The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) is a state agency that has the responsibility of administering the state’s water laws; exploring methods of augmenting water supplies to meet future demands; and developing public policies that promote conservation and equitable distribution of water. Jeff Tannler, Statewide Active Management Area (AMA) Director for ADWR, will provide an overview of water management in Arizona from a statewide perspective, as well as a look at local water management within the Tucson AMA.
Biography of Jeff Tannler
Jeff Tannler is the Statewide Active Management Area Director with the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). His responsibilities include water resource planning, policy development, water rights administration and staff oversight for the five Active Management Areas statewide. Mr. Tannler received a Bachelor of Science degree in Watershed Management from the University of Arizona. He began work with ADWR in 1988 in the Tucson AMA office.
I walked into the meeting during the song, and when I looked for a seat I couldn’t help but notice there was a table near the back with one seat open. I also noticed that nine women were sitting at this table, so I felt required to diversify the group and took the empty seat. I don’t think I’ve been surrounded by nine attractive women since my college days!
We had three birthdays this week. Happy Birthday and thanks go to GORDON GRAHAM, 48-year club member, for giving a shout out to Ed Mystery. GORDON, I’m sure I speak for all the folks who prepare the mystery editor article when I say thanks for the recognition. Also a Happy Birthday and Bonjourno to long-standing members ERNIE MINCHELLA and KEITH WIEGAND.
We also acknowledged two new Blue Badge members – FONDA INSLEY and LES SILBERMAN. We welcome you both as the newest members of RCOT!
And a big CONGRATULATIONS along with a big round of applause goes to ROGER HARWELL, this year’s recipient of the Orville McPherson Award. Did you know that ROGER, while club president, introduced the tradition of closing the meeting with a toast? ROGER, you may not be a “10” but I’m sure I speak for all of RCOT when I say there is no one “finer”!
Our program was again introduced by TED FORSBERG… make that TED KIRACOFE who introduced Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff. Sheriff Nanos started by saying he wasn’t very good at public speaking, then went on to provide a very well-spoken presentation covering the “State of the Department”. Did you know that department staff level is 1.4 per 1000 residents, while the national average is 1.9? Also, the county incurs 8 incidents per 1000 residents annually while the statewide average is 18. Sheriff Nanos attributes these good stats to the fact that the department does a great job hiring and training the right type of employee. He also believes the employees truly care about the communities they serve.
I’ll close by quoting ROGER HARWELL who, upon receiving his award, in his humble and humorous way quoted Groucho Marx: “I’m not sure I want to belong to a club that would honor me…” Have a great week!
RCOT HAS PAID STAFF – WHAT SHOULD THEY DO AND WHAT SHOULD VOLUNTEERS DO?
Our club is the only one in District 5500 with a full-time staff member. In fact, we also have a part-timer, Stephanie, to assist Dorinna in the club’s operation. Without this assistance to the volunteers, our club’s capability to provide service would be drastically diminished. We are fortunate to have paid help, and we’re very fortunate to have so capable and dedicated an Executive Director.
Like any non-profit with staff, RCOT has tasks that have been assigned to the paid help, and tasks that the volunteers carry out. That division is established by the club leadership, by trial and error, and by years of experience in what works best. We could hire more staff to take more of the load off of volunteers; or, we could cut staff time to theoretically leave more money to put toward service. What are some of the considerations in achieving the right balance?
Obviously, money is a limiting factor. Yes, members could pay more, or even much more, in the way of dues and we could hire added staff. Those new workers would reduce the number of volunteer hours Rotarians have to provide, while achieving somewhat comparable results to the current system. But, it is practically impossible to imagine dues high enough that the majority of the volunteer hours put into, for example, the Tucson Classics Car Show, could be covered by employees. The show’s gross income wouldn’t be enough to hire even 5% of the time put in by generous members and their families, let alone leave anything to be distributed to our beneficiaries. There are just too many hours, donated by too many, to instead pay for.
So to have more dollars to give to worthy causes, let’s just get rid of our staff and rely on additional hours per week from our members to do what is now done by the club’s office, right? That would be terribly inefficient and counter-productive. Volunteer hours are sporadic – you can’t count on them on a scheduled basis like you can employee time. The demands of running our club don’t often permit a “we’ll get to it when someone has time” sort of approach.
Then there is the expertise our staff has and gains. What if our volunteers don’t have that knowledge? Or what if this month’s volunteer does, but next month’s doesn’t? We can’t train everyone to do every job.
Institutional knowledge is a concept based upon longevity and a consistent presence. That is scarcely achievable, despite best efforts to save everything to disk, with new volunteers cycling in and out on something as important, to name one example, as the weekly lunch guarantee to the Doubletree. The cost of inexperienced guesstimates in this one area is equal to the majority of the annual cost of our part-time staff member.
There are club needs that cannot be, or would poorly be, handled by an employee compared to a volunteer. Asking for donations and enticing member prospects are examples of tasks better accomplished by members rather than staff. Taking volunteer hours to do staff work is a mistake if we then have inadequate member time to deal with matters that absolutely demand a Rotarian.
So when should a club member ask the staff for help as opposed to asking a fellow member? There’s no list covering all instances, but there are some guidelines. If staff can easily access background or data, don’t use volunteer time to do the research. If a job can be managed by an inexperienced or quickly-trained volunteer, save staff time for other work. Strategic decisions of significant impact are clearly an RCOT leadership duty. The secret is to leverage our volunteer time with the right amount of paid support.
A final thought on greater reliance on paid staff by raising dues is to consider the loss of satisfaction that comes with hiring a job done instead of doing it yourself. A great deal of the appeal of Rotary goes beyond accomplishing service to the world. The joy that is realized from knowing that good came about via your time, your ideas, your muscle, and/or your contribution to a team is of incalculable value. On top of that, add the amazing relationships you enjoy from striving for progress hand-in-hand with another dedicated volunteer.
Come celebrate with President Phil at the Change of Administration Party on Saturday, June 25th at the Tanque Verde Ranch, Kiva Dining Room, 14301 E. Speedway Blvd. The festivities will begin with a cocktail hour at 6:00 p.m. Dress is Ranch Casual (Nice Jeans & Boots will fit right in). All members and guests must register on Clubrunner ($58 per person). Go to www.tucsonrotary.org and scroll down the left side of the Home Page to Upcoming Events. Click on Change of Administration Party and register. Also, please remember there is no regular lunch meeting on Wednesday, June 29th. We'll see you at the Party!
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22ND BY 2:00 P.M.
Pre-Set Salad; Field Greens Salad with Ranch & Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressings
Doubletree Cookies Served Family Style
Coffee, Decaf or Iced Tea
Pot Roast; Savory Pot Roast Served with a Side of Mashed Potatoes and Steamed Seasonal Vegetables
The menu options below are available if reserved (call or email the office) by 2:00 pm FRIDAY:
Chef Salad; Ham, Turkey, Cheddar/Jack Cheese Blend, Hard Boiled Egg, Tomato, Cucumber & Croutons over chopped Romaine Lettuce. (PLEASE DO NOT ASK THE SERVERS TO ALTER THE SALAD, IT WILL BE SERVED AS LISTED ABOVE. NO CHEF SALADS MAY BE ORDERED AFTER THE FRIDAY DEADLINE.)
Vegetable; Grilled Vegetable Plate; Roasted Peppers, Eggplant, Zucchini, tomato and Beets Served with Vegetable Quinoa
Fresh Fruit Plate; - Fresh Seasonal Fruit served with FLAVORED Greek Yogurt and Low Fat Cottage Cheese
Gluten Free; The main meal as a Gluten Free option
NESDAYS, 12:00 PM-1:20 PM
The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) is a state agency that has the responsibility of administering the state’s water laws; exploring methods of augmenting water supplies to meet future demands; and developing public policies that promote conservation and equitable distribution of water. Jeff Tannler, Statewide Active Management Area (AMA) Director for ADWR, will provide an overview of water management in Arizona from a statewide perspective, as well as a look at local water management within the Tucson AMA.
hen I say thanks for the recognition. Also a Happy Birthday and Bonjourno to long-standing members ERNIE MINCHELLA and KEITH WIEGAND.
