Success Through Teamwork 4/3/13

Dear Fellow Rotarians and friends, 

There are never two weeks in the Rotary year of weekly meetings that are ever the same.  We have different guests, different speakers and varying levels of enthusiasm and energy. When all of the ingredients come together in a positive fashion attendees feel like they have the ability to walk to the moon in about 15 minutes. We made that trip this week!

We started with a bevy of delightful guests. Klaus from the Santa Monica Club did a make up with us. Worker bee from BingoFest, Haley Novack, Rachel Sunday's daughter, joined us. Three additional people who were transitioning roles also were there, Rachel Horning (from the chamber,) Bobbie Casalino-Lewis (our first hyphenator) and Sam Innes. District Lt. Governor Dean Reuter, who came to officiate a special portion of the meeting, rounded out the group.

Christina Davis announced that Rachel Horning would be joining the chamber rotation of she and Judith Ciancimino. To quote Rachel, "As someone who participated in RYLA, was Interact president, and even received a college scholarship from the Westchester Rotary Club, I’m certainly excited to finally participate in Rotary at the adult level!" Warmest welcome to our newest corporate member, Rachel Horning!

Dean Reuter has been a good friend to our Club for many years. When he took over as District Chair for Membership and I assumed the Membership responsibilities for our Club, we met at that year's District Assembly. Dean offered to come to any Club, to speak about membership. We took him up on the offer and have been inviting him back ever since. Dean officiated at the installation of Bobbie Casalino-Lewis and Sam Innes. Sponsors Gwen Vuchsas and Gail Goldstein joined Dean at the podium. He warmly and enthusiastically brought them on board, encouraging their participation and involvement. Bobbie's classification is "style and fashion motivator" and Sam's is "education." Bobbie and Sam's installation brings our total membership to 46.

In the introduction we identified that President Jim had named and honored Rachel Sunday and John Marcato as Rotarians of the month of March, for their hard work at BingoFest. He also acknowledged Constance Couvilion's dedication and focus on the job of treasurer all year long in naming her Rotarian of the month of February. Congratulations again to these three outstanding Rotarians!

Returning to the Club to give the first of three classes on "how to avoid a traffic ticket" was friend of the Club, Alan Kerstein. Once again Alan demonstrated both his knowledge of the subject and his incredible ability to deliver it in a hilarious fashion. We anticipate SRO for the next two sessions, check the speaker schedule for the dates.

Gwen offered a reminder on Saturday's (4/6) up coming Rotary Day of Service and Tom Carson an updated us on the 4/21 Car Rally. Check save the date. Contact Gwen or Tom with questions. 

Thanks to Stephanie Rondeau for her photographic contributions to our website photo album on BingoFest. Since last mentioning the album we have gone ahead and actually "published" the album (the last step in the updating process that makes the images viewable) so they are present for review. Thanks Steph!

As we raced to finish up the meeting with the raffle the author offered a quick brag. I donated $20 to note that it has been eight weeks since this three packer has had a cigarette. I was truly humbled and grateful for the supportive response from the Club. You touched my heart! Thank you. 

Back to lighter, not to mention more important subjects. As we recently noted, with Tore off on his East Coast tour, Peter Smyth has accepted the position of Sgt at Arms. Each individual brings their own flair to their job performance. It appears Shaquille O'Neal Smyth brings a ladder.  As the "Larry the Cable Guy" says, "git `er done."

Once again, no one pulled the ace of spades in the 50/50 drawing, so $1410. carries over to next week.

Thanks to Christina Davis and Gwen Vuchsas 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

May 22 MDR Hospital Career Fair

May 22 Venice Chamber Expo

June 2 Build a "Bear"

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