November 30^th, 2004

November 23^rd, 2004 - Meeting Recap

Invocation: Tom Grace

Guests: Debbie Woodruff, Rodney James, Bud Stuart, Stephanie Fiber-Jenkins, and David Harris (WHS)

Birthdays: Eric reported that there were no birthdays this week.

Gear Grinder: Tom H. collected a lot of Happy Bucks. Toby offered one for Cincinnati’s bowl eligibility and another for Ron Artest’s legal defense fund. Dave S. offered one for the Highland Hornets 3^rd win over Wadsworth in football since he joined Rotary in 1975 and 3^rd all-time. Vicki offered a happy buck in thanks for being here. Dawn offered Happy Bucks for the tree festival being over and for the 7:15 p.m. pushback on her flight to North Carolina. Richard offered a Happy Buck for OSU’s win over Michigan. Norm, not be outdone by Richard, offered 3 Happy Bucks for OSU’s win. Debbie W. offered a Happy Buck for the Hawkeye’s win, making them co-champions of the Big 10. Phil S. paid a Happy Buck for Ball State (sorry Phil, that’s all I got.).

Program: Tim Butcher addressed the club regarding Skydiving. He noted that Skydiving can actually be a business. He noted that as a sport, skydiving began to catch on in the 1960s. Most people then used military surplus equipment. He noted that the records for the Akron Skydivers Club date back to 1954. Mr. Butcher started his business in 1979 with a Cessna 152 that could carry 4. At that time, he noted that they would get 300-400 jumps per year and felt that 100 new jumpers in any year was a big improvement. Today, they get about 2000 first time jumpers per year and carry an advertising budget of $80,000/year.

Mr. Butcher started jumping in 1979 at Skypark. His business now resides on Rt. 604 south of Rittman. He currently has over 5,100 jumps and about 2,000 tandem jumps. He carries an FAA Parachute Riggers Certificate, while his wife holds a Masters Certificate.

“There is a risk associated with Skydiving”, noted Mr. Butcher. His organization is incorporated with no assets. He observed that good training ameliorates risk. Every jumper is required to sign an 11-page waiver before skydiving.

Tandem jumpers (“picnic tables”) can be instructed in jump technique in about 5 minutes. A demonstration of the tandem technique was made with Vicki, who graciously modeled the matching black strap system with stainless buckles. Mr. Butcher has see about 2,000 tandem jumps with only 2 broken ankles and only 1 need to use a reserve parachute. He noted that current parachutes are really wings or parafoils. They are sized based upon weight. A tandem chute might be 400 ft², while a solo would be 240 ft². Typically, loading is in the range of 1.8 to 4 lb/ft² with the smaller numbers for more experienced jumpers. He noted that parachutes take 1000 to 1500 ft to open, making a typical opening height 6000 ft. When asked what to do if the main and reserve chutes don’t open, he noted, “Either go to the light, or aim for your rigger’s car.”

Absent: Altman, Bowman, Carlson, Cook, Derr, Gerspacher, Jefferies, Marshall, Miskella, Nicodemus, Park, Porter, Shannon, Sterling, Weaver, Wendschuh and Whitlam.

ð Announcements ï

Ø The Pizza Bash has been scheduled for 2/18/05. The committee will meet at Cafessimo’s on 12/04 at 8:00 a.m.

Ø December 16, 2004, is the Christmas lunch with the Lions. Cost will be $12 and should be paid to Dawn by December 8, 2004.

Ø Walt Wendschuh is at home.

Ø Bob Moss has submitted his resignation from the club, effective November 30, 2004. The club extends its thanks to Bob for his past service and best wishes for his future endeavors.

Ø Rotary International Convention discount registration for Chicago ends at the end of December.

ð Upcoming Programs: ï

Ø November 30, 2004 - Mary Seryak, Assistant Director of Rostro de Cristo -"Face of Christ"

Ø December 7, 2004 – Getting to know you – Walt W/Dan C/ Richard D.

Ø December 14, 2004 – Christmas Party.

Dawn Powers has requested help to identify potential future programs.