February 15, 2013

             Reporter: Rich Shearer       Editor: Ron Brown         Photographer: Leander Hauri                   

President:  Mark Roberts 2012 - 2013          

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

W. Somerset Maugham said it, Krysten Laine chose it for today's Thought, Hays Englehart read it, but this reporter didn't get it down.  "For want of a nail," and all that.

VISITING ROTARIANS

Larry Sly - Concord

Anna Stevenson - Lafayette

GUESTS OF OTHER PERSUASIONS

Dave Stiehr - Co-Founder of EyeFluence

Eve Phelps - Former Camp Royal attendee

BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES & MISCELLANEOUS SHENANIGANS

John seems like a pretty nice name

Spike Speicher has been in the Club for two years, and we are only now learning that his real name is "John."

Meanwhile, Gary Fulcher and Paul Fillinger both were recognized for their respective spouses' (Carolyn and Glenda) birthdays.  And not to be outdone, Dan Herbert had a birthday himself.  All paid their respective emoluments, the police were not called to any of the shindigs, and all is right with the world.

WHO IS PAUL HARRIS AND WHY IS HE SO INTERESTED IN FELLOWSHIP?

Jenkins gets the big enchilada

As Rotarians, we contribute to the Rotary Foundation.  The Rotary Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that is related to, but technically separate from, Rotary International.  As a practical matter, the Rotary Foundation finances all of Rotary's do-good works around the world.  The fight against polio, the efforts to bring clean water to those who are without it, the Ambassadorial Scholars program, the Youth Exchange program, the various Matching Grant programs, and dozens of other good works are financed by the Rotary Foundation.

Skip scores big

So where does the Rotary Foundation get its funds?  From us.  From the donations of Rotarians and friends of Rotary.  Our donations are the engine that drives R0otary's positive impact around the world.

Donors to the Rotary Foundation are recognized for their generosity.  When a Rotarian has donated a total of $1,000 over time, he or she becomes a Paul Harris Fellow.  Each additional $1,000 earns additional Paul Harris Fellowship recognition.  And when a Rotarian donates a total of $10,000, they become a Paul Harris Major Donor. 

John, aka Spike and Dave Waal just yak it up

Today, Cal Lee, Lamorinda Sunrise's godfather of all things relating to the Rotary Foundation, made a bunch of well-deserved Paul Harris Fellowship awards.  Receiving their initial Paul Harris Fellowship awards were Spike Speicher and Dave Waal.  Skip McCowan was recognized as a "Paul Harris +5," meaning he is a Paul Harris Fellow six time over.  Chuck Yeager and John Linneman were too modest to show up for their awards.  But the biggie of the day, Don Jenkins, was here to receive his award as a newly minted Major Donor.  Congrats and many thanks to all of you - this is why Rotary can afford to take on and solve some of the most important and complex problems in the world.

SLOW LEARNERS DEPT... WOOD WORKING DIVISION

We built and raffled off a canoe year or two back.  It was called "Tippy," as in "Tippicanoe and Tyler, Too."  Despite the unholy combination of Lamorinda Sunrise Rotarians, power tools, and utter ignorance, nobody got hurt. 

Like the gambler who lets it ride one roll of the dice too many, we're making another canoe.  In fact, the ante has been upped because this one is intended to be propelled by paddles, oars, a sail, or any combination thereof. 

Pat says y'all come on, get involved!

And you are invited to take part in the building of this wonderful vessel, which, which like its predecessor, will be raffled off.  Thus sayeth Pat Flaharty, who seems to be having a great time with this. 

Want to help?  Of course you do.  Work sessions are held Monday 1-5, Tuesday 9-1, Wednesday 5-9, Thursday 1-5, and Friday 1-5.  Come to Gary Fulcher's Non-gender-Specific Cave on Moraga Blvd. No experience needed. 

WE NEED YOUR NAMES FOR THE DINNER & AUCTION

If you name is John Kallio, Leander Hauri, Buddy Burke, George Chaffey, Alex Arnold, Hays Englehart, John Fazel, Thomas Raeth, Mark Roberts, Claire Roberts, Cal Lee, Ken Kosich, Brad Davis or Nancy Baglietto, thank you for submitting your names and you can ignore the rest of this item.

Promise yours, next Friday Rich?

As for the rest of us, the Dinner & Auction Committee NEEDS NAMES FROM YOU.  Specifically, names and contact info for people we can invite to our May 18 Dinner & Auction.  This event is how we fund our Club's do-good activities and how we grow our Endowment Fund (the ultimate goal of which is to generate enough interest so we don't have to do fund raisers any more).

This is also a great way to introduce potential Lamorinda Sunrise members to the Club and vice-versa.  SO PLEASE GET THOSE NAMES IN TO RICH SHEARER, HAYS ENGLEHART OR NANCY BAGLIETTO PRONTO.  Please?