MEETING OF JULY 19, 2003 Rotator Writer: Dick Blanding
Editor: Dick BlandingLos Altos Rotary Club
Meeting of July 10, 2003
By Dick Blanding
Editor Dick Blanding
Webmaster Steve Gruber
On this inaugural day of President Al’s term of office, we left the old years far behind, and were launched firmly into the rarefied air of a new, high-tech era. We were greeted by our new leader appearing via a wonderfully professionally done video, the flag waving behind him and patriotic music playing softly in the background, as he led us in the Pledge. Following a little pep talk by JFK for a warmup, we were treated to film of a Saturn V launching at Cape Canaveral, signifying our blastoff into the heavens of the 2003-2004 Rotary year. It promises to be a great one.
President Al introduced his Board of Directors: Ellen Yamane Flanagan, Tracie Murray, Jerry Tomanek, who couldn’t make it today, Mona Armistead, Steve Yarborough, and Shiv Shastri, who will serve along with Al, Past President Mary, and President-Elect Cindy as our board this year.
Following a brief report on the Rotary International Convention in Australia, Al told us of the new International President’s theme for the year, “Lend a Hand.” He then went on to review a long list of projects our club does, and encouraged the members to “keep up the good work”, and to continue to do such a fine job of lending a hand in our community and internationally.
Al asked us all to keep on the lookout for quality new Rotarians, so we could grow from our current 145 to a new high of 155 LARC members. I think we’re on our way already. At my table were three guests, Malini, Hinda, and Rhonda, and at least one was busily filling out an application during lunch.
Each new director in turn used the video display to describe the various committees and chairs which fell within their purview, urging folks to sign up where they would like most to help. President Al asks that every member find at least one job or committee to serve on this year, pointing out that whenever roll call is recorded at a meeting of one of these groups, that meeting can count as a makeup, allowing our attendance figures to soar.
Next we welcomed a new Red Badger, Mike Harrigan, sponsored by Gary Ross. Mike and his wife Margo operate a very spiffy, high-tech shop on Main Street, called Image Arts. If you haven’t been in, take a look, and you’ll be surprised at what can be done with photographs these days.
Ginny Lear presented a gift of a Paul Harris Fellowship to Joanne Byrne, in recognition of her outstanding service from the day she joined our club. President Al then directed everyone to walk to several large, blank sheets of paper hung on the walls. We each traced our handprint on one, signed it, and wrote a couple of jobs or committees we’d enjoy helping with. In gratitude, we were presented with a little Koala from Down Under, holding a thank you note for “Lending a Hand.”
Our attention returned to the video screen for a final wrapup from President Al. He showed pictures of the grapes and winemaking process at his vineyard, and told us we would receive either a bottle of his Private Label Syrah, or a box of gourmet chocolates, for joining his President’s Club this year. You have to cellar the wine till Rotary’s centennial year of 2005, but can munch the chocolates immediately, presenting a tough choice for some of us. With another viewing of the launching on the screen, we blasted off into the promising adventure of our 2003-2004 Rotary Year.
Announcement: Firooz reminds us to check our personal data and picture for the new handbook at our very next meeting. He will have the proofs there for you to view, and cautions that that day is the final deadline for making any changes or corrections to your information in the handbook.
Programs and Events
July
July 12 and 13: Rotary booth at the Los Altos Village Art and Wine Festival
July 17: Pat Richards NOVA-Developing a Skilled Workforce for Silicon Valley
July 24: Leigh Weimers, Newspaper Columnist
July 31: District GovernorAugust
August 7: Design Response
August 14: Audrey Rust- Peninsula Open Space Preserve
August 21: To be announced
August 28: Martha Kantor, Chancellor of Foothill-DeAnza DistrictSeptember
Sept 4: To be announced
Sept 11: Cindy Wilber, Stanford University- Proyecto ItzaesOTHER ROTARY CLUB MEETING PLACES
On-line Meeting: www.rotaryeclubone.org
MONDAY
Palo Alto: Rickey's Hyatt House, 12:15 p.m.
TUESDAY
Los Altos Sunset: The Echo Restaurant, Los Altos, 7:15 p.m.
Sunnyvale: Ramada Inn, 12:15 p.m.
Mountain View: Adobe House, Moffett & Central, Mountain View, 12:15 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Menlo Park: Menlo Park Recreation Center, Menlo Park, noon.
Woodside/Portola: Woodside Village Church, Woodside, 7:30 a.m.
Sunnyvale Sunrise: Wild Woodys Grill, Sunken Gardens Golf Course, 7 a.m.
Cupertino: Quinlan Community Center, 12:15 p.m.
East Palo Alto Bayshore: Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula, 2031 Pulgas Avenue, East Palo Alto, 12:15 p.m.
FRIDAY
Palo Alto University: Sheraton, El Camino, Palo Alto, 7:30 a.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 2003 The Los Altos Rotary Club
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