MEETING MINUTES September 9, 2004 at Inn Marin, Ignacio

Submitted by Suzanne Bales

President Garry Gast opened with Suzanne Bales leading the pledge followed by Pastor Stan offering an invocation.

Monte Carlo Chidlaw broke with format to discuss the Venetian masks in the back of the room. They were available for purchase at such a deal - $19. They will be marked up for Monte Carlo night.  Chidlaw made his speech while wearing a brilliant red, very long nosed mask to get us in the mood.  It was actually quite becoming on him!  Expected to see a gondola floating in the pool. Maybe that will be for next week.

Visiting Rotarians

Past governor Bob Kane introduced our two guests, since Bill Kelly was just coming in a bit late, Julie McNair, Mission San Rafael and Lyn Perry, Novato.

Guests

Roland Fuente brought Mr. Ignacio, Gordon Walker, but Dean Moser, sitting next to Gordon, seemed to take him over as his guest.  Nice to be fought over!  Susie Brown introduced Michael Goldstein, an event caterer.

Announcements

John Marshall mentioned we have 2 teams of 3 for the Novato Rotary golf event in case anyone wanted to make it teams of 4.

Bob Carpenter: money in hand equals confirmation for wine tour October 9th.  Thursday the 16th is final day for payment. After that it will be opened to friends. Very few seats left so get going!

Dean Moser discussed the Miss Marin fund raising event, the 11th of September at Inn Marin.

Shelly Klaner brought up the Business Showcase, September 16th.  A sign up sheet was passed for manning a Rotary booth at the showcase.

Mr. Community Service Larry Curtis thanked the volunteers for Labor Day, Stafford Lake.  A work party will be held Sat., September 11th to replace the welcome to Novato signs.

Rocky Cosgrove, chair of membership, discussed club goal to bring membership from 60 up to 66. Members are encouraged to invite people to meetings as well as social activities.  A hand out discussed the ideal Rotarian.  John Marshall is co chair of membership.  Fran O’Brien, the friendliest member of the committee, will monitor attendance while Stan Dennison will be the red badge ambassador.  He will deal with the sponsors on monitoring their new red badgers and fulfillment of requirements.  Doug Paff is the sunshine rep and Daryl Weinroth and Jerry Ghirardo will oversee orientation of prospective members. Immediate goal: in the next 30 days each member should bring one new guest!

Famous Holt gave his 5, maybe 10-minute talk about himself.  5 of those minutes were about the Sir Francis Drake Dog Show, of which he is President, happening this weekend, the 11th at the Marin Exhibition and Fairgrounds.  Famous was raised in Berkeley and San Francisco.  Attended Gailleo High

School, City College and SF State.  32 years in the insurance business, 20 of those spent in Novato.  6 grandkids-37 years of marriage (different women but he didn’t go into detail-darn!).  Lives in Petaluma on 5-1/2 acres.  Raised sheep but ended that when he realized where sheep go when they go to "market" –started raising Old English Sheep Dogs for AKC shows-good news is they don’t go to "market".   Raised 10 AKC Champs, quite an accomplishment.  Also past president of Novato Chamber of Commerce.

Shark Time

Innocent bystander (or sitter) John Marshall was immediately fined by Greg because Inn Marin is a sponsor of the dog show mentioned by Famous and it seems his Inn is flourishing for that weekend.

Jerry Ghirado again hit!  Birthdays everywhere, the 5th. Laura on the 13th.  He celebrated by nipping at the bottle while changing diapers.  His donation to Paul Harris on behalf of baby James would make the Washington folks proud.  His check flew from his right pocket, over to his left pocket, back to his right, but never left his hand.  It seems he heads the Foundation, so he will put his check where it needs to go!  With multiple weeks of fines Greg seems to be getting Jerry ready for all those college checks he will need to write for baby James.

Absent Larry Levy was mentioned to appearing on Novato Cable "Managing Difficult People".  Way to go on the fine-zero equals zero when the finee is not present.

Stan Dennison, all in green, while not fined, was mentioned for his induction two years ago.

Suzanne Bales announced celebration of her 30th wedding anniversary.  Somehow perfect romantic moment.  Husband Tom spent it working in Novato while she traveled to Paris, Provence and the Cote D’Azur with her parents and sister.

Susan Gilmore, media queen, again fined for pics in Novato Business, IJ and the Chamber newsletter.  She tried to plead non-profit status.  Club is inviting to ribbon cutting and open house Thursday the 23rd of September 5:30-7:30PM, 22 Tinker Way.

Speaker

Our own Catherine Munson did us proud!!  She covered a remote, rarely visited part of the world in style.  Through Stanford University, she joined 39 others on the Dallas Marvick’s private jet, chartered for the trip.  Way to travel-40 guests with a staff of 20.  Private chef and MD on board to cater to every whim.   Visited Kamchatka Peninsula, Irkutsk, Eastern Siberia, Lake Baikal, Ulan Ude in Russia, Ullaanbaatan in Mongolia, the Gobi Desert with the Flaming Cliffs, St Petersburg, Armenia and Reykjavik, Iceland.  Step up to the plate, those of you who have trouble getting out of Novato!

She passed around numerous pictures, her version of Power Point, that were fascintating.  She even managed to meet with the District Governor of Rotary.  His district covers 7 times zones from Siberia to Alberta in British Columbia.  She traveled by hydrofoil, camel, small plane, old train, even walking with a knapsack.  Had private banquets, exclusive performances and lectures, just for them.  Had the opportunity to meet all types of people and interact with all ranges of cultures.

President Gary pulled his winning ticket for the wine-well deserved.

Upcoming Meetings:

September 16            Joint Club presentation from the World Committee on the Chihuahua Project

September 23            Gene Thomas, Lifespan Video Port

September 30            Novato Councilmembers Bernie Meyers and Jeanne MacLeamy about the City Hall Plans

October 7            Dark at noon – Fireside in the evening

October 14            Regular meeting however will be at the Buck Center for lunch and tour

November 4            No Meeting due to District event on November 6

December 16            Lunch at the Novato Youth Center

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:

September 16 is the Novato Business Showcase at Hill Middle School gym

Bocce Ball Tournament is September 19

The Wine Tour is October 9

Our holiday dinner and party will be on December 4

Upcoming Firesides:

October 7 at Indian Valley Golf Course

January 6 at Indian Valley Golf Course

Upcoming Socials:

October 1 at the Elshout’s

November 19 – location tbd

January 28 – location tbd

March 25 – location tbd

May 27 – location tbd

Upcoming Community Service Projects:

September 18 – “Welcome to Novato” sign repair

October 23 – Ignacio Blvd. Median Strip Work Party

November 11 – Novato Human Needs Center Food Drive

December 9 – Salvation Army Kettle (at our meeting)

December 16 – Toy Drive and Lunch at Novato Youth Center

December 19 – Holiday Food Boxing at Marin Food Bank

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

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.