Bulletins - 2008 - 09/10/2008
This
Week's Bulletin Was Written
By Jenny K. Goodman
President Mel Gallegos greeted the Best Rotary Club in the District. Dave Ferguson provided the invocation and after the Pledge of Allegiance we patriotically sang God Bless America.
Paul Marsh continued the progressive pot which no one won today. Jim Mulvaney announced his kid had gotten a part in The Grinch. Lynn Hamilton paid a fine for having her picture in San Diego Magazine. Lucy Killea paid a fine for her mention regarding her work in ethics reform in San Diego. Steve Seligmann got a new blue badge for a change in classification.
Susan Bleicher brought guest Theresa Ott. Another guest who was a Rotary scholar seven years ago and is here in America working for developmentally disabled adults has to find a job by September 26th to renew her work visa. Please contact Melissa Blackburn if you can help. Linda brought her BFF and Hal visited our club as a potential new member. We had the usual guests from Club 33 and also a visiting Rotarian from Camp Pendleton.
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Foundation Seminar this coming weekend from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. See District website for sign-ups.
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Claire Maytum reminded us of the upcoming volunteer opportunity at the Ronald McDonald House serving dinner.
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Pat Cowett and Sandra Schrift are going to Ecuador with a Rotary group and welcome any kind of school supplies which they can take to the kids there.
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Maureen Eberle announced that the Citizen's Diplomacy Council is looking for home hosts for a group of Russians coming to the United States. This is a three-week commitment and is a wonderful opportunity to learn about another country and culture. Both Mary Dawe and Judy Bambace quickly volunteered.
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Mel asked us to bring in our Rotarian magazines when we are done with them so that we can give them out to potential new members so they can learn a little more about Rotary when they visit.
One of our favorite events at Rotary is a new member induction. Jeramy Larson and Leah Swearingen introduced and inducted Robin Bottomly into our club. Robin works in public relations and is a stockbroker. He volunteers for numerous organizations and is a consultant for non-profits. He is very excited about joining our club and noted that coming to Rotary "takes you out of yourself" and lets you gain perspective. Welcome to the club, Robin.
Karney Stefan introduced Dave Barthmuss of General Motors. Dave talked to us about GM's commitment to alternative feuls and working locally to improve globally. Mobility is essential to our lives. GM wants to reinvent the product and not harm the environment. California is the bellweather of regulations that impact car production and is the largest market. GM turns 100 years old on September 16th. Goal is to be the best feul company and already has the most 30 mpg vehicles and considers itself one of the green leaders.
GM started exploring green options before any other company back in 2000 and started with buses and mass transit applications since that would have the most impact. Hybrid vehicle technology is an important element and GM has worked hard to make trucks, the biggest user of fuel, more efficient with a goal to reduce consumption by 50%. The Silverado and the Sienna are two such trucks. Typically it costs about $3,000 more for the green versions. The mpg went from 12 mpg to 22 mpg but with the utility and power of the truck intact. Dave also discussed several other technological areas that GM is exploring including bio-fuel and battery operated vehicles that you can plug into an outlet in your garage. It was a very informative presentation.
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