This Week's Program: 
Julie Weiss - Environmental Toxic Waste
 

Upcoming Events:

April 27th:  • Dr. Jim Hinsdale - Our County Trauma Center Crisis

See our Calendar for all of the important dates.

To see Neighboring Club meetings go to Clubs

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To District 5170

PRESIDENT’S CORNER We are called upon to show tolerance and support for the diversity in our population, especially among the youth of Los Altos, and I’m sure we all support that tolerance, whether privately or publicly. I believe we owe the same tolerance towards the diversity of opinions among our fellow club members. Good fellowship is a treasure. Let’s keep Rotary’s Four Way Test as our guide: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

- President Marlene

President Marlene honored Meg Solera by asking that she lead us in the pledge, followed by songmaster, Seth Manning  welcoming one of the few sunny days with “You are my Sunshine.”

Jeanne MacVicar  presented the thought for the day, paraphrased as “it’s not what you do, but what you don’t do that leads to heartache at sunset.”  She followed with a thought from Socrates, inventor of the Socratic method of teaching, i.e., teach by questioning, to the effect that beautiful faces result from beautiful acts.   (My apologies to Mr. Socrates.)

President Elect Sam Pesner welcomed a “plethora” of visiting Rotarians including Jim Gibson and Chuck Devine from Cupertino, Jim Spangler of Mountain View, Lon Savedra of San Jose, and District District Governor-Elect Russ HobbsGovernor-Elect Russ Hobbs of Sunnyvale.  

Mountain View Rotarian Jim Spangler invited all Los Altos Rotarians to join the Mountain View club in an unofficial joint event called “Day at the Races at Bay Meadows.”  Meet at the train station in Mountain View at 10:30 am May 20, 2006.  $27/person includes entrance to Turf Club, Buffet Lunch and privileged parking if not on the train.  Call Jim or Dave Cole at (650) 961-8700 for tickets and information.

A hearty “Hello” to Los Altos Rotarian, Paul Nyberg.  Paul just had some new plumbing installed in his ticker and announced that he is back on track and recovering well from bypass surgery just four weeks ago!  Welcome back, Paul!

President Elect Sam announced that next week’s program will be on environmental waste.

District Governor Elect Russ Hobbs announced that Los Altos Rotary is tied with San Jose for the number attendees at the District Conference April 28-30.  He encouraged everyone to attend.  There’s golf, tennis, a bay cruise and great speakers including Major Tammy Duckworth who is the decorated Iraq war veteran running for Congress in Illinois.  Check the website to get involved.

Cindy Luedtke announced that Jose Solera, spouse of Rotarian Meg will be honored at the District Conference on Friday, April 28^th.   At the luncheon that day, he will receive the District award for Excellence in Professional Service.   Are we proud or what!

Kendra Gjerseth encouraged everyone to participate in this year’s Relay for Life.  She reminded everyone that fighting cancer is a 24-hour a day job.  The Rotary Team needs your support.

Val Carpenter announced that the Art Show trash detail will be paid this year.  Those who were scheduled for clean up will be reassigned to new jobs.  If you haven’t selected a task, better sign up soon or you will be volunteered, just not for trash pick up.

Roy Jones advised that Rotary shirts for use during the Art Show are still available.  See Roy.

John Moss announced that 19 club member and 4 partners are signed up for the District Conference and encouraged more people to go.  Red Badgers this is important; you should take advantage of the opportunity to go to the conference.  You will not regret the time spent.

Kim Copher announced the final tally on the Red Badge Auction is $16,010.  Thanks to all who helped with this project to rebuild libraries devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Sam Pesner praised the 35 member field trip to the new De Young Museum.

De Young Museum Social

Marlene thanked Chef Chu and Rotarian Larry Chu for a wonderful spring spread.

President MARLENE also announced that the LARC board of directors voted to support the Gay Straight Alliance Parade for youth in Los Altos.  However the board will take steps to reconsider the issue for the following reasons: 

• It was not possible to know or represent the club members' attitudes due to the last-minute character of this sponsorship request,

• Only 5 of the 9 voting directors were present at the meeting,

• The split vote was close at 3 to 2 and it was felt that the complete board should reconsider the matter .

In an effort for democratic governance, the five voting directors agreed to put the question to a vote by the membership of LARC.  This will be done in two weeks on April 27th at our regular meeting. 

Mary Prochnow presented a brief introduction about the activity planned by 14, 15, and 16 year old students.  There will be a club secret ballot vote on whether to support the event as an Honorary Co-sponsor in two weeks.

Finemaster, Pat Gray probed the mysteries of April 13 and found that Scott Riches, Paul Nyberg, Clyde Noel and John McDonnell needed to make small contributions to the club.

Membership Director, Larry Chu, welcomed four new members to the club:

Jim Griffith, sponsored by Mary Prochnow
Steve FICK, sponsored by Julie Rose
Shayne Cornwell sponsored by Marlene Cowan
Jan MinErs sponsored by Sandy Bozich

The four new Red Badgers were welcomed with a standing ovation!   

SHAYNE CORNWELL	STEVE FICK
JIM GRIFFITH	JAN MINERS

Karen Fox    introduced our speaker Jerrold L. Shapiro.    Jerry is a psychologist who teaches at Santa Clara University and who has a private practice focusing on psychological issues related to the family business.  He titled his talk, “Keeping the family from messing up the business and the business from destroying the family.”

Rather than a rote presentation, Jerry immediately opened the session to questions from Rotarians. 

Q.  How can Mom and Pop work together and stay together?

A.  Figure out the boundaries.  This is the time for work, this is the time for home life.

Jerry commented that things get more complex when you get into second and third generations.  He said the rule of thumb is that the business begins in the first generation with the entrepreneur, is maintained by the sons and daughters of the second generation and disappears when the third generation takes over.

Q.    What is the dynamic between father and son?

A.      It’s hard to turn over the business to a child.  It’s hard for the parent to have the necessary respect and the ability to hand it over and step away.  Key issue is mortality.  Dad saying “I’m going to die.”  Son saying, “My father’s going to die.”  It’s more complicated if there are two sons or a daughter.  With two sons there is competition and competency and with a daughter there is often prejudice and traditional issues.

Q.    What are the issues for bringing a child into the business?

A.      Are they capable and trained to handle the business?  Are they ready?  Is this the right business for them?  Families should set up policies and procedure early on.  For example, decide on what education and training is needed.  A good rule is to require 3 years of experience in the field outside of the family business.

Q.    How much formality should you have in the process?

A.      Lots.  Have formal entities and infrastructure.  There will then be a structure within which you can work together.

Q.    What about compensation?

A.      Pay market rates, perks should not be too much in excess of the market.

Jerry said that 80 percent of businesses in America are family owned and operated.  The issues he discussed were common to all and many Rotarians found his information enlightening and on point. 

Thanks to Karen Fox for bringing us Jerry, a very interesting and thought-provoking speaker.

Copyright © 2006 Los Altos Rotary Club. All rights reserved.