HONG KONG, A DIFFERENT WORLD – Nov. 9, 1998

Wake-up call!

King Richard called the meeting to order and Ed Rich led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Scott Bartley shared a largely unintelligible Rotary Thought for the Day (and I was sitting next to him!). If not for the truck backing up into the building, Scott would have no excuse for the lack of understanding on the part of all present.

Visiting Rotarians went so quickly I missed it. If noteworthy, we can include in the next issue of your Bulletin.

Rotarians with Guests were only two in number, both joining Lori Burmeyer.

Announcements:

Harry Rubins, Foundation Chair for 1998-99, thanked all members who contributed to Rotary International during RI Month, and announced that final Club totals are not quite in yet but due to the fundraising efforts of Paul Schwartz we received an unaccounted for $100 in 5 twenty dollar bills last week. Looking for "the donor", Harry was inundated with Rotarians indicating they suddenly remembered their wallet being short $100 last week. After the "Four Way Test" was applied, no claimants hands were left raised. Harry announced that three members won raffle prizes at the RI Dinner last Saturday night: Chris Rosell and Chuck Stark- Gift Certificate to the Sonoma Mission Inn/Spa. Lori Burmeyer won a prize that she did not reveal.

Bob Marigo reported that 28 corporate tables have been sold for the Crab Feed; a stellar beginning for ticket sales! The committee is looking for live and silent auction items/donations. A Crab Feed newsletter will be out next week with all the details. Mike Moore sponsored half the cost of the tickets,and Lori Burmeyer together with Arnie Carston shared the other half of the tickets.

King Richard noted that the Rotarian Magazine this month has an excellent article about Children's program funds for projects. Pick up the Magazine the next chance you get.

Bob Harris is in the process of updating the Membership Roster.   If you have any changes or updates to your info, contact Bob ASAP.

The XMAS FAIRE which benefits the SOS Program will be held Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 11-12. They are seeking raffle gift donations as well as volunteers to sell raffle tickets and provide other assistance as well.

Potential New Members

Teri Evans noted that six, that's right six individuals are being considered for membership by the Board at the 11/10/98 Board meeting. They are:

If any member has a question/concern or wishes to submit an objection to a proposed member, please contact Teri Evans in writing with your concern within 10 days of distribution of this Bulletin. If no objections are received, these individuals will be invited to submit their written application for membership and receive Rotary information.

Disaster Relief for Central America Flood Victims

Mike Merrill shared some statistics about the devastation in Central America, particularly Honduras: 12,000 people lost; 7,000 confirmed dead; 20% of population homeless and more. The U.S. government has interceded and Rotary is playing a part in the recovery effort. A District Disaster Relief Fund has been established, wherein each Club in our District is being asked to secure individual donations from its members, which can be matched with $4,000 of District funds left over from the nationwide Rotary support given to Guerneville residents during recent flood disaster.

Mike asked that each member reach into their heart and pocket and give money at the meeting, to be collected and forwarded to the District. Mike started by putting $100 into the hat. By the end of the meeting $905 was collected, and with the addition of $175 in pledges from members a total of $1,100 was authorized to be sent to the District by the Board the following day. Way to go folks! Thanks Mike!

RECOGNITION:

Rich inquired of Scott Bartley as to his trip to Mexico. Discerning no intelligible utterance from Mr. Bartley for the second time this meeting, King Rich deferred to Joe Perez who just "happened" to be in Mexico at the same time and observed Scott's activities while Scott was with Ken Kushnir in Mexico. The question of the Mexican elections then entered into the dialogue. Fortunately the sound system went haywire at this point saving members from any further babble torture. Ken offered his usual technological genius in fixing the sound problem and was, by and large, let off the hook. Final Result: Joe $10, Ken and Scott $25.

Rich recognized Lori Burmeyer for a Dealership donation of $100 per vehicle sold during a recent weekend of sales, totaling $3,000 donated for a worthy cause. Lori also received recent public recognition for managing the largest Dodge dealership north of the Golden Gate (is that based on everything on the planet above the latitude of the Golden Gate? Let's check on that!). That's $50 Lori!

Rich extracted $20 from Mike Arendt who will be the Emcee for the upcoming Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce Breakfast.

Then Rich called on the author of this fine issue of the Bulletin to share recent newsworthy items. I interrupted my duties as this week's Bulletin author to relate the story of the recent fire at my office building. This was not a particularly positive experience to be fined for but being on the proverbial "hot" seat I "coughed up" $20.

In an effort to divert attention away from my pending fine and looking for a more positive subject for public discussion, I offered up Bill Dodson to discuss the upcoming Ru/DAT meeting on the subject of the future of our City and the Downtown area. Bill has worked very hard on this project and updated members on the opportunity for public input this coming Saturday, November 14 at 1:00PM at the former billiards hall (I'm sure many of our members know where that is) at Fifth and Riley Street Downtown. This important weekend project culminates with a report of the Ru/DAT team findings on Monday night.

RAFFLE! 8 Marbles and a Pot of $1,340

Sorry Harry Rubins, a blue-green marble doesn't cut it. Bob Miller won the $20. Not sure what happened from there (honest writers never make it as investigative reporters).

Early Leavers Adios! Its Program Time

Our speaker was introduced by Bill Fisher. He presented John Howe, Charter member and Former President of Windsor Rotary Club and recent resident for one year in Hong Kong. John shared his experiences and observations of the political, cultural and business conditions of this region of the world, with particular focus on the impact of the Chinese takeover. John took his family (wife and two teenage daughters) to give them the once in a lifetime opportunity to live and study abroad. Most noteworthy observations: 1.3 billion people governed by Chinese government; Chinese government has instituted birth control wherein women are allowed to have two children in the "country" and one "in town"; Hong Kong pushes self censorship to avoid public grievances that might cause political unrest; if planning to attend rotary International Convention in Singapore two years from now, expect extreme humidity and heat; excellent public transportation; description of a raw "wet market" (we're not talking about a flood in the Guerneville Safeway); plummeting property values; $30 Rotary lunches (stop complaining about our $11 "cooked meat"); many American business people with multi-national companies who never have the chance to experience the life of Asians due to rigorous business schedule and somewhat insulated lifestyle.

As a result of the keen attentiveness and interest exhibited by Ken Kushnir, Mike Moore and Scott Bartley, they will be given a quiz next Monday on the history and geopolitical issues facing this part of Asia. When told of their pending exam, Scott and Ken expressed their gratitude for Bill Fisher bringing his second speaker of the decade. Bill's first speaker was Giles Tippett. Many of you may recall Mr. Tippett's talk back in 1991 where an unfortunate mix of alcohol and particularly nasty domestic interaction temporarily relieved Mr. Tippett of his higher faculties (i.e. conciseness) while at the podium. Many members are eagerly awaiting Bill's next speaker which should arrive in 2003.

Off the Wall, Notes from the Board Meeting: 11/10/98

Charitable Donations Committee is accepting applications for funding from community based non-profit organizations. If any Club members are aware of worthy organizations that may wish to submit an application, contact Paul Schwartz for details. Last year we granted a total of $29,000 to 10 worthy organizations! That's what the Crab Feed and raffle are all about. International Service Committee meeting set for 11/17/98, lots of stuff perking along, contact Paul Schwartz for details.

Respectfully (if irreverently) submitted by Paul Schwartz.

The Crab Feed Crew