August 14, 2002

This week's Bulletin was written by Tom Sayer.

 

THIS WEEK'S MEETING

Gary Green called this week’s meeting to order, someone led the pledge before I fully woke up, Jim Mulvaney led the crowd in the “Star Spangled Banner” and Hugh Largey recited Charles Schultz’ version of everyday heroes.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

This weeks announcements were as follows:

Ø      Jennifer Cusick introduced a new International Services Project, “Wheelchairs for Malawi.”  A donation of $150 will ensure that a needy recipient in Malawi receives a means of transportation.  We are part of a District-wide goal to raise $50,000 to deliver 500 wheelchairs to Malawi.  More to follow…..

Ø      Other International Services projects this year include

·        Tijuana Homebuilding (3 houses this year)

·        Responsibility – Xmas gifts program and summer school

·        Sister Families Brazil project

·        La Marisa Clinic in Tijuana

·        Thousand Smiles

·        Village Bank (in conjunction with LJ Golden Triangle and Blythe Rotary Clubs)

·        Children’s Hospital in Tijuana

·        Planet Aid

Ø      Bill Poirier reported on the recent District 5340 County Council meeting where they heard a monk from Tibet speak of his 23 years in prison.  This led Bill to recognize the many freedoms we frequently take for granted in this Country.

Ø      This 2002-03 District Conference will take place May 2-3, 2003 in Laughlin, Nevada.

Ø      Gary reminded us again of this year’s Rotary International Foundation goal of raising $80 million to be matched by the Bill Gates Foundation and the World Bank for the final push to finish the worldwide eradication of polio.

Ø      Ron Erbetta reminded everyone of the Family Cruise on the USS Nimitz this coming Wednesday 6 am to 6 pm (wait a minute, don’t we have Rotary that day?).  Fees and registration are due no later than Friday, August 16, 2002.  Click Here For Registration Forms.

Ø      Board meeting at Gary Green’s house this Tuesday, 08/20/02, 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, 1991 Linwood Street.  Another “red badge” requirement.

Ø      Please sign up for upcoming Pledge of Allegiance/Invocation/Song.

Ø      The District Governor is visiting this coming Wednesday.  Gary would appreciate especially strong attendance.  The Rotarian of the Year for 2001-02 will also be announced.  If you have not already done so, call Gary 619-497-2255, or email ggreen@sdcommercial.com with your vote.

Ø      Gary recognized the tremendous efforts made by Tana Cleaves and Dave Donnelly for the quality of our speakers.

Ø      Peter Doody welcomed our many guests and Rotarian visitors.

This week’s fines

Lou Scanlon kept it brief this week to allow extra time for our speaker.  Phil Welp sold his business to some big car racing outfit, so he owes us either Superbowl tickets or a really big fine.  On the sad note for the Club, Phil will be moving immediately to Phoenix.  But he promises to visit and, based on past records, his attendance may actually increase!  Bill Poirier and Ron Erbetta won some $4,000 at an Opera charity event at the racetrack.  And in a bold and fearless move, Gary fined Lou for showing up at his house a full 168 hours early for the Board Meeting (it’s the 20th, not the 13th, Lou!)

This week’s speaker

Tana Cleaves introduced our speaker, John Chaffetz.  John introduced himself as the foreman of a jury in a rape trial that changed his life forever.  Sometime after the trial, John approached the DA with the idea of writing a book to educate the public on the everyday risks women face from rapists.  After some 8-months of investigation, interviewing victims, and writing, The Personals Predator became a reality and is available now through most bookstores including www.bn.com and www.amazon.com.  Women in America are overly naïve and trusting in light of the incredible threats posed by today’s society.  The MO of the present-day rapist is to drug a woman’s drink and then subdue and rape the victim.  In its most menacing form, the rapist will take out an ad in the personals column of a newspaper.  Single Man Seeking Single White Female, for example.  There is no charge for the ad but a 900 number is given.  It then costs the woman responding something like $1.99/minute to hear a voice recording of the rapist.  The woman can leave her own message which then gives the rapist his opening.  He knows how to reach her but she has no idea who he is.  After one date for coffee, the rapist might arrange a dinner.  When she is not looking, he drugs her drink.  She starts to feel drowsy and he gets her home where he might drug another drink.  She becomes unconscious and he rapes her.  In a different variation, a rapist might notice a man and a woman arriving at a restaurant in separate cars.  If they both leave their table at the same time, he can drug the woman’s drink in a split-second and, later, follow her to her car and overpower her there.

According to John, rapes such as those described happen each and every day in San Diego and in virtually every other city in America.  Women feel shame and, therefore, only 7% of all rapes are reported.  However, with DNA as a police tool, this crime will hopefully soon start to disappear as successful prosecutions increase.  But until it does, the best advice from John is to be extremely vigilant.  Of course, do not respond to personal ads.  But also be careful to avoid giving a rapist the opportunity to drug your drink.  Trust your intuition and leave any situation that “feels” weird or uncomfortable.  And never leave your table unattended in a public place.

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