MEETING OF FEBRUARY 15, 2001 By Dick Blanding
Following a very thoughty thought for the day by Dr. Don Hull, newly revealed Songmeister Alan Lambert created a veritable symphony of voices by conducting the Los Altos Rotary Chorale in a complex, four part rendition of Row, Row, Row your Boat. 'Twas truly a thing of beauty. Good Scout Dick Duhring then gently pointed out to President Ginny that the flag was on the wrong side of the stage. Although that was indeed an improper and confusing situation, well over half of the club managed to handle the incident with aplomb, and eventually wound up saluting the actual flag, versus the empty corner where it should have been.
Several announcements included ones about the upcoming District Conference in a few weeks; the District photo contest, and the planning meeting at the Jesuit Retreat House recently. There will be a more detailed report on the latter coming out soon. Meanwhile, pull out your best pictures of our Los Altos Rotarians in action, providing service above self, and submit them in the big photo contest. See Ginny for details.
Red Badger Shelley Potvin Sutton gave her five minute speech today, in a polished, relaxed, very professional fashion. This was noteworthy only because she began with the announcement of her birth in the year 1965, which brought audible gasps from many in the audience. Some were no doubt reflecting on who they were and what they were doing at that age, many decades ago. Shelley was born in Salem, Oregon, and moved to Portland, Oregon; Seattle, and Denver with her family. Her dad was a super sales sort of felllow. She was an active teen, as a cheerleader with pink hair, and she ice skated almost daily through much of her young life. As an exchange student in Mexico City, Shelley travelled to Cancun when it had just two hotels, and one was out of service. Always a sun worshiper, she chose San Diego State for her undergraduate studies, and then took her advanced degree in advertising at San Jose State. After running her own successful business for a few years, Shelley went to work for Seville in real estate sales. She and her husband Mike have a "child" - make that a dog - which is their great love. They enjoyed a fabulous honeymoon in Italy, which featured lots of wine tasting in Tuscany. Shelley joined our Rotoract Club in 1992, was president for two years, and went on to be District Governor of Rotoract for another two years. These adventures changed her view of society and opened her eyes to service, thus changing her life. It was a natural next step when Shelley joined our Rotary club recently, and she thanked the club for the warm welcome she's enjoyed.
Chef Chu shared his wonderful news with the club, that hiw wife Ruth is now fully recovered from her recurrence, and is playing golf five times a week. He joined the President's Club, admitting to breaking 100 himself recently. Steve Shepherd turned eighty, so donated $80 to the cause. George Estill turned an even 200, also joining the President's Club. (Editor's Note: Dick is being humorous.) Mona Armistead, not wanting to be in any way associated with the prior two donors, agreed to a modest birthday fine, on the strict condition that her exact amount never be revealed. Your secret is safe with us, Mona.
Cindy Luedtke reminds us that the sign ups for the Cioppino Feed are about to commense. It will be at the Garden House on the evening of March 30. The cost per person is $45.00 and space is limited. E-mail Cindy at luedtkefam@aol.com for early reservations.
President-elect Firooz introduced our speaker, a dynamic Senior Manager of Promotional Marketing for Lucent Technologies, Suzanne Kushner. In addition to her Lucent duties, she teaches marketing classes at the U.C. Berkeley Extension as well. Her message was clear: she wants us to think of our company's brand name in a new way. We should regard the total customer experience as our real brand; we need to think of our brand as a relationship with the customer; and we should use technology every way possible to expand and enhance the value of our brand.
Several intangibles can help to shape a company's brand, such as people's perceptions, a famous CEO, or even the current "buzz" about the company. Half of a company's net worth may be the result of perceptions about the company's brand. The high tech companies have learned from the cereal makers, that good brand recognition can add a real premium to the value of the product. Most senior management thinks ad campaigns and slogans are necessary evils, required because their competition has them, and that they should be left to the marketing department. Suzanne says a brand is not a trademark or a logo. It must be a reflection of a corporate philosophy, which sets out to create and nourish long term customer relationships. She stresses that the entire customer experience is the most significant driver of brand value, and that any contact at all with your company goes toward defining your brand.Suzanne described the old way of creating a brand as advertising blitzes in the TV, print, and radio mass media. The new way is the creation of a two-way communication with your customer and your potential customers, to most effectively manage their expectations of your company, and to create long term relationships with your company.
President's Message On Friday, February 23, we celebrate Rotary International's 96th birthday. It is designated "R. I. World Understanding and Peace Day." How can we honor this occasion? One way is to bring a business associate to Rotary, with the goal of acquainting them with our club fellowship, the service we do locally, the support we offer internationally. Would your friend like to be part of that fellowship, service, and support? The only way to know is to ask them.
Our current new members are becoming involved, making new friends every week, and improving our attendance. Have you sat with one of our new members? Introduced yourself? I'd like to encourage both new and long time members to make this effort.
Two weeks ago, our Red Badge group met after a club meeting. Past President Sam Harding explained the Christmas in April work project that he involved our members in last year. We're going to do that again this year, on April 28th. We are hoping that many of the Red Badge members, as well as many other members will be available to help that one Saturday. When the project information is available, we will ask for your involvement.
See you Thursday,
GinnyPrograms
February
Feb. 22 - Professor Karen Fox, "Russia Today"
Feb. 27 - RAP Strategic Planning Session, Hillview, Room A, 7-9 p.m.March
March 1- Susanne Pari, author - Religion and Politics: How Do They Mix?
March 8 - Marlene Cowan, The Donner Party
March 15 - Elkus Youth Ranch
March 22 - John Giovanola, Hansen Cement Mfg.
March 29 – Dave Mooring, President, Rambus, Inc.
March 30 - Rotary Cioppino Night Dinner at Garden HouseApril
April 5 - Ted Lempert - EdVoice
April 6-8 - District Conference, Oakland
April 12 - Congresswoman Anna Eshoo
April 19 – Iwao Peter Sano – "1000 Days in Siberia"
April 26 – Partners For New Generations Day
April 27 - Rotary Social Golf Day and BBQ/Poker NightMay
May 3 - Ron Blatman - Cities That Live, Cities That Die
May 10 - George Estill - Travel
May 17 – Chuck Bull, RI Faces the Population Dilemma
May 19-20 -26th Annual Rotary Fine Art in the Park
May 31 – LARC Scholarship Awards DayJune
June 7 – Art Show Appreciation Day
June 14 – LAREF Annual Meeting
June 21 – Bob Hoffman, Cleaned up Mt. Everest
June 28 – Ginny's Kick-out, part 1
June 29 - LARC Kick-out, Dinner/Dance, Fremont Hills Country Club"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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