President Luene started our meeting with Bill Woods saying the invocation.  Bill Schramm led us in the Pledge, Darrell was the greeter, and we did not sell raffle tickets because Luene had the Bottle hid in her bag.  We had two visiting Rotarians: Chuck Linn and Robin Koekelbeck.  Guests of Pat’s were Tina Pope and our speaker Bruce Krider.

Luene is still bringing the “Box” hoping to get “Someone” to contribute a little San Marcos Rotary History to it for the centennial.  Bring photos and memorabilia from past RI meetings, Conferences or Conventions that we can use to celebrate the RI Centennial in ‘05 and our Club’s 50th in ‘06.  She will bring the box week after week until you put something in it and if you don’t like your picture please replace it with a like dated item.

Speaking of the Centennial project, on display were pictures of the “Tot Lot” park next to the Senior Center that is planned for our project.  One idea is to install topiaries (plants that look like things) around the playground for kids and adults to look at.  If you have any ideas let Stephanie or Bill Schramm know.

Luene also thanked the Rotary Club of Solvang for all the toys they donated to fire victims this last weekend.  They drove down with a rented truck and took toys to Valley Center, Julian and Cuyamaca all because Luene cared enough to make it happen, congratulations on a job well done Luene.  Here are some photos sent by Norm Corwin from the toy delivery from Solvang Breakfast Rotary to Poway Rotary at Luene's house, and to the library at Valley Center.          

Jean-Jacques and Joan are to be congratulated on the wonderful work they did with the “Fire Bear” project.  We had a deadline to sell all Bears by December 15th.  I think we sold all of them with 10 days to spare! Great job to all Rotarians who either bought or sold Bears!

Our Club’s Reverse Opportunity Drawing has been scheduled this year for an earlier date!  Mark you calendars for February 28th and get ready for announcements about whose team you will be on.  This is what we do every year so we can build a house in Mexico, buy a special computer for a blind person, and give scholarships to Palomar College and San Marcos High School Students, among others.

Grannie had a few announcements, one of which was to clarify our understanding of the Rotary Foundations and the San Marcos Rotary Foundation.  The Rotary Foundations are in short supply of money right now and these funds are Matching Grants that come from projects all over the world.  You can give restricted or non-restricted gifts and this money can be applied to Paul Harris Fellowship awards.  Our foundation works in a similar way but all funds are directed specifically by our Club.  District Governor Mike Stelman is asking everyone for $125 this year.  It is a small price to pay for all the work that is done.

Grannie then offered a “Pig in a Poke”.  She and Charles went to Hawaii for their 50th Anniversary and she brought back a gift to be raffled off for our club’s foundation.  The bidding was spirited between Bill Schramm, Rob, and John Forst with John winning the final bid.

After that she went to fining and congratulated Lee Baron, John Forst and herself for their San Marcos Rotary Anniversary.  She also fined herself for her Anniversary, Charles’Birthday and finally everyone who was not wearing a Rotary pin.

December 17 - 10 am Deliver Holiday gifts to the adopted families.  Contact Pat or Luene if you want to go.
December 18 - 11:30 am Reverse Opportunity Team Leaders meeting prior to regular meeting.
December 20 - Registration due for Rotary Leadership Academy.
December 25 and January 1 - DARK, no meetings.
January 22-25 - Central America Project Fair in Costa Rica.
February 10 - District Council Meeting “San Diego Opera”.
February 28 - Reverse Opportunity Fundraiser.
March 4-7 - Presidents Elect Training Seminar.
April 3rd - District Assembly.
April 2-4 - RYLA
April 22-25 - District Conference at Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino.

12/15 12/22

Driver: Darrell McMullen     Driver: Devi Vakil

Rider: Paul Dinkel     Rider: Shelly Anguiano

Pat Hodgkin introduced our guest speaker, Bruce Krider.    He has been a healthcare consultant and hospital developer abroad for 18 years.  He has consulted for hospitals, HMOs, foreign governments and major U.S.  hospital systems.  His company, Advanced Healthcare Systems, LLC is based in San Marcos and Shanghai, China.  Bruce started by telling us he is our representative to the Palomar Pomerado Heath Foundation have just recently joined its Board of Directors.  Health care is a very personal matter and there are a lot of decisions that should be made in choosing were to go.  P/P has a Rapid Response Cardiac Care Unit that is standing ready 24/7 to take care of potential needs.  This prevention program can mean the difference between not only Life and Death but also the quality of life after an incident.  Palomar Medical Center is rated in the top 10% of all hospitals for Cardiac Care.  They are also the only Trauma Hospital in North County.  Some of the things that are going on now are collaboration with CSUSM to train more nurses.  There is a shortage right now that they are working on trying to eliminate.  Also the State is mandating that all hospitals meet certain earthquake regulations.  Bruce said he has never heard of a patient having so much as needing a band-aid while in a hospital during an earthquake but, this new regulation could cost hospitals as much as 35 billion dollars.  Of course you know were the money will come from, you and me in increased Doctor’s fees or Insurance payments.  Bruce is part of the planning committee recruited to see how the hospital needs to grow and where the money will come from to pay for it.  P/P foundation has about $125 Million dollars right now but Bruce sees needing $500 Million to serve the needs of a growing North County properly.  Looks like Pat has her work cut out for her.

Next week we have our very own Sam Hamod as our guest speaker.  The scheduled Greeter is Glenn, Pledge led by Sam Vakil, Invocation by Devi, and Bill Uhland will sell raffle tickets.

Luene’s thought for the week is from a favorite quote of Palomar Pomerado Health Foundations CEO Michael Covert written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  “We judge ourselves by what we are capable of doing.  Others judge us by what we have done”.

As Luene would say, “Have a Great Rotary Week”... Rob

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