Submitted by John Marshall 

President Tony called the meeting to order at 12:25pm 

Rocky led us all in the pledge after placing our hands over the correct organ.  Reverend Stan’s thought for the day “Lord is my fortress my God is my mighty rock where I can hide from” ?

Visiting Rotarians

Dallas introduced visiting Rotarians which received individual applause:

• Sarah Panyard a realtor from the Novato Club
• Dick Buxton an investment banker from the number 2 club San Francisco

Guests

Pauline introduced Cleo Gause from the Novato Unified School District who was in attendance to receive a grant from Ignacio Rotary Foundation (Monte Carlo Proceeds)

Announcements

Sarah Panyard from Novato Club participating in physicians with a heart in Russia 10/13-10/23 and needs contributions for $250 bunkbeds to assist in rescuing street girls to an orphanage.

Stan Sr. Needs a car that runs.

Don announced softball team currently in first place.

Big Stan announced District fundraiser for Rotary International Foundation on 11/5 at Foster City Crowne Plaza.  Possible theme Carnival.  Raffle tickets for $10 each will be available to purchase which are applied as direct contributions to our Paul Harris annual contributions with the opportunity to win a valuable prize.  Jerry and/or Daryl to have ticket booklets available soon.

Denis announced Wine Trip on 10/22 for $65 ea includes dinner at DeSmears, must pay to reserve a space.  Taking up to 40 reservations.  President Tony first to sign up.

President Tony read a thank you letter from Whistlestop for the 4,000 contribution from Foundation to provide Meals on Wheels program.

President Tony initiated an auction for a Morton and Bassett gift basket and new member Ron Kern won the bidding and lugged the basket home.

Fine Time

Rob “the Bear” Sundberg recognized:

Everyone with out a pin forked over a 1$ bill.  The Bear is serious about Rotary pins.

Dallas – 18 years of bliss spent a surprisingly fun/relaxing weekend receiving spa treatments at Sonoma Mission Inn.  Highly recommends it.

Anna – inducted August 1995 paid the 1$

John – Spent birthday on the links at Stonetree and dinner at home.  Gladly forked over $20 for cell phone going of once for a call and another time trying to turn off the ringer.

Pauline – The club graciously sang happy birthday and it sounded very good for a change.  Must be some singers in the new batch of members.  She shared with us that she was spending the day caring for her husband John who is in the hospital for a broken foot.

Shelly – inducted 8/92 but had no idea and provided the usual IOU.

Big Stan – volunteered a fine for the acquisition of a new Subaru Outback and 9 day trip hiking in Wyoming and gazing at the magnificent Tetons.  Sorry Stan Sr still no car.

Don – volunteered for the acquisition of a new Acura (Sorry Stan Sr still no car), Magic Mountain trip with Daughter Misty and Misty’s award for rookie of the year with the Stingray swim club/top placement at swim meets.

Phil ponied up for his annual surfing trip to Baja for 2 weeks, caught a 42# El Dorado and 6 people enjoyed fresh fish for 4 days.  The balance of the trip lived off tamales from the back of Stan’s new car.

Speaker

Dimitri Kondratiev, Rotarian Novosibirsk, Lawyer and owner of a 20 person law firm flew in from Novosibirsk (New Siberia) to tell us about the average Russian life.  Dimitri was accompanied by Edward Shornik, Rotarian Novosibirsk, and Executive Director of the YMCA in Novosibirsk who interpreted for Dimitri. 

Dimitri began by offering statistics collect by a statistics bureau:

• 80% of all Russians average and >21 years of age
• $35 in living costs per month
• $100 + in monthly income
• 5% of whom make between 5-20K per month
• Person with stable views in life

Dimitri then shared his opinion of who an average Russian is:

• Only 20% of the population
• 33 years of age
• College degree or very close
• Manager of medium sized business – 20pp employed
• $500-1200 a month income
• Owns own apartment, Married with 1 child
• One vehicle – used Japanese – Russian cars cost twice as much and breakdown after 2 days
• Feel independent and master of own destiny – Treasure freedom
• 80% earned all current possessions
• 95% Money is a major asset in life
• 100% want democratic society
• Life hard but inspires hard work, all are willing to risk “ Better to live then to exist”
• Typically law abiding, but some laws vague or unnecessary.
• Politically active and loves to live in Russia
• Worried about the future, but feel it would be unfaithful to leave
• Answered question about constant frown – a smile is an invitation for a date and still a lot of tension being newly free society.
• Offered a fundraising opportunity and proposed a district to district football challenge.  Figures a lot of member would pay to see the game.

You had to be there for the Q&A session.

Upcoming Meetings

August 11       Novato Economic Commission- Talk on economic strategy for Novato (thank you Peter for lining this one up)

August 18            Dark

August 25       Mark Bartolini – about his recent trip to Iraq

All Rotarians are encouraged to think about speakers for meetings. If you have a suggestion, please contact Dave Pitchford at 382-8150.

Board Meetings

Ignacio Rotary Board meetings are the 2^nd Wednesday of the month.  They meet at the Bank of Marin located at 378 Bel Marin Keys Blvd.  They begin at 5 pm.

Upcoming Firesides

August 17            at the Cacti Restaurant on Grant Avenue in Novato

District 5150 Newsletter and Information

For more information all you need to do is log on to the District Web Site at:

http://www.rotary5150.org/newsletter.htm
 

Need to make up a missed meeting?  Now you know where and when: