This Thursday's Program:  Three or four Rotarians from other local clubs talking about their clubs,projects and goals etc.

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ROTACARE FREE CLINIC

The following restaurants continually donate food for the staff at our RotaCare Free Clinic.

Please thank them by frequenting their restaurants

The weather finally cleared up and we had a fine day for a Rotary meeting.  It all started with the friendly smiles and firm handshakes from MICHAEL STADLEN, JACK HEIDMILLER and JOANNA MEDIN.  Then the bell.  PRESIDENT JOHN called upon MARY MARLEY to lead the pledge.  MARY has been out for a few meetings (personal reasons – ask her) and was welcomed back with a heart-felt  round of applause.  Good to have you back, MARY.  PREZ-ELECT SETH suggested that how well our lives work depends on how well we play our cards and then read a perfect plan to guide us.  If you email him, I’ll bet he’ll provide a copy of his thought for the day. 

JOHN MCDONNELL noticed the weather was much better than yesterday and led us in one verse of “You are My Sunshine”.  PREZ-ELECT SETH introduced two visiting Rotarians from Santa Cruz and San Jose Downtown.  Members KATIE NUTTER, JULIE ROSE, and PAST-PREZ SAM introduced their guests.

 ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT JOHN said MARTY SPANGLER has resigned from the Club since he seems to be enjoying the pleasures of life in Carmel more and more.  JOHN then stressed how important ATTENDANCE is; so show up for meetings!

Another bit of important information: if you are going to leave the meeting early, club protocol requires you to apologize to the speaker before the meeting and then slip out quietly.  I didn’t know that either.

More important info for those who plan ahead; Our club will be dark three days this Rotary year; Thanksgiving, November 22^nd , December 27^th, and January 3^rd.  PAST-PREZ ROY LAVE may have something to say about that last date as we approach it.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Photographer Extraordinaire, JERRY TOMANEK, needs all Red-Badgers to have their pictures taken (by him – at a meeting) sometime during the next two meetings.  Any other member who wants to update (you know who you are) or replace their photo can also do this during the next two meetings.  JERRY made the same offer he made last year.  For a small contribution to his favorite charity, he can take off ten pounds or ten years or both.  For some of us, it might be worth it.  NOTE: This is Thursday is the last day to have this done.  After that you will need to supply your own digital photo. 

Ever-present PAST-PREZ DUDE ANGIUS announced that as a result of exposure at the RAP booth during the RI Convention, “The Los Altos Story” will be seen nationwide on the Starfish Television Network.  The Starfish Network is a new and revolutionary cable network dedicated to providing a media outlet for the advancement of non-profit and charitable organizations.  Check ‘em out at http://www.starfishtv.org/.  Rotary seems to be a significant portion of their programming and the site has quite a bit of information.

Friends of Proyecto Itzaes: Cindy Weber, who is deeply involved in Proyecto Itzaes, sent us a very warming email.  Please click here to read her email, and see some very warming pictures about some of the work our WCS dollars do around the world. 

Continuing the “Serial Club Assembly”, CINDY WEMYSS and JACK KELLY presented a summary of their responsibilities as Board Members in their respective areas of service.  The constant theme from both speakers is participation.  To continue to be successful, the Club needs members to share their time, talent, expertise, and yes, some money.  So consider sharing your ideas and resources to make our club even stronger.  Contact any board member or officer;  and you will be appreciated.

CLUB RECOGNITION

The PREZ showed the seven-pointed star to be bestowed upon those members who become a STAR by being fined a hundred bucks.  AND, for two-hundred bucks, you can get two stars; now there’s something to shoot for.

MATT CABOT strode proudly to the lectern to a smattering of applause.  MATT THE FINEMASTER continued with the “volunteer” theme by asking for members to just stand and give for whatever their reason.  Takers were KATIE NUTTER (Daughter getting married) , JOHN HAMBLIN (Exciting new job), GINNY LEAR

(On Marty and Jim Spangler’ bragging rights), JERRY TOMANEK (Daughter taking the Bar Exam), KAREN FOX (Upcoming sabbatical) and MEG SOLERA (Moving, much to our chagrin).  In the true spirit of volunteerism, STEVE SHEPHERD volunteered MONA ARMISTEAD (New baby grand daughter),  to be fined (which cost him $10.00).  BILLY RUSSELL wrestled the microphone from someone to announce that today was his ninety-third birthday and he wanted to be a star.  For that he was serenaded with a standing ovation and a spontaneous version of “Happy Birthday” and much more applause than any finemaster will ever receive.

 Note to future finemasters: when MATT called JOHN SYLVESTER to be fined, JOHN reminded MATT that he was finemaster next week.  JOHN got a pass.

 THE PROGRAM

PREZ-ELECT SETH introduced Mr. Martin Eichner of Project Sentinel and the Los Altos Mediation Program.  Mediation is a voluntary process where a neutral third party assists two or more people in conflict to resolve a dispute in a non-adversarial environment.  LAMP is a free mediation program that can help resolve disputes involving neighbor-to-neighbor, landlord-tenant, consumer, workplace, parent/teen and roommate situations. As we learned during the Q&A, they can mediate most any situation except divorce.  Mr. Eichner gave examples of how local folks have reached a mutually acceptable final agreement of their own making.

 If you want more info, their website is www.losaltoscf.org/lamp.html.