MEETING OF DECEMBER 6, 2001
By Wyatt Allen
Editor - Dick Blanding
Webmaster - Steve Gruber
Today, we continued our international theme by recognizing Russia.
After our traditional Pledge of Allegiance, BILL REWAK offered a thought for the day (based upon Our Town) that we should avoid living too much of our lives in the "fast lane." We all should take time to take time for others, take time for ourselves, and thank God for life itself. These words are especially appropriate during the holiday season.
Back to the holidays, JOHN SYLVESTER led us all in a round of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."
ALEXEI KRYLOV from St. Petersburg was introduced as our Rotary Exchange Student. He is living with KAREN FOX, who happens to be headed to St. Petersburg this month. ALEXEI will stay with DICK HASENPFLUG and BOB ADAMS while KAREN is away. The club presented him with a gift for the holidays.
Pres. FIROOZ asked all World War II veterans to stand and be recognized since the following day was the 60th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and our entry into that war. Our club is blessed with quite a number of participants in that war.
PAUL NYBERG recently returned from Chile with his wife, LIZ, after participating in a Rotary Friendship Exchange. PAUL encouraged all of us to consider future participation. He found Chile to be quite modern and advanced rather than the "third world" country many of us think of when we hear of Chile.
MARY MARLEY announced that the Los Altos Interact Club would once again be wrapping presents this year. For a donation of your choice, students will be wrapping gifts from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Community Plaza (Main at State Streets) both Saturday December 15th and Sunday December 16th. Come out and support our Los Altos Interact Club! A big THANKS! to CINDI EBERHARDT and her store, Los Altos Card & Party, for providing all the wrapping materials.
BOB ADAMS reminded us all of our opportunity to help the students of Alta Vista School help less fortunate kindergarten and first grade students. If you haven't already done so, please bring a gift to the meeting of December 13th either unwrapped or wrapped (if wrapped, indicate whether for a boy or girl). It will be taken to Alta Vista for their annual holiday party for disadvantage young students.
NEW MEMBERS:
Today we had a bumper crop of new member…four in all! ALEX NG, membership director introduced each of them. Please welcome them the first chance you get:BARBARA DUNCAN, human resources professional, sponsor - STEVE SHEPHERD
ROSS BRIDGES, leader of "SPLASH", sponsor - GARY ROSS
SANDY WHIPPLE, accountant, sponsor - STEVE SHEPHERD
BILL PALMER, retired engineer, sponsor - BILLY RUSSELLJULIAN RODRIQUEZ, a Rotarian from the Los Gatos club and the District 5170 Rotary Foundation Chair, assisted MONA ARMISTEAD with the recognition of the most recent double sustainers (donation of $200 or more to the annual campaign) for our Rotary Foundation. Our club's goals are to have everyone contribute. In addition, we would like to achieve at least 60% double sustainers from Los Altos Rotary. To date, 41 of 65 contributors qualify, or 63%. Our final goal is to have 15 new Paul Harris Fellows or new multi-level contributions. We are at 80% of that goal as well. Please turn in your contributions to MONA ARMISTEAD or WYATT ALLEN at one of the next tow meetings for mail it to WYATT in the envelope provided before year-end.
RECOGNITION:
JOHN McALISTER began his month as finemaster by finding reasons for a number of our members to part with some of their respective cash. FIROOZ GHAFFARI (I thought presidents used to be immune from finemasters?), CINDY DAY, MARY PROCHNOW and STEVE ANDERSON became diplomats. BOB ADAMS, JERRY MOISON and MIKE SCHNEIDER added to their accumulations toward that level of recognition.DICK HASENPFLUG, in keeping with our international theme, introduced Consul General YURI POPOV of the Russian Consulate in San Francisco. The Russian Consulate has been established here since the 1800's and the Russian influence in our region goes back to the establishment of Ft. Ross. Consul General POPOV is coming to the end of his five-year stint in San Francisco, but shared these observations with our club:
- September 11th is a watershed date not only for America, but also for the entire world. It has brought many countries closer together for a common cause - to fight terrorism.
- He shared that Russia believes that Bin Laden is not the sole problem…there is a loose network of terrorists that have been trained and allowed to stay in many different countries.
- The future of Afghanistan will depend upon the ability of the international community to assist in creating a government that represents all peoples of the country. It will be difficult since there are so many different factions with totally different priorities and needs.
- The country is overall quite barren and desolate. There must be an immediate improvement in the economy and quality of life since even food and water are not readily available for some of the population. Due to Russia's prior involvement in Afghanistan, Russia will support efforts of the USA and others of the international community, but will not enter the country itself.
- The Consul General referred to Russia's economy as a free-market society "Russian Style" with a continuing effort by communists to return to former ways.
- He applauded the relationships that have been developed between Los Altos and Syktivkar in the Komi region of Russia. That association goes a long way toward promoting international friendships, goodwill and understanding.REMINDERS:
1. Bring a present for a kindergarten or first grade student to the next meeting (doesn't have to be wrapped).
2. Remember to support our Los Altos Interact Club by having them wrap your gifts Dec. 15th or 16th in the Community Plaza.Webmaster's Notes:
Bell ringing for the Salvation Army will start on Monday, Dec. 17, and continue until Friday, Dec. 21, at Second and Main streets. Members of the club will do the ringing each day, with a goal of raising more than we did last year -- $3,500. If you were thinking of responding to a Salvation Army fundraising letter that was sent to your home, you can help the club by dropping the return envelope in the kettle during the days that we are bell ringing. That way we get credit for the contribution and continue to be the top fundraising service organization in the area. This year you can designate your checks for the families of the victims of the New York tragedy by making a notation on your check. During the past three months the Salvation Army has provided more than 2 million free meals to the firemen, policemen, and other workers at the World Trade Center site. The Salvation Army does not seek recognition or praise for its work -- just the resources to get the job done.
Programs
December
December 13 - Mary Hiland, CEO of Alliance for Community Care, "Combatting stigma in mental illness."
December 19 - Rotary Holiday Party at the Jesuit Retreat House
December 20 - Main Street Singers
December 27 - No Meeting
"Information in this newsletter is intended for the exclusive use of the members of the Rotary Club of Los Altos to facilitate the work of the club and to promote club fellowship. It is not to be used for any commercial or outside, unrelated, non-profit purposes. No publication of material in this newsletter should occur without the express permission of the club President or the Editor of the Rotator."
Copyright 2001 The Los Altos Rotary Club
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