MEETING MINUTES March 17, 2005 at Inn Marin, Ignacio

Submitted by Phil Snell

President Gary Gast opened this Saint Patrick’s Day meeting, calling on Saul Cohn to lead us in the pledge.  Rev. Stan Warner provided an invocation and thought for the day.

Visiting Rotarians

Bill Kelly introduced the following visiting Rotarians:  George Estes of the Novato Club, and Charlotte Urban of the Novato Sunrise Club. 

Guests of Rotarians

Tony Elshout introduced his guest, Ron Kern; Peter Pelham introduced guest Frank Perrichiotti; Greg Chidlaw introduced guest Charlie; Roland Fuette introduced his niece, Tara Jane; and Gary Gast introduced his wife, Laurie.

Announcements

April 2                        District Assembly, College of San Mateo

April 9                        Median strip work party, 9:00 a.m.

April 10—16              Interactors’ service in Mexico with moderator, Susie Brown

April 16                      Mackey Terrace BBQ lunch, 12:00 noon

June 10, 11, 12           District 5150 Conference, Asilomar

Monte Carlo Night recap

Congratulations to the club for the most successful Monte Carlo Night ever!  Special thanks and recognition to Greg Chidlaw who spearheaded this masquerade theme and party from concept through performance, and to those club members who put countless hours into the event:  Wendy Irving, Matt Pavone, Kirk Hyland, Dean Moser, Peter Pelham, Greg Call, Steve Minutoli.

Special section recognition goes to John Marshall and Rocky Cosgrove for their services in producing Monte Carlo Night.

The music was of surpassing excellence:  Larry Curtis and his band created an upbeat prelude; Rob Sundberg and his band rocked the joint.

Approximately 212 people attended the dine-around, and 650 tickets were sold. 

Greg proffered a new idea for future Monte Carlo nights:  “Monte Carlo Goes To (your choice of place/theme).”  A recap session for criticisms, ideas and suggestions will be set soon 

Speaker

Our own club member, Jim Picchi, presented an introduction with power point and video on the International Skiing Fellowship of Rotarians.  Not only is this group active in world travel to the finest skiing venues in the world, but also provides the means for handicapped people to enjoy this sport.  The organization raises contributions for sit-skis and outrigger skis for persons with no lower body capability, and provides skiing for the blind.  Other Ignacio Rotarians in the group are Bill Doughty and Gary Gast.  The next ISFR ski week will be in Alyeska, Alaska in 2006, to include cat or helicopter transportation to ridgelines, racing and other skiing and fellowship events.

Upcoming Meetings:

March 24                        Jason Headley, novelist

March 31        

April 7            

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:

April 2                        District Assembly, College of San Mateo

April 16                      Mackey Terrace BBQ lunch, 12:00 noon

June 10, 11, 12          District 5150 Conference, Asilomar

Upcoming Firesides:

Upcoming Socials:

March 25 – location tbd

May 27 – location tbd

Upcoming Community Service Projects:

April 9                     Median strip work party, 9:00 a.m.

Upcoming Board Meetings:

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

April 13

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

U.S. federal, state governments honor Rotary's centennial milestone

As Rotary celebrated its 100th year last month, the United States government, as well as numerous state governments, recognized the contributions of Rotary clubs across the nation by passing resolutions honoring the historic milestone.

The U.S. Senate recognized the many contributions of Rotary with a resolution declaring 23 February as Rotary International Day. Issued on 17 February in honor of Rotary's 100th anniversary, the resolution "recognizes Rotary International for 100 years of service to improving the human condition in communities throughout the world," as reported in the Congressional Record. (Read the entire resolution by searching for "cr17fe05-143" at the Congressional Record Web site.)

Richard Durbin, of Illinois, submitted the resolution during the 17 February session in Washington, D.C., along with fellow Illinoisan Barack Obama, Ted Stevens, of Alaska, and Russ Feingold, of Wisconsin.

"In recent years, Rotary International has helped communities around the world to address some of the critical needs of our day, including disease, hunger, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and children at risk," said California's Barbara Boxer during a 4 January session discussing the resolution. "On the occasion of the Rotary Centennial, I send my sincere appreciation and best wishes to Rotary International and Rotarians everywhere."

Past RI President James Lacy was one of the many Rotarians and RI staff members who worked diligently to have the resolution considered. Lacy also works closely with Stevens and other members of Congress as part of RI's collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and USAID on polio eradication.

"This is quite a great honor for Rotary International on its centennial," said Lacy. "This is the first such resolution that has come through the U.S. Congress and will go into the permanent records of the Senate."

 U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky, of Illinois, who represents the district in which RI World Headquarters is located, submitted a similar resolution to the House of Representatives with representatives Mark Kirk, of Illinois, Brad Sherman, of California, and Joe Wilson, of South Carolina.

Governments of dozens of U.S. states, including Illinois, passed similar recognitions.

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