The Arizona Game and Fish Catalina Bighorn Sheep Re-introduction Advisory Committee is comprised of many diverse individuals including environmentalist, conservationists and sportsmen. As a committee our goal is to restore a viable population of bighorn sheep in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Please join us to learn information about the project.
Biography - Brian Ham
Brian Ham was born in Pomona, California and relocated to Tucson, Arizona when he was 10 years old. In Tucson, Arizona is where he met his wife, Susan Ham of 31 years and together they have two children, Kayla, 27 years old, and Sean, 24 years old. Mr. Ham graduated from U of A in 1984 and by 1985 him and his brother, Garrett Ham, started a small landscaping operation in Green Valley, Arizona. What used to be a small operation, is now, Southern Arizona’s landscaping solution, better known as Santa Rita Landscaping. When Brian is not at Santa Rita Landscaping he enjoys time with his family, at his cabin in the White Mountains, focusing on his fitness routines, bow and rifle hunting, and fishing. He also spends his free time with many local organizations such as Executive Referral Club, Safari Club International Mentoring Program, Wounded Warriors and the AZ Game and Fish Bighorn Reintroduction Program. Brian is a member of the Arizona Game and Fish Bighorn Reintroduction Advisory Committee and has been a part of the program for just over 2 ½ years now.
Wow, July 15th, it’s really hard for me to believe this year is already more than half over. Where does all the time go??? While life is hectic at times, I do enjoy my mid-week break to attend the Tucson Rotary meeting. Speaking of which…
We again had a small group of visitors and guests, three total, who were introduced by KEVIN WONG. We also had three birthday celebrations: CINDY GODWIN, an 11-year member who is also a third-generation Rotarian; JIM RONSTADT, past president and a 35-year member (wow!); and ALAN ROGERS, who is currently a 6-year member; though I think he mentioned this is his second stint as a Tucson Rotarian. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL!
Let me add my input to one of the announcements that was made by DAVE WHITE. There is a Boy Scout Camp workday coming up. If you like the great outdoors, want some time away from the summer heat, and enjoy working with your hands, please give DAVE a shout and join the fun as the Tucson Rotary helps build cabins for the camp. I helped out at the last event in May and had a really enjoyable time. You will too.
For our program, President PHIL and his wife, Nancy, shared the experiences they had when attending this year’s Rotary International Convention in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It was a pleasure hearing about the many ways Rotary International serves people and communities around the globe. I also found it most interesting when PHIL explained that RI is increasing the focus on member engagement rather than member attendance. I think our club, with the many ways we support the local community and RI, does a great job with member engagement. Let’s keep up the good work!
There was input from so many club members in the crafting of a new five-year plan for our club – more input than some of us had expected. And that, of course, is a good thing. It is yet another way for members to participate in making this sizeable organization successful.
Now that the plan is in place (adopted by the Board last week), let’s talk about just some of the guidance it provides and expand upon some of its major statements.
One declaration - familiar to all - states that we will again this year raise $100,000+ in support of local needs. Even as Roger Harwell leads us in operating the vehicle that generates the income – Tucson Classics Car Show #9 – our Grants Committee is narrowing the list of worthy Tucson service providers who will be the beneficiaries of our future work. The club votes its preferred order of funding those beneficiaries.
Our plan calls for reasonable growth in our membership. Not because of any competition or RI award, but as a reflection of our recognition that more resources enable us to meet more needs. We will all be reminded to search every corner of the community to identify qualified candidates. For 2015-16, we have allocated openings for growing the club membership by two. (Remember that there are 20+ openings per year created via attrition.)
There is emphasis to be placed upon fellowship, recognition of member accomplishments, expanding business relationships, and remarkable programs, all as a means of attracting new members and making all of us feel good about being a part of Rotary.
There is a reiterated focus on service in several major categories: community; vocational; youth; international and club (internal). We have the capacity to do something in all these avenues and we want each member to pick that area(s) that provide(s) a rewarding sense of accomplishment.
We don’t ignore the operational side of our club, covering documentation, additional planning, office efficiencies, and public relations. And our plan notes (with pride, I suggest) the vital role of our Rotary Club of Tucson Foundation. RCOTF will soon adopt its own strategic plan, concentrating on the financial giving that is its duty.
Your five-year plan outlines an initiation of our centennial recognition. We will consider a definitive service project, while simultaneously reminding ourselves and our community of our accomplishments over a century of service.
A strategic plan does not lay out the step-by-step operation of our club. You read it in advance of developing those steps. And you refer to it when you make a major decision involving direction or commitment. Before you take on a new committee assignment, as you initiate a project, or as you sharpen your description of what Rotary is about prior to approaching a potential member, take two minutes to look over the relevant sections of our plan.
There are hundreds of ways our club could serve, even while acknowledging that our club cannot be all things to all people. A valuable part of a strategic plan can be what is eliminated by virtue of omission. And an even more greater benefit can be the clarity of focus realized by having gone thought the adoption process.
RCoT has a decades old tradition of regular weekend hiking in the mountains surrounding Tucson. We invite you to join us, especially if you are relatively new to the club. We are a very inclusive bunch of Hiketarians, so bring your family and friends. These are always enjoyable events. An email is sent weekly to those expressing interest, giving the day, time, meeting place, and destination. If you have a favorite trail let us know. RSVPs are rarely requested, as “those who go are those who show”. We leave promptly at the appointed time. Since it is a club-sponsored activity, these hikes qualify as a meeting make up. If you want to be on the list that announces hikes, email Jeff Heath at jheath9990@aol.com.
Biography - Brian Ham
For our program, President PHIL and his wife, Nancy, shared the experiences they had when attending this year’s Rotary International Convention in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It was a pleasure hearing about the many ways Rotary International serves people and communities around the globe. I also found it most interesting when PHIL explained that RI is increasing the focus on member engagement rather than member attendance. I think our club, with the many ways we support the local community and RI, does a great job with member engagement. Let’s keep up the good work!
RCoT has a decades old tradition of regular weekend hiking in the mountains surrounding Tucson. We invite you to join us, especially if you are relatively new to the club. We are a very inclusive bunch of Hiketarians, so bring your family and friends. These are always enjoyable events. An email is sent weekly to those expressing interest, giving the day, time, meeting place, and destination. If you have a favorite trail let us know. RSVPs are rarely requested, as “those who go are those who show”. We leave promptly at the appointed time. Since it is a club-sponsored activity, these hikes qualify as a meeting make up. If you want to be on the list that announces hikes, email Jeff Heath at jheath9990@aol.com.
