Monday, September 21, 1998

Highway Heaven

OPENING STUFF

At the hour of 12:35 P.M., and with a somewhat authoritative "flogging" of the Rotary bell, the meeting of the Santa Rosa West Rotary, aka Rotary Club of West Santa Rosa, aka Western Santa Rosa Rotarians, aka Roundup Rotarians was brought to some semblance of order by the club president, the photographer formerly known as "Flash". Teri Evans correctly located the flag and led the assembly in a ritualistic salute to Old Glory. Immediately thereafter, Jim Sullivan pleaded with the Almighty to "Save us from the videotape". Visiting Rotary personages, introduced by Dave Wattell, numbered thirteen. ten of which bailed from the downtown mass of antiquated souls. Yes, there were guests, including, but not limited to Alfred Nubbins, Ph.D. aka "Ol Nubby", the less than famous anthropologist, currently on assignment in lower highlands of Yustanikistan.

A NOUN SMINTZ

There is no Board meeting this week.

Ron Street briefly mentioned the fact that the Bartley BBQ is scheduled for October 2, 1998, at the Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club, located down the road from the respective bungalow's of Messrs. Fisher and Withers, subject only to affordability, which factor shall be determined in large part, by the success of the annual "Big Raffle", not to be confused with the weekly "Sometimes Kinda-Big Raffle, but Usually No-Winner Raffle".

Hi Mom!

Not to confuse you further, but Jeff Ray advised that the 3rd Annual Rotary Golf Tourney and BBQ will be held at the Oakmont East Course on October 16, 1998 at 2:00 P.M. and extended invites to all. He even circulated flyers providing the membership with more details than a Washington deposition.

Teri Evans brought us up to date on membership drive endeavors.

Pres. Richard directed our attention to the latest Rotary Magazine, which sports excellent articles on RYLA, Singapore, great photography, etc.

The Center for Disease Control recognized the international effort and success of Rotary in connection with the Polio Plus Campaign. District Gov. Elect Mike Merrill, known for his long bouts of brevity, spoke of his recent ventures, discoveries, conclusions and impressions of the recent Foundation Seminar held in Ukiah. The many projects and goals undertaken by Rotary is staggering when taken as a whole, from the district, national and international level.

The southern Foundation Dinner and festivities will be held on November 11, 1998 at the Sonoma Golf and Country Club, in where else!! Sonoma.

WINE COUNTY SALSA FESTIVAL

Will be presented by the Rotary Club of Windsor on September 27, 1998 at the Geyser 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.

Ken Prouty, aka Ken Prouty, was the first to suffer the indignity of tender exchange (non White House usage) 'Seems his idea of a 2 1/2 week "walking tour" of England was to shuffle down to the corner news stand several times a day. For this rather unique approach to power hiking, poor Ken was assessed a healthy $40.00 fine, which he naturally took in stride.

Rich Pratt was also absent for a 2 1/2 week period. Claims he was in South Africa, via London. Rich, who unfortunately discovered the auto wind feature of his new camera, shot up 35 rolls of film before mastering the peculiarities of his new state of the art filming devise. He has promised us a good snooze as the subject of a future program. He gets to pay $50.00.

Tom Skinner, Arnie Carston and John Withers all escaped "Richard's Rath" with the united absence ploy.

Bill Dodson didn't. An eight course meal ala Valinoti, entitled "An Evening in Tuscany and Piemonte" reduced poor Bill to a mass of bruschetta, penne pasta, ahi tuna, risotto and veal stuffed protoplasm, saturated with a variety of compatible wines. A "bi-carb" fee of $20.00 was more than appropriate.

WRAFULL

The oft forgotten raffle produced no winners. It seems the ever elusive orange marble was last seen impersonating a kumquat on a headpiece being worn by a contestant in a Carmen Miranda look-a-like contest. Maybe next week.

Roy Hurd, known by all and feared by none was introduced by Marc Matson. Roy spoke on the many (strike that), several (strike that also) few options available for easing the traffic crunch on 101. He noted that unless relief is immediately initiated, by the year 2000 each person will spend the equivalent of one week per year sitting in 101 traffic jams. Are there fast service opportunities there? Road side video stores will become the rage. John Ash ala Berm will be fashionable! Lane Legal Services?, Why not. "Sue from the Safety of Your Saab". Ken Prouty could even conduct walking tours of the ditches and off ramps….

Yours in perpetual verbosity

Patrick Sizemore

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 has had its first official meeting to discuss potential candidates for the office of President Elect.  The committee is made up of the 5 immediate Past Presidents, with the most immediate one being the Chair.

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

As such, below is a list of  "qualifications" for club president, as provided to us in the Rotary Manual of Procedure.  This list will be printed in the bulletin for one more week to remind  members of the club that if  they wish to submit the names of persons for potential nomination, the nominatees should meet the following requirements:

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 Jim Valinoti and I will make that information available to you in written form by fax, email or hard copy.