Originator of LeFlake list gets serious

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 

Comes straight to us from Henry Ward Beecher via David Waal: "Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith." 

GUESTS

Paula Bernard (maybe one last time as a visitor?) Mariam Worsham (still flogging Chuck for forgetting about her four weeks ago) M.J. Marggraff, Connie Linneman, Anne-Lisa Freden, Claire Roberts, and  for 14 minutes as "visitors," Jim Marggraff and Mark Larks.

Quacky the duck -- in the form of home made sausage on buffet table, made especially just for us, said John Linneman (and he ought to know) by kitchen crew.

VISITING ROTARIANS

Troy Feddersen, President-elect of Lafayette Noon Club stealing our secrets; and Alicia "Blue Visiting Rotarian Badge" Cragholm, always a pleasure to have in our midst.

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES:  

Great beginning...What's with the ending?

Pat (Tom Black's other and, needless to say, better half) tried to dodge and squirm in an effort to avoid the whole issue of her birthday. Having sprung a week earlier for a nice (and pricey) dinner in New Orleans (Tom chartered a Lear Jet for the occasion), Tom said he "evened things out" by opting for takeout at Uncle Yu's. He may be cheap, but oh my, what a big heart. Worth an extra $20 to club coffers PLUS the $40 he grudgingly kicked in last week for the anniversary.

We believe him!

Thomas Raeth celebrated his and Tamara's 20th anniversary in grand fashion. He took her for a surprise massage in Monterey, no less, followed by dinner at the Chart House and a bubble bath on the beach. Seriously, a BUBBLE BATH on the beach? Enough to tax one's credulity, but knowing Thomas never to have lied in his entire life (so far), we take him at his word.  

Think about an igloo?

To celebrate her birthday, Rich Shearer took Valerie to the Canadian Rockies in conjunction with a Thai dinner. Wisdom gained: "Don't camp in May in the Canadian Rockies." We think the accumulation of an estimated eight feet of snow had something to do with the advice. Maybe Rich should be grateful - snow means no mosquitos.  

ANNOUNCEMENTS

John's signature annual event!

Three-Quarter Century Club luncheon. Impresario/emcee John Fazel reminded us that the June 15 event - held, as always, at the Orinda Community Church (a.k.a. Ray Welles's "old church") features Betty Budde, a WWII Women's' Air Force pilot with a fascinating perspective! You don't want to miss this!

MOTORAMA

Did he mention sell...sell...sell...Gala Tickets?

Skip McCowan reminded us how important it is to have a great crowd for the Saturday night gala. This is our crowning event of the year, it's 100% an LSR creation, and the culmination of outrageous effort by our fundraiser team, all workers of minor miracles.

Store window posters are going up all over the area because businesses love to put them up! This thought was echoed by Thomas Raeth and verified by Hayes and Krysten.

David Waal, in his second deed of the day, applied his verbal boot to the wine slackers, but didn't fail to thank those who have come through!

http://motorama.us  has links to the event schedule and gala ticket purchases. 

DON'T LET THOMAS PEEKS SEE THIS

Peeks plotters secretly at work

But there will be a festive gathering on Friday, June 24, which may or may not involve the year of President Peeks. We cannot divulge the location, but if the initials "D.W." (see Thought For the Day above) signify anything to you, you're on the right track.

FIRST RECOGNITION

This is a spectacular achievement!

Even before his formal induction as a new Red Badger, Jim Marggraff experienced the slings and arrows of being "recognized" in public! His son Blake, in a display of his off-the-charts scientific genius,  wound up sharing top prize at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair in Los Angeles. In a suspicious coincidence, his partner in the act of killing simulated cancerous cells was none other than Matthew Feddersen, son of visiting Rotarian Troy. They'd been doing "random experiments" together and "blowing things up" throughout their youth.

Jim referred to the award as the "Nobel Prize for High School Students." Gosh, wonder where Blake got his smarts from ....

INDUCTION

And a fine group it is too!

In perfect form and detail, Brad Davis proudly and grandly welcomed Jim Marggraff and Mark Larks into the best of the roughly 33,000 Rotary clubs in the known world. Sharing the occasion were Jim's wife M.J., and Mark's S.O. (that's Significant Other for any unhip readers) Anne-Lisa. We welcome both of them into the club and look forward to being part of their Rotary experience. For the record, John Linneman is Jim's sponsor (and, not incidentally, next-door neighbor); Mark Roberts (a.k.a. Mr. Two Heartbeats Away), brother Marks's sponsor.

PROGRAM

Ms. Mychals knows whereof she speaks

Tired of "salesy" pitches, Brandy Mychals decided to create her own system of attracting business and has been very successful at it. She's just had her book published, Savvy Speaker Secrets: How to Generate Buzz to Expand Your Brand through Speaking. 

Brandy gave us some key points from her "Character Code" system, noting that we display to others within three to five seconds how we want to be treated. Ideally, that's honest, trustworthy, and successful. Contrary to popular belief, only seven percent of our judgment of others comes from words, appearance counts 55 percent of first impression, and presentation, 38 percent.

In the world of careers, she avers, it's found to be easier to find a new job than change an impression! This is neither negative or positive.

We each have essential needs: certainty, variety, significance, love/connection. As humans we need them all. Each character code has one as most essential.

By understanding who you are speaking to, you can adjust to more effectively communicate. You reflect who you are, and telegraph a message willy-nilly that you are "safe" to talk to.

With practice, you can use the character code to do a personality analysis across a crowded room. This is valuable for understanding your audience. Brandy's classifications include:

• Class President -- Button-downs, stands tall, eye contact, quick assumptions, easy to transact business with.
• Cheerleader -- Bubbly, friendly, energetic, upbeat, talker and blurter, easily bored.
• Actor/Actress -- Combo of previous, bigger and bolder but less aware of others.
• Activist -- Loves causes, calm, calming, hugger, likes deep conversations. Sure sign is a grown man with a backpack who listens but isn't competitive.
• Artist -- "Too cool for words," but this is just a barrier and he or she tends to be very warm. Quandary of needing attention but proving they he or she need it. Wants to be "seen as an individual."
• Scholar -- Needs to be seen as knowledgeable, wants details, craves certitude.

Good use of the Character Code: Spot whom you can easily communicate with at an event, then give him/her (or them) your full attention to create an effective strategic alliance. In another situation, dial in two or three clients and await your turn. 

Ms. Mychals concluded with an open invitation for any of us to attend her upcoming workshop as her guest. It's about "Cracking the Confidence Code" on May 28-29.

The overall theme from the interesting Q & A session was that, although this is a wonderfully powerful method of making a good first impression and communicating, it's important not to alter your own personality, just show respect for and appreciate the other person.

Last but not least, know what your audience wants. This means, of course, doing homework in advance. Don't just wing it, it usually doesn't work. For more information visit www.brandymychals.com

CALENDAR