MEETING SUMMARY - JULY 26, 2016

 

We had a great turnout again for a very interesting meeting program about Amendment 69.  At least, for my part, I did not know a lot about this proposed amendment to the Colorado Constitution and I found both of the presenters informative.

 

We inducted two new members:

 

Dianne Moore who was previously a member of our club and Kathy Niewoehner.

 

I would like to include here comments I made at the meeting regarding the upcoming political season and how our club will work with programs that have political content as well as a request to members about political topics over the next several months:

 

(these are the notes I wrote for myself in advance about what I wanted to say.  It came out a bit differently but I think I covered the same points)

 

 

Politics.... it’s the most interesting show around right now.  I know it is something that many of those in this room care deeply about and give their time to promoting their views.

 

In the last three national elections about 55% of people of voting age participated.  My guess would be that the percentage in our club is much higher…. And that is good.  We are an organization of engaged and intelligent people and it is no surprise that many of us are active participants in the political process and are advocates of strongly held positions.

 

Today we will be beginning our club’s presentations of issues and candidates in the upcoming November elections.  We will have this event and a couple of others as we approach the election.  So, how do politics and our Rotary Club co-exist?

 

Rotary is a service organization.  We exist to improve our community and our world.  Rotary is apolitical.  Can bringing information to our members be accomplished in a non-partisan way be accomplished so that it is a service to our membership and our community?  I think so.

 

I want to talk briefly about how we will handle political events this season and what is expected of our members.

  1. We will only present issues or candidates where both sides of the subject or both candidates can be represented at the same time.
  2. Ballot issue advocates and candidates will be told that they can not solicit contributions or sign-ups… the purpose is to inform.
  3. One might think that the first of the 4-way tests Is it the Truth? would justify some political comments… but I think that the 3rd is more important to our mission:  Will it build good-will and better friendships.
  1. Not only today, but over the next 14 weeks please refrain from comments at meetings whether at Good News or elsewhere that tend to support one candidate or position or disparage another.  We will be more effective as a service organization if we leave political advocacy whether direct or implied at the door.

Thanks, Steve Hitchcock, President