Los Altos Rotary Club Home of the Annual Rotary Fine Art Show July 2, 2009

OPENING DAY - and like all opening days everywhere, the enthusiasm and anticipation were at a fever pitch - well, maybe not fever pitch, but it was up there! Leading off in the greeter positions were JANE REED and KAREN GESSERT. Next up was KAREN OWEN, pinch-hitting at the money table.

As the big moment approached, there was designated bell-ringer and Past Pres SAM PESNER with gavel in hand ringing us to a semblance of order. Our newly duly elected President TRACIE MURRAY was nowhere to be seen. PP SAM called on PP SETH to lead the Pledge, which of course he did from his new seat in the middle of the room.

PP SAM called for new Club Secretary KENDRA GJERSETH to present the Thought-for-the-Day. No response from KENDRA so SAM announced he would pinch-hit and delivered the following for your benefit:

“The future of Rotary is in your hands.
You’ve got to play the hand you’re dealt.
You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold em.
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money, when you’re sittin’ at the table.
There’ll be time enough for countin’, when the dealin’s done.”

Still no TRACIE or KENDRA!
JEANNE MACVICAR led the Glee Club in a spirited rendition of “For She’s a Jolly Good President”; but still no President TRACIE.

President-Elect DENNIS YOUNG introduced guest Steve Player, former Stanford football player and current Palo Alto Rotarian. More on Steve’s announcement regarding the 2009 Summer National Senior Games at the end.

Members with guests included MARLIS McALLISTER (pinch-hitting for KENDRA), BOB ADAMS (introduced former member Ken Graham’s new son-in-law) and JOHN CARDOZA had two guests.

Still no presidential appearance; so PE DENNIS gave a rather comprehensive biography of our new President TRACIE, from her Texas roots all the way to President of Los Altos Rotary Club. As his conclusion, he took us back to 1956 and the old TV quiz show “To Tell the Truth.”

As if on cue, suddenly there appeared on stage four (4) President TRACIE MURRAY look-a-likes. See photo for verification, then tell me they don’t look alike! A panel of four current board members asked a series of deeply personal questions in an attempt to determine the real TRACIE.

At long last, our real President TRACIE MURRAY stepped forward and took her rightful place at the lectern. In her opening remarks, she summarized her Rotary International Convention in Birmingham, England. In seeking directions to her first event, she was advised to follow that large group of fellow attendees who were heading for the same place. She did, but failed to notice the group was all the same gender and started her Rotary International experience in a large Men’s Room. More stories like this sure to follow.

President TRACIE is committed to putting the “F” back in Rotary. For those of you not in attendance, she means “FUN” by bringing back more social events. She intends to “light your Rotary fire” by having you participate in club activities and is convinced that something will light your fire or “your wood is wet.” More quotes like this sure to follow.

THE PROGRAM – AVENUES OF SERVICE

President TRACIE introduced her new Board of Directors and Committee Chairs and each gave a summary of their duties and responsibilities.

Each of these Avenues of Service is completely presented in your club handbook.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SCOTT RICHES is Chair of the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament to be held on August 3rd at Los Altos Country Club. If you’re interested in playing in the scramble or two-man best-ball, see Scott or call the Chamber. Fun guaranteed.

DAN DUTTON is in Stanford Hospital. Details to follow; BOO BUE found out about Dan on his way to the meeting on Thursday.

KAREN GESSERT is our new Sunshine Chairperson. She’ll probably have a card for Dan at the next meeting.

Special thanks were expressed from President TRACIE to SANDIE, KENDRA and BONNIE. See photo for reason why.

Guest Rotarian, Steve Player, is looking for Rotarians who might be interested in volunteering at the 2009 Summer National Senior Games to be held at Stanford and other Bay Area venues August 1-15, 2009. The organizers need 4,000 volunteers to help in all areas of competition and administration. If interested, see the website: www.2009seniorgames.org to sign up.

Next week – some real baseball talk!