Rotogear for May 21, 2008

RI President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson's Website

The Rotogear
of the Rotary Club of Fort Collins

May 21, 2008

Stacy Plemmons

On August 9, 1965, Singapore, an island/city roughly 26 by 14 miles in size, was unceremoniously booted from the Malay Federation for challenging the laws of Bumiputra (“Sons of the Soil”) favoring native Malays. With no natural resources, less than three day supply of water, no defense force and completely surrounded by Muslim nations, Singapore was very vulnerable. In addition, at independence Singapore was a ‘very average’ Asian city in every sense (read: ‘less developed’, ‘developing’, or ‘third world’).

Yet in 2007, Singapore was ranked 1st for Most Globalized Nations, 2nd for Most Competitive Economy, 2nd for Potential Competitiveness and 4th in Least Corruption (after Denmark, Finland and New Zealand). Further, the Heritage Foundation/Wall Street Journal ranked Singapore 2nd in their Index of Economic Freedom.

So how did this ‘very average Asian nation’ become such a world economic leader?

Our program today will review highlights of Singapore’s geography, history, make-up and four key decisions that contributed first to mere survival, and later to the economic ‘miracle’. Stacy Plemmons, who lived in Singapore 2000-2001 will tell stories of life in Singapore and how those four key decisions affect Singapore today.

Map of Singapore

Singapore Skyline

Stacy retired from Hewlett Packard Singapore in 2001, after spending 2 years as Southeast Region General Manager for HPCP, and 4 years as Vice President and General Manager, India, for HP’s Computer Systems Businesses. Following retirement he was Country Director for the US Peace Corps in Samoa and currently teaches Leadership and Organizational Performance at Daniels College of Business, University of Denver.

Presiding at Last Weeks Meeting

Joe Looper

Lee Jeffrey

Donal Johnson

Presiding: Chuck Rutenberg

Invocation & Pledge: Joe Looper

Music: Steve Busch

Song Leader: Rotary Women's Chorus

Greeters: Lee Jeffrey, Taylor Hall & Brenda Carns

Introductions: Donal Johnson

Microphone & Seargent at Arms: Bonnie Titley

Guests Last Week

Presiding at Last Weeks Meeting

Paul Barton

Monique Flickinger, Melinda Danielson, Haley Balen, Ryan Bok, former member Paul Barton, guests of the club

Virginia Getts, guest of Max Getts

Harold Duke, guest of C. J. Streit

Ray Chamberlain, guest of Melanie Chamberlain

John Dorris, guest of Dennis Kaan

Karen Perse, guest of Bob Lawrence

Visiting Rotarians

Harry Taylor, Norfolk, Va.

P. Joseph Maffey, Rotary Club of Las Vegas

Announcements

Jim Harper

Jim Mucklow

Brian Burck

Max Getts

Ron Stoops

President Chuck told about Shelter Boxes, an item produced by a Rotary Club, available to victims of disasters. He highlighted the current need in Myanmar and urged anyone who wanted to donate to this cause to get in touch with him.

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Henry Weisser invited Rotarians to the History Fellowship meeting at Joe's Café. The topic was to compare Viet Nam and Iraq. When listening to General Petreas, do you Hear General Westmoreland?

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Jim Harper wanted it repeated that the Monday, May 5th, cleanup at Lee Martinez park was a success. There will be another cleanup day on June 2nd. Members helping should bring their grass cutting equipment.

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Jim Mucklow again urged Rotarians to sign up for the fundraising Russian river cruise in 2009. Those paying in full by the end of the month can earn discounts up to $1100 per person. Information about travel insurance was on the tables.

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Brian Burck invited members to hear this year's Rotary READ author, Marianne Mitchell, speak at Livermore Elementary School on Thursday morning. She will speak at a total of six schools. The Rotary READ committee meets and Jeanne Fangman's office on the first Wednesday of each month. Any new member wishing to join this committee should contact Brian.

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Max brought some nostalgia toys to show up: a cap gun (for playing Cops and Robbers), a Krypton Ray Gun (to play Superman and show 'movies' on the wall), and a stereopticon. He also announced he and Virginia had just greeted their sixth great-grandchild and had "two more in the hangar". He presented a check for the appropriate amount to Chuck.

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Ron Stoops recognized all those who participated in Highway Cleanup. He noted some of the findings-half dollar bills, coins, and a "fully equipped" wallet. (NOTE: The finder of the wallet has not been seen since!)

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Your Announcement Right Here!!!!!

Want more members aware of your announcement? Get it in the web and print Rotogears before the meeting. Email to:
Rotogear Editor

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Teacher of the Month

Melinda Danielson

Garth McCann introduced Melinda Danielson from Lincoln Junior High School. She thanked Rotary for recognizing teachers, saying she admired the work of Rotary, especially their literacy programs and Polio Plus. A teacher for 22 years, she is also a produce of Poudre School District, having attended Bennett, Blevins, and Rocky Mountain High School. She praised the quality education she received and decided early on she wanted to provide it for others. She began in elementary school, then moved to junior high (a move she has regretted on occasion!), but found, when faced with two junior high boys who said "no" forcefully, that the advice her father gave her was true-"Never let them see you cry." She found a way to connect with that age group and made a turnaround with strong support from office personnel. She is committed to teamwork and accountability-saying that her recognition could just as easily gone to others in her school: To coaches who set a positive example; to the staff who make their days workable; even to students who struggle with many difficulties and achieve remarkable resiliency. She has learned to listen to the students who make her laugh. And she can now cry openly with pride.

Red to Blue Badges and Sponsor's Pin

Having completed all new member requirements, the following Rotarians received their blue badges: Jaime Grimm, Jim Harper, and Amelia Striegel. Sankaram Mantripragada received a Sponsor's Pin for sponsoring Rob McElroy.

Presidents Pin

FINALLY!-President Chuck presented Susie Ewing with her Past President's Pin.

Last Week's Program

Bob Lawrence

Dennis Kaan

Bob Lawrence introduced club member and retired Air Force Colonel, Dennis Kaan, to inform us why his former employer, Northrop Grumman (NG), won the lucrative contract for the next military refueling tanker rather than the Boeing Company. Between September 2006 and March 2007 Dennis was part of a 200 plus team of NG employees that put together a 7,000 page bid for the tanker contract.

In meeting his goal, Dennis first showed us a time lapse video of the production of the Australian Air Force version of the tanker that NG will build at a new plant in Louisiana. The video was followed by a PowerPoint presentation covering the need for a new tanker, the minimum Air Force bid requirements, a “spider chart” showing how each bidder met the requirements, the concern for jobs in the US, the risk factors, the bid costs and the Air Force score card for each bid.

Some of the existing fleet of refuelers’ are 50 years old, the last one produced by Boeing in 1966. Since the contract will call for only 12-15 aircraft to be built per year, some of the existing fleet will be used for another 40 years. There is an Air Force saying that goes like this, “the mother of the pilot of the last existing KC-135 has not been born yet”; thus the military’s need.

Finally, Dennis told us what he thought were the main reasons why NG won the contract versus Boeing. It boiled down to the fact that for less cost per plane, NG’s bid will supply an aircraft with more capability and an essentially a proven “off the shelf” version of an existing aircraft. The “spider chart” was very convincing in showing how the NG bid was better at meeting and exceeding the Air Force’s requirements. The contract is under protest by Boeing.

Calendar

May 22 - Rotaract on May 22 at 7:15 pm at Manno’s at Colindale

Jun 5-7 - District Confernce in Cody, Wyoming, see Don Johnson is interested

Jun 15-18 - Rotary International Convention in LA

Future Meetings

May 28 - State of the University, Dr. Penley

Jun 04 - Gualan, Guatemala Rotary Club Presentation, Edwin Olivia and Kurt Valletin

Jun 11 - Panning for Gold by Ron Rutz, coordinated by Bob Meroney

Jun 18 - World Community Services Committee Presentation, Jim Epstein, Claude Piche and Dave Stewart

Jun 25 - open

Jul 02 - Changing of the Guard, Past President Susie Ewing and BOD

Jul 09 - Front Range Community College 20th Anniversary, meeting at FRCC

Jul 16 - Rotary District 5440 Governor Stuart Palmer's Visit to our Club

Jul 23 - George Theodore - Travels

Jul 30 - Human Trafficking

Links to the previous and next Rotogears

May 14, 2008

May 28, 2008

Warren and Genny Garst Wildlife Collection at CSU Click here or on the "tiger."

Rotary District 5440 Home Page - We recommend browsing this page particularly the links to other Clubs in District 5440 as your time permits.

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