Crow’s Call

February 1, 2018

By: Gary Sloan

 

 

The San Ramon Rotary Club meeting was called to order by the Grand PUPAH, Lucky Sandhu at 12 pm.  Glen Weber was a no show greeter and was promptly and unceremoniously fined $40.    So Don stepped in to give us a thought for the day:

 

                Being too comfortable makes you lazy

                Driving for perfection makes you angry

                Being too rich makes you greedy.

Don announced that tax season is upon us with higher pay checks but don’t get too comfortable or greedy and don’t stretch for perfection.

My country ‘tis of thee was sung by all and Herman wanted to be sure that I recorded that the song was well done (and ) perfect.  Karen suggested to me if you are getting angry in your drive for perfection , you are doing it wrong.  In fact everyone had something to say about Don’s wonderful thought for the day.

 

Lucky proceeded to amaze the old geezer in the crowd with his technological prowess showing an RI video featuring Brad Howard who Lucky seems to never get tired of hearing.  The idea of branding Rotary and the influence of Rotary on world leaders was the theme.  Lucky also shared next year’s theme:  “Be an Inspiration” in which he was sure PE John Milich would rise to the occasion.  Speaking of which, John is finishing up on his Board membership.  Remember, if asked, the answer is “Yes”. 

 

Lucky shared that through social media and our efforts to improve club publicity through social media a new resident, Kathy, came to the meeting to check us out.  She moved from Southern California, divorce about 5 years ago and looking to serve her community.   Sounds like a great potential member.  Lucky asked members to use social media and invite worthy guests to the club to expand our numbers and drive down the average age of the club.

 

Lucky introduced Dennis Harvey with results and actions from the Board resulting from the Membership survey.  Effective March 1^st meals would be billed only when members attend the lunch meeting rather than being billed in abstention.  This change will come at a cost to the club of $6,000 which will have to be made up in additional revenues or cost reductions.  Free meals to guests will be curtailed except under selected circumstances and it is critical that member pay their monthly bill on time.  Other changes included efforts to recognize new members through social and public media avenues.

Don Jones announced that on Saturday many Rotarians and Interact kids would be preparing 10,000 meals through the Rise against Hunger program to be held at Cal High in the cafeteria from 8:30a to 12 noon.   Gary Sloan indicated that he had participated in this worthy project for the past few years and if he could master the minimal skills necessary to participate, anyone can.

 

Terry Koehne, perennial master of ceremonies, talked about efforts to raise funds of the San Ramon Education Foundation.  Lucky fined him $25 but then turnaround and took the fine himself. 

 

Ray Giles spoke to the importance of supporting the Rotary Foundation.  Don Jones was award his Paul Harris plus 7!  Ray announced that there were 22 Paul Harris Rotarians among us.

Guy asked that golfers stay after the meeting to organize the golf season.

 

Two new members matriculating from the San Ramon Valley Club joined our club today.  Goban Anand felt our club was held in more convenient location and contributed to the community in a way that she enjoyed.  She has two accomplished children and two grandchildren.   Kathy Richardson also felt the club location was convenient and wanted to continue to contribute to her community.  Recovering from an elbow injury, Kathy announced that she now has only 25 screws, instead of 35 screws in her elbow after a trip and a fall in 2017.  She is from the East Coast, lived in Boston and Paris and was a bi-coastal girl between New York and California for many years.  Kathy was married and divorced, involved in the fashion industry, adopted a 9 year old girl who is now married with five children.  Her husband is a Viet Nam veteran committed to veteran issues.

 

The Disctrict Interact Governor, Swetha Sankar presented Interact’s global program focused on the Wildlife Conservation Society.  Before sharing her presentation, Swetha thanked Edgardo for sponsoring the Interact T-Shirt event for the third year in a row.  She also announced that there was a food drive on February 10^th and 18^th.  Rotarian drivers are needed.  Finally, she thanked Rotary for our support of the Interact Club.

 

Swetha shared that she grew up in India where animals were not uncommon in the daily affairs of a young person.  Monkeys and goat abounded and Swetha gained a respect for the environment.  She naturally was attracted to an organization like the Wildlife Society whose goals.  Since 1970, vertebraes have declined by 58% while human’s have increased 200%.  This has resulted in pollution and threatens various species.  The Society has identified 16 bio-diverse spots containing over 50% of protected species.  The Interact Club is raising $1000 to support this organization.  Interact District projects generally involve global or local efforts to reduce disease, assist in community development or maternal care.  Previous projects have included Polio Plus and One million lights.  The funds this year will go to protect Elephants (96 are killed per day by poachers) and whales/dolphins.  The society primary efforts goes toward education, petition and donation.  Dennis Harvey announced that he would donate $100 to the cause and Gary Sloan matched this generous offer.  For more information on this the Wildlife Society go to www.wcs.org. 

 

Swetha was a delightful speaker who was thoughtful, articulate and interesting. She was thanked by Lucky and the club.

 

Before adjournment, Kathy Gailey announced Run in L.A. for Cedric Elephant Foundation will be held in Los Angeles where she is volunteering. This organization saves baby elephants in Kenya.  She also sent around a flyer featuring a distribution in Africa with safari.  There are 6 spots left.

 

The program next week is Youth Services with Hermann Welm as our greeter.  Geoff Disch won the greeter gift of $20 and Judy won $10 having selected a blue marble to everyone’s delight.

Meeting was adjourned promptly at 1:15 pm.

 

 

 

Results of the Golf Schedule (following the meeting) were determined.  Every 3^rd Thursday after Rotary Club.

 

March                   Dennis/Gary/Naim                          Crow Canyon

April                       Guy G                                                   Callippe

May                       Steve W                                               Blackhawk

June                      Marco   B                                             Castlewood

July                        John Tatum                                        Diablo

Aug                        TBD

September         TBD

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Gary Sloan, Scribe