MEETING MINUTES January 19, 2006 at Inn Marin, Ignacio

Submitted by Art Wasserman.

The meeting was called to order by Bill Kelly, in this reporter’s opinion, one of the best if not the best Club Presidents in our 30-year history.

As we grazed at the buffet John Sagoni, who played the accordion, and will be at Monte Carlo night, serenaded us.

Rev. Stan Warner led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rev. Stan Warner, as usual, gave the thought for the day. “Try not to become a man of success but rather a man of value.”

Visiting Rotarians

Jan Hutchinson from Novato Sunrise joined us.

Guests

Bruce Moeller introduced Thomas Chesus who joined us for the 2^nd time.  Thomas owns a bookkeeping business.  Catherine Munson’s guest was Jessie Bouchet, who with her husband, own Jessie and Laurent Catering.  Bill Kelly’s guest was his definitely better half Jo Ann.

Announcements

Greg Chidlaw discussed the tickets, which John Marshall handed out.  The tickets are numbered and John will get the $75 per ticket or the returned unsold tickets.  Each club member received 10 tickets. Last year ticket sales totaled $33,500 and this year Greg is shooting for $42,000.  It is very important that the name on the ticket stub is actually the name of the person who will be attending- this will facilitate the process of checking people in at Monte Carlo night.  Turn in the ticket stubs ASAP so your people can be pre-registered.

Greg announced that the deadline for silent auction items is Friday March 3.

Fine Time

Stand in fine master Daryl Weinroth announced that the Sacramento SPCA wants to recall Chidlaw’s dog Malone for reasons which Daryl was loath to discuss. (Four Way Test Time- I did not write down what the heck he said.)

Bob Kane was recognized for his club induction.

Catherine Munson announced that she recently celebrated her 78^th birthday- yes you read that right.  Most women will not tell their age, but I guess we all know Catherine is not “most women”.  Best looking 78 year old I’ve seen.  She just returned from a week of golfing in Palm Springs.

Roberta DiPrete paid what must have been a big fine based on the huge real estate deal she closed recently.  The fine was to finish off her Paul Harris.

Peter Pelham made a contribution because John the accordion player is an employee of his Peter’s excellent Bank of Marin.

Speaker/Program

Bill Kelly introduced his friend John Reese who is the COO of the Marin Humane Society.  John showed a very disquieting video about the work of the Animals Asia Foundation. Jill Robinson who is the founder of this organization did the narration of this disturbing video.

In China and other Asian countries Asian Black Bears, also called Moon Bears, are kept in bear farms under horrific conditions.  They are kept for years in tiny steel cages hardly able to move.  Spigots are surgically implanted in order to facilitate harvesting the bear’s bile which certain medicinal qualities.  This harvesting is terribly cruel and not necessary since there are synthetic alternatives to the use of bear bile.

Animals Asia first rescued Andrew 20 years ago.  Initially 60 bears were rescued, the spigots removed, the bears given medical treatment and then are allowed to roam freely at the rescue centers.  To date a total of 198 bears (according to their Web Site) have been rescued, but this is only 1% of the bear population living under unbelievably terrible conditions.  A total of 30 bear farms have been closed.

Animals Asia’s goal is to free all of the bears.

On January 11, 2006 the European Union asked China to ban these bear farms.

For more information or to donate go the Animals Asia, go to their Website at www.animalsasia.org

Raffle

Not sure about the raffle winner(s).

Upcoming Meetings

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 29                   Club’s 30^th Anniversary Celebration

June                        Relay for Life

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:

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