Bulletin
District Governor Maureen Merrill Visits

January 30, 2012 by Bill Dodson

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Prior to our regular meeting, DG Merrill met with President Janet and the board to discuss the club’s status, review the report prepared by various board members and discuss any items of interest by those present. Thereafter: President Janet Codding called the meeting to order with a knock of the bell and a vociferous rendition of why we are the best club in the world!!
New member Ron Sparrow led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Rotary Moment: Gary Lucas provided us with inspiration from the Dali Lama.

Our Greeter: Terry Galazzo introduced our distinguished visiting Rotarians District Governor Maureen Merrill from the Windsor Club and her Assistant District Governor Kim McDonald from the Santa Rosa East Club.

Guests: We did not have any guests with us today.

Introductions by Terry

DG Maureen and Hubby PDG Mike

Announcements:

President Janet thanked all who contributed to today’s club service.

President Janet announced that ‘Teddy’ Sipe, wife of recently deceased member Dale Sipe, passed away last week. Teddy was an honorary member of our club. Her service is scheduled for tomorrow at 1 o’clock at Daniel’s Chapel of the Roses.

A sunshine report on Darcie Fellows was provided by a reading of an email message from her by President Janet. Darcie was operated on last week to remove a cancerous growth on her large intestine. She is recovering slowly and will visit with her surgeon today and will meet with her oncologist on Thursday to discuss possible treatment. She is optimistic (sounds like Darcie, doesn’t it) that the cancer was removed ‘in total’ and that no, or little, treatment will be required. She was very touched that President Janet dedicated the crab feed in her honor. She looks forward to being with us again soon.

Peter Lamonica says the Puerto Vallarta trip is about to happen and golf players need to schedule their tee times. Should be a good party, again. President Janet and Tarina are providing sparkling "J" wine and orange juice to add to the enjoyment.

Janet updates us on Darcie

Pete updates us on the Mexico trip

Menu: Beef Filet & Pork Loin

There occurred a standing ovation when President Janet called on Crab Feed Chair Casey Williams to update us on last Saturday’s event. Casey graciously acknowledged others contributions, especially Kris Lepore, Susan Nowacki, Doug Angelo, Bill Dodson, Derek Stefan, Jim Valinoti, Arnie Carston, Harry Rubins and Bob Zeni. He also mentioned that virtually all members participated in making the event a success. Although final numbers aren’t in yet, we received about Forty Four Thousand Dollars between the two auctions!!

Crab Feed Co-Chair Casey

Crab Feed Co-Chair Kris

Silent Auction Chair Susan

Recognition

Next, President Janet called to the podium Smita Martinez as our new Rotarian of the Month. She was acknowledged for all of her hard work in Vocational Service to the club. Congratulations Smita!!		Congratulations Smita!
President Janet wanted to recognize some birthdays and started with Sue Sarmir who informed our Pres that her birthday is in December (note: her one year anniversary in our club is tomorrow). But Jim Benoit’s birthday is indeed tomorrow and he will celebrate with friends at dinner. That cost him $25.

Raffle

Shannon Howard had the right ticket and tried to pick the right marble but got the wrong one instead. But Lou Capuano had the right ticket for a good bottle of wine!

Shannon came up empty...

but Louie took the wine

Program: District Governor Maureen Merrill Visits Our Club

Maureen’s assistant governor, Kim McDonald, instead of introducing our governor, introduced Past District Governor Mike Merrill so he could introduce his "Special Rotary Partner."

Ass't DG Kim

PDG Mike

PDG Mike informed us that Maureen joined Rotary in the Windsor Club in 1987. She had done an enormous amount of work within Rotary including President of her club in 2001-2002, as a facilitator to help new Rotary International Board Members, as a trainer for the Institute for Leadership, numerous district positions and is clearly a big part of the "Heart of Rotary".

DG Maureen gave us a brief history of her early years with Rotary. She met her future husband at a presentation to our club when, as a member of a local Soroptimist club and owner of a health club, she challenged our Rotary Club of Santa Rosa West to an exercise contest. At the time, both were married to others. Several years later they met again when they were both single. The rest, as they say, is history in the making.

Maureen was a member of the first Windsor Town Council and was involved with many volunteer activities as was her husband. Feeling that they were a little too spread out, they looked at what would make the best use of their time and provide them with the ability to make the biggest impact on their community and the world. As Mike was already a Rotarian, they decided that Rotary was the best answer and Maureen joined the Windsor club. Their first International Convention together occurred at Seoul South Korea in 1989 and they have been to most of them since then.

DG Maureen reported that her meeting with our board this morning was a pleasure and noted that we are a strong growth club with good attendance, great projects, a managed ‘vision’ and we throw a good crab feed party! She acknowledged we are fortunate to have Jim Valinoti as our ‘searchlight’ who helps keep our path forward in concert with our club history. She made a comment about how she sometimes uses a hoola-hoop to explain how Rotary works. As it happens, her husband had brought it along without her knowledge!

Mike secrets in the hoop

Maureen spins the hoop

So, with her hoola-hoop spinning around her waist, she commented that as our bodies and Rotary clubs age, keeping the hoop, or club spirit, up takes more effort. Then she invited members to call out parts of our vision to emphasize the point.

DG Maureen put her role as District Governor in perspective: she is one of 535 District Governors worldwide. But she pointed out that Rotary International is structured to accomplish a great deal. India has now gone over one year without a new case of Polio. Rotarians have matched the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s $200 million grant and the Foundation gave Rotary another $50 million to help end polio worldwide.

She then reminded us of the core values of Rotary: Diversity, Service, Fellowship, Integrity and Leadership. And she gave many thanks to our club for being such a big part of her year as District Governor.

She left us with words of comfort and encouragement and asked: "Where should we meet to accomplish what we want in life? Let’s meet at Rotary!"

http://www.rotary5130.org/newsletter.shtml

Your Bulletin Reporter: Bill Dodson

Your Bulletin Editor: Jim Valinoti