Los Altos Rotary Club Home of the Annual Rotary Fine Art Show August 29 2013

 
Pres. JACK KELLY called the meeting to order promptly at 12:15.  He called on KATHY BERRY to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

RON STEFANI then stepped up to lead the entire club in the Star-Spangled Banner.
 
The thought for the day was provided by DAVE CASAS.  Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the “I have a dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King.  Dr. King’s quote was “The measure of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and crisis.”
 
PE KENDRA GJERSETH introduced visiting Rotarians.  We were visited by Joanne Mansch from Cupertino, Jack from Mountain View and Timothy from Wasco Rotary.  Rotarians with guests included SAM HARDING, DICK HENNING, VON PACKARD, GARY WALDECK, STEVE POMEROY, and Pres. JACK KELLY.
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
MARLENE COWAN announced the upcoming fundraising activities for the COANIQUEM Burn Center.  This year, they are sponsoring the “Fiesta Afloat” Cruise on October 6.  The care and ongoing treatment of a burnt child cost $1000 per year.  As we do every year, the club is hoping to raise $3000 to support 3 children for the upcoming year.
 
CHUCK LINDAUER announced that on September 6, at 4 PM the Los Altos Sister Cities program is putting together a potluck dinner at Patriots Corner.  It is being offered at the attractive price of free.
 
CYNTHIA LUEDTKE announced that we are ramping up our campaign for the Rotary Foundation pledges.  The Club would like each member to contribute something for Every Rotarian Every Year, and urged all to become a double sustainer with a $200 donation.  So far, the club has had great responses.  Please make your donation, or contact Cynthia to make a pledge.
 
CAROL GARSTEN, our Public-Relations chair, reminded us that we can download the mobile version of Clubrunner.  If you're having any troubles with the download or the app, contact CAROL.
 
FRANK VERLOT announced that the Sister City program is hosting visitors from Russia and still needs two homes to host some of the guests.  One home is needed for a weekend, and one is needed for a full week.  See FRANK if you can help out.
 
GARY WALDECK announced that he has 7 extra tickets for the Palo Alto Medical Foundation upcoming seminar on Aging and Wellness.

 
RON LABETICH presented the new hat that is available for those who support the Veterans  awareness program.  Donate $50 to support the veterans, and get a hat. 
 
JOE EYRE announced that the Red Badger auction will take place on October 10.

 
STEVE POMEROY announced that the Club handbooks are available, and everyone should see STEVE to pick up their handbook.
 

DONNA VERNA made a “brief” announcement, reminding everyone to quickly donate underwear and/or cash for the “bloomers for Jack” program.
 
Pres. JACK then thanked FRANK ELMER for hosting the very successful wine and cheese social last Friday night.  JACK also called on KATHY BERRY, the fundraiser for the Relay for Life team, to report on the prior evening’s fundraiser at Maltby's.  KATHY announced that the evening fund-raising had produced $630, and that the committee had raised a total of $6000 to support the Relay for Life event this year.
 

RYLA
DICK HENNING introduced Brandon Hung, the recipient of the RYLA camp award.  Brandon then spoke about his experiences in Interact and at Camp RYLA.  At first, Brandon felt that he wasn't among the type of leaders that the RYLA program generates, but as the camp progressed, his confidence grew, and he learned to, “be the change that you want to see.”

Pres. JACK then presented the Dale Carnegie inspiration that he normally saves for the end of the meeting.  JACK felt it was very appropriate to present this quote right after Brandon's presentation.  The message from Mr. Carnegie is “Speakers who talk about what life has taught them never fail to keep the attention of their listeners.”
 

10 MIN. TALK–DONNA VERNA
DONNA was born in 1951 in Bend Oregon.  At first, her father was a farmer, but then the family moved to Wyoming and raised cattle on a large ranch 50 miles from the nearest town.  Just a few years later, the family moved to the state of Washington where her father managed a radio station.  However, while in Washington, her father left the family.  Her mom and family then moved to Idaho, where DONNA spent time picking potatoes.  At this point, with several children to support, her mother went to BYU to get a teaching credential.  After that, the family moved to Utah, and settled in a copper town.  Unfortunately, a large labor dispute crippled the town's economy, and the family continued to struggle.
 
DONNA graduated from high school and then took a job as a secretary.  A few years later she realized that she should go to college, and went to Phoenix College.  During that time, she worked in a law office, and then transferred to Arizona State University to finally obtain her degree.  She then got married and moved to San Francisco (and then Los Altos).  She was married for 33 years and raised 2 children, but then separated from her husband.
 
DONNA endured the hardship of having her son suffer from drug and other addiction problems.  At one point, she had him taken from their home in the middle of the night and placed in a rehab facility in Utah for 2 months.  Eventually, her son regained his life.  He graduated from college, and now runs a glass blowing business in Troy New York.  Her daughter also did very well.  She graduated from Northeastern this year, and is beginning a new job in November.
 
DONNA worked for many years as a legal assistant at Arcata Corporation.  But then she moved on to her current business of being a fiduciary in private trust management.  She is now single and content.  DONNA informed club that she was leaving today to attend her father's funeral in Washington.  As she goes to attend the funeral, she has reached the realization that it is important to set aside painful things people do in life and treasure the positive things.
 
FINES–NO FINES
To everyone's great regret, President JACK told JERRY TOMANEK that he wouldn't be allowed to fine anybody this week.  Watch out for JERRY next week.
 
 

THIS WEEK'S SPEAKER, SUPERVISOR JOE SIMITIAN
GARY WALDECK stepped up to introduce this week's speaker, County Supervisor Joe Simitian. 
 
Supervisor Simitian started his talk by pointing out his long career in public service from County Supervisor, from the state assembly and serving in Sacramento for 12 years.  He said his tenures have been characterized by “bad timing all around.”  He got to Sacramento in 2001, just in time for the state to hit its crunching energy crisis, followed by the recall of Gov. Davis.  Supervisor Simitian spent 12 years in Sacramento reaching the end of term limits.  He is now on the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors, representing our district.
 
Supervisor Simitian pointed out that perhaps the biggest problem facing the County is unfunded pension liabilities.  When he left the County in 2000, the unfunded liability was $98 million.  It has now ballooned to $1.8 billion.  In another example of bad timing, he got back on the County Board of Supervisors just in time for another supervisor to be convicted of corruption, and to face the upcoming possibility of the ambulance service for the county going into bankruptcy.
 
Supervisor Simitian was very proud of his work done in Sacramento, particularly his leadership on education, the environment, elder abuse and highway safety.
 
Many people don't realize how important the county services are, but as a measuring stick, Supervisor Simitian pointed out that the budget is $4.8 billion for various countywide services such as the sheriff’s department, water and other utilities.  He stated that he has three goals in the County.  First, he wants to promote fiscal stability of government and quality of service.  He pointed out that in Sacramento, many of the representatives can be policymakers, while the Board of Supervisors has the responsibility to “run the enterprise.”  His second goal is to implement the “Affordable Care Act,” which, regardless of your views, is coming into effect on January 1, 2014.  His third goal is to be a good district supervisor--to advocate for the 8 cities that he represents.
 
Supervisor Simitian then opened the floor to questions.  Dennis Young asked about how the County government is going to deal with regional issues.  Supervisor Simitian pointed out that among such regional issues are homelessness, countywide transportation, and prison realignment that will be placing many state prisoners back in the County jails.
 
DICK HENNING and said that he was tired of hearing about Joe, and wanted to know what his wife does.  Supervisor Simitian took that opportunity to point out that his wife, Mary Hughes, has had a very active and successful career leading the cause of getting women elected to higher office.  The California Women's League has named her Woman of the Year for 2013.
 
JERRY TOMANEK asked again about the unfunded liabilities, and wondered if there is a “fix.”  Supervisor Simitian lamented the conflict in San Jose that resulted in some reform, but created a “toxic” environment.  He said his first goal is to try to keep the problem from growing.  And he pointed out that San Francisco, of all places, actually managed to develop a fairly good collaborative plan.
 
GARY WALDECK asked about stronger regulations on the Lehigh cement plant.  Supervisor Simitian pointed out that there are many different government agencies and boards that are involved in regulating different parts of the operation of the quarry and the cement factory.
 
RON LABETICH asked about the recent board vote on pension changes.  Supervisor Simitian pointed out that the Board did agree on many things, including shifting $100 million to CalPERS where it is expected to earn 7.5%.  Despite the fact that there was lots agreement, the Board did vote down certain proposals.
 
Supervisor Simitian finished last answer just as the clock struck 1:30 and President JACK was getting out the hook at which time Jack chimed the meeting to a close.

Comings and Goings - August 2013

This Thursday's Program:

After retiring  from 35 years in the aerospace industry at  the Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center, Ralph is the Chairperson for the Peninsula Chapter of the World Affairs Council (WAC) of Northern California.  After retiring he also worked in the microelectronic manufacturing sector and consulted for several satellite communications companies.

He serves on the board of the Los Altos Stage Company community theater.  In addition to organizing WAC events on the Peninsula, he is a member of the League of Women voters and served on an Arms Control Task Force and as an organizer and recruiter of resource speakers for the Great Decisions Discussion Groups series.

He holds BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University.