November 6, 2002

This week's Bulletin was written by James Lauth

 

THIS WEEK'S MEETING

 

Dylan Mulvaney at the mike singing Grand Old Flag

 

President Gary opened the meeting and announced the success of the recent blanket drive for donations to local homeless shelters.  John Bruhn led the pledge of allegiance.  Jim Mulvaney offered an Irish Blessing as invocation number 1 for the day, followed by a spectacular rendition of “Grand Old Flag” by his young son Dylan.  Lisa Chang advised that “Life is a Balancing Act” as invocation number 2 for the day (which she said was the real invocation).  Pete McGuire introduced guests and visiting Rotarians too numerous to name.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ø      On December 11 bring old clothes to the meeting for a clothes donation drive being coordinated by Rob Berry.

Ø      Kudos to Melissa Blackburn for the well-received candy gifts to the senior center.

Ø      E-mail Prez Gary with the names of your foursome for the upcoming golf tournament.

Ø      Call Melissa Blackburn to confirm your reservations for the upcoming Foundation Dinner.  The sign up list has been misplaced.

NEW MEMBER

 

New Member Mike Gilligan pictured with Gary, Ron Erbetta and Mike Jones.

 

Mike Jones inducted new member Mike Gilligan.  Ron Erbetta introduced his old college roommate for this induction of the 16th new member of the year.  (Mike Jones also confirmed that Prez Gary doesn’t read all of his e-mail.)

FINES!  FINES? FINES!

REMINDER: The Sgt. at Arms is now levying fines for failing to wear your Rotary pin to the meetings.

Pete Tereschuck was fined for exploding a bus (on purpose, or so he claimed, and on TV yet).

Jennifer Cusick was fined for returning from her honeymoon.  (Has she changed her last name?  Would that be another fine?  Or would she be fined if she didn’t change her name?  I’m so confused.)

PROGRAM

 

Carlene Dater autographing her book after the meeting.

 

Tana Cleaves introduced our speaker, Carlene Rae Dater.  She is a published mystery writer (see her listing in amazon.com), the wife of Dennis (but that’s the subject for another day), and a volunteer with the Senior Volunteer Patrol Program (which was the subject for this day). 

Carlene writes crime novels (and she is a member of “Sisters in Crime,” which she explained is not for nuns who commit felonies, but rather is a national organization for women mystery writers).  So she has a natural interest in police work, and she volunteered with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept. Senior Volunteer Patrol Program.  (There is a corresponding program for the city police department.)  Applicants must be at least 55 years old and pass background checks into possible criminal record, DMV and health problems.  Then there are two weeks of  training before beginning to patrol.  Volunteers cruise neighborhoods in official cars to be an “extra pair of eyes” for law enforcement and to act as a visible presence to deter crime.  The “rules of engagement” direct no intentional confrontation between the volunteer and any suspicious character.  If the volunteer observes a potential problem, radio contact can bring support from a sheriff’s deputy.

Carlene’s experiences have ranged from the mundane assistance of working at the department’s front desk and doing vacation home checks, to more harrowing roles.   Most touchingly, she recounted the day she was on patrol and responded to the call about the Santana High School shootings.  She spent the rest of that day in the surreal situation of watching the SWAT team storm a suburban high school.

Carlene has compiled stories from her experiences and from other senior patrol volunteers in her book “An Extra Pair of Eyes,” available at Amazon.com or from her own publishing company at Silveradopub@aol.com.

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