Submitted by Lori Gast 

President Garry Gast brought the meeting to order at 12:15 P.M.

Melissa Rinck led us in the Pledge, and Pastor Stan gave the thought for the day, “Commit to The Lord what you do, and your plans will succeed.”  

Visiting Rotarians

Bill Kelly introduced the visiting Rotarians:

Bill Bacon and his wife, Verna, from the St. Augustine Sunrise Club, Florida.  Novato Rotaract members Stephanie Olson and Susan Pierce. 

Guests of Rotarians

Peggy Bernes, Director and Secretary of the Marin County Dental Care Foundation, and Lori Gast, guests of Garry. 

Announcements

Rotaract members Stephanie and Susan announced their fundraiser.  The funds will be used to build benches at Sinaloa Middle School and rebuild the tot lot near Olive and Railroad Avenues.  They were selling “Rosegram” cards for $10.  A rose will be delivered on July 17^th to those people whose names and addresses appear on the cards. 

Garry reported on the District 5150 Conference at Asilomar.  Our club was represented by Bob and Edie Kane, Mike and Lisa Fish, Denis and Maxine Pepin, Catherine DiPrete, and Garry and Lori Gast.  There were many fun events at the conference (golf, socials, etc.).  Garry & Lori won second prize in the talent contest.  Garry yodeled and Lori danced (kind of) and yodeled (kind of).  District Awards were given.  The format this year for club awards was changed.  In previous years, there were three categories for club awards, based on club size.  This year, club size was eliminated, so all 38 clubs competed for just four awards in each avenue of service.  There were also awards for the Centennial Project.  Bob Kane was one of four people out of the district who was recognized for his more than 25 years of Rotary service.  Pauline Stuber was given recognition as GSE Area Coordinator.  We did great considering that we were competing with all of the very large clubs. 

1.  Centennial Project – First Place.  This was a cooperative effort with the Novato and Novato Sunrise clubs.

            2.  Web Site Award – First Place.

            3.  Interact Club Award – Second Place.

            4.  Vocational Service Award – Third Place.

            5.  Community Service Award – Fourth Place.

            6.  Cooperative Projects Award – First Place. 

Mike Fish is the co-chair of next year’s District conference.  It will be held in Rohnert Park in April, 2006. 

Last week, the board approved a donation of $3,800 to Rotaplast for the August trip to El Salvador.  

Mike Fish and Jim Picchi, International Committee co-chairs, announced the matching grant approval with the San Salvador Rotary Club to perform 20 eye surgeries later this year. 

Stan Dennison read a thank-you letter from Diane Mudford, Teacher of the Year. 

Wendy reminded us of the Relay for Life, which will be held on June 25^th and 26^th at the San Jose Middle School football field.  Two envelopes were passed around – one for donations/pledges and one for luminarias. 

Fred announced the debunking on July 9^th, which will be at the Bahia clubhouse.  Everyone will receive a flyer in the mail with all of the particulars.  Please RSVP by e-mail or telephone to Fred. 

Denis talked about the West Coast Walk for PolioPlus.  All Rotarians are encouraged to come out and walk across the Golden Gate Bridge with Nathan Auerbach.  Nathan is a Rotarian from the Coto De Caza/Rancho Santa Margarita club and is walking 2,200 miles from Mexico to Canada for PolioPlus.  Meet at the Visitors Center on the south side of the bridge at 10:00am on Friday, June 24^th. 

Tony Elshout introduced his incoming board:

Larry Curtis                        President-Elect and Community Service

Garry Gast                        Past-President

Jim Picchi and Mike Fish                        World Community Service

Greg Call                        Secretary

Bruce Moeller                        Treasurer

Fred Pfeifer                        Club Service

John Marshall                        Sergeant-at-Arms

Roland Fuette                        Youth Service

Stan Dennison                        Vocational Service

Greg Chidlaw                        Monte Carlo

Peter Pelham                         Membership

Shelley Klaner                        Publicity

Daryl Weinroth,  Rob Sundberg, and Chuck Swensen                        Recognition

Dave Pitchford                        Speakers/Programs

Luann Jackman                        Bulletin 

Garry announced that, due to the Rotary International Convention in Chicago next week, there will be no meeting.  The next regular meeting will be on June 30^th. 

Peggy Bernes, Secretary of the Marin County Dental Care Foundation, was presented with a $500 check.  The Dental Care Foundation provides dental care for underprivileged children. 

Daryl recognized those members needing to pay fines, in record time! 

Jim announced the ISFR Ski Week to Alyeska, Alaska from February 24 – March 5, 2006. 

Speaker

Wendy introduced our speakers from Relay for Life:  Julie Dietz and Lisa Price from the American Cancer Society.   

Donations to the American Cancer Society are used for research, education, and a myriad of free support services to cancer patients and their families.  Look Good/Feel Better Program, Road to Recovery Program, Smoking Cessation classes, and transportation to and from doctors’ and chemo appointments are just a few of these services.  There is also a 1-800 number where patients and their families can receive information and support from licensed, trained professionals 24 hours a day. 

Julie shared her story.  Twelve years ago, her 10-year-old son, Adam, died from cancer.  After his death, Julie was extremely depressed.  Three years later, she was asked to be a Team Captain for Relay for Life.  With the help of the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life, she was able to crawl out of her “deep dark hole of grief.”  For information you can go to www.acs.org. 

Upcoming Meetings:

June 23                         Dark (because some will still be in Chicago!)

June 30                         Supervisor Cynthia Murray

July 7                           Dark because of the Debunking

July 14                         Kirk Hylan – New Computer Program

July 21                         Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity- Zara Babitzke

July 28                        District Governor Holly Axtell 

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:

June 17-22                        Rotary International                        Chicago                        Centennial Convention

June 25-26                        Relay for Life - San Jose Middle School

July 9                        Debunking Dinner & Party, Bahia Clubhouse 

Upcoming Firesides: 

Upcoming Socials: 

Upcoming Community Service Projects: 

Upcoming Board Meetings:

(every 2^nd Wednesday of the Month, 4:00 pm at Bank of Marin in Bel Marin Keys) 

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

Group Study Exchange 

A USA-Mexico Group Study Exchange team stands on the edge of the Barranca Sinforosa during a break from their Group Study Exchange scientific exploration. 

The Group Study Exchange (GSE) program of The Rotary Foundation is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women between the ages of 25 and 40 and in the early years of their professional lives. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits between paired areas in different countries.  For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's institutions and ways of life, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas. 

For each team member, The Rotary Foundation provides the most economical round-trip air ticket between the home and host countries. Local Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district.

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