MEETING OF JULY 12, 2001
Rotary Club Leadership changes
with New President Firooz GhaffariBy Clyde Noel
Editor: Dick Blanding
Webmaster: Steve Gruber
It isn't often a person gets two different standing ovations before they say one word, but it happened last Thursday when Firooz Ghaffari calmly started his reign as president of the Los Altos Rotary Club for 2001-2002.
"We will share fellowship by working together in the coming year", Firooz said. In breaking bread every Thursday, it will bring us closer together and we will cherish each other more.
In Dick Duhring's lengthy inspirational note, he offered a treatise on being grateful. "Be grateful to be here for many reasons and be grateful you are a Rotarian", Dick said. "Rotary means service and fellowship. Service is what we do and fellowship will keep us together.
Cres McFALL, our International song leader, led us in a hilarious German bim bam bum after ex president Ginny Lear led us in our weekly patriotic duties to the flag.
President elect Mary Prochnow introduced the day's guests and mentioned member Roy LAVE had a new grand daughter called Quincy, and Jean HOLLANDS will be in the Big Apple taking a bite out of Good Morning America Monday morning at 7 a.m.
Sam PESNER, competent producer of several Art in the Park shows, presented a painting most members signed to Tracie Murray. Tracie couldn't pick up the large painting because she was standing at the podium with an arm full of child.
Cindy LUEDTKE, acting as the Pied Piper of the World, corralled the children of Rotary members, and a few young friends, and gave them each a flag to march around the Garden House. From Argentina to Venezuela, more than 45 flags were paraded and inserted in the flag holder on the speaker's podium.
Firooz then asked each Rotarian director to discuss his or her responsibilities for the coming year. A hard copy of each director's responsibilities is found in the Official Handbook of the Rotary Club of Los Altos.Community Service, (Sam Harding for Seth MANNING):
Community service includes public relations with Jean NEWTON; East Palo Alto Teen Home with Baidra PROCHNOW and Bella BERLLY; Alpha Omega Shelter dinner organizing with Becky MILLER and Rotacare.Fellowship Service, Steve SHEPHERD:
Responsibility for Fellowship includes the weekly greeter: Shelly POTVIN; Fine Master Guy FARTHING; song leader: John SYLVESTER; and Thought for the Day: Dick BLANDING. Steve also presented other ideas for monthly member events, but no actual dates.
International Service, Pat MILLAR:
Pat said there are 3.2 million Rotarians worldwide in 30,000 clubs. She explained the mechanics of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and discussed World Service, Rotary Scholarships and Rotary Ambassador scholars.
Membership, Alex NG:
"The number one goal this year is membership growth" Ng said. "We need to focus on bringing young members into the Rotary Club. Alex said we have 132 members at present and our goal is to net five new members by the end of the year. "With your help, Rotary is going to be the greatest service club in the world", Ng said.Youth Service, Mary MARLEY:
Mary pushed for Partners for New Generations and is looking to expand into new directions through churches, seniors and service organizations. She wants to continue the PNG Cafe with new menu offerings like high school mentoring and the Restoration Justice plan.
Mary is also working with Interact clubs in the local high schools, is involved with Camp RYLA, Boy Scout Troop 37, and Rotary scholarships.Operations, Mike SCHNEIDER:
Mike is in charge of Rotator writers and suggests they stick to the what, why and when as they report. Mike suggested that the following week there will be a quiz on what was in the Rotator. Dick BLANDING is the Rotator editor.
Mike is also responsible for weekly cashiering, making the Art Show bigger and better, and Lunch N Stuff that includes our Thursday food, good ambiance and a better sound system.Treasurer, Victoria EMMONS:
The budget FY 2002: Victoria said the budget is based on 132 members. There have been increases by the city for rent of the Garden House but this year the Rotary Club will have an income of $125,700. Expenses are forcasted at $127,724 with a deficit of $1,974. However, Victoria said there is a carryover of $10,554 into the year.Program Chair and President-elect, Mary PROCHNOW:
Mary is involved in procuring the speakers to make meetings interesting. She is looking for skilled speakers who have a topic of general interest and present a balance of view points. No self promotion, and if you know any one who fits these qualifications, speak to Mary.The highlight of our noon day engagement was the formal introduction of Firooz by Boo BUE. Firooz was born in a family of ten children in Persia, now called Iran. He came to NYC at the age of 18 and enrolled in Columbia University in the ESL classes. After becoming acquainted with the language, he attended Texas A & M at College Station, in Texas.
Firooz continued to work towards his Ph.D. in Chemistry and married Giti along the way. After several years of teaching in Iran, Firooz brought his family back to the United States and started a Printing Company called Print Innovations in Sunnyvale.
After Boo described our new President's early life, Firooz received his second ovation, even before he dropped a word to the membership.Note fromVictoria Emmons: Our speaker on July 19th is Lisa Mirza, who is an etiquette consultant and founder of The
A&M Group in San Francisco. She was formerly director of protocol in Mayor
Willie Brown's office and has some very interesting stories to tell. I think
the group will enjoy her.Webmaster's Note: We have about 20 tickets left for the San Jose Giants game on August 10. If you would like to reserve tickets, please send $16 to Steve Gruber, 4546 El Camino Real, Suite B-7, Los Altos, CA 94022 before July 26. The Giants will be playing Mudville, which was known as Stockton before they changed their name last year. The Giants are in first place in the California League, despite having a lot of players on the DL, and having sent several top players to Shreveport.
President's Message Today, after the meeting some of you came forward, shook my hand and asked what I was saying in Persian Language. Here is the full text in English:
Rotarian Friends,
We all know Rotary is in the business of people helping people! To further the objectives of Rotary, we need to grow membership in Rotary. Yes, for Rotary to continue, we do need to recruit new members. But for now, let us look at membership retention.
Good news! Membership retention can be easy and enjoyable. Why don¹t we all make every Thursday luncheon our time to assemble and break bread together at Rotary. The more often we break bread together, the closer we feel to one another. My closest friends are among our fellow Rotarians. Right here, in this room! And I wouldn¹t be surprised if most of you feel the same way.
When we are together, let us cherish one another. Let us cherish the new faces among us. Let us cherish the faces we have known over time. Let us pretend this moment is the only chance we have to show appreciation for one another. It is in this way we can enjoy ourselves. It is in this way we can enlarge our circle of true friends. And it is in this way we can enjoy Rotary, even more!
Meeting adjourned!
ProgramsJuly
July 19 - "On Etiquette"- Lisa Mirza, Former Director of Protocol for SF Mayor Willy Brown
July 26 - "Rotary Foundation"- Paul Sandas, RI Director, 97-99August
August 10 - Rotary night at the San Jose Giants, 5:30 p.m.
"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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