El Cerrito Rotary: The Wheel May 14, 2009

El Cerrito Rotary

The Wheel

Editors:  Gary Buffon & Michael Dougherty

Week of May 14th  

(www.rotary5160.org)

www.elcerritorotary.org  

President Jack welcomed us to the friendly El Cerrito Rotary Club.   Gary Aguilar led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and then President Jack gave us the thought for the day.

Introduction of guests and Visiting Rotarians:  Sec John introduced his son in law, Marcell Lloyd, President of the EC Chamber of Commerce Baylan Megino, Iqbaz Hasan Khan, and visiting from the Berkeley Club, Nobuko’s husband John Vicars

Announcements:

ð  There are 2 more Sundays at Golden Gate Fields.  May 24, and June 7.

ð  The Board approved spending for Jack’s Legacy program.  Every Rotarian is scheduled to receive a royal blue Rotary polo shirt to wear with pride for the EC club.

ð  Jack will be hosting a goodbye party for Ksusha at his home in Lafayette on July 14.

ð  Nobuko turned in $110 from the efforts of her chocolate sales.  Way to go Nobuko!

Happy dollars:  John F. is happy the club was able to raise $2,429.50 for Rotavision through the bowlathon this year.  Lance was happy to introduce Commander Michael Regan of the ECPD, one of our new associate members.  Michael C. is happy his daughter was able to raise $3200 for Seattle public schools along with the help of some athletic friends.  Marty had a great time in Chicago and went on an architectural boat tour, and will be hosting a women’s car clinic fundraiser to benefit Interact’s contributions to Rotavision.  Mark S. was happy to have 2 guests joining him, and also to be finished with the EL Cerrito Round-Up which will be featured in the CC Marketplace magazine.

Sgt at Arms:  No on duty today.

Today’s Program:  

Karen introduced today’s speaker:  Brian Pretti, CFA, CFP of Mechanics Bank who was kind enough to join us for the second time this year.  Brian began by asking if anyone had noticed changes for the better in their businesses.  Much of the room admitted that business had been getting better in the last month or two. Brian was happy to hear that, and he mentioned that it means a lot more to him to see improvements from the ground level, rather than on CNBC.  Being that this was Brian’s second trip to see us this year, he reminded us where we left off on February 5.  From that point he took us through what the federal government has been doing since we last spoke. He made the point that what the economy is going through right now is something like an adrenaline rush.  Historical facts were shared as we were taken through the packets he brought along. The take-home packets are always one of the perks of his visits.  He talked in depth about the availability of credit versus the demand for credit in the future, and feels that it’s the demand, not the banks, that will determine much of our credit futures.  Brian then talked about where the money for the stimulus is coming from, and shared his theory, that “at the rate we are printing money, all roads lead to inflation.”  Although he says we won’t know for sure for at least 1-1.5 years.  He also took us on a small history lesson, describing the US’s superior ability to produce, after the destruction 2 world wars had on much of the world.  He tied that to our economic fortune for the last half century or so.  His outlook from here on is that the global economy is what will have the biggest impact on how each individual country’s economy evolves, and he ended with the question “where will the global capital flow?”  Brian did a great job and left us with lots of good questions as we remain hopeful for the future.

Next week, Kathleen Hunt will be speaking on Social Media.

Today’s Lottery Winner: Tracy had her ticket pulled and won the bottle of wine.

Thought for Week:  A prudent question is one half of wisdom. – Francis Bacon