MEETING OF FEBRUARY 28, 2002
By Mary Prochnow
Editor - Dick Blanding
Webmaster - Steve GruberSpring came early to Los Altos as we celebrated the many pleasures of our "country of the week": ITALY. The rosemary branches gracing the serving table sent a lovely aroma to those waiting in line. We enjoyed the Italian National Anthem. We enjoyed a thought for the day from Joe Renati and a reminder of the contributions of Italian Americans from our own contributors PRESIDENT ELECT-ELECT AL TRAFICANTI AND PAST PRESIDENT JOE RENATI. HIS EXCELLENCY, FRANCESCO SCIORTINO, CONSUL GENERAL OF ITALY was our speaker for the day.
The Consul General has served in Somalia, Oman and Madagascar prior to his assignment in San Francisco. Clearly he is enjoying his assignment here. He complimented our fair city and mentioned that he hoped to be able to see a little more after the meeting. CHUCK RENATI, brother of JOE, had kindly driven the Consul General down from San Francisco. Consul General SCIORTINO is from the warm South of Italy and he seemed to be admonishing us to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the spring day. When asked about the frequent change of the Italian government he suggested that the government is like a white wine rather than a red… it should be used up quickly. One could almost drift off to thought of a warm day in the
beautiful Italian countryside.
PETS
President FIROOZ has kindly allowed me the opportunity to say a few words about this weekend's President elect training. Friday at 10 a.m., 435 Presidents-elect descended upon the San Jose Doubletree and worked together until Sunday noon. Meeting with others in the area, as well as those from far away (they came from Elko, Nevada, the Hawaiian Islands and the Northernmost corner of California) was a wonderful experience. The overwhelming majority of the speakers were excellent and our incoming Rotary International President BHICHAI (Say, "Be Shy") RATTAKUL was extremely impressive. His theme for 2002-2003 is "Sow the Seeds of Love" and his personal presentation and demeanor will make you proud to be associated with him as a Rotarian.
The thought that Rotary should work "not from the top down but from the grassroots level up" was particularly popular with the Presidents-elect, although perhaps not as much so among the assembled "brass'. PRESIDENT ELECT BICHAI also suggested that we go back to the basics and "keep Rotary simple" Mr. RATTAKUL served for many years in the Parliament of THAILAND. He will lead us well as he spends his year meeting world leaders and working for "peace and understanding" throughout the world.
Along those lines, it was announced at the meetings that, after years of rejecting our desires to establish a Rotary club in their country, Vietnam has extended an invitation to us to talk. This came about as a result of the Vietnamese government's recognition of the value of our World Community Service work in their country.
Once again I want to thank you for sending me to PETS and for allowing me the privilege of serving as your President elect.Message from membership director: I noticed that I had a "typo" on January's last name. It should be REED instead of REE. Sorry for the inconvenience. Regards, Alex Ng
Webmaster's Notes: If you would like to stay in touch with what is happening with the Rotary AIDS Project, several newsletters have been posted at their website. Click here to see them: ROTARY AID PROJECT
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Programs and Events
March
March 7 - James E. Gross, "What the Hoover Institute is all about"
March 8 - Cioppino Night, 6:30 p.m., Garden House $35.00 per person
March 14 - The new San Francisco Presidio
March 21 - Susanne Pari, author of The Fortune Catcher, "Ancient Persian Traditions in Modern Life"
March 28 - Samir Laymour, "A Muslim speaks on Islam"
April
April 26 -28 - District 5170 Conference, Lake Tahoe
"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 2002 The Los Altos Rotary Club
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