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Conrad Jackson, Prescott Fire Department's Wildfire Risk Manager, proved to be a very animated speaker on a topic that hits close to home for most of us, as Prescott area residents. He told us his program, relating to our being Fire Wise, was going to be, in reality, about how we can prepare to be Fire-Adapted Communities, under our particular set of circumstances. He pointed out that our success in that has relevance not only to protecting our homes from being destroyed by a fire, but also in our being able to obtain insurance for our homes. He told us many of the insurance companies are re-evaluating the policies they are willing to write in areas deemed to be at a higher risk for experiencing wildfires — with that including Prescott. Some of them are refusing to renew policies of homeowners in Prescott, or to write new policies here. For those companies who will continue to insure homes here, their rates are being increased. After discussing different types of risks, including trees, vegetation & debris which may be too close to buildings, and how those risks can be mitigated, Conrad offered to personally come to our club members' homes to do a Fire Wise Inspection. He can be reached via email at conrad.jackson@prescott-az.gov, or by calling his cell number: (928) 308-7719. CLUB SERVICE In recognition of our club meeting's proximity to Veterans Day, we were privileged to have a special Honor Guard from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University to impressively post the colors for us at the beginning of our meeting. These were the members of the Air Force ROTC Unit from ERAU, along with their leaders, who were our special guests at this meeting. Register for RLI, before it is too late! You can still register for Levels I, II and III, being held in Kingman this Saturday at Mohave Community College. Click on this link to register for RLI: Rotary's Alphabet Soup of Acronyms RYLA, RLI, CLA, PETS, RLA, GNTS, GETS — Some of our guests and new members are probably mystified by what appears to be a secret Rotary language spoken at our meetings, as we casually take short-cuts in our speech, tossing in convenient acronyms — which we may never take the time to explain. Perhaps it is time to "crack the code" for our newer members. What do all of these Acronyms listed above have in common? They are all Rotary leadership training programs — and Rotary definitely excels in providing personal leadership development opportunities for all of our members, regardless of your age. RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Awards - is a stellar 4-day leadership training camp which, in our Rotary district, happens for Middle School (6th - 8th grade youth) at Camp Wamatochick in June, and for Senior High youth at Camp Pinerock in January. Our Prescott Sunup Rotary Club has traditionally been been heavily invested and involved with both of these camps over the years, and our club member A.J. Sheridan has just this year taken over the reins of the Senior High RYLA (an immense job), as the RYLA Chair. RLI - Rotary Leadership Institute - is a grass-roots, interactive training program for Rotary club members who want to learn more about Rotary, and about the different ways in which other Rotary clubs operate. It consists of three levels of courses. Usually all 3 levels are offered on the same day, 4 times each year, at different locations, which rotate around our district. Our club reimburses the $65 registration fee for each course (which includes lunch and the materials) to our members who participate in this program. The latest series of RLI courses is being offered this Saturday at Mohave Community College. CLA - Club Leadership Academy - is a training program for incoming Rotary club officers and directors. It is usually held in the Spring at some location in the Phoenix metro area. PETS - President-Elect Training Seminar - is a mandatory weekend training program for incoming Rotary Club Presidents. Currently our district is participating in the multi-district Southwest PETS, which will be held Feb. 1-4, 2024, in Los Angeles. RLA - Rotary Leadership Academy - is a "graduate" online program for Rotarians who have already served as Club Presidents, and who are interested in doing "a deeper dive" into Rotary, in preparation for assuming some possible leadership role at the district level. It has consisted of six 1-month courses, usually taught by Past District Governors. GNTS - Governor-Nominee Training Seminar - is a 3-day mandatory training program for those who will be serving as a Rotary District Governor two years from now. GETS - Governor-Elect Training Seminar - is also a 3-day mandatory training program for next year's District Governors. GNTS and GETS sessions are held in conjunction with Rotary Institutes for paired Rotary Zones. Our Zones 26-27 Rotary Institute, serving the 30 BIG WEST Rotary Districts, just concluded in San Diego. COMMUNITY SERVICE The "Kids Birthday Party in a Pan" project is nearing completion. One hundred of the kits were assembled by (l to r) Rotarians Marsha Teller, Lisa Doherty and volunteer Cyndy Bailey. They include cake mix, frosting, candles, a happy birthday card, banner and balloons, all packaged in a foil cake pan. As a finishing touch, Sunup Rotary stickers will be affixed by the membership at the November 15 Rotary meeting, and the 100 kits will be presented to a representative of the Prescott Community Cupboard. The project was proposed by Lisa Doherty to help commemorate Rotary International's 100th anniversary in Prescott, and most importantly, to help parents and guardians who rely on the local food bank, make the kind of birthday celebration that every child deserves. Veterans Day Parade — Community Service Chair Christy Manning explained at our meeting that our club was unable to sponsor an entry in this year's parade, due to the lack of availability of a flatbed trailer.  Fresh out of seminary, a young pastor found an associate position at a prestigious church. One Sunday early on, he was given the opportunity to preach. He prepared diligently - perhaps a bit too excited to use all the learning he'd acquired - and worked hard to make his words eloquent and smooth.
Shaking hands at the end of the service, he was approached by one of the older ladies who was known and respected in both the church and community.
"Sir," she said with a smile, "your sermon was like the peace of God!"
The young preacher's grin widened and his chest puffed a bit ... until she continued on, "it surpassed ALL understanding!" __ On the signboard outside a church:
“Adultery is a sin.
You can’t have your Kate and Edith, too.” __
The Lord’s Prayer, According to Kids
One child ended the prayer with… “and lead us not into Penn’s Station…
Another got a little further…”deliver us from E-mail. Amen”
And a three-year-old, “Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His name…”
One particular four-year-old prayed, “And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.” __ My wife just stopped and said, “You weren’t even listening, were you?”
I thought to myself, “That’s a pretty strange way to start off a conversation.”
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