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June 16 - World Community Services Report

AUGUST

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Red Badger MIKE CABOT gave the thought for the day, highlighting that Dale Carnegie observed that you will make more friends in 2 months being interested in other people, than you will make in two years asking people to be interested in you.

President-Elect Marlene Cowan, started the introduction of visiting Rotarians, including past president of the St Petersburg, Russia Rotary Club, NATALIE.  She advised us that Rotary is relatively new in Russia, having begun only in 1990, but they have built 100 clubs since then and are growing strong.   We had another special guest, former member, and Past President  GEORGE PERHAM, up from his new home in Paso Robles (running a bed and breakfast where, he says, all Los Altos Rotarians stay for free—but the towel charge may kill you).

ANNOUNCEMENTS

JOHN MOSS reminded us that the Relay for Life is coming up in a couple of weeks and all Rotarians are invited to sponsor or support our walkers, who are out to help fight cancer. [insert from May 26th Rotator]:

Go to the Los Altos Relay For Life website at:  http://www.losaltosrelay.com/.  Then, click on Click here to join or start a team!  .  then, agree to Waiver/Agreement clause, and click “I AGREE”.  Then you click on “Join a Team”, and then click on the drop down box to select the Rotary Team:  ROTARY RAMBLERS, click on “Continue”, and fill out the application form. 

Once that is completed, you have an opportunity to donate right then are there.  It is as simple as ordering something from Lands End, without picking the size and model, and color numbers.  Just fill in the amount, and your credit card information and you are signed up.

One thing. This is a fund raiser, so, surprise, surprise, you are expected to either/or/and solicit donations from your non walking friends, and family members.  I just happened to mention it at family dinner the other night and my daughter-in-law (just fresh off a Fund Raiser at Monclaire) offered to walk and solicit for the cause, so you never know. 

Another point: as a walker, you will be asked to set up an account to accumulate all of the donations that will be made in your name.  Be sure to do that.  That way you can keep track of your goal.  You than can send the donation URL to your friends and family.  You don’t have to collect checks or anything.  It couldn’t be easier. 

 If you are not a walker, you can use this same website to make your donation. [end of insert]

PRESIDENT CINDY noted that IRENE PRESTON had printed up a convenient list of the local restaurants that had supported the ART SHOW, and that all members were encouraged to support these fine establishments.  You can also see this updated list on our website, under Art Show, Restaurants that have helped us.  Please reciprocate. 

DENNIS POTTER was selling the last of the leftover wine and soda.

The club then voted on the proposed changes to the LAREF bylaws.  The changes were adopted unanimously.  President Cindy thanked SAM PESNER for his work in heading the by-law committee.

Guest John Love from the Los Altos Mountain View Pony Baseball League announced that they were raising money to build a baseball field at Blach Middle School.  The project will cost $49,000, and the league still needs support. 

PRESIDENT CINDY announced that the club cancelled the June 23 program so that we could have a special year-end program to thank all the members who had gone beyond basic service for others to add special service to the club and its projects this year.  All members are requested to nominate fellow members for special thanks.

To the roar of a thunderous standing ovation and many club members weeping for joy, head finemeister JOHN SINES stepped to the podium to recognize fellow Rotarians.  SAM HARDING was delighted to accept recognition to announce that his son was newly  engaged to BOB ADAMS'  niece.  GINNY LEAR was recognized for inventing vertical parking to help the Art Show run smoothly.  JOHN asked various members to regale us with family history, and fined MARLIS McALLISTER whose family came to America before the Revolution; JACK HIGGINS, whose family came from Ireland 6 generations ago; and VICTOR ESCHEVERIA, whose Basque Grandfather wisely moved to Mexico after being sentenced to death twice in Franco’s Civil War Spain.  CLYDE NOEL accepted recognition for attending his 65th High School reunion in Philadelphia.  JOANNE MEDIN announced that her son’s baseball teem was off to Cooperstown to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame.

PRESIDENT CINDY then paused to honor two special volunteers who had done extraordinary work to help Tsunami Relief: JOANNA MEDIN’s children, Alex and Calley Medin raised over $3,000 selling special bracelets.

HERB MARSHALL announced the happy news that FIROOZ GHAFARI’s brain surgery had been successful and the tumor was removed. FIROOZ lets us know that he is feeling well.

AL TRAFICANTI announced that the KICK OUT DINNER is coming up and everyone who is expecting to be there (or who previously signed up but must cancel) must let him know their confirmed plans immediately so that we can give an accurate count to the country club.

JOANNE BYRNE will be doing celebrity bartending at MALTBY’s on June 15th to raise money for the Community foundation.

The club will be running a booth by CHEF CHU at the Los Altos Art & Wine Festival, and club members are requested to sign up to help in the booth. There are still a few spots open to participate in this wonderful Rotary Outreach activity. 

ART SHOW REPORT

GINNY LEAR then gave the Report on the ART SHOW.  Show chairman JACK HEIDMILLER was unavailable, as was show Treasurer TRACIE MURRAY, but Ginny gave them due credit.  The preliminary numbers indicate that the show generated some nice net profits to support our Community.  The Artists sales were about what they were last year. Exact figures were announced at the meeting. 

GINNY thanked WYATT  ALLEN for Cash management, JEAN NEWTON for publicity; JOE LACONTE, PAT FARRELL and HERB MARSHALL for site management; VAL CARPENTER for the huge and thankless task of organizing all the club member volunteers; MATT CABOT for handling the Show web site; MARION TAVENNER for managing food; IRENE PRESTON for heading up the Artist’s Dinner.

GINNY then announced that HERB MARSHALL would be the Chairman for next year’s art show.

PRESIDENT CINDY announced that a special Rotary Polio project was coming through Los Altos on Friday.  Rotarian Nathan Auerbach is walking 2200 miles from Mexico to Canada along the west coast to raise money for Polio Eradication.  He is passing through Los Altos on Friday June 10 and club members are invited to greet him at noon at San Antonio and El Camino.

LAREF REPORT

JULIE ROSE, presented the annual report on behalf of the LAREF  Board and current members FIROOZ GHAFARI, SAM PESNER, BELLA BERLLY, MARY MARLEY, MARION TAVENNER as well as President CINDY, Former President AL TRAFICANTI, and President-elect, MARLENE COWAN.  JULIE reported the LAREF proceeds for last year  with the bulk coming in from the Art Show and the balance in contributions.   In the current year, LAREF made many grants, with the majority of these, going to organizations in the local community.  Other major grant areas were to the scholarships for local high school students and to general international projects.  JULIE has a detailed multi-page report, which any club member can get by just sending her an email at julie@losaltoschamber.org.

Finally JULIE announced the results of the election: SETH MANNING, TRACIE MURRAY and DENNIS YOUNG will be joining the LAREF Board to replace three departing members.

President Cindy adjourned the meeting at 1:31.