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We missed you!
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SHE'S BACK
Nancy Baglietto, back from a hard month in Europe (guess which country), rendered this thought from Leo Buscaglia: "Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy." Another thought she had in reserve, from the perhaps better known Benjamin Disraeli (which she didn't give but which this tabloid illegally obtained) is: "Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action." By that standard, Nancy must be a very happy Rotarian. Welcome back, Nancy.
GUESTS
Rotarians: Don Jenkins, Orinda, about to take the plunge
Andrea Ward, Diablo View
Her father Brad Ward, San Pablo
Luis Alarcon, Concord
Other: Antje Jahnke, speaker
Nicole Graves, her friend
Patrick Harpole, guest of John Fazel
Chris Laszcz-Davis, same category
RECOGNITIONS UNDER THE NEW REGIME
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Settle down now. Please?
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Mark Roberts has moved from keeping track of birthdays and anniversaries to The Throne. Like any rookie president, he had a little trouble quelling the chatter at the outset, but at least there was no mass walkout.
Mark Larks (aka Mark II) has taken over as Recognition Czar, and oh yes, Club Service generally.
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Don't shoot, Paul
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He hailed the joinder by Paul Bettelheim back in the dark ages of 1989, sparking both cheers and boos in recognition. It seems that Paul was pushed into this mess by none other than Don Jenkins, who ironically is going the same route today. We'll see if Don gets the votes after his dastardly deed 23 years ago.
Other recognitions were mentioned for Dennis Kuramai's birthday and Chuck Yeager for something but he wasn't here.
An unofficial recognition was given for Rick Ashburn as to the momentous decision of whether his category is Investment Advisor or Investment Manager. He probably wouldn't mind if you asked him which choice won out.
JULY 4TH FIRECRACKER
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Don't forget family help!
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Ron Melvin has certainly earned his Blue Badge. All this new guy did was run the show for the Club's takeover from the Orinda Road Runners of a very longstanding and high-profile event, the Orinda July 4th Run and Pancake Breakfast. He deflected the praise to the assistance of some outgoing Road Runners, the general takeover (and 4-club Rotary float participation) by Mark and
| Mark II, off to a great start |
Anne-Liisa Larks, the takeover of the pancakes by Rich Shearer and someone named Paul, and tweaking by Chuck Bove and Brad Davis. Feedback was great, and disasters were nil. Notes were kept to make it even better next year.
The pancakes turned into $3,000+, of which $1,635 went to the Club. Also, 18 cases of oranges and a bunch of coffee were donated to Orinda Senior Village.
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Ever missed an opportunity to sell something John?
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Of course, John Fazel couldn't stay out of the action, being a charter member of both LSR and the Road Runners. His pay for all this was an honorary ribbon presented by Ron. In response, John tried to get folks to take some of his own specially designed T-shirts.
UPCOMING
Big Rotary week coming up. Prez Mark announced that on Tuesday 7/10, 7:00 a.m., the new Board will get down to business. Then next Friday, the meeting will be a Club Assembly where we'll kick around who does what, and how we justify our existence, during the next year - bearing in mind this year's Rotary International Theme of RI President Sakuji Tanaka, Peace Through Service. Can we keep peace among ourselves?
TGITLFOTMs will of course continue - in fact, this month's will be at the new Presidential Palace at 41 Muth Drive. For some reason the Prez doesn't want to have it there every month, and is seeking venues. Chuck Bove will take one at his humble cottage in September, but other dates are open. Particularly important are residences capable of an indoor event in Jan, Feb, and March. (For those who haven't been exposed to it, TGITLFOTM = Thank God It's The Last Friday Of The Month, taking place in the evening of said Last Friday.)
DO IT RIGHT NOW?
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Antje knows who we are
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Antje Jahnke studied psychology at UC Berkeley with emphasis on personality psychology and emotional intelligence. In that context, she has developed a research project on procrastination and also has functioned as research assistance for a study on emotional setbacks. She has assisted researching and implementing emotional intelligence principles into the office environment during an internship at the 6th Council District of Los Angeles.
When Antje opened her program by saying, with barely a straight face, that she was sure there are no procrastinators here, she obviously knew very well she was in fertile territory. To help out this needy crew, she went into some detail on the four major types of procrastinators. She discussed motives as well as strategies on how to counteract this self-sabotaging behavior.
Procrastinator #1: The Perfectionist. Suffers from fear of failure, therefore hesitates to make decisions. Tends to say his/her decisions "could have been better." Needs constant validation.
Procrastinator #2: The Avoider. By not knowing anything, doesn't have to do or decide anything, therefore supposedly avoids high pressure. Until seeing the need to know, will never experience the sweet smell of success.
Procrastinator #3: The Rebel. Can't work under someone because always doing the opposite. Attitude of "you can't make me." Tends to get programmed in rebellion. (Somehow the names of B. Davis and A. Arnold got mentioned here.)
Procrastinator #4: The Adrenaline Seeker. By being on the edge, almost failing and almost succeeding. Likes artificial tensions such as a last-second winning basketball shot much better than a winning shot with 2 minutes to go. Needs to create drama.
The bottom-line cost of procrastination is that you can't take advantage of opportunities. Also, it may result in or exacerbate a continued imbalance when something is not right.
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Antje handled all comers beautifully!
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Antje was then subjected to potshots from the members (procrastinators?) in the audience.
Rich Shearer: Possible chemical aspect in the mix, e.g., ADD or substance abuse.
Brad Davis: What about fear of success? (Complex; multiple types.)
Alex Arnold: Emotional regulation: choice between getting one marshmallow now or waiting for two.
Bob Riegg: According to Bob's research, a person who is always late is self-absorbed and narcissistic, a rebel, and values self. (Antje disagreed, saying if you love yourself, you'll be on time.) (Why was Kevin Croak ducking his head?)
Mary Mark: Some have the need to work last-minute to create pressure. (Insomnia has toll on life quality.)
Pat Harpole: Are women uncomfortable being leaders, therefore procrastinate? (Some are inhibited by historical resentment and fear, others need to try to dominate to avoid being dominated.)
Skip McCowan: There can be strategic procrastination - a certain lawyer of his acquaintance is always late to everything, in order to look like he's So Busy.
After the program concluded, and the LN-4 Hand recognition was given, and the bell was rung, and Mark Roberts figured he has only 50 or 51 meetings to go, Gary Fulcher had the last word for the press: Don't do today what you can put off until tomorrow.
CALENDAR
Wednesday, 7/4 - Pancake Run - Orinda
Friday 7/6, 7 am - Antje Jahnke - Procrastination Researcher
Tuesday 7/10, 7am - Board meeting
Friday 7/13, 7 am - Club Assembly
Friday 7/20, 7 am - John Yoo, Legal Counsel, George W. Bush
Friday 7/27 7am - Expose yourself, Claire Roberts
Friday 8/3, 7am - Saving lives, a woof and a meow
Friday 8/10, 7 am - Economist Tappan Monroe
Tuesday 8/14, 7am - Board meeting
Friday 8/17, 7am - Dan Borenstein & Pensions continued
Friday 8/24 7am - B'wana Carole Chaffey, Liberia
HOME Team schedule...Saturdays 8am to noon
2012 - August 25, October 27
2013 - January 26, March 23, May 25, July 27
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