Bulletins - 2007 - 08/22/2007

This Week's Bulletin Was Written By Christopher Carstens

THIS WEEK’S MEETING

The meeting was called to order by Mike Whitehurst. Maureen Eberle provided a meaningful invocation, and “Mr. Rotary”, Mel Gallegos, led us in the pledge.

SGT. AT ARMS

Jonathan Stone held yet another fine raffle. Thanks, Jonathan, for the upgrade in prizes this year. There were many fines, and much happiness.

GUESTS

Pete McGuire introduced the usual cavalcade of guests – Club 33 occupied their own table as Guest Speaker David Peckinpaugh is a member there.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Maureen Eberle says that 27 of us are going to the Thousand Smiles Fundraiser.
• Mel announced that Saturday, September 8th is a Foundation Seminar.
• Jonathan Stone invited all to the wine tasting on September 12. Contact him at jrstone@san.rr.com for details.
• Mary Engles needs volunteers to go to the Potiker Senior Center to help install plantings on the patio and hold a BBQ. Sign-up sheets at the next meeting.
• Mike Lewis announced that on 9/7 there will be the San Diego Premier of a documentary on Bio-diesel  Fuels.
• On October 12th we are participating in a clothing drive for St. Vincent DePaul.
• On October 19th there will be a “Meet your Rotaract BBQ” at the Kansas City BBQ.  Thanks in advance to Martin Blair.
• October 19th is our Holes for Heroes Golf Tournament. Get after the golfers in your life to work on this one.

THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM

Maureen Eberle introduced this week's speaker, David Peckinpaugh of the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau. With a $15.7 billion impact on the local economy, visitors are a major driving force in San Diego. He reviewed the local visitor landscape for us, and clarified the distinction between his agency and the Convention Center Corporation. Funding has been a problem in recent years as local governments have diverted more and more transient tax money to other pressing needs, and the local tourism industry is developing a proposed Tourism Marketing District, a 501.c.6 entity that would allow hotels to self-assess over and above the TOT for marketing. He gave the background for that plan, and then held a quiz with prizes that we all need, an “Active Relaxation” CD.