Public lands have a rich history that dates back to the Louisiana Purchase. Our nation’s approach towards these lands moved gradually from disposal in the 1800’s and early 1900’s to one of retention and “multiple-use management” that balances conservation with economic development. In the 21st century, public lands are expected to be a major role in outdoor recreation, tourism and community quality of life.
Economically speaking, outdoor recreation is bigger business than most realize, boasting an estimated $646 billion in annual direct consumer spending in the United States. From birdwatching to dune buggies, public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management offer venues for residents and tourists alike to experience the great outdoors and contribute to local economies. In Arizona, these visitors make public lands a major contributor to the state’s recreation, hospitality and tourism industries.
Mountains, deserts, forests and grasslands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management host over six million recreation visits within Arizona alone. Nationwide, thousands of outdoor-oriented business including guides, outfitters and event promoters depend directly on federal lands for their daily operations.
With a comprehensive approach to stewardship of America’s public lands that emphasizes local partnerships, BLM continues to grow as a factor and active participant in the nation’s growing outdoor recreation economy.
Speaker Biographies
Timothy R. Shannon, Bureau of Land Management Gila District Manager
Timothy Shannon serves as the District Manager for the Bureau of Land Management’s Gila District, which extends from the Navajo Nation in the north to the US-Mexico border in the south and encompasses 2.4 million acres of public land. With responsibility for three offices (located in Tucson, Safford and Sierra Vista), Tim oversees nearly 100 employees including wildland firefighters, law enforcement officers, park rangers, biologists, archeologists and more. Tim has worked for BLM for twenty five years with a broad range of experience in Nevada, Alaska and Colorado. Most recently he was the Deputy Division Chief of Business Services at the BLM’s National Operations Center, where he provided national guidance to BLM employees and contractors in financial services, accounting, procurement, property and engineering.
Adam Milnor, Bureau of Land Management Gila District Public Affairs Specialist
Adam Milnor is the Public Affairs Specialist for the BLM’s Gila District, serving as primary spokesperson and contact for the media while overseeing community outreach to non-profit organizations and local governments. Prior to moving to Tucson, Adam spent seven years working for the BLM in northwest Oregon as a recreation and land use planner developing community projects that garnered national attention. He is a graduate of Arizona State University and lives in downtown Tucson with his wife Claire.
Well, the podium was full this week but surprisingly, no birthday celebrants! This is a first in my brief history as a Rotarian. We’ll probably have twice as many next week… Moving on to announcements.
Past president MARY MARTIN had some leftover funds in her president’s discretionary fund. In true RCOT fashion, MARY presented a check to Sonoran Glass, a group focused on helping youth by teaching them how to work with glass. Speaking of youth, we had two Rotary Exchange students join us for lunch. JEN HOFFMAN introduced us to Cristina Del Rosso, from Italy, who is staying at the Hoffman residence. That was followed by a slide presentation by RICHARD MUNDINGER’s daughter, Erica, who had an exciting year abroad living on the equator in Ecuador. Finally, PAT ZUMBUSCH introduced us to our team of superheros who are the leaders of the TCCS ticket sales teams. I think I’m going to adopt my own superhero persona as I begin selling my batch of tickets. Unfortunately Batman is already taken.
For our program this week, TED KIRACOFE introduced us to Jamie Brown, Transportation Planning Manager for Pima Association of Governors. Jamie provided us with an informative overview of the regional transportation plan. He explained the various sources of funding for our future transportation plans. I was surprised to learn we receive $0 for transportation projects from regional gas taxes.
Here’s to club programs that stimulate thought, widen the horizon, and deepen conviction!
Wasn’t it just recently that the bursting of the housing bubble plunged the world into a financial abyss? Actually, that was more than seven years ago. But it’s fresh in the minds of many folks, and that’s a source of angst to quite a few non-profits.
People remember vividly how huge chunks of their net worth evaporated in short order. Those memories haven’t – and shouldn’t – be forgotten. Whether or not you believe the country has recovered to pre-2007 levels, there is a common feeling within the non-profit world that a residual effect remains. That effect is a more cautious generosity expressed by both businesses and individuals. Whether it’s dues, donations, or sponsorships, it’s harder to come by.
The explanations go deeper than “hanging onto more to provide a buffer during the next big crash” (when that crash will come can be debated). Quite a bit of charitable giving is funded by the earnings in endowments. Cut the size of the endowment (think stock portfolio slashed 40%) and the earnings can only drop. On top of that, factor in interest rates for savings that are at record lows and you again have less to give away.
Consider, too, the trend toward fewer, larger corporations. Many firms closed, and it takes years for new starts to generally reach a cash position that enables giving or paying for such items as professional dues and trade shows. While mergers result in one company the size of what was two, that one survivor doesn’t seem to be buying sponsorships equal to the sum of what the two purchased. Two competitors used to buy two exhibit booths each; the merged entity buys three. Twenty convention registrations becomes fourteen. A typical justification for merging is to take advantage of economies of scale, right? Some of that economizing means fewer dollars for trade associations, professional societies, and contributions.
What about the government sector payments to non-profits for conventions and meetings? Famous cases of garish spending as the great recession was still at its depths resulted in major cutbacks of government spending at events that were derided as junkets and blowouts.
So in the midst of this sea of change, how is Rotary doing? Seems to be doing well, thank you!
It’s as true in the non-profit universe as the for-profit one – when times get tough, the marginal players don’t survive. The fundamentally sound and those that can adapt both devise a way to keep the doors open. They have to work harder and smarter to attract their traditional levels of receipts. Operational fat is trimmed, project efficiency is improved, dying programs are jettisoned.
Rotary International has instituted base-level operational changes in recent years. Think of: treating members as customers; focusing more on participation instead of mere attendance; and, the emphasis on sustainability in projects. The financial model has been amended to maintain stability in future instances of prolonged market plunges.
Our club is taking steps to remain a leading Tucson non-profit: a more broad-based membership; identifying how each member can best serve within Rotary; considering sustainability in the analysis of programs we consider supporting; establishing replicable systems in our fundraising to efficiently use our volunteers; and more. We’re not perfect just yet – the intent is to be a bit better every year.
Like it or not, we go head-to-head with other non-profits in fundraising. If Rotary and its “competitors” all work smarter, the entire world will benefit.
I am President of Rotary Club of Pune Katraj, RI District 3131, India. I am proud to be a Rotarian and pleased to have had the opportunity to lead my club. I welcome you all to the new Rotary Year and wish you all the very best for the coming year. As Rotarians, together we will make this world a better place to live.
I am writing to you all to appraise you on a unique event that we are organizing again this year. After the huge success that we had in the year 2013-14, we are again back with ROGEC-2015, a global essay competition with a view to crusaders of Peace in a constructive dialoque and allow them a platform to express themselves on global issues concerning Peace.
This competition is open to all the citizens of the world. The winners will be invited to India for 5 days and will get involved in various informative and cultural activities.
I request you to circulate this mail among your members, friends and acquaintences, share this information through your Club bulletins and encourage participation in this event.
Timothy R. Shannon, Bureau of Land Management Gila District Manager 
Adam Milnor, Bureau of Land Management Gila District Public Affairs Specialist
president MARY MARTIN had some leftover funds in her president’s discretionary fund. In true RCOT fashion, MARY presented a check to Sonoran Glass, a group focused on helping youth by teaching them how to work with glass. Speaking of youth, we had two Rotary Exchange students join us for lunch. JEN HOFFMAN introduced us to Cristina Del Rosso, from Italy, who is staying at the Hoffman residence. That was followed by a slide presentation by RICHARD MUNDINGER’s daughter, Erica, who had an exciting year abroad living on the equator in Ecuador. Finally, PAT ZUMBUSCH introduced us to our team of superheros who are the leaders of the TCCS ticket sales teams. I think I’m going to adopt my own superhero persona as I begin selling my batch of tickets. Unfortunately Batman is already taken.
regional transportation plan. He explained the various sources of funding for our future transportation plans. I was surprised to learn we receive $0 for transportation projects from regional gas taxes.
Dear Rotarian,
