MEETING MINUTES July 26, 2007 at Inn Marin, Ignacio

Submitted by Luann Jackman

July is Membership month

The meeting was called to order by our new President John Marshall, who asked Thomas Chesus to lead us in the Pledge.  Larry Levy gave an opening thought.

Announcements

Fire Squirts Awards and graduation is tomorrow on July 27.  Forrest thanked us for our contribution.  It will be at Fire Station 2 on Atherton.

An email went out today regarding a meeting regarding fundraising strategy for Ignacio Rotary.  The first meeting is Monday, July 30 from 3-5 pm at Inn Marin.

Larry Levy asked if anyone else was interested in going to San Quentin on the tour.

Catheryne DiPrete swam the Trans-Tahoe swim by herself 4 hours 59 minutes.  Most swim this as a team and she beat half the teams.  She is training for her English Channel swim.  She will also be doing the length of Tahoe in September.

Stafford Grove work parties are scheduled for July 28 and August 4 at 9 am.  There will be food.

Fine Time/Recognition

Hello to Kirk Hylan

Bill Doughty shared about his birthday – actually pre birthday celebration on Lake Orivolle.

Bob Finer shared that his lovely wife shares her birthday with her grandson.  They went to the bowling alley, with pizza and stuff, his grandson did invite some of his friends.

Fran’s word for the day is Vaticination = prediction

Speaker/Program

Our speaker today is Mohammed El Majdoubi, PhD, an assistant professor of biology at Dominican University.  His topic is Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells into Neuroendocrine Cells in Vitro.  He shared about how he is working on this project with his students.  There are some major projects on the horizon.  There needs to be more training of students to help these projects get done.  Stem cells are unspecialized cells.  They give rise to more than 250 specialized cells in the body.  They also serve as the body’s repair system.  There are stem cells throughout our body to replace old cells.  There are adult and embryonic stem cells.  Mature Stem Cells typically develop into the cell types of the tissue or organ from which they originate.  They can also be found in the umbilical cord and placenta.  A mother is asked today if they want to save the cord blood – they will freeze for up to 12 years and could be used to help the child if they need them sometime for treatment.  Stem cells make cells not organs.  There are a variety of techniques under development to create stem cells.  There are also a variety of cells which can be created.

They are trying to make cells which are hormones and they are giving students opportunity to learn theoretical and experimental aspects of stem cell biology.  The issues include funding for this research.  At Dominican University use mouse cells not human.  They have a relationship with the Buck Institute.  However as an undergraduate educational institution they are not look at to receive funding.

Upcoming Meetings

August 2             Marin County Supervisor Judy Arnold  

August 9             Mike Cook - Rotaract

August 16           Rotary Membership Month Club Assembly

August 23           Hooky Day – no lunch meeting (see below)

August 30           District Governor, Brian McLaren

 

All Rotarians are encouraged to think about speakers for meetings.  If you have a suggestion, please contact Catheryne DiPrete at "Catheryne DiPrete" <Catheryne.diprete@morganstanley.com>.

Board Meetings

Ignacio Rotary Board meetings are the 4^th Tuesday of the month.  They meet at the Inn Marin.  They begin at 5:00 pm.

Upcoming Events/Activities/Projects:

August 23, 2007, Thursday – Hooky Day – Fireside

Members Mini Golf Tourney IVC (two person teams)

▪          Fireside BBQ/ hamburgers/potato salad/ice cream cones

▪          Location the terrace at the Club

September 26, 2007, TGIF

            Hosted by Kirk Hylan – more info to follow

November 12, 2007 (Monday) – Wine Cave Banquet

▪          Vertical Wine tasting in a romantic Underground Cave

▪          Tasting vertical Chardonnay

▪          Passed Hors d oeuvres

▪          Catered Banquet

December 1, 2007, (Saturday) – Kick-off Holiday Dinner Party, at Hotel Mac                       

▪          Drinks in the bar among rich holiday decorations

▪          Entertainment by a jazz trio and vocalist

▪          Dinner and Dancing in the private 3^rd floor ballroom

January 17, 2008, (Thursday) – Individually Hosted Firesides

▪          Nine Pot Luck Dinners at individual homes (8 per home)

▪          Timely Club Discussion

March 8, 2008, (Saturday) MONTE CARLO NITE

April 24, 2008 (Thursday)- Fireside / Monte Carlo Critique                    

▪          BBQ Steak / Rib / Corn on the Cobb

May 16, 2008 (Friday)-Afternoon Strutin’ and the Sportin’ Life        

▪          Afternoon at the track-

▪          Chariots race to Golden Gate Fields with Libation

▪          Bet on the ponies

▪          Buffet Dinner at the Turf Club

June 28, 2008, (Saturday) – Presidential Inaugural and Debunking

▪          Inn Marin Banquet Facility

▪          Cocktails and Dinner

▪          Hello Hollywood Hello-theme

▪          That Was the Year That Was- Film and Skits