May/June 2018 Bulletin

 

Thank You to our Outgoing Officers, Board of Directors and Committee Chairs

As your term of office comes to an end on June 30, 2018, the members of the Butte Exchange Club want to thank the outgoing Officers, Board of Directors, and Committee Chairs for the 2017/2018 year.

The words “Thank You” are somehow never enough to convey how much the Butte Exchange Club members appreciate your time, dedication, service, guidance and leadership this past year. Our club is so well respected throughout the community and state. It is such a tribute to our officers, board, committees and members in general.

Special thank you to outgoing President, Doug Rotondi. Being President is a demanding job. You worked hard to make this year successful. You and your team of officers are wonderful leaders and we appreciate you all for what you have done for our club and community this last year.

It has been a fun and rewarding year with lots of hard work and lots of laughs. We look forward to another great year as we say thank you to our outgoing officers, board members and committee chairs and congratulations to our new team of officers, board and committee chairpersons.

 

Congratulations to our two Exchange Club Celebrities…

Two of our Butte Exchange Club members took home two of the most coveted awards given by the District Exchange Club at the recent Yellowstone District Convention. Mr. Brad Rixford was selected and recognized as the Yellowstone Districts “All American Volunteer of the Year”.

Brad was born and raised in Vermont. He graduated with BS degrees in Outdoor Recreation and Forestry from the University of Vermont. After college, Brad volunteered for about four years in Guatemala with the Peace Corps and an international organization, CARE. Brad worked 38 years for the Federal Government primarily with BLM in Forestry, Range Management, Recreation and Wilderness. He is now retired and enjoys fishing, hiking, tennis, golf and gardening. Brad has been married 39 years. He has 2 children and 3 grandchildren who live in Missoula.

Brad has worked on many Exchange Club projects and is a worthy recipient of the “All American Volunteer of the Year” award. Congratulations Brad. Thank you for all you do.

Mr. Jim Stilwell was recognized as the Yellowstone District’s” Exchangite of the Year” for the second time.

Jim was born in Pennsylvania but grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He moved to Bozeman in 1975 and completed college at Montana State University. Jim retired from the PPL Corp. but worked at the Montana Power Company for 15 years. Jim is married to Suzanne. They are both active outdoor people and enjoy many different activities.

Jim has served as club President, District Director and District President. He is currently heading up the club volunteer work on the Carousel Project and working to start a club in the Dillon area. Jim has been a tireless volunteer and does whatever has to be done. We appreciate all you do – thank you Jim and congratulations on your award of “Exchangite of the year”.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Speakers

The Butte Exchange Club meets every Tuesday at noon in the second-floor conference room of the Resodyn Headquarters (Old Hennessy Building) using the entrance at 16 E. Granite St.

6.19.18 Dream Big Foundation – Colt Anderson
6.26.18 Impressions of Croatia and Slovenia – Elyse Lewis
7.3.18 Steak Fry at Father Sheehan Park
7.10.18 WW II Aviation – Larry Chambers

Events

June 26, 2018 – Social at the Butte Country Club

Tuesday, June 26th from 5:30 – 8:00 pm. Brats and burgers. Family and potential new members welcome. Includes access to the swimming pool. No charge for members or guests.

June 28, 2018 – The Give-a-Kid-a-Flag Committee Flag Roll.

Please consider attending the flag preparation BBQ on Thursday, June 28th, at 5:30 pm at The Springs Community Building. Volunteers will be rolling flags and enjoying a BBQ.

July 3, 2018 – Steak Fry

On Tuesday July 3rd, our regular noon meeting will be a Steak Fry at Father Sheehan Park. Guests welcome. Contact Chad Boothe (chad.boothe76@gmail.com) if you have questions or would like to volunteer.

July 4, 2018 – Give A Kid A Flag to Wave at Butte’s 4th of July Parade

Wednesday July 4th at about 9 am, meet in the Stokes parking lot along Harrison Ave. across from the Civic Center. We will hand out about 10,000 flags along the parade route. Water provided. Bring family and friends. Please contact John Chioutsis (john.chioutsis@edwardjones.com) if you would like to help.

July 11th to 14th, 2018 – National Exchange Club Convention in Reno, Nevada.

All club members are welcome to attend. Contact Doug Rotondi (djrotondi44@gmail.com) if you are interested in attending.

August 23 – 26th – 2018 Field of Honor

Contact Lauren Kippen (lkippen@thespringsliving.com) or Cindy Farrar (farrarck@aol.com) if you would like to help out.

Garbage Pick-up

Garbage Guys continue regular cleanup. They will meet Thursdays at Perkins at 8:30. Contact Pat Cooney (patrick0049@charter.net) with questions.

Butte Carousel Project

Jim Stilwell (jimstil@msn.com) is organizing BEC volunteers at the Butte Carousel. Contact Jim if you would like to help.

PAST EVENTS

First ever Exchange Club Brew and Q FunRaiser was held on June 9th from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the Original Mine Yard. The weather was a little “iffy” and very windy; however, the rain held off until the event closed. We had about 300 enthusiastic members and guests who had a wonderful time. Music, food and beer were the perfect combination for a fun night. There were seven breweries, two food vendors, and some great music.

Total revenue for the event was $14,066. After expenses, the net income for our first ever Brew and Q was $9,724. This was a fantastic effort. Many thanks to the committee and a special thank you to Marie Kagie-Shutey for chairing this event. Special thanks to Andy Durkin for providing the financials and to all of the members who helped.

 

• Special thank you to Tom Daniel, Bill and Janet Ralph, Jim Stilwell and Brad Rixford for spending time on the Garden in uptown Butte.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• “Roger Lou Rawls passed away at his residence on April 23, 2018. Roger valued family and friends, holding them close to his heart. He had a great sense of humor and patriotism, living by strong principles and values. With a generous heart, Roger donated money and time to several charities throughout his life, focusing on cancer research, help for veterans, and the Florence Crittenton Home in Helena, where he and his wife, Rosemary had adopted their children. He had a special appreciation for the outdoors and enjoyed cross-country and downhill skiing, kayaking, cycling, hunting, and shooting trap.” (Montana Standard)

Roger was a wonderful Exchange Club member and both he and Rosemary were generous supporters of Exchange Club and the Butte community. He will be greatly missed.

• The Butte Exchange Club was informed that Marie Kagie-Shutey and her family will be leaving Butte and relocating to Arizona. We will miss you Marie. We wish you and your family the very best in your new adventure. Come back and see us.

• Please say hi and welcome our newest member Rev. Melissa Engel.

• Speakers Wanted – If you have an idea for an interesting luncheon speaker, please contact Noah Thatcher (nthatcher@marcomllc.net) or Corey Dennehy. 

• If you are interested in working on our Club Bulletin, please contact Elyse Lewis or Penny McElroy. This is a great opportunity to volunteer your talents and help the club. Experience with Word Press is helpful but not required. It is a fun and rewarding experience. Please consider volunteering for this position.

COMMUNICATIONS

Update and Reminder

The Communications Committee would like to remind you that we rely on committee chairmen and all club members to send us meeting announcements, stories and photos since we cannot be present at all Club events. Please use your cell phones and capture some fun photos to send us.

We are also interested in any new photos of club members. We are especially looking for high quality group shoots.

Please send all details on upcoming events & speakers to: info@butteexchangeclub.org

If you have taken photos at Club events that you want to share, please send them to: info@butteexchangeclub.org (cell phone shots are OK)

Need help? Call: Elyse Lewis –Public Relations Chairman – 565-0801

Bulletin Editor – Penny McElroy
Mobile: (406) 490-1946 Home: (406) 494-2731
E-mail: pamcelroy7@gmail.com