What a pleasure to come to Rotary each week and be greeted by our friends.

Dale Bippus was on duty today along with his sidekick "Nutcracker" (the club was beautifully decorated for Christmas in the Nutcracker Suite theme). We missed Gina but Lea Ann Fulton kept things running smoothly and John Early presided for Rene Wilson. We missed you ladies!

The Rotary Christmas Party is next Thursday, December 6^th at the Amarillo Club. Drinks will be served at 6:30 and dinner at 7:00. The cost is $50 per person and reservations need to be made with Gina no later than Monday if you plan to attend. There will be no noon meeting that day.

We have several opportunities to demonstrate "Service Above Self" by donating blessings in the form of time or money: If you would like to make a donation to Boys Ranch please do so before our meeting on Thursday, December 13^th. On that day, we will not only have our annual election of officers but will be blessed by the annual presentation of the Boys Ranch Choir. We also continue to sign up for beef jerky to be sent to the troops by Melvin Edes. Contact Gina if you want to sponsor bags at a cost of $7 each. Melvin also requests that you let him know if you have an enlisted friend or relative and they will be sent 10 bags. The Salvation Army Bell Ringer sheet was filled and we passed the jar for Kid's Cafe.

Jeff Busjahn presented a Mini Classification Talk. He is the Executive Director at "The Craig" a member of the Sears Methodist Retirement System. Jeff and wife, Summer, have 2 children. He loves to lift weights, enjoy family and barbeque, his tribute to being a true Texan! Give Jeff a call if you would like to have lunch with him at The Craig. No charge, just a lovely meal with great company.

The program was presented by E.J. Ingram and Steve Sellars with West Texas

A&M University. E.J. is coordinator of Employer Relations. He works very closely with employers in the community to place students and graduates in full and part time positions. He conducts Job Fairs, Interview Techniques and Mock Interviews and coordinates Etiquette Dinners designed to help students with the various situations they will encounter as they enter the job market.

Steve Sellars is the Coordinator of Experiential Education. He works with students to help them determine what their best career match is. Steve recommends student internships because they are beneficial to the student and to the employer. Steve encourages employers to offer paid internships and stressed that the quality of return is a great investment for the employer. At least 75% of graduating students find jobs in their chosen fields and the salaries range from $26K to 60K depending on their major.

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

Dec. 6 No noon meeting due to evening Christmas Party

Dec. 13 Election of Officers and Directors and Boy's Ranch Choir

Dec. 20 Regular weekly meeting

Dec. 27 No noon meeting

Larry Offerdahl and his wife have moved to Mckinney, Texas.  We wish him and his family all the best in his retirement!

Along with the usual raffle ticket drawings, David Johnson donated a certificate good for unlimited car washes for an entire month! The certificate is courtesy of Toot N' Totum Convenient Stores. Thank you to Melvin, Rocky and David for all of the fabulous prizes! Thanks also to Basil Walker for selling Raffle Tickets, to Eddie Melin for the joke and for introducing guests. Erv Bergen won the car wash certificate and lead us in the 4 Way Test.