After introducing and thanking our servers Ryan and Jose, President Joan reminded everyone of the upcoming board meeting on the 29th at Discovery Valley Bank and the meeting/Holliday Party on December 9th at Sam Mahr’s house.  Here is a map.  It is a Potluck so please check with Joan on what you should bring.  Spouses, significant others and guests are welcome.

Chuck Linn reported on the progress of individual contributions to Rotary International Foundation.  Before today’s meeting contributions had already reached 35% of goal and he expected to exceed 50% with contributions made today.  Nice job on the Chart, Chuck.  

President Joan invited District Governor Sandi Rimer to join her at the podium for presentations and awards.  Rod sponsored by Bill Wood was presented with his blue badge.   Governor Rimer added another pin to Luene Corwin’s badge in recognition as a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, while her husband, Norm received his Paul Harris Certificate as well.   Charles Guderjahn, in keeping with his tradition of earning Paul Harris Fellows awards for each of his family members (children and grandchildren) joined his daughter-in-law Mary Lee, for the presentation of her Paul Harris award.

Recognition chairman Bill Schramm led the group in an enthusiastic, though somewhat out-of-tune rendition of Happy Birthday to Charles for which were rewarded with a delicious piece of carrot cake provided by Ruth Dunlap, and a slight of hand card trick by his son Ernie the Entertainer.  A surprise bag of goodies was also provided to each of the club members by the Guderjahns.  President Joan was asked for clarification of her e-mail to Bill.  “I resent the Christmas invitation…” meant that she sent it again and not that she was offended by it.  A mention of the upcoming “Madrigal Party” (any relation to our Joe?) and the correlation of vocabulary to personalities as in Bill Wood’s use of the word “profundity” preceded a special recognition and acknowledgement of club members who work so hard to contribute to the goals of Rotary and to the betterment of the lives of those around them: Sam and Devi Vakil, Luene Corwin, Joan Boughton, Bill Wood, Doc Burton, Stephanie Matthews, Darrell McMullen, Bill Uhland, Sam Mahr, John Forst, and Joe Madrigal.  A less modest Bill Schramm would have added his own name to the list for the great job he does as Recognition Chair.  Thanks, Bill!

Five happy dollars were offered by Luene for the trip she and Norm took to the Galapagos.  Two more were added by Chuck Linn for Bill’s thoughtful recognition of fellow Rotarians.  Doc was proud to have been beaten in Gin Rummy by his 6-year-old grandson, and John Forst added to the pot in honor of his nephew’s recent wedding.  Nancy Wood offered a happy dollar in recognition of the 9th anniversary of her first date with Bill , who followed with a buck to tell the first date story about a financial executive and a pipe fitter/welder who married 45 days after that memorable first date. Andy Powers from Pasadena contributed six happy dollars because he is now a resident of Lake San Marcos and 66 years old.  We hope you will join us regularly, Andy.

Reminders of Rotarian Opportunities

December 14 – District Council meeting at the La Jolla Marriott
February 4-5, 2005 – District Conference Mardi gras
June 18-22, 2005 - The Centennial Convention in Chicago

November 22 November 29

Driver: John Forst     Driver: Luene Corwin

Rider: Jim Hitson     Rider: Bill Wood

President Joan introduced our district governor, Sandi Rimer. Sandi, a Rotarian since the 1988 is the 1st woman district governor in 5340.  She was honored by her home club in Escondido as Rotarian of the year in 1992.  She has held numerous positions in her club and the district and he has been very active in Foundation programs.  Up until now her Rotary related travel has taken her to five continents.  She was awarded the District Rotary Foundation Service Award in 1999 and is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow.  A real estate broker, Sandi owns a Coldwell Banker franchise in the Hidden Meadows area of Escondido.  She is also the single mother of a 24 year old son who is a competitive swimmer.  In her role as District Governor she has visited 51 or 52 of the 59 clubs in district 5340.  She attributes much of the success she has enjoyed during the year to the “Stellar” group of centennial club presidents in her district.

The theme of her talk appropriately centered around water, the management of which is on the RI president’s emphasis for the second year in a row.  The threat of global water crisis was emphasized as she invited us to raises our water glasses to toast Paul Harris, The Centennial, and ourselves before quoting statistics indicating that one in six people in the world lack reliable access to safe, clean water.  The time spent providing for water for families has far reaching consequences affecting both the health and economic well being of those involved.  She then pointed out the parallels between the circulation of water in nature and service of Rotarians.  Water she noted contained on Mountain Peaks affects the depths of the Oceans as it melts and travels to the sea, just as actions we take in our daily lives can have far reaching effects as well.  With the parable of the Seattle Fish Market and the activities of the Fish Mongers who work there, tossing fish to their customers and encouraging them to catch them she outlined the four principals of the fish: Have Fun, Maintain A Positive Attitude, Stay Focused, and Make Someone’s Day.  She also talked about her United Nations trip and the progress being made in eradicating polio.  Nine countries, including Pakistan, India, and seven African countries still face the disease.

Darrell won the wine drawing this week.

Bill Wood anxious to use “profundity” in a sentence gave us the thought for the week.  “Kindness in word creates confidence.  Kindness in thinking creates profundity.  Kindness in giving creates love.”

Next week the Greeter will be Bill Wood, Lee Baron will sell wine raffle tickets, George Burrola will give the Invocation, Doc Burton will lead the Pledge, and Luene will do the “Thought for the week”.

As Joan says “Go out and make this world a better place”... Have a great Rotary Week... Rob.

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