President Jim Hinton called the meeting of the Santa Rosa West Rotary to order at 12:32PM.

Carston Mitchell led the gathering in the pledge of allegiance

Janet Codding had our thought for the day, which was a long poem about the plight of turkeys in this fall season and one turkey’s journey to hopeful salvation – All in Rhyme.

Scott Weiss gave us our visiting Rotarians – seven in all. One of which was from Barrows Alaska, the northernmost Rotary Club in the World. Banners were exchanged.

Ginny Pitts introduced her guest Teri Abrams who is in Marketing and Development.

Bravely donning his Stanford Cardinal baseball cap, President Jim asked for all of the Cal Berkeley grads to stand up and be counted, more like fleeced (pardon the farm imagery)... All because the Cardinal were trounced 41-6 by the Golden Bears. He noted that even the Cal grads not present would be paying, too.

Fines were:
Bill Fisher $5.00,
Phil Talamantes $5.00,
Bob Zeni $100.00 Paul Harris donation plus $5.00,
Ken Prouty $10.00,
Jim Sullivan $25.00
Bill Dodson $10.00.

There was some fuzzy math about all this adding up to $41.00 or $71 in fines.

And for the Finale President Jim took off his Stanford chapeau to show off his Blue and Gold Cal hat that he was wearing too!

His first stop was at Don Ling’s table. Don was asked about his recent trip to his westernmost dealers - in Hawaii. He admitted it was not all business, but no fine for that, since Don has been maxed-out on fines. But then the other shoe dropped as Don was acknowledged for his 75th Birthday for which he was fined $75.00 and treated to a hearty rendition of "Happy Birthday" led by choirmaster Janet Codding.

Bob Harris was next to be fined for a recent cruise to Alaska with Bill Gittins but sans Bob Marigo. There was some negotiation about the size of the fine, which related to Bill’s previous fine for the same trip. It looked like Bob might get away with half the fine that Bill had but then the words double-the-fine came out and Bob countered with an offer of a $100.00 Paul Harris donation – which was accepted with a $25.00 fine tacked on for good measure. The Moral – Never try to negotiate with a Standing President.

Carston Mitchell was fined $50.00 for being a Cal Grad. (He had not stepped up previously when the Bears were "called out") plus a $10.00 fine for his son Robert who is following in his father’s Rotary footsteps by becoming a member of the Fort Bragg Rotary Club.

Arnie Carston was fined for the fine Press Democrat publicity that his wife Gail received recently. Big article – with color photo! After President Jim read a quotation from the article about "not being one to keep her lips buttoned" Arnie agreed with that and to a $100.00 Paul Harris donation, too.

Ed Burr was hit for $25.00 for being quoted on KSRO Radio and $5.00 for CNN pickup of same quote – something about employment stats. Go figure!

Cal Kimes, on behalf of our Program Chair, Susan Nowacki, introduced Peter Lee, Current President and CEO of the Goodwill Industries of the Redwood Empire (GIRE).

Peter has been in charge for the last two years and has been on a 3-month tour of Rotary Clubs giving his presentation about GIRE. He has given 10 presentations during that time.

The mission of GIRE is "Changing Lives and Strengthening Communities through the Dignity and Power of Work." They do this by serving people with disabilities and special needs through assessment, training and employment services.

Your Bulletin Reporter:
Richard Standard

Your Bulletin Editor:
Jim Valinoti