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs.  

      We can make things happen.  I am honored to be your District Governor and excited about fulfilling this year's theme together.  We will start "Building Communities Bridging Continents." 

     Dr. Anthony A. Frank became the 14th President of Colorado State University on June 24, 2009. He is with us today to share his vision and update us on the future of CSU.

     Colorado State has earned its reputation as one of the leading land-grant research universities of the 21st century, thanks to the leadership of a world renowned faculty, dedicated staff, talented and involved student body, and engaged group of alumni and supporters. Our goals as an institution are straightforward: we provide students with an outstanding, competitive education; conduct important research that can improve the quality of life for people and communities worldwide; and help meet the practical, informational, and economic needs of Colorado through an unparalleled commitment to community outreach.

     Local author Patricia Martin will give a slide presentation on her captivating historical novel, A Meadowlark Calling, featuring early-day photos of the real people and places depicted in the book. This true story is uplifting and inspiring, with broad appeal for all ages and both sexes. A movie based on the book is scheduled for filming in the near future.

     Originally from Oklahoma, Patricia Martin grew up listening to the stories told by her maternal grandmother, of her early life homesteading on the plains of Kansas and Oklahoma in the late 1800s. Martin’s determination to chronicle these true stories resulted in the captivating novel, A Meadowlark Calling, once described by 20^th Century Fox as “a slice of life out of America’s past.”

     A member of the Western Writers of America, Pat now makes her home in Grand Junction, Colorado, where she continues to write about the West for various newspapers and periodicals. She is also an award-winning photographer.

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