Submitted by Luann Jackman 

President-elect Larry Curtis opened the meeting. 

Jim Picchi led us in the Pledge and Pastor Stan had the thought for the day.

Visiting Rotarians

There were no visiting Rotarians.

Guests

Guests today included Fred Pfeiffer’s wife Lynn and Bill Kelly’s wife Joanne.

Announcements

Announcements were mixed in with the committee reports, which were the program for the day.

Fine Time

The following were recognized:

(Daryl Weinroth stepped in for “The Bear” today.)

§         Jim Picchi paid to have Daryl stop talking however it did not work.  He also shared that his daughter’s are home from Europe.

§         Pauline Stuber’s husband’s birthday was 12-28 and they had a family dinner in Napa.

§         There was a new limited edition Ford Mustang in the parking lot and Greg Call admitted it was his wife’s car.

§         Bruce Moeller recognized his grandmother’s 109^th birthday on December 4.

§         Bill Kelly wanted to share about being locked out of his car back in May.

§         Pastor Stan shared about a visit to China and the grandmother of a son is a member of his church and she is 101.

§         Chuck Swensen had a nice Christmas surprise, due to his ex-wife and her husband having the flu he was able to have his son join him “even though it was not his turn”.

§         Ron Kern was fined for wearing a San Francisco 49er sweatshirt.

§         Bob Finer shared the story of when he was trying to help his wife deliver their daughter, who was born 36 years ago today.  Fortunately it was the short version J .

§         Bill Doughty made a donation to the Foundation to finish his Polio Plus pledge.

§         George Dray shared an interesting story for the road – he was driving in Nevada near Wells in delightful 20-degree weather when there was a commotion on the CB radio.  Come to find out there was a female hitchhiker who was wearing a backpack and boots.  That’s all.

§         Pauline shared that we have received the final installment from the Laura Wellborn estate.  We have received an investment of about #300,000 to use for scholarships every year.

§         Don Wichman contributed for his Bahamas vacation last October. 

§         Larry wished us all a Happy New Year and we in turn thanked him for the wine with lunch.

Speaker/Program

The various committee chairs or a representative shared an update on each of our committees.

Bruce Moeller gave a treasurer’s report and stated we are right on track.  We receive income from our recognition fines and our dues.  However a large portion of the dues goes to Chicago.

Fred Pfeiffer gave a Club Service update.  He thanked everyone for the last six months.  As for the next six months, so far we will have a Fireside on February 10^th (so we will dark on the 9^th), Monte Carlos is on March 11^th, and on April 14 we will have a Club 30^th Anniversary Party at Inn Marin.  We will be inviting the past presidents and perhaps past members.

Larry Curtis gave the Club Service update.  The landscaping of the median strip was successfully completed for the winter (on-going trash clean-up happens each month).  Also on-going is the transfer of food from the food bank to the Novato Human Needs each month.  In September we “personed” a booth at Labor Day at the Lake.  November saw us raise $700 for the Novato Human Needs food share program.  December was the MacKey Terrace dinner we hosted for about 35 of the residents.  Fred interjected that the Novato Youth Center called to thank us for the gifts for the children at Christmas.  There are some more projects coming up, which will require labor – the Marin YMCA needs to have their child care portables painted at San Ramon and Rancho schools and the Hamilton Museum will be needing some landscaping work.  Pastor Stan reminded us that over the years we have provided parts for bicycles and was grateful for the support.  We did receive a matching grant from the District to provide two AEDs – so this is in the works.  Some additional dates are March 16 will be the blood drive, in April we will again have a B-B-Q for MacKey Terrace residents and in June will be the Relay for Life.

Michael Fish updated us on International/World Service and the project in El Salvador.  We are part of a grant from the District to support an opthamology trip.  There will be a meeting in January to finalize the trip, which will take place in the spring.  Members who would like to participate should contact Michael.  The only out of pocket expense will be transportation.  Michael also shared that he has completed his two-year term as chair of the Rotoplast board and is now vice chair.  Garry Gast has also joined the board.

Peter Pelham is chair of membership.  We had 57 members at the start of the year and have lost three and gained one for a net result of 55 members.  Peter feels that the membership we have now is very active and supportive of Rotary and that is what is important when looking for potential members.  Peter reminded us that it is all of our responsibility to help recruit new members.

Roland Fuette updated us on Youth Service.  There is a special project to provide dictionaries to 3^rd grade classes and some special guest speaker in February will be talking to us about a potential project.  (That is all he shared.)  We have an on-going scholarship program and of course Interact.  This is their Centennial year and they have been working on becoming a “noted club”.  Their projects included having our members attend their meetings (thank you to Rob Sundberg for fulfilling this), a garage sale, and a Battle-of-the-Bands fundraiser.  In February they will be hosting a practice SAT test event and the annual fundraising dinner will be held in March.  The other major part of Youth Service is our sponsorship of a Cub Scout and Boy Scout troop.  The new Cub Scout leader is doing a great job and the Boy Scout troop continues to produce Eagle Scouts at a record level.

Luann Jackman stood in for Stan Dennison and updated the group on Vocational Service.  We have a ROP (regional occupation program) at Novato High and Marin Oaks.  Stan is also working with San Marin High about a vocation-oriented project which is set to begin in January.  More details to follow.  We will also have the educator, business and non-profit of the year awards in the spring.

Additional Announcements included:

The District Conference, which Michael Fish is chairing, will be April 20-23 in Rohnert Part at the Doubletree Hotel.  There will be golf or bowling or wine tasting on the 20^th ending with a big banquet celebration – just to kick things off.  This will be a celebration of Rotary and our clubs.  The conference is a great opportunity to meet other Rotarians, introduce you spouse or significant other to Rotary and have a great time.  There are 400 rooms reserved and already there are 100 taken.

Speakers are still need for the rest of the year.  Next week will be Keller Estates.  (More wine.)

Raffle

Larry had his ticket drawn however I did not hear any squeals of joy so I guess he did not win the prize.

Meeting adjourned at 1:30pm.

Upcoming Meetings

January 5          Keller Estates Jennifer Wu and her winemaker to speak on making wine

January 12         Mike Parson¹s Detective, Computer crimes division- speak to us on identity theft

January 19         Bill Kelly is working on someone from the Marin Humane Society

January 26         Dr. Michael Kovac, an ex 49er and new Director of the Marin Foundation Buck Fund

February 2

February 9          Dark

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

February 10                        At the Cacti Restaurant

Upcoming Events/Activities/Projects:

March                        Interact Dinner

March 16                        Blood Drive

April                        MacKey Terrace B-B-Q

April 20 – 23                        District Conference

April 14                        Club’s 30^th Anniversary Celebration

June                        Relay for Life

District 5150 Newsletter and Information

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

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

Day of the Week             Name of Club                  Time of Mtg.    Location of Meeting