El Cerrito Rotary: The Wheel December 17, 2009

Editors:  Gary Buffon & John Ferguson Jr.

Secretary John:  No guests today.

4-Way Test Presentation:  - Dr. John recited the 4-Way Test and everyone joined in with him.

Announcements:

Þ    Pres Elect Karen reported on the nominating committee selection and passed out sheets to everyone so we could identify the area in which we want to work for the club next year.  Good idea to choose your favorite or you be chosen to do something that may not be your favorite.

Þ    Pres Tracy suggested we consider selling candle wreaths next year.  She had two that were raffled off as demonstrator models.  Sound like a good idea

Thank you Certificates:  President Tracy presented thank hard work certificates to Blaine for his work with the Blood Drive and to Jack for taking care of setup and take down at the club and a million other things he does.

Blaine and Jack w/Pres Tracy with certificates of accomplishments

Happy dollars:    Gary B is happy about the number of Interact members and Rotarians who have been  helped with the firefighters toy program. Mark Scott had $5 for his daughter making process with her new meds to battle cancer.  Karen had $5 for the prosperity of her business and the fun she and her kids had at the firefighters toy program.

Sgt at Arms Nancy:   Not on duty today.

Today’s Program: 

President Tracy introduced Pam Bennett, Parent President of the Mountain Bike program at El Cerrito High School along with the head coach of the program Jeremiah Holland to tell us about this wonderful program.  Pam began by explaining what the program is about and how it has been a great success by providing the opportunity for kids to participate in a program that requires commitment, goal setting and self discipline.  She also showed us pictures of participants and one of the new riding shirt.  Tracy pointed out that she is doing a club sponsorship for the team so we have our club name and the Rotary International logo on the shirt.  Just to be clear, Pam pointed out this is considered an extreme sport.  Pam Introduced Jeremiah to tell us about the program from the Coach’s perspective.  The competitive season is from Feb to May and consists of the four competitions with a regional and then state championship.  We were given the history of how the team started some 8 years ago.  The team is a youth development team and is not affiliated with the US national team.  The mission of the ECHS Mountain Bike Team is to teach kids mountain bike skills and fitness while giving them a chance to work toward individual goals and achievement in a competitive sport that requires a high level of commitment.  Currently the team has twelve adults who are committed to supporting the team with their time and energy.  Additionally, the team uses fund raising of various kinds to allow kids to have the equipment (which costs from 500 – 1000 dollars) to participate.  The overarching goal is for the kids to enjoy the experience and learn about themselves.  The sport is rapidly growing and expanding throughout the state and there is a good chance there will be an expanded regional event that includes adjacent states to California.   

The presentation concluded with President Tracy presenting the sponsorship check to Jeremiah and Pam.  This was a very good presentation.  Thank you Tracy for bringing Pam and Jeremiah to speak to us.

 Pam Bennett and Jeremiah Holland tell us about ECHS Mountain Bike Team  

Today’s Lottery Winner:   Not done today.  Next meeting, Jan 7^th the pot is $145.

Thought for Week:

One truth stands firm. All that happens in world history rests on something spiritual. If the spiritual is strong, it creates world history. If it is weak, it suffers world history.

--Albert Schweitzer