Meet the RI Representative

Utah Rotary District 5420 is pleased to welcome Rick Tinucci, RI President John Kenny's Representative to the May 13-15, 2010 conference in St. George.

PDG (Missouri District) Rick Tinucci’s Rotary career began in 1983 when he was invited to join the St. Louis Rotary Club. He chaired several committees, then served six years on the board of directors before his year as President (1999 – 2000). Rick also served on the board and as President in 1997 for the Skyway Farm Foundation, the cornerstone community service project for the St. Louis Rotary Club, serving the area’s special needs children.

On the district level, Rick served as an assistant governor (2000 - 02) and was active on several district committees focusing on community service and improving club performance. Rick served as Rotary District 6060 Governor in 2004-2005 under RI president Jonathan Magiyabe. Since then he has served on the district level as District Trainer, membership chair and as representative to the 2007 and 2009 RI Council on Legislation. Rick has also been an instructor and discussion leader and later as president of "Show Me Rotary," Missouri’s multi-district PETS - the second oldest in existence.

At the Zone level Rick has served as operations chair and training leader on the executive committee. He has been a panelist at the RI conventions in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. Rick and his wife Diane are major donors to The Rotary Foundation and members of the Paul Harris Society.

After graduation from Purdue University, Rick built a career in the building controls industry. He is currently the Executive Vice President and COO with the Bick Group, a contractor specializing in the high tech building markets. Rick has served as a director for several trade organizations and is currently a member of the local chapter of the Green Building Council.

Rick and Diane are the proud parents of two successful adults: Andy and Karin. Andy is a happily married Chicago-based architect. Karin is a happily married physical therapist in Florida. Rick and Diane are also blessed with three wonderful granddaughters - 5-year-old Isabel, 4-year-old Abigail, and 3-year-old Olive.

An Invitation from Governor Gil

. . . to attend the "Rendezvous at the Confluence" in St. George!

Fellow Rotarians, it is time to finalize plans to attend the District Conference in St. George on May 13-15, 2010. This invitation to the "Rendezvous at the Confluence" is especially extended to new Rotarians and those who have never before attended a District Conference!

Rotarians all over the world will attest that attending a District Conference will make you a better Rotarian because you will learn what other members and clubs are doing to make their communities - and the world - better. You will have the opportunity to see what other creative clubs in the state are doing. Learn how you can help make your club grow and how you can retain members after you’ve sworn them in! Learn why the Rotary Foundation is important to your club, to District 5420 and to the world as a whole. Learn the role of District 5420 - and how you can help insure the success of your club - in Rotary International’s Future Vision Plan.

At the Utah Rotary District Conference, you will make new Rotary friends, reconnect with old Rotary friends, get inspired with new programs and projects . . . and meet the future of Rotary in youth service. Join us May 13-15, 2010 in St. George.

"Rendezvous at the Confluence" Conference Theme Announced

"Confluence" is defined as "the coming together of two or more streams" or "a gathering or meeting together; a crowd." In the case of the Utah Rotary District Conference in St. George, both definitions apply!

In reference to "the coming together of two or more streams," in 1776, the explorers Escalante and Dominquez passed near what is now Zion National Park and followed the Virgin River from its origin east of Rockville to the confluence of the North and East forks - known as LaVerkin Creek and Ash Creek - where they camped during the fall of that year. The early Spaniards called the Virgin "El Rio de Sulfureo" with reference to the nearby hot sulphur springs. Later Jedediah Smith - another of the area’s intrepid explorers - named it the Adams River for then-President John Adams, though the name obviously didn’t stick. Today, Escalante's campsite is known as Confluence Park (near Toquerville) and welcomes hikers, bird watchers, picnickers, and horseback riders to enjoy its spectacular scenery.

The second meaning - "a gathering or meeting together, a crowd" - at least in this writing, has reference to the upcoming "Rendezvous at the Confluence" otherwise known as the Utah Rotary District Conference on May 13-15, 2010 where Rotarians from all over the district will gather together to advance the Object of Rotary through fellowship, inspirational addresses, and the discussion of matters of importance to Rotary clubs and Rotary International, as well as to showcase Rotary programs and successful district and club activities. This "Rendezvous at the Confluence" will also feature music, laughter and service. Don’t miss it!

Suggestions of Local Hot Spots

While Utah Rotarians are enjoying the District Conference, others who have traveled with you to St. George may want to know what else there is to do in the area. If history is of interest to your traveling companions, there are many pioneer settlement sites to visit, including Brigham Young’s Winter Home, Jacob Hamblin’s home in Santa Clara, the St. George Temple and Visitors Center, LDS Tabernacle, St. George Social Hall and Opera House. Of course, these can be explored individually, but many are included in the very popular St. George Live! On this walking or bus tour of the downtown historic district, tourists can meet with and talk to early pioneer settlers / LDS church leaders who helped settle this part of the Utah Territory. Tickets are available at the Pioneer Art Museum located at Main Street and 200 North.

The new Water Walk, which meanders down Main Street from Brooks Pond, ends at the Town Square with its immensely popular water feature. Bring the kids, a box lunch and plenty of towels.

If there is time, tour the campus of Dixie State College; take a long walk along miles of walking trails which meander - and connect - our red rock county from Ivins to Washington City. Another popular outing is a drive up to Pine Valley, including a tour of the LDS church’s oldest - still in operation - chapel with a stop at the Mountain Meadow Massacre Site (we’re not proud of it, but sadly it is a part of our local history).

There are also wonderful opportunities to explore our famous geology, including Snow Canyon State Park, Zion National Park . . . the Dinosaur Tracks Museum or the offices of the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. Shoppers will find plenty of good bargains at the Zion Factory Stores Outlet with 30 premium shops and restaurants or wander through the Red Cliffs Mall. But, if these local hot spots don’t satisfy visitors to the area - or if it’s a little too warm - there are also 22 movie screens scattered around the St. George area.

"Rotary's Got Talent!"

With the talent search open to acts from across the district, "Rotary's Got Talent" will be a variety showcase of talented Rotarians of any age, profession or club in the state. In a colorful array of hopeful stars, the competition is open to singers, instrumentalists, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians, or ventriloquists, all vying for their chance to strut and perform on stage. There won’t be a $1 million prize, but "Rotary’s Got Talent" is certain to be one of the most memorable events of the Utah Rotary District Conference, May 13-15, 2010 in St. George! Only eight acts will be selected to perform . . . so call 435-668-9988 for more information or to sign up!

Help Make the Conference a Success

For the Utah Rotary District Conference, your club is asked to:

1. Create a display about the outstanding accomplishments of your club

2. Put together a team for the URDC golf tournament to benefit Polio Plus!

3. Encourage a talented member or group of members to enter the "Rotary’s Got Talent" competition

4. Roll up your sleeve toward an unofficial District goal of 100 pints of blood

5. Washington County clubs are also asked to join the Rotary choir!

Plan to attend on May 13-15, 2010 in St. George! We can hardly wait to see you!

Rotary Youth Conference Planned

While the grown-ups in Utah Rotary District 5420 are attending their annual conference and learning about club and district programs in the state, approximately 150 youth involved in Interact, Rotaract, RYLA and Rotary Youth Exchange throughout the Beehive State, will also gather in St. George on the weekend of May 13-15, 2010.

The Rotary Youth Conference will include speakers and breakout sessions, hula dancers, tests of athletic prowess in the form of Club Olympics (including medals for the competition), swimming at Sand Hollow Aquatic Center, a couple of service projects - one involving feeding hungry Rotarians and another involving red paint - as well as the introduction of a statewide youth service project and awards for the best of the events promotional videos. Chairman Michael Wells reminds clubs to "encourage your club’s future Rotarians to join in the fun in St. George." For more information, contact the chairman at mwells2811@msn.com.