Volume XXI
Number 14

Tuesday
July 19, 2005

ROTARY CLUB ASSEMBLY
By Jim Haslip
 

BILL WORD Club President 2005-2006

July 5, 2005.  Bill Word presided over his first meeting as this year's president. He accepted the post with only 3 ½ years of experience with this club. He said that he knew that he could do it because so many club members step up to assume a wide range of responsibilities.

The "Welcome Singers" serenaded the club. An apt comment was overheard, "Why don't we have the rest of the club serenade the Welcome Singers at some point?" They add so much to the warm, collegial atmosphere each week!

Past presidents in attendance were acknowledged and thanked for helping lead the club to its present position as one of the finest Rotary clubs imaginable. Jim Lider (45 years of service), Ed Beard (34 years), Hendrik Smeding, Joice Beatty, Dave Brotemarkle, Rob Andeae, and Phil Toohey.

Rotary Membership Moments 2005-2006

Week 1 - July 3-9, 2005   Rotary does not have a membership problem it has an invitation opportunity. During the year invite your family, friends, business and social acquaintances to your Rotary meetings and events. This is a wonderful opportunity to educate them about all the good things Rotary has to offer; friendship, contacts, the opportunity to work on projects in the community and of course the internationality of Rotary. Don't be selfish invite someone to your next Rotary meeting.  Week 2 - July 10-16, 2005   Retaining new members is one of the most difficult parts of membership. Without a positive and assertive plan, new members walk out the door as fast as they walk in and when asked why, they generally say, "no one invited me to be involved!".  It is everyone's responsibility to engage and inform new members, but the sponsor who is a mentor for the new member has an even greater role. Remember to keep your new members active and informed so he or she can become a true Rotarian.

 

Rotary Club Assembly ... Continued

The International President is Wilhelm Stenhammer who has chosen our familiar motto, "Service above self" as the Rotary Theme for 2005-06. Our District Governor is Charlie Kelly and he will visit our club in the fall. The recent convention in Chicago attracted 42,000 participants. There are now 1.8 million Rotarians spread out among 32,000 clubs in 168 countries!

ROB ANDREAE

President Bill urged each of us to bring someone to a meeting as soon as possible. In addition to attracting new members, we can share with our friends and co-workers the spirit and activities of our club.

Rob Andreae announced the exciting news that soil is being delivered to the Vintage Hall project and that we will see bulldozers and graders soon. The new park will be the jewel of St. Helena and will take about 3 months to complete. We are grateful to the College of the Pacific staff for donating so much labor. Jonathan Plant is a key player who also is volunteering a great deal of time and expertise. The project has raised $230,000 and will need about $70,000 more.

The sad news of the passing of Charlie Bell's wife was announced. The warmth and sympathy of the club members has been much appreciated.

Thank you for selling the raffle tickets, Gene. The winner was…Gene Amstead. Probably a coincidence?!

SERVAAS MES

Servaas Mes shared his enthusiasm for Lance Armstrong and the Tour de France while extracting the first set of fines and bell ringers this year.

The Club Assembly summarized the events of last year that are anticipated to continue. President Bill introduced the officers and directors. John Sales is president-elect; Chuck Meibeyer is vice president; Norm Mitroff continues as treasurer; Carol Sobczak retains the secretary position; and Diane Bylund is sergeant at arms.

Elaine John coordinates Paul Harris Felowships. She announced that the goal this year is contribution of $125 by every member of the club toward a Paul Harris Fellowship as a sustaining member. Kathleen Patterson is Foundation president.

The Winter Ball co-chairpersons are Polly Keegan and Kelly Crane. Every club member is part of the team responsible for our annual fund raiser. Polly continues to serve as editor of the Narrator.

Roger Adams, Youth Service chair, shared information on these activities: Boys and Girls Scouts, scholarships, youth leadership award and attendance at Rotary camp (RYLA), Boys and Girls club, high school Interact Club. Junior achievement, field trips, music programs, Red Cross swim, 5^th grade symphony, and dictionaries for 3^rd graders at all area schools.

JIM HASLIP

Jim Haslip chairs Community Service. The activities include the Farmers Market produce pick-up (there are still 10 dates open to volunteer), Christmas decorations, teachers back to school BBQ, Public Schools Foundation, an annual project (e.g., the kitchen restoration at Native Sons Hall and the Vintage Hall park project this year), exchange students, local workdays, high school senior projects, job shadowing, Read Aloud to primary school students, tutor assistance to elementary children, organ donors, and parties for 100 year olds. We also support local fund-raisers for the hospital, Chamber of Commerce, and farm workers. We support several marches for funding toward health issues.

Steve Yost is Club Service chair. He thanked Polly for her excellent job with the club newsletter. Tony Albright will replace Rex Stults providing our weekly speakers. Joice Beatty will continue to help us respond to members who are sick or grieving. Gary Jaffe organizes golf fellowships. Steve will resume a Texas Hold'Em social. (We also heard that "the old man won" at a recent tournament.) Steve asked if we would like to have a pot-luck dinner, which will occur later.

JAKE SCHEIDEMAN

Jake Scheideman continues as International Service. He facilitates the home construction project in Nicaragua. John Sales helps coordinate Rotoplast, Phil Toohey is involved with the Wheel Chair Foundation in Nepal.

President Bill will be checking to see who is wearing the Rotary pin each week!

EXCHANGING THE GUARD
By Donn Black
 

KATHLEEN PATTERSON

July 12, 2005.  Milestones. Today's meeting saw two annual milestones for the Club. New President Bill Word, gathering speed, called forward our only Centennial President and newest Past President, Kathleen Patterson, to be saluted by the members--and indeed she was. Ah, the bittersweet of the annual changing of the presidential guard.

We were also treated to the annual farewell of our outgoing Rotary exchange student, MO , as he has become affectionately known by one and all. Mo treated us to a showing of his St. Helena High School senior power point project, and what a treat it was. The film was full of glimpses of what Mo described as "the most wonderful year" of his life. Host family and school scenes, soccer team successes, snowboarding, camping, social encounters without apparent end, all laced with love, affection and the spread of goodwill, exactly as advertised. What a guy! What a program!

The Opening . Following a rousing pledge lead by a Rotary patriot of the first order, Roger Adams delivered a touching invocation about promoting peace and freedom with a special clause for the people of London.

CRAIG ANDERSON

The Welcomes and Recognitions. As the Rotary Glee Club gathered (C. Anderson and the ivories), Pres Bill welcomed one visiting Rotarian from the Concord, CA club. Birthday greeting went to Donn Black (today), Jim Lider (14th) and Lisa Marie Andersen (16th). Tim and Missy Doran (11th), John and Ellie Harrington (15th and Wendell and Susan Dinwiddie (17th) were recognized for their wedding anniversaries. Kelly Crane got all the attention for Club Anniversaries, with his one year marker on July 13.

Announcements. Joice Beatty had a petition to the City Council about developing adequate water and sewage capacity before bringing on more houses; Jeff Epps told told us that work at Vintage Hall Park is about to begin and more donations are needed; David Moreland is hosting a Nicaraguan Rotarian for a BBQ at his home this Saturday at 6:30 pm, to which all are welcome (call ahead); Suzan Rada touted the kayaking outing at Lake Hennessey Sunday the 27th of July at 6:30 pm with beginner lessons available ($39); Diane Byland reminds everyone it's time to bring in our annual two $25+ raffle prize items, sooner better than later (except for wine, wait until

LYDIA WILSON

October); Lydia Wilson still needs a mature weekend clerk for her store; Servaas Mes is sponsoring a one-day program to promote better sight August 27 and 28; Jim Haslip needs volunteers to pick up food Fridays from the Farmers Market for the County Food Bank; Mike Thomas announced a new bike tour of the Valley starting at the St. Helena parking lot of Napa Valley College at 9:30 am this Sunday; Andy Bartlett gave a heads up for this year's Festival of Brotherhood in Mexico. Whew!

The Raffle. Prize (but no black marble) winners were: David Moreland, Jim Wright and Rudy Papale.

The Rotary Pin Point. Pres Bill then got tough about members sporting their Rotary pins. After he got everyone on their feet, he let those wearing pins (about half the group) sit down. The rest had to stand while taking a stern lecture about the importance of the pin. Stories were told of wearing the pin every day, or on one bathing suit while swimming or pajamas while sleeping, or whatever. But in a major show of humanity, King Bill agreed that wearing the pin to Rotary meetings would keep members out of serious trouble. Be warned!

JOICE BEATTY

The FineMaster. It being no coincidence that FineMaster Joice Beatty was brought up right after the Pin lecture, money flowed into the Club and Paul Harris coffers roughly as follows: Bell Ringers: Diane Bylund ran another 22 miles Saturday--$32: Frank Toller went on vacation and come home engaged to be married!--whatever amount King Bill shall decree; Tony Albright's twin sister married last week--$25 (which was more than dad Al paid for the same event last week!); Wendell Laidley cleared customs at Heathrow just two hours before the first bombs went off but was able to get into London--$??.

Next, the FineMaster wanted to play, "Know Your Rotary Club" which involved a series of impossible questions, with which members did a remarkable job of answering. Samples: What is Polly Keegan's new club job this year (Winter Ball Co-Chair), Who is the President Elect? (answered by correctly pointing to John Sales); Who is Vocational Service Chair this year? (ans: there is none yet--a volunteer needed).

And so it went this July 12, 2005!

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