Success Through Teamwork 3/27/13

Dear fellow Rotarians and friends,

What a meeting! The chemistry was there, great guests, a great speaker and a great milestone event. If there was any more energy in the room, we would have taken orbit.

As they said in the old Double Mint Gum commercials, "double your pleasure, double your fun..." which we did with the presence of both District Governor Lew Bertrand and District Membership Chair Jerry Brown. They did a tag team new member installation for Monica Trepany. I think they were equally honored to be able to bring Monica back into the Rotary world, as we were to have them officiate. I can't tell you how proud I am of of our Club, we have gown, not just by numbers but more importantly by quality of membership. Monica is our most recent example, she wants to give back to her community. We are happy to provide the platform for her to be able to do so. Warmest welcome Monica and thank you to sponsor Gwen Vuchsas for bringing her to us! 

Guests, more than just a few but, special guests and more. In addition to the Gov. and District Chair we were honored by the return presence of special guests Sam Innes, Chris Matar and Margret Kubiak. They joined District Rotaract representative Johnathan Keisner and friend of Peter Smyth, Don Mantero to round out a well diversified  presence. 

It began a year ago,  in the dentistry year of the smiley girl and continues in this year of the bear, our commitment to excellence and to raising the bar of achievement. We have reached new heights and the combination of commitment and momentum will continue the surge well into the future.  

With all of the above having been stated we would have hoped to have a speaker fitting of all these compliments. Custom fit for they day came Sarah Chapman's return to our Club. Benin's energizer bunny came back to us to bring us up to date on her activities and accomplishments over the last year. A year ago we hadn't even known where or what Benin Africa was. Now we have a sense of ownership because of our participation with Sarah. Who knew we'd end up being co-owners of a chicken farm? That's where our investment went. Which came first the Rotary dream of being able to make a difference or, ... who cares. We can make a difference, that's all that matters! Benin is not quite the size of Tennessee, but has seven Rotary Clubs, we are everywhere! Sarah shared the story of the mayor of her town thanking her with presents of a rooster and a bunch of bananas, probably at the cost of 1/2 a month's income. That's generosity!  Sarah shared the good will by giving each of us a thank you banana, thus solving the great King Kong mystery. President Jim reciprocated, not with fruit but with a thank you gift and club pin. 

Hats off twice to Peter (I'm from Australia not New York) Smyth. He is our new Sargent at Arms, replacing trail blazer Tore. Additionally, at the November Paul Harris celebration Peter bid on and won a cruise on Body Glove's boat. Peter has generously donated the event back to the club, so mark Sunday July 28th if you wish to invest in an afternoon on the water for potential whale watching and promised fun. More details to follow. President Jim gave Peter some liquid thanks. We'll see who is close to Peter when we see who get invited to share the thanks.  Not yet finished with his time on stage, President Jim prompted Peter to share a good news brag. Peter advised that his daughter would be making him a Grandfather when she welcomes her own daughter into the world. That cost Peter $20. Our family grows!

Governor Lew dropped the other shoe to remind us that the "drop dead" date for the early bird rate for the District Conference (May 2-5) is 3/31. The room rate of $179 goes to $465 on April 1st and that is no April fools joke! The Rotary registration rate also goes up 4/1, so as they say in Chicago, "vote early and vote often." Next Monday could be an expensive day if you sleep on the offer. We need to be there to celebrate grizzly, Yogi, I mean President Jim's year. 

President Elect Tom Carson advised the new date for the car rally is April 21st. Save the date and participate! While saving dates, look below for other important Rotary happenings.  

Once again, no one pulled the ace of spades in the 50/50 drawing, so $1275 carries over to next week.

Thanks to Judith Ciancimino for taking pictures this week.

Save the Date: 

Apr 6 Rotary Day of Service

Apr 13 Family of Rotary breakfast and tour of USS Iowa 

Apr 21 Car Rally (new date)

Apr 26  RYLA

May 2-5 District Conference (early bird savings date goes away 3/31)

May 11 Pancake Breakfast Fire Station 63 (New date!)

May 14 Teacher Eddy Awards

May 18 District Assembly 

May 18 MarinaFest Fundraiser

May 19 MarinaFest Fundraiser

June 6 LAX Coastal Area ChamberFest

June 9 Serving dinner at the Midnight Mission

June 28 Demotion Party

July 28 On the Water With BodyGlove

Be well.

Yours in Rotary service, 

Tony