MEETING MINUTES January 13, 2005 at Inn Marin, Ignacio

Submitted by Garry Gast

President Garry rang the bell to open the meeting at 12:20pm.

Susan Jacobson led us in the Pledge, and Stan Warner gave the invocation and thought for the day, “The most powerful force in life is love.”

Visiting Rotarians

Bill Kelly introduced the visiting Rotarians – Rick Roman from San Rafael, Dan Keane from Novato, and Fred West from Belmont.

Guests of Rotarians

Guests were Regina Rus, colleage of Jerry Ghirardo and President of School Fuel.  Also Rick Roman’s son, Rick, and Lori Gast, wife of Garry.

Announcements

Regina Rus announced that the local education foundation, School Fuel, will hold a fundraiser, “Dare to Dream” on January 29^th from 4-6 pm at Ricky’s Restaurant.  There will be a three-course dinner, silent auction, music and art by students.

President Garry announced highlights of the January 12^th board meeting: 

A donation was made in bank stock to the three Novato Rotary clubs, each receiving about $4,000.

The new President of the Ignacio Rotary Foundation is Larry Curtis.  The Secretary is Matt Pavone and Treasurer is Peter Pelham.

The 100^th anniversary of Rotary is February 23^rd of this year.  There will be a social at Days Inn from 6-8pm.  The club will pick up the $15 tab for our members. Spouses and significant others are welcome.

Fred Pfeifer announced that a Fireside will be held at the Indian Valley Golf Club on February 16^th at 6:00 pm.  The theme will be Valentine’s Day.  Bring your fresh original poems of love and your significant others.  $25 per person. 

February 17^th will be “dark” – no meeting.

Bill Kelly, Ambassadorial Scholarships Chair

According to Bill, the Ambassadorial Scholarships are “the best kept secret in Rotary.”  Two scholarships of $26,000 are given to the winning recipients.  Candidates are college students or graduate students, and they cannot be related to a Rotarian.  They may go to the University of their Choice even in another country. 

(Note:  Bill had been Chair of the District Committee for Ambassadorial Scholarships for 14 years.)

Tony Elshout reports that the Hearts of Plenty Dinner will be on February 10^th at the Church of the Nazarene, 5400 Nave Drive.  This is a joint effort with Rotary clubs of Novato and Novato Sunrise.  Please bring a salad between 5:00-5:30pm.  We also need help with set-up and clean-up.

Daryl Weinroth announced that there will be a final work party at Scottsdale Pond Park on January 29^th at 9:00am.  We will be finishing up some planting and details.

Shelley Klaner talked about the tabloid “SALUTE TO ROTARY” published as a supplement to The Novato Advance.  This year’s edition will be celebrating 100 years of Rotary.  The publication is supported by your advertising.  The Novato Advance will contribute 10% of the cost of your advertising back to our club on your behalf.  So please call the Advance and reserve your advertising space.

We received a big thank you from the Novato Youth Center for our gifts and entertainment for 250 children (half of the families are low income).  Thank you to Stan (“Stanta”) and Wendy (Stanta’s helper).

Jerry Ghirardo presented Paul Harris fellowships to Marie Borders, Shelley Klaner, and Matt Pavone.  Paul Harris fellowships recognize those Rotarians who have donated $1,000 towards the Rotary Foundation.  The district will contribute up to $250 to those who have donated at least $750.  The $250 contribution from the district is extended to February 23^rd for those first-time Paul Harris Fellows.

Greg Chidlaw reported on the progress of the new “Masquerade” Monte Carlo.  Each member of our club was asked to take 20 “Save the Date” cards.  Please give them to friends, business associates, and family members.  Put them in the lobby of your business, etc. to let people know of this fabulous event.  It would be great if everyone could distribute the “Save the Date” cards within the week.

The night’s luckiest gambler will be awarded the “Monte Carlo Cup.”  We are finished getting donations for the live auction (we have about $50,000 worth!).  The Dine-Around is happening, so far with six restaurants, including Hilltop, Cacti, Rickey’s, Wild Fox and Garden Court.  You can talk to Fran or Stan regarding buying an ad for the supplement, which will be handed out the night of the event.  We need more silent auction prizes.  Dave Pitchford is storing silent auction items at his warehouse.  But please give donor forms to Matt Pavone.

Speaker

Dave introduced our speaker, Fred West, past District Governor.  His talk reminded us that Rotary makes a difference in our lives and in the lives of people all over the world.  When a situation of need arises, Rotary rises to meet the occasion.  He related a story of an Air Florida flight from Washington, DC to Miami, which plunged into the Potomac River because of freezing ice on the wings and severe weather.  There were survivors, and a man on shore dove into the water and rescued a flight attendant.  Just like Rotary, the man rose to the occasion of need.

Then Fred related a story from his own experience.  When visiting his mother in Sidney, Australia last October, he witnesses a bank robbery.  Fred went to the bank at 9:30am (opening time) and the bank was dark.  Even though dark, a bank employee opened up the door, went in and was grabbed by one of the bank robbers.  In spite of a dangerous situation, both Fred and a man standing in line next to him rushed into the bank.  They grabbed the robber, wrestled him to the floor, and then Fred sat on him.  Soon after, the robber fled.  Just like Rotary, Fred became aware of a bad situation and took action to solve the problem.  He said that it was an automatic reaction, not necessarily a smart or courageous one.  We, as Rotarians, have the power and the ability to change the world.  He asked each of us to commit to everything that we are doing.  Clubs with the best attendance and the most fellowship accomplish the most.

 Upcoming Meetings:

January 20

January 27

February 3

February 10

February 16            Fireside at Indian Valley Golf Course for Valentine’s Day

February 17            Dark – no meeting

February 23            Rotary 100^th Anniversary social at Days Inn with other Novato Rotarys

February 24            Dark – no meeting

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

Mark your Calendars Now!

Events:

Our holiday dinner and party will be with the other Novato Clubs – December 3, 2004

Upcoming Firesides:

February 16 at Indian Valley Golf Course

Upcoming Socials:

January 28 – location tbd

February 23 – 100^th Anniversary of Rotary

March 4 – Ski Challenge

March 25 – location tbd

May 27 – location tbd

Upcoming Community Service Projects:

January 29 – final work day at Scottsdale Pond

Upcoming Board Meetings:

(every 2^nd Wednesday of the Month, 4:00 pm at Circle Bank in Novato February 9

March 9

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

International

Dalai Lama Headlines Centennial Event of India club

11 January 2005

A centennial event of the Rotary Club of Bangalore Midtown, Karnataka, India, that was more than one year in the making came to fruition when the Dalai Lama visited from his headquarters in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.

The internationally revered Buddhist monk, Tibetan leader, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate delivered an inspiring keynote address on the theme of compassion and universal brotherhood and sisterhood to club members on 2 December 2004.

He praised Rotary's service to the needy, saying that he has met Rotarians from different parts of India in the course of his travels and spiritual activities.

"[Rotary] gives service to society," said the Dalai Lama. "I remember once [seeing] two handicapped people [who] were provided with wheelchairs [by Rotarians].... So I appreciate and admire your activities for the betterment of society."

The Dalai Lama said that acts of service should arise out of compassion, not ego, and that compassion worthy of the name must translate into action. He also said that world peace depends on a sense of universal brotherhood and sisterhood and collective responsibility for the well-being of individuals, society, and nature.

"Particularly in the modern times, everything is interconnected. [For example], our interests and others' interests are interlinked. Asian interests are linked with Western interests. So the whole group is just one entity, just like one body," he said. "Taking care of others is not necessarily holy but a realistic way of approach about one's own interest.  Therefore, taking care of another is like taking care of yourself."

In an address welcoming the Dalai Lama, District 3190 Governor S.R. Yogananda said that the host Rotarians were fortunate to have the Tibetan leader in their midst. He pointed out similarities between the ideals that inspire Rotarians and Buddhists to help the needy.

Bangalore Midtown club president Kiran Boal, who introduced the Dalai Lama, later said: "Rotarians were absolutely thrilled with the event. It was a rare opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime type of an event. [We] were greatly honored by the address of the Dalai Lama. We truly felt blessed!"

Attendees also included a few Rotary district officers, club presidents, and invited guests.