MEETING MINUTES July 15, 2004 at Inn Marin, IgnacioSubmitted by Matt Wilson President Garry Gast called the meeting to order, began to welcome everyone to the Novato Rotary Club, then corrected himself and welcomed everyone to the Rotary Club of Ignacio, the “Monte Carlo of the West.” The Allegiance was pledged and Reverend Stan Warner offered a prayer and then recycled a thought for the day: “It is better to be a has-been than a never-was.” Visiting Rotarians Roland Fuette introduced Irv Schwartz from Terra Linda and Dennis Hammond, Jim Henderson and Grant Garl from the Novato club. Guests There were no guests today. Announcements President Garry introduced Monte Kruger, president of the Novato Horsemen. She reported that Novato is bringing back “Western Weekend” on Sept. 18 and 19. The Horsemen are planning a parade on Grant Avenue (permit pending) from 10 to noon. It’ll be like the July 4 parade Kruger said, except everybody will be on horses or pulled by horses. She said they might have a cattle drive, too. They’re planning a Wild West show at the Horsemen’s clubhouse on Bugeia from 5 p.m. to midnight, with live music and cowboy poetry. She asked that Rotarians get involved by: 1) Buying tickets and attending. 2) Considering hosting post-parade food as a Rotary fundraiser. 3) Sponsoring a false-front western building (your name here!) at the evening event. She handed out posters with more information. Wendy Irving and Marie Borders thanked the club for supporting their weekend walk in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. They walked about 40 miles and, with 1,800 walkers, raised about $4.3 million. Thursday was Wendy’s birthday (applause and singing!) and also the fifth anniversary of her cancer diagnosis, which means she is officially a five-year survivor (louder applause!). Mark your calendars: Two upcoming Friday night socials -- July 30 at Dave Pitchford’s house, and Sept. 24 at Tony Elshout’s house. Also, the next fireside: Aug. 12 at Indian Valley Golf Course. (See below for more important dates to get on your calendar now.) Member profile Dean Moser gave the equivalent of a five-minute talk so that new members learn about an older member. Dean was born and raised in San Francisco. He said his family connections in California go back to its earliest days. He went to St. Ignatius High and the University of California, where he graduated with a bachelor in science. He then went to Golden Gate University, where he received a Masters in tax. He got married while a junior in college and started having kids, which meant he needed to start working, so he did. He eventually joined Arthur Anderson, and stayed for 10 years. When he left, he wanted to be home more and spend more time in Marin. So he joined Cooper and Kirk, doing taxes, then had his own CPA firm for 15 years, eventually selling it to Jerry and Steve Ghirardo. Since then, he been involved in speculative real estate ventures, building about 18 houses in the country club area, and also was a prime mover in the Galli Square project. He was a director of Novato National Bank, which eventually merged with West American. For the past 12 years, he’s been running a property management business. Past president Peter Pelham caught up with a few members who deserved post-debunking recognition. He acknowledged Kristi Blundon for the tremendous job she did on the international committee and Rocky Cosgrove for delivering the best 5-minute speech. Larry Curtis had good news about the club’s community service projects: The club just received a $5,000 check from the City of Novato to help with the landscaping of the Ignacio Blvd. median. He credited Tony Elshout for working with the city, and Bill Kelly and Bill Doughty for their landscape plan, and Pauline Stuber for her site plan. Larry then announced upcoming work parties: This Saturday, July 17, at 9 a.m. at the Ignacio median strip, for cleanup and irrigation work. Bring a pick, shovel, rake or hedge trimmer, along with your gloves. Also on Saturday is the second phase of the Centennial project -- fixing the San Miguel tot lot near Miwok Park. Last week saw the removal of the old equipment and clearing the site. This Saturday will be drilling holes, installing posts and pouring concrete. Larry wasn’t looking for additional volunteers for this, as the day will require special equipment and expertise. The following Saturday, however, needs a big work crew. On July 24, at 9 a.m., the club will install the new playground equipment. Shark Time Speaker Greg Chidlaw, Mr. Monte Carlo, looking dapper in a black, three-piece suit with a white shirt, black tie and red hankie (he claimed it was a tuxedo), gave a high-energy presentation on the club’s plans for next year’s Monte Carlo fundraiser. Despite a balky PowerPoint (“This isn’t how we practiced it in the garage, Rocky,” said Chidlaw to his technical assistant, Rocky Cosgrove), Chidlaw described the club’s brand equity in the Monte Carlo event, saying that it has a slot on the community calendar and regularly attracts 900 guests. His goal is to raise $100,000 this year, rather than the $40,000 to $45,000 in recent years. The big push is for a high-end event, with big-ticket auction items. The event’s sub-theme will be “Monte Carlo Masquerade,” and the look and feel will be elegant and Venetian. Matt Pavone announced team assignments to get prizes, with each team being challenged to raise $6,000 (with a minimum of $1,000 coming from an auction item). The goal is to get trips, dinners, over-night stays and wine. Matt said he wants teams to meet regularly and report progress. Rocky Cosgrove added that Susan Jacobsen will offer some advice on fundraising techniques at subsequent club meetings. Upcoming Meetings: July 22 District Governor Eric Shapira August 5 DARK for lunch – Fireside this evening at Indian Valley Golf Course August 19 Susie Brown and the Interactors will do a presentation on their Easter work party August 26 Dan Safer with the Prado Group 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! The Wine Tour is October 9. Upcoming Firesides: October 7 at Indian Valley Golf Course January 6 at Indian Valley Golf Course Upcoming Socials: July 30 at the Pitchford’s September 24 at the Elshout’s November 19 – location tbd January 28 – location tbd March 25 – location tbd May 25 – location tbd International Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions The Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions was adopted by the Rotary International Council on Legislation in 1989 to provide more specific guidelines for the high ethical standards called for in the Object of Rotary. As a Rotarian engaged in a business or profession, I am expected to: § Consider my vocation to be another opportunity to serve § Be faithful to the letter and to the spirit of the ethical codes of my vocation, to the laws of my country, and to the moral standards of my community § Do all in my power to dignify my vocation and to promote the highest ethical standards in my chosen vocation § Be fair to my employer, employees, associates, competitors, customers, the public, and all those with whom I have a business or professional relationship § Recognize the honor and respect due to all occupations which are useful to society § Offer my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people, to work for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the quality of life in my community § Adhere to honesty in my advertising and in all representations to the public concerning my business or profession § Neither seek from nor grant to a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage not normally accorded others in a business or professional relationship 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? 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