Submitted by Lori Gast 

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

Art Wasserman led us in the Pledge, and Stan Warner gave the invocation and thought for the day, “Man’s way leads to a hopeless end.  God’s way leads to an endless hope.”  

Visiting Rotarians 

Guests of Rotarians

Guests were Garry and Joan Gast, parents of Garry; Lori Gast; Rocky Cosgrove’s son and daughter, Peter and Megan; John Tanko, guest of Rob Sundberg, and Bruce Moeller’s son, Daniel.  

Announcements

Marie Borders wanted a show of hands of those having a nominee for “Business of the Year.”  This must be a non-Rotary business.  She needs the name of the business, as well as the reason they would qualify to be considered. 

Garry announced that there will be a memorial service for Ed Carewe, President Elect-Elect of Rotary Club of Novato Sunrise.  The service will be held on Sunday, April 3^rd at 11:00AM at the Druid’s Hall.  Hawaiian attire is appropriate. 

Community Service Chairman, Larry Curtis, announced that the centennial project is basically completed.  Therefore, we will be working on the median strip this Saturday, April 9^th to do some cleanup and planting. Unfortunately, some vandals did some damage to the planters.  Please arrive at 9:00AM on April 9^th to help with the median strip. 

Garry reminded us that there will be a District Assembly this Saturday, April 2^nd.  For those planning to attend, we are meeting at the Ignacio Safeway store at 6:45AM to carpool.

April 16, 2005 is “Rotary Gives Thanks Day” barbecue and social. This will be at Mackey Terrace from noon to 3:00PM. 

The District Conference will be held June 10-12th at Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove. Asilomar is frequently called a “refuge by the sea” because of its beautiful location.  A signup sheet is being passed around.  Members who attend this conference will be reimbursed for a portion of the cost, depending on the number of people attending.  Two golf tournaments are scheduled for Thursday preceding the conference. 

Mike Fish is co-producer of the hilarious musical comedy, “MESHUGGAH-NUNS!” coming to the Belrose Theater in San Rafael.  Our club is scheduled to attend the April 23^rd performance.  

The Ambassadorial Scholarship applications must be in soon.  Please contact Bill Kelly. 

Fred announced that on May 12^th there will be a fireside at Horsemen’s in Bahia (BBQ with steak, etc. etc.)  Fred needs volunteers to help with this fun event.  He also needs people for the debunking committee. 

Congrats to Denis Pepin, who has earned his blue badge. 

Larry Levy would like to wind up his wheelchair campaign over the next two weeks.  The wheelchairs cost only $75 each.  Please contact Larry if you would like to donate a wheelchair, donated to third world countries. 

At our last meeting, Wendy gave out the remaining silent auction items for distribution. .   Hopefully, all items have been delivered and all monies have been collected.  Thank you. 

Recognition

Matt and Tony’s birthdays; Susan, Catherine, Phil, and Art all had Rotary anniversaries.  Marie announced that March 26^th was the 23^rd anniversary of her first date with hubby, Jeff – Wow!  Larry reminded us that Ramona had a birthday. 

Stan Warner asked if anyone had an automobile that they would be willing to donate to a friend in need of transportation (associate pastor).  

Speaker

Garry introduced our speaker, Dr. Vivian Broadway, a general dentist in Mill Valley, who was vacationing on the island of Koh Phi Phi when the tsunami hit.   

Vivian grew up in southern California, so she and her family loved the beach.  They heard about the gorgeous beaches in Thailand, and were encouraged to visit there by a friend who lives in Hong Kong.  On the last day of their vacation, Vivian, her husband, and daughters ages 7 and 10,  decided to pack up and spend the remaining time on the beach while they were waiting for the ferry to take them to Bangkok, where they would catch their flight home.  They walked down a flat isthmus about 10:00AM.  It was supposed to be high tide but on that day, the water was unusually far out.  Everyone was puzzled about this, especially the Thai people at the resort.  Then some Thai people started yelling and telling people to run as far and as fast as they could away from the water.  Vivian and her family heard a loud roar, looked back and saw a “wall” about 15 feet high of water, mud and debris.  The sound was deafening, trees crashing, huts smashing.  They came upon a flight of stairs and climbed as high as they could.  They looked down and saw that the town they just ran through was virtually gone.  They continued running up a hill, through dense brush, vines, thickets of vegetation.  Bruises, scratches … just keep running!  They spent the night in the jungle in their bathing suits.  On their descent the next day, they couldn’t believe the devastation.  Eventually, with the help of the Thai people, they were able to return home.  In ten days, Vivian and her family are returning to the Phi Phi area to help in the relief effort. 

For more information, you can email: tsunamibandaid@comcast.net. 

Peter won the raffle prize. 

Upcoming Meetings:

April 7                        Michael Franzblau, M.D., who will speak on biological warfare

April 14                        Supervisor Cynthia Murray will enlighten us on Marin County transportation

April 21                        Surprise speaker

April 28                        Tom Brown, “Dolphins”

May 5             

May 12                        Fireside and barbecue at Horsemen’s 

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:

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

Object of Rotary

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;

FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service