Volume XIX
Number 19

Tuesday
Mar. 11, 2003

Rotary Meeting Notes -- February 25, 2003
By Father Mac

Basking In the glow of the incredibly successful Winter Ball, St Helena Rotarians pledged their allegiance to the United States of America and offered prayers for peace.

Jeff Epps Club President 2002-2003   Jim Lider   Frank Sottile

We had several visitors, not the least of which were mayoral candidates Ken Slavens and Sampson Bowers.

Amidst the Anniversaries and Birthdays, special attention was drawn to Jim Lider who celebrates his 43^rd year as a Rotarian. Well done, Jim!

Raffle winners were Mike Thomas (no black marble), Jim Wright and Tim Doran.

Fine master Frank Sottile had an easy job of it due to a larger than usual number of Bell ringers, not the least of which was his own. Frank rang the bell to the tune of $100 in honor of his Mother who had passed away the week before. Dick Popko for his son, Bob Lamborn for becoming a Paul Harris Fellow, Tim Coon for his baseball-playing son, Al Albright for Rotary Clubs in Mexico, and Rudy Papale for a friend touched by the Winter Ball were other bell ringers.

After such a long list of bell ringers, Frank finally handed out fines to Bert Johansson for the security meltdown at the Winter Ball, Frank Toller for the missing envelope of cash from the Ball, Jim Meehan for the dance line, Steve Yost for the music and dancers and John Sales for the signage. Great job, Frank.

Acknowledgement was given by President Epps for the fabulous work done by everyone on the Winter Ball Committee, and each was given a bottle of Champagne by co-chairs Frank and Joel Toller. The amounts raised were as follows:

$70,450 Ticket Sales!
$3,500 Donations!
$223,700 Live Auction!
$45,075 Silent Auction!
$300 Rudy Papale's friend!

Continued ...

Rotary Meeting Notes -- February 25, 2003 Continued

Program

Jill Barwick
Polio Eradication and Rotary International

Another important and informative program for our district representative for Rotary's polio immunization program. Jill Barwick gave us the history of Rotary's involvement with this issue and brought us up to date by offering up statistics and dollar needs that this challenge will require. Rotary actually began its program in 1977 in the Philippines, and it grew steadily from there. By 1988 several large international health organizations were also involved and Rotary financial commitment was as much as 360 million. At that time, almost 98% of the world's population had been immunized.

Jill Barwick

We were all challenged to both personally, by going to a National Immunization Day in another country, and financially, by helping to raise the 80 million now needed to finish the job, participate in this very important struggle against a deadly disease. In closing, Jill encouraged us by saying that this war is winnable, and that polio can be eradicated from the planet!

Rotary Meeting Notes -- March 4, 2003
By Wendell Laidley

Phil Toohey President-Elect 2003-2004

President-Elect Phil Toohey chaired the meeting in President Jeff's absence. Visiting Rotarians Alan Swanson newly relocated to St. Helena and Assistant District Governor Erna Stevenson were welcomed by Phil and guests were introduced by Joice Beatty and Rex Stults.

Following the Welcome Singers Assistant District Governor Erna Stevenson gave her "last pitch" for the fast-approaching District Assembly in Ukiah March 14th and 15th. She mentioned her high expectations for the guest speaker and that there will be outstanding sessions for Board Members, Officers and New Members to learn more about the workings of Rotary locally and internationally. She also encouraged members to attend the District Conference "on the beach" in Fortuna May 1-4 where Annual Awards will be given at the celebration of the year gone by. She reported the excellent results of the Polio Eradication with $41 million collected to date but expressed concern over lagging Annual Giving of $125 per member, of which, 50% comes back to our club after three years for local projects.

Phil Toohey reported he was pumped after his PETS (President-Elect Training Seminar) weekend just passed, and plugged both the District Assembly and the District Conference (John Sales helped him make the correct distinction). He reported his pride in our Club when he told everyone at PETS of the success of this year's Winter Ball in raising over $350,000 and in having our Nairator given out to all attendees.

Katherine Parrett   Jerry McQuiddy

Kathy Parrett announced that Spring Bocce league play has begun. Rotary nights are on Mondays. Those wanting more information can call Kathy at home at 967-8405.

Tim Coon asked for volunteers to help in the final wrap-up of the Boys & Girls Club construction from 5-7 pm every weekday starting March 13 until finished. He asked those planning to come to let him know in advance (Work: 333-6542) so he can plan work for as many as are expected to show up. Phil Toohey suggested sending a Rotary group to dedicate the site after it opens.

Fine Master Jerry McQuiddy beat on a range of golfing members for various sins of omission and commission, and alerted all golfers that Sean Wickersham has a four handicap. To one member wondering how Sean could play so much and keep a job another remarked that was how he got his job.

Program

Phil Toohey introduced Guest Speaker Laurie Le Vitt of Life Line Screening in Sacramento. Laurie answered everyone's first question before it was asked by acknowledging she is 6' 5" and did play basketball, and challenging anyone in the room to one-on-one after the meeting. She got no takers.

Laurie Le Vitt

Laurie closed by offering a free health kit for members who filled out the session evaluation she circulated and Phil Toohey adjourned the meeting at 1:30. You may contact Life Line Screening at 1-800-643-6075 for more information.

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