Monday, September 14, 1998

It’s Pledge Time!

Today’s stirring rendition of the Pledge was led by our own Whip Cracker Of The Raffle Ticket Sales Pack, Lori Burmeyer. The same leading lady that we ALL ought to be buying our cars from, according to her partner in ticket sales fundraising, Rick Rybicki.

Prayer Of The Week
(Oops I forgot, the OTHER Bill already did that...)

Invocation was by William G. Gittins, who suggested that we should let bygones be bygones and get on with the business of running the Country. Get Real, Bill! If only it were that simple. Just ask Hillary...

Just To Be Neighborly

P.P., James Benoit, Esq. TRIED to introduce 18 visitors as Bill Fisher was intent on trying to collect on a bad debt, or something like that, with future DG Merril’s Significant Other, Maureen. Hmmmm....

Along the way we all found out that both Dave AND Harry Polley are left handed. I’d like to point out that this is about as relevant as knowing what brand cigar was in use during the most salacious part of "The Testimony", Mr. Attorney...

In Case You Have Some Extra Time On Your Hands...

If you haven’t figured it out yet, we’re all in deep do-do when it comes to selling tickets. As King Rich said, "We’ve got two weeks left. You Do The Math...". Lori and Rick were being relentless, as well they should be. Sell Now, Sell Often. Or just write a big check from your personal account, as our most inspirational ex-pres, Jim Valinoti did as he introduced some of our esteemed guests. This approach, called the "Downtown Fundraising Technique" in the R.I handbook, works equally well. Whatever, eh?

And if we DON’T sell, Ron Street was VERY clear. We won’t eat. The Bartley BBQ, to be held on October 2^nd at the Santa Rosa Country Club will be absent sustenance, absent ticket sales.

Remember: First Prize, $10,000, Second Prize, $1,500, Third Prize, $500, Fourth Prize $250. Sell 10 tickets, like Scott Bartley and Ken Prouty just did and get the Arnie Carston-Modeled Way Cool Rotary Emblazoned Sweat Shirt. Be the first on you block!

Don Ling protege, Terri Evans, has graciously taken over New Membership duties. She reminds us to consider all business associates for Club membership. Try the Four Way Test on ‘em. Three out of four’s not bad... We’ll take what we can get (not).

Wine County Salsa Festival

Will be presented by the Rotary Club of Windsor on September 27, 1998 at the Geyeser Peak Winery Picnic Grounds. Gates open at 11:00 a.m.  Be there or be square and bring a second set of taste buds just in case. Details at the event's web page.

Mike Moore, More, More

In conjunction with the Shoe Program, Mr. Moore donated several thousand copies of the notices to be sent to the schools involved in the Program.  Rumor has it that, in a desperate plea for help, Mike was reputed to have said, "I don't know what's wrong with me.  I just have so much love, I can't stop giving." His close friends and family are suspected of planning an intervention.  Contact Bob Marigo for more info.*

Well Deserved Presentations

Past Pres Valinoti made it official today with representatives from the Southwest Children’s Health Center. He made a well-earned presentation to key members of that organization to the tune of a $21,000 check. Key SWCHC Board personnel pointed to the many accomplishments that this money will make possible. Such as, increasing the numbers of visits the Center can handle. With a projected 700 clients since their 1996 inception, the number has ballooned to 1370 clients and 3100 visits this year. And this is just the tip of the iceberg, what with a 70% of its clientele having NO health insurance. Kudos to all involved, including Mary Valinoti, whose leadership in Inner Wheel was the genesis for this Project.

Our Own Bill Dodson contributed many hours of design time in the SWCHC building project. Sound Familiar? A Gold Star for Bill, as well!

Other checks that were presented today were to the Northwest Santa Rosa Regional Branch Library, c/o Bo Simons, our highly able ex-bulletin editor extraordinaire, who visited today to also collect his well earned recognition plaque from Ex-President James. And I wish he were writing THIS one as well...

Other significant 1997-98 Funded Projects were noted on the tabletops, such as a $1,500 grant to the California Handicapables, as well as several others.

Something For Nothing?

Weekly Raffle Ticket Pull: Ron Street LOST $1,200. Visiting Sebastolian, Bruce WON $25. Sixteen Marbles Left.

Fine...

No Time For Fines, so a good time was had by all. But the King DID look suspiciously at the Miller/Holt Table as he signed off...

The Program

As only He can do, PDG John Withers introduced our guest, attorney Ronald Zumbrun and his wife Ann. Ron is Managing Attorney of Zumbrun & Findley. Ron is also co-founder of the Pacific Legal Foundation and a Sacramento Rotarian.

After the obligatory opening remarks about President Bill’s incredibly bad judgement, Ron’s talk today centered on how evil government has attempted to encroach on individual’s right to private property ownership. And how the Pacific Legal Foundation has represented many high-profile clients all the way the Supreme Court in its quest for Fairness and Justice.

Fortunately for all of us, in the last 12 years there was resurgence in common sense in the courts, as several incredibly bad judgements were overturned and property rights in general were given back to the public. Ron’s major point was that if we do not aggressively defend our rights as private landowners, this resurgence could turn itself around again.

He points out that the last 80 years in general have been bleak ones in terms of the judicial sentiment towards property rights. Only by waving the flag of individual rights and litigating injustices can we be assured of the continued progress as we have enjoyed in the last twelve years.

Numerous examples were cited. Typical was Nolan vs. California Coastal Commission, a County Of Ventura based case involving a homeowner seeking to improve his dwelling, only to have Coastal Commission folks take away his front yard, right up to the porch. A good example of government taking property away from citizens without demonstrable cause. Pacific Legal Foundation prevailed for the citizen at the Supreme Court level, of course.

Ron’s second topic was that of Federal types sticking their nose into the business of the States. Like insisting that endangered species are the domain of the Feds even if the activities of the species do not participate in interstate commerce activities. Or something like that. The point being that the Feds should ONLY concern themselves with activities that actually become Interstate. And that this does NOT mean migratory birds flying across Lake Tahoe.

And you’re asking a County employee to record all this... Not good.

The part I liked the best was when Ron told us about the case involving attorney’s rights. He claims they have some. It was not clear why. But if they don’t want to pay dues, they don’t have to. They got their way. The Supreme Court says so. Pacific Legal Foundation won. Are you surprised?

And if this sounds like some badly misinformed newspaper or TV reporter trying to recount Monica’s Grand Jury testimony accurately, you’d be right!

Thanks to Ron for allowing this irreverent recounting of his otherwise excellent talk.

Then Rich thanked Ron, gave him the Whine and closed the meeting.

I MUST be done!

 Submitted expeditiously, Joseph M. Perez, Loyal County Employee, Reporter In Training

*- Editorial improvisation. 
Yet another feature you won't find anywhere else but The Bulletin.

FUN, FELLOWSHIP, SERVICE: "FESTIVAL OF BROTHERHOOD," FEB., 1999

What could be more rewarding than a service project that you know will help people who really need help? A service project that combines good Rotary with good fun and the spring-like sunshine of old Mexico. The third "Festival of Brotherhood," a district-to-district and club-to-club world community service activity, will take place in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta Feb. 12-20, 1999. Four days in the Colonial beauty of Guadalajara and four days at the premier Krystal Vallarta combined with international Rotary fellowship and outrageous fun make for a package that will leave you fulfilled and proud of what you and Rotary do together. The entire package, including air transportation, hotel, cocktail welcome parties, taxes, and transfers is only $895 per person, double occupancy. Isn't it time you got involved in the international work of our organization? For more information and reservation forms by mail or fax, call Larry Kavanaugh at (707) 585-28604 or Sid Berlin at (707) 942-6566. Join us for this adventure in service. You need to act soon to reserve your seat on Mexicana and your hotel space. Thank you.

Presidential Update Report  (by Jim Valintoti)

The 1999-00 Presidential Nomination Committee had its first official meeting to discuss potential candidates for the office of President Elect.  The committee (consistent with our current By-laws) is made up of the 5 immediate Past Presidents, with the most immediate one (yours truly) being the Chair of the committee.  I circulated amongst the committee members some information governing the nomination process.

The current bylaws call for the "presiding officer" (Richard) to "ask for nominations by members from the club for president elect".   Such nominations, as stated in the bylaws, "may be presented by the nominating committee or by members from the floor, by either or by both".

As such, I have included the list of  "qualifications" for club president, as provided to us in the Rotary Manual of Procedure.  This list should be printed in the bulletin for a few weeks, so that members of the club who wish to submit the names of persons for potential nomination, will know what some of the requirements & attributes are that the committee will be seeking in prospective candidates.

Qualifications

The Club President:

1. must be a member (other than honorary) in good standing of the club, whose classification (if an active or additional active member) is of unquestioned integrity;
2. should possess the ability to assume the leadership of the club and possess the esteem and confidence of the fellow members;
3. shall attend the district presidents-elect training seminar and the district assembly and should be prepared to give the time and effort necessary to lead and carry on the work of the club.  If for good reason attendance at the assembly or presidents-elect training seminar is not possible, and is excused by the incoming governor a designated representative from the club shall attend and report back to the incoming president (SRCC, VIII, 4);
4. should have served in the club as a board member, or member of one or more of the major committees;
5. should have attended one or more district conferences;
6. should have a working knowledge of the constitution and bylaws of the club, and the Object of Rotary. (Attendance at at least one international convention before assuming office is also desirable)

For those members who are interested in knowing what the duties of a president are, please contact me and I will make that information available to you in written form by fax, email or hard copy.