THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Did you know Noah personally, Don?

 Wisdom from one of our senior members: "Plan Ahead." These poetic words from Don Reichert. In later interviews, Don revealed his inspiration was from Noah, who originally had added the phrase, "It wasn't raining when I built the ark"

GUESTS

Rick Cronk- our speaker

Alex Chen (see below)

Jim Marggraff for his second or third visit, or fourth or fifth if you count his visits as our wonderful speaker.

A little embarrassed are we, Chuck?

Groveling Department: Mariam Worsham - who will fine hubby Chuck Yeager for completely forgetting to introduce her today, concentrating instead on introducing his friend Dan Walters.

VISITING ROTARIAN - Larry Sly, Concord Club Prez 

BIRTHDAY RECOGNITION

Get any tips from the Gov, Steve?

To celebrate Laurie's birthday, Steve Ware took her to dinner at "Flora's" in Oakland, where they were accompanied by our Governor who managed to take time away from the budget gridlock in Sacramento for the occasion.

PAINTING FOR JAPAN RELIEF

Creative Junior at Miramonte High School, Alex Chen, loves to paint. He does it extraordinarily well and has been doing it since about age seven! One of

Lovely work of art, Alex!

his gems has been on display at Orinda library, gathering admiration and curiosities. In an act of pure goodwill, Alex is allowing it to be auctioned for the Japan relief effort.

We will be selling this gem in a silent auction. John Fazel is getting a website up and running to help with bidding or donations. Highest bid after only three days is $1500.

Alex has many friends in Japan. His Godmother lives in Tokyo. See John for further information.

OUT OF THE STARTING GATE IN A FLURRY, BUT ACCELERATING DEPT

Great leap, Dennis!

Likely a record for "zero to Paul Harris Pin!" Dennis Kurimai accepted the pin in proper pomp and ceremony from Cal Lee. Dennis only joined us last summer and is only one of several new members employing full afterburner. Bravo!

RAFFLE BECOMES ACT OF KINDNESS - Skip McCowan immediately turned over  his treasure chest to John Fazel for Japanese relief!

PROGRAM

After a blazingly brief intro, our speaker gave a wonderful update on World Scouting.

William F. "Rick" Cronk is the retired President of Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc., the nation's largest manufacturer of premium and superpremium ice cream brands.

A great role model for us all, Rick!

Active in many civic and business organizations, Mr. Cronk dedicates much of his free time to Boy Scouts of America. He completed his term as National President (2006-2008) and continues serving on the Boy Scouts' National Executive Board. In 2011, he completed his Chairmanship of the World Scout Committee, the executive body responsible for the 38 million member scout movement in 170 countries.

Rotrary ties: Scouting was founded in 1910; Paul Harris and James E West (Scouting founder) traveled around together. Like Rotary, it is "local, local, local" as they establish local councils. Churches were logical places to meet, thus the relationships commenced. The ties go beyond history. The scouting oath resonates as does the Four-Way Test. A love of country, and  duty above self are shared by both organizations.

Two years before Rick became President of Boy Scouts of America, he had noted that over 49% of all scouting age kids are Hispanic, yet they rarely become scouts. He realized scouting  had to become relevant to Hispanic kids, or they would be out of business.

So after translating all the manuals properly, they hired a top market researcher who excitedly joined the board and went to work encouraging membership for Hispanic kids. One good example of their efforts is seen in Fresno. Their council has shifted its complete way of doing business by approaching Hispanic moms, with explosive results! Hundreds of their kids have joined in the past two years. The youngsters are enthusiastically finding that scouting fills so many needs, and fosters only positive development.

Rex W. Tillerson, President of Exxon, has emerged as a Scout national leader. He's now approaching the end of his first tenure as President of BSA, taking 2 years off from his corporate duties to devote full-time to scouting. Mr. Cronk listed several others who've recently made the commitment, from CEO's of multinational firms to people in other high profile positions.

Rick reminded us that scouting is central to the fabric of America. By calculation, at least 150 million Americans today have a history of being, or related to, a scout. Today, kids stay longer, there are 2.7 million of them. Including an Hispanic surge, there should be at least 5 million.

The Philmont Scout Ranch:  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philmont_Scout_Ranch) 12,000 kids hike this corner of NW New Mexico each year. It's the Scouting High Adventure base and there's a considerable waiting list. Fortunately, the state of West Virginia has come forth with the perfect eastern answer for adventure! "Bechtel Summit" will host world jamborees and provide year-round activities, making for another exciting place for youngsters.