El Cerrito Rotary: The Wheel August 27, 2009

El Cerrito Rotary

The Wheel

Editors:  Gary Buffon & John Ferguson Jr.

Week of August 27^th

(www.rotary5160.org)

www.elcerritorotary.org

President Tracy welcomed us to the friendly El Cerrito Rotary Club.  Tracy led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and her daughter Sarah gave us the thought for the day.

Introduction of guests and Visiting Rotarians:  Secretary John ask Rotarians to introduce their guests today.  Carl introduced Helen Kim who has been working as an intern in Astronomy with him the past three weeks.  Gary B introduced Stephanie Wong VP of Interact and Luke Twombly, Rotary Coordinator for Interact.  President Tracy introduced her daughter Sarah.

Announcements:

Þ    Jim Spain was asked by Pres Tracy to recite the 4-Way Test.  Jim ask his fellow Rotarians to recite it with him and we did.

Þ    Blaine gave us details on the upcoming Red Cross Blood Drive on Sept 26.  He asked for five Rotarians to sign up for an hour each at our Rotary Booth.   The Interact Club members will be passing out signs and handbills for merchants in El Cerrito to advertise the drive.  The drive is being held at the Plaza.

Þ    Jack gave an update on the Sunday concession stand operation by our five Rotarians and the five from Berkeley Rotary.   Nice weather and a busy day selling hotdogs, beer, ice cream crackerjacks and soda.

Þ    Tracy gave us an update on the concession stand at the El Cerrito Swim center.  There is an upcoming event where we will need some additional Rotarian support.  Please sign up for your shift. 

Happy dollars:    Pat is happy to be going on vacation in Canada and then back to the Monterey Aquarium.  Gary B is happy that John took charge of the bulletin while he was in Lake Tahoe.  Carl is happy about having Helen working with him.  Paul is happy his son is 8 months old and they are taking him to Idaho.  Michael C is happy about kids.  Sarah Giles is happy about going to Windrush school, having a new puppy, having her cousin move in with her.

Sgt at Arms Nancy:  Decided that a scavenger hunt was in order and after having people search for things one table one and the others got to be recognized for $5.  Lots of fun.

Today’s Program: 

Gary B introduced Luke Twombly so he could share with us his experience at Camp Royal.  Luke began by telling us that his experience at Camp Royal changed his life in many positive ways.  He said that this one week was the most significant of his life.  We were then treated to a summary of his daily experiences at Camp Royal.  A daily motivation speaker, the daily tai chi activity, a rope’s course, and an LN-4 hand project that allowed the campers the opportunity to repair the hands and make them serviceable for use.  One of the specific things that Luke was given is the notion of CAR which stand for Compassion, Appreciation and Respect.  Another thing that was identified is that leaders do not follow a path they blaze trails.  One of the things that Luke took away from the camp is a community service project that he and other campers are putting together.  This will culminate in a jazz concert at the EC High School theatre.   We were provide some fairly specific information about the intensity of the ropes course and “the wall.”   This experience provided a way for the young people to confront their fears and issues and provide them with the emotional strength to give and get support.  Luke thanks the Rotarians for giving him the opportunity to participate in Camp Royal and then answered questions.  This was a very good presentation.

Luke Twombly shares his Camp Royal experience

Genie Stone winner:  Andy had his ticket pulled to win the magic stone for the month of September

Today’s Lottery Winner: Don F won the raffle and drew a cats-eye marble so he went home with a bottle of wine. Next week the pot is $75.

Thought for Week:

 "If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."

- Ronald Reagan