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The Rotary Foundation and a PhoBography...of sorts

Call to Order

It was just another typical Monday, and of course my time had come again to write the bulletin.

President Mike came up to me and confided that he was feeling really good and in charge, when what should happen, but Windsor Past President Maureen McDaniel should appear at the side door to the room with a bunch of blue and yellow Rotary balloons.

I could see as the color left the Pres's face, that he was regressing, demonstrating a classic CR response to a US stimulus. I guess it would just be another test to see if he had truly conquered his ligyrophobia. Gathering his wits, he rang the bell promptly at 12:20 something.

PLEDGE

Chuck Baker lead the club in the pledge, after noting that he did not suffer from rhabdophobia by criticizing comments from the “other” Michael Moore at the Academy Awards last night.

Richard Standard gave the invocation, or Rotary moment, a quote from St. Francis. Luckily no one in the club suffers from homilophobia, and his quote was appreciated by all.

Ken Dansie, a member of our loyal allies - or is that ally -stepped up to introduce the visiting Rotarians. Good man, Mr. Dansie. An interesting side note: there are only four nationalities that have a phobia named after them.

The French (francophobia), the Germans (teutophobia) and two others. And no, Americans aren't among them.

Dave MacDonald and Doug Dilley were recognized for their 15-minute struggle with Maureen's balloons. (Not goin’ there...Ed)

Harry Rubins was a part-time ticket seller and part-time Rotary Foundation cheerleader.

Maureen McDaniel was so involved with Dave's and Doug's play with her balloons, that she forgot to sign in as a visiting Rotarian and had to be introduced by her husband, PDG Mike Merrill, who was standing by watching. (Not goin’ there either...Ed)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Janet Codding made two announcements regarding new members. The first is a new member orientation, which will be held at her house on Wed. April 2 at 4pm. The second announcement is that the monthly membership meeting will be held at her house on Monday April 7th at 5pm. If you want to learn to overcome anthropophobia make sure to make those meetings.

Pres. Elect Louie Capuano is just back from PETS. No, that's not a workshop for people who suffer from felinophobia, but rather the President Elect's Training Seminar. He is now full of the glory of Rotary - watch out!! He noted that we had a good turn out of members at the District Assembly last week and he is looking to have a meeting of the new Board of Directors, sometime in April.

Jim Underhill announced that this year's RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Academy) camp is scheduled for June 15- 20. This year 70 - 75 incoming High School seniors will spend the week learning to overcome their sophophobia. Jim thanked all the members who have participated in the past in the program and encouraged members to drop by during the event to see what is going on. It will be held as always at Westminster Woods near Occidental.

President Mike commented on last week's St. Patrick's day event. It was a great event, and would have been even better if 15 of our members could overcome their chrematophobia and dig into their pockets and pay up. You will not be billed for the evening, and you are all on the 4-way Rotary test! BTW, Mr. Dansie confided in me that he did not pay…..

Susan Nowacki, who I understand has never suffered from lygophobia, announced that there are two upcoming Fireside events. The first is going to be at the Multi-Cultural Child Development Center on April 10 after work. Go check out what our hard work has helped create!!

The second is at Fred Zmarzly's Ranch near Hopland. The event has limited attendance and is already booked, but maybe he will arrange another one if enough people want to go. Just beware, if you suffer from agoraphobia, don't bother!

The Association of Area Rotary Clubs meeting is March 27th, if you are interested in going, let Mike or Fred know.

The district conference is coming up May 1 - 4 so get your registration in early. Dendrophobia sufferers beware.

New Paul Harris Members!!! Standing up to get their first Paul Harris today, were Tarina Hall, Chris Rosell, and Anne Abrams. Receiving pins for multiple PH's were Mike Merrill +4, Phil Talamantes +6, John Withers +7, Ray Schofield +1, Harry Rubins +2, Doug Dilley +1, Janet Codding +1. Others named Paul Harris fellows include Lois Codding, Lois Dilley, Gayle Carston, and Christopher Merrill.

Harry reminded members that the club is doing a matching program for your contributions to foundation. This applies to members who have already met their polio eradication goals. All additional amounts you contribute this year will be matched by the club.

RECOGNITION

John Withers is older. Older than what you say? Well lets just say old, but that's OK because John, while he does suffer from ithyphallophobia, definitely does not suffer from gerascophobia! Who knew? $5 for your birthday!

Dave MacDonald celebrated his anniversary on the 8th. It's a good thing he doesn't suffer from gamophobia, a condition which I am keenly aware of myself. $5.

Phil Talamantes was recognized for graduating from Petaluma High - many, many years ago, but he is still younger than Bob Marigo. And he whupped Santa Rosa High's posterior in football whay bahk when! $5.

Holy peladophobia Batman!!! It's Bill Fisher! Winner of 5 lunches in from the bar crowd! He credits it to being a better dice player than the rest of the bunch. Sounds like fighting words. $15 for pocketing the $15 he takes out of the Culligan petty cash drawer for lunch each week.

Obviously Ken Kushnir does not suffer from motorphobia and apparently neither does our Pres. When challenged by the president to pay an amount for his new Mercedes E500, he pointed out that the Pres, in a moment of Kushnir envy, ordered a new one for himself. $100 donated by Mr. K to be matched by President Mike!!

Bill Gittins, struggling to come to terms with his xanthophobia, is still painting, moving closer and closer it is said to his yellow period. Right now he is exhibiting himself at the Artist Gallery on 4th Street. And he sold a painting!! $5.

Rich Pratt got a nice mention in Sonoma Business Magazine, discussing how to get by with less in retirement. Well, that's easy, given the stock market. It's a shame more people don't suffer from aurophobia. Rich also is not a sufferer of gamophobia; he can't be - he's done it too many times!!! $5 for his 10th anniversary of marriage to Kathie.

RAFFLE

Loser of the week - Jeri Arnold, aaaaaaawwwww

Wino of the week - John Palmer.

PROGRAM

Today's program was PDG Mike Merrill and spouse PP, ADGN, VIP Maureen McDaniel, here to give the club an update on Rotary Foundation. Maureen motioned towards the balloons she brought with her and announced that they were going to be very important in today's program. There was a hurried rush for the door from all the members of the club who suffer from ligyrophobia. All except for President Mike, who toughed it out. All right!!

This program was educational and a game. It’s question time on The Rotary Foundation! Answer right and you get to pop a balloon for the fabulous prize that's inside! First question to Janet Codding - she answered right! She got to pop a balloon! Boy, she went after that poor balloon just like Glenn Close went after Michael Douglas in Fatal Attraction! KAPOW! And look what she won!!! A letter opener! Will somebody please blunt the end of that for her??

But Janet, and a number of other members of the club, proved that we do know our Rotary Foundation! Mike and Maureen showed the club the many things that we as a district and as a club have done with the money that we raise for The Rotary Foundation. It should make us proud as a club.

As for the Polio Eradication, RI is at 45% of its goal of $80 Million raised. The 8 Western Districts of the US are 4th in the world in money raised. District 5130 is at 91% of our goal and our club is in the top 10 of clubs in our district for Foundation Contributions. Well done!!

Mike and Maureen finished with three statements regarding Rotary Foundation: Use it! Contribute to it! Take pride in it!

(Editor’s note: Being as difficult as it is to deal with all of my own phobias, I ain’t touchin’ any of the above mentioned phobias dredged up for us by Reporter Bartley...uh, would that be phobaphobia? J)

Your Bulletin Reporter: Scott Bartley

Your Editor: Jim Valinoti

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Changes or comments?

Contact Jim Valinoti at valinoti@sonic.net or (707) 829-2300.

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