MEETING OF MARCH 4, 2004
By Steve YarbroughEditor: Dick Blanding
It was historic photo day at the Los Altos Rotary Club, and folks came dressed like they meant to go down in history with style. President Al kicked off the meeting early and caught Sam Harding on his way back from the buffet to lead us in the pledge. He then collared John Sylvester to lead us in an up-tempo version of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”
Pat Millar told the tale of Bill and his dog testing the pearly gates. The moral was that good character is reflected when you don’t leave your best friend behind. President Elect Cindy Luedtke introduced Rotarians and Rotarians with guests.
Reminder: District Conference is April 15 and 16 – great lunches, dinners, brunches and speeches. Don’t miss it! You can register by mail or online.
A number of Rotarians were surprised to discover smiley faces beaming from the corner of their badges. The stickers were there to honor those Rotarians with 90 percent or better attendance. Attendance is important and we are trying to reach the 75 percent level by June. So, make up a meeting. Come when it’s hard to come and boost our club’s attendance record.
President elect-elect Marlene Cowan announced that RI Ambassadorial Scholarship applications are now being accepted. The scholarships are for one or two years of study, in amounts up to $25,000. Applicants must attend schools in our area and cannot be family members of Rotarians. Cultural scholarships for six month study also are available.
Sam Pesner passed out sign up sheets for the Art Show jobs, and reminded everyone to sign up for at least two sessions over t he two day weekend.
Jack Kelly invited everyone to hear our speech contest winner Vivian Thorne compete at the Palo Alto University Club March 26. The event is at the Sheraton Hotel at 7:15 am.
Jerry Moison announced more opportunities for sponsorships for Art Show activities and passed out a new poster board for members who want to sponsor particular things needed for the event.
Finemaster John McAllister picked up a few bucks for voting stubs, and honored Lem Summey and Marty Spangler.
Cindy Luedtke introduced our guest speaker Trish Bubenik, executive director of the Palo Alto Area Red Cross. She introduced volunteer Mary Luthe, who presented a slide show history of the local chapter which was formed in 1898.
Ms. Bubenik said that the Red Cross is partnering with Los Altos groups to train 62,000 people in emergency preparedness in this area. The Red Cross’s major fund-raiser is their August 14th wine festival.
President Al honored Bob Adams for Service Above Self – his work exemplifies what Rotarians are all about!
Following the meeting, all Rotarians gathered for a group photograph in the Redwood Grove behind the Garden House.
REMINDER!
Art show volunteer coordinator Sam Pesner asked each Rotarian to fill out a volunteer form, listing their first three choices for job assignments. Additional forms will be available each week at lunch. NOTE: Since the form was for Rotarians, if you have a spouse, friend, neighbor, or whomever would also like to work at the show, please EMAIL Sam pesner@aol.com as to their availability. It will be assumed that spouses want to work together unless otherwise specified. Every Rotarian should fill out a form regardless of position, especially if you will be out of town and will be helping in pre-show preparations. Call 650-964-5619, or email Sam with questions.
By John CardozaAttendance Committee. Members on the committee are Steve Yarbrough, John McDonnell, Matt Cabot, Marlis McAllister, and John Cardoza. The Board has tasked the committee to improve our monthly percent attendance, which has averaged in the low
60’s in the previous six months, to 75% by the month of June. Los Altos Rotary is 3rd in size among the top 14 clubs in our District with over 100 members. However, our attendance is 11th on this list, well below the average attendance of 71%.
Plans to increase attendance include:
- The President to make announcements reinforcing the attendance goal. To recognize individuals with good attendance.
- Weekly attendance and the targeted goal to be included in the Rotator in a prominent position.
- Send e-mails to the active members with under 60% attendance encouraging attendance in a positive way, not to just boost the numbers sent to the District, but foremost because we really value their fellowship at meetings and other service and social functions. To also encourage getting makeup credits if unable to attend. Some exceptions are made for members who are not able to attend due to moves away from Los Altos, other long term business or personal circumstances, etc.
- Depending upon the response to the e-mail, to follow up with a phone call by the sponsor, or a member who knows that member well. To further encourage participation in Rotary and, if unable to attend, to find out the circumstances for the low attendance. Also, to obtain suggestions on improving Rotary meetings that would encourage more attendance.
Your attendance, by the way, can be checked on the Rotary Clubmate website.
Programs and Events
March
March 11: Carl Guardino - Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, Economic Outlook
March 18: To be announced
March 25: Red Badge Auction, starts at 11:30 a.m.
March 26: Fellowship Night
April
April 7: Celebrate Spring at Chef Chu's
April 8: Mountain View High School Madrigal Singers Spring Program
May
May 7: Golf Tournament
May 15 and 16: Rotary Fine Art Show
May 21: Fellowship NightJune
June 25: Kickout Dinner
OTHER 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 2004 The Los Altos Rotary Club