El Cerrito Rotary: The Wheel July 30, 2009

El Cerrito Rotary

The Wheel

Editors:  Gary Buffon & John Ferguson Jr.

Week of July 30^rd      

(www.rotary5160.org)

www.elcerritorotary.org

President Elect Karen welcomed us to the friendly El Cerrito Rotary Club.  Mike G led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Michael Change gave us the thought for the day.

Introduction of guests and Visiting Rotarians:  Today we were joined by Frank Lee and Sonya Givens..

Announcements:

Þ           Blaine recited the four way test and everyone repeated it after him. 

Þ           Jack gave us an update on Tracy’s health.  She had another surgery and is now declared cancer free.

Þ           John F was given a wedding gift from the club

Þ           Jack asked for Rotarians to sign up for the four work days at GGF

Happy dollars:  Gary B is happy about having lunch with Nancy Tsai – first Interact President back in 2002.  Michael C is happy about celebrating his 29^th anniversary, Kare is happy about her recent backpacking trip at Point Reyes.  Blaine is happy about Tracy being cancer free. 

Sgt at Arms Nancy was at her post and began her year with some trivia questions for Gary B, Don, Mike G, Jack, Mark Scott, Neal, Michael C and Gary A.

Nancy prepares to ask the trivia questions of Rotarians

Today’s Program: 

Today we had a club assembly to update the membership on what is happening and what we expect to happen this yearl:

Marty – International Svc told us about the goal to raise enough money to purchase a microscope for an eye surgery clinic in Cambodia.  This means we need to raise 17K. 

John F – Membership Director shared the success of membership recruitment as being the three key things:  Recruiting friends, Having a strategic partnership with the chamber and Rotarians introducing their friends and acquaintances to Rotary.  In addition to the recruiting goal of 3-4 members we want a membership retention of 90%

Gary B – Vocational Svc told us about this year’s Interact club and some of their activities.  Gary reminded everyone of the meeting next week when Carl will speak about the HOU project and how things are going.  Nancy Tsai, Interact Board members and Memory Woodard the Concord Club Interact coordinator and Ignatio Valley High Interact President Helen Kim will attend.  We will also have the principle of El Cerrito High Jason Reiman as our guest.

Karen then introduced Past President Don to share with us his experience during his year of 2003-2004.  This was a very good reminder to us about the successful year Don had.  Thanks Don.  At the end of his presentation Don was shown the book that will be placed at one of the grammar school libraries.

Don & Karen with the book given to a grammar school in Don’s honor

At the end of the assembly Jack announced the arrival of our club shirts and had everyone get their size and get checked off the list. 

Today’s Lottery Winner: Blaine won the raffle and went home with a bottle of wine. Next week the pot is $60

Thought for Week: 

Reason has never failed men. Only force and repression have made the wrecks in the world.

--William Allen White