El Cerrito Rotary: The Wheel January 28, 2010

Editors:  Gary Buffon

Week of January 28, 2010     

(www.rotary5160.org)

www.elcerritorotary.org

President Tracy welcomed everyone to the Friendly El Cerrito Rotary Club.   Sil led the flag salute and Thomas provided the thought for the day.

Secretary John:  Introduced today’s guest  Lt .Robert De La Campa of the ECPD a guest of Paul

4-Way Test Presentation:    Michael D led us in reciting the 4-Way Test

Announcements:

• Marty announced the bowl-a-thon will be held on April 10^th and ask for volunteers for the event.  Funds raised will go for the microscope for the eye clinic in Cambodia.
• Pres Tracy handed out the new brochure on how to propose a new member in Rotary.  
•  Gary B announced that the Golden State Warriors are teaming up with Rotary/Interact for the March 13^th game (a Saturday) by giving a portion of the ticket price to the PACE Universal program being supported this year by the Interact district. There is a flyer attached for you convenience
• Jack asked for volunteers for the Feb 21^st concession stand

Happy dollars:  Jane is $5 happy for being the MC for the Richmond Chamber of Commerce crab feed on Feb 12^th.  She invited everyone to come enjoy the meal and entertainment.  Frank had $5 for getting acknowledged at his insurance agency meeting for his excellent customer service as an agent.   Jack had $5 for the Rotarians who worked at the concession stand on Sun.  Tracy had $5 thanking Jim for his efforts in overseeing the speakers schedule.  Jim had $5 thanking his fellow Rotarians for their cooperation.

Sgt at Arms Nancy:  Not on duty today

Today’s Program: 

Tracy introduced Michael Mendonca to speak to give us an update on the LN-4 project.  Michael reminded us of his visit four years ago.  Michael also told us about his love for Rotary and indicated he has been a Rotarian for over half his life.  After giving us an overview of how the LN-4 hand designer originally came to him to get it manufactured, he shared the results of the first trip to Vietnam which was by all measures a failure.  As with all great projects this one went through a phase to improve.  Michael put together and Skunk Works program (originally used by Northrup Aviation and other to build high tech airplanes such as the sR-71) to get suggestions and ideas from a group of folks.  From that thirty five refinements were made to the hand and to date 3000 hands have been provided to people in forty two countries.   Michael has a phrase to describe what has happened with the program he calls it “doors slam open” to indicate the acceptance of the LN-4 project. 

Michael Mendonca demonstrating the LN-4 hand

At the conclusion of the presentation Tracy gave Michael a check for $2000 for LN-4.  That will buy 40 hands.  This was an inspiring and stimulating program. 

Genie Stone:  Won today by Nobuko who will have the magic of the stone for February

Today’s Lottery Winner:   Jane had her ticket drawn and pulled a catseye marble.   Next meeting the pot is $170.

Thought for the Week:

 There is a great deal of human nature in people.

--Mark Twain