August 1, 2001
This week's Bulletin was written by Michael Clarkson.
This Week’s Meeting
After several members of our club waiting for temperamental elevators and the scurrying of others to make sure each place setting had a “Piggy Bank,” President Melissa Blackburn rang the bell to call this week’s meeting to order. Martin Blair led our Club in the Pledge of Allegiance. Past President Colette “I’m baaaack” Murray gave a belated [due to illness] invocation paying tribute to our Country’s Veterans in connection with last week’s Stand Down and Jim Mulvaney led the group singing “America, The Beautiful.”
Announcements
Guests of Hugh Largey and Pete McGuire were welcomed as were visiting Rotarians, including Lynn Wilson [District Governor 1981-82], and Melissa Blackburn’s sister. Melissa urged us all to contact Carol “I’m getting Cabin Fever” Jensen by phone, snail mail or email [email replies are currently running at 6 seconds].
Martin Blair reminded us of the Rotaract gathering at his Carlsbad beachfront home on August 11th. Hot dogs, beer and beach volleyball. All are welcome…….Stag and/or Drag!?!?!
For those who attended, the Rotaract annual La Noche fundraiser at Rock Bottom last Thursday was a great success.
Don Lang’s new roster is 95% complete.
Ron Erbetta reminded those who were originally scheduled for the June Navy Family Cruise that the original list still holds for the new cruise date of October 13th, however, forms and money are still needed from some members. If you have to cancel let Ron know ASAP.
A committee still has to convene to assist the Ambassadorial Scholar from France, please contact Melissa.
Mike Jones urged us all to achieve the goal of a new member every month and drew our attention to the letter on each table from the President of Rotary International, Richard King.
Jennifer Cusick reminded those committee members [and anyone who would like to attend] of the International Services Committee meeting at her offices “across the hall” after next week’s breakfast meeting. The meeting should last about 30 minutes.
Each week Melissa will enlighten us all with a little known “Rotarfact”. Did you know that Rotary International enters a float in the Rose Parade each year?
Colette Murray is looking forward to using her “pro-fund raising techniques” liaising to the Rotary International Foundation, one of the most important philanthropic organizations in the world. She urged all to focus on the Foundation early in the Rotary year, reminded us of the generosity of District 5340 and to become/continue as Paul Harris Fellows and Sustainers. Follow our website links to the Foundation.
Which brings us back to the piggy banks! US Bank piggy banks no less…..a fine to Margaret Oppliger maybe!?!? Place your loose change each day into the piggy bank and you’ll be at $100 before you know it! Before the Paul Harris Dinner November 2nd would be ideal!
Bill Sturgeon [when did he slip in?] our presiding District Governor starting the ball rolling with a piggy bank donation, Gary Green “adopted” that piggy bank!
Melissa gave thanks to Colette for her year with a “teddy bear” themed gift from her recent trip to San Antonio. Melissa asked Gary Green to auction a very special cigar, lucky Dave Ferguson…..and only $25!
Sergeant-at-Arms
Frank DeFrancesco and his trusty Catholic collection basket congratulated Colette Murray for her birthday on July 28th [good luck with the lotto ticket], and Sig and Kay Weitzman for 42 years of wedded bliss. Sig insisted it was only twenty-one 2-year sentences. Frank likened Kay Weitzman to a cross between Mother Theresa and Helen Keller! Anniversary congratulations to Jose Hernandez [in absentia] and his wife. Melissa paid her fines from last week. Sig donated $25 to “Frank’s fund for the deaf”.
Frank questioned all present on Popeye’s hamburger-eating friend Wimpy and that character’s catch phrase ‘I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today” and who it might relate to. Apparently Melissa attended last week’s Rotaract fundraiser at La Noche – no ticket – no money – and a winning raffle ticket she hadn’t paid for!!
Fine also to Hugh Largey for “Face it, moving’s a pain. Let us feel yours.”
No fashion fines or bragging bucks.
This Week’s Speaker
Bob James, Rotarian of the Year, Rotary Foundation Group Study Exchange Chair and Team Leader 2001-2002 was this week’s speaker. Bob told us that a friend encouraged him to join Rotary because they had one heck of a golf league! But soon Bob was asking questions “Why am I a Rotarian?”, “Why do I give my time?”. Bob’s efforts have been with the group study exchange; most recently projects in East Africa. Staying with fellow Rotarians, Bob and a team of teachers, health counselors and farmers, spent 5 weeks traveling and helping people and villages throughout East Africa. Their efforts were filmed by Philippe Lamoise [full presentation at The Salk Institute September 15th], the most touching was a poem by a young girl about “What is Happiness”, describing the many problems facing families in East Africa, war, hunger, death, HIV.
Education is sadly lacking in Africa where school for children is a privilege and not required by law. Bob introduced us to Poway schoolteacher Julia Stevenson who went to Africa with the group study exchange. She told us of the 60 to 120 kids to a class who had been lucky enough to win a lottery for a place in school. Black paint on walls to serve as a blackboard, no TV or VCR teaching aids, but every child willing to learn. One person with an education can change the fortunes of an entire family.
Rotarians around the world have the same drive, desire and commitment. Bob has seen first hand what Rotary can do, how we can all safely invest our time, money and efforts in the Rotary Foundation. We can make a difference. As simple as a plaque on a clean water project that has changed the lives of the people in one African village “Old Mission Rotary Club”.
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