January 24, 2014

             Reporter: Rich Shearer     Editor: Claire Roberts         Photographer: Leander Hauri                   

President:  Hays Englehart 2013 - 2014          


THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

 

"It's fairly easy to be a leader with the wind at your back.  It's harder to lead when things are less convenient."  Starbucks CEO and founder Howard Schwartz said first, but David Waal said it today.

 

 

VISITING ROTARIANS 

 

Bob Shusta - Lafayette

Steve Lack - District Governor

David Abrahams - Lafayette

 

GUESTS OF OTHER PERSUASIONS
Some of our lovelier visitors.

Agatha Sue Lee - Cal's reason for living

Glenda Fillinger - ditto for Paul

Jack Peers - Past Prez of Lamorinda Sunrise, on the comeback trail

Tom Black - Past Member of Lamorinda Sunrise, on the road to perdition

Conrad Breece - Second time visitor

Sanjay Unni - Guest and father of Uma, age 14, who has organized a writing competition, complete with prizes (paid for by the sponsors she found) at Stanley Middle School.

BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS GOODIES

 

Claire Roberts' mom is feeling poorly and Claire was off taking care of her, so hubby Mark filled in with the B&A chores for the day.  And Claire, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours. 

 

We've missed you Paul!

Paul Bettelheim has been MIA for some time now, mainly because of work.  He won't have that excuse much longer, as he announced that he plans to retire at the end of the year.  In the meantime, he has missed all sorts of birthdays and anniversaries and such, so he forked over a goodly sum to the Endowment Fund related to, but not the same as, the Club.  (Got to keep those IRS folks happy.)  He also noted that son Matthew has published his first children's book (copies were available for purchase - they went fast) and that Matthew was also Mr. August in a calendar celebrating the beauties and glories of a nearby watershed.  Okay, Matthew was a smallish figure in a larger tableau, but between the book and the beefcake, Paul kicked in an additional $50. 

 

Kevin Croak, Paul Fillinger and Rick Ashburn all had Club Anniversaries.  Why Don Jenkins decided to make Paul's contribution for the good of the order was never quite explained, in keeping with how most things go around here. 

 

Meanwhile, Dyslexic Don Reichert had an anniversary (hey, he made the joke, I'm only reporting it), which he said was his 26th.  If you read the last sentence carefully, you will figure how many years he and Gwen have actually been married.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS....

INTERCLUB MEETING AHEAD 

 

Once a year, we get together for a joint lunch meeting with the Rossmoor, Lafayette, Orinda and Moraga Clubs.  It's a great way to make and catch up with Rotarian friends in the area who do not have the good fortune to be a part of the best Club in the District.  This year's session will be Wednesday, February 5, at Rossmoor, starting at 11:30.  You will need a ticket to get into Rossmoor and to get your lunch, and the ticket is $25.  Contact Spike Speicher for more info, tickets, etc.

 

CLUB PLANNING MEETING AHEAD

Pat says 'Planning is fun'! 

 

Five years or so ago, during Pat Flaharty's reign of error, we had an evening session with Candy Pierce, Laura Day and about 25 of us to think through and hash out a five-year plan for the Club.  We examined where we were at the time, we debated where we wanted to go, and we identified goals for the future. 

 

Now it's time to reexamine those goals and reevaluate where we are and where we want to go.  On Tuesday, February 11, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at the Lafayette Library, about 30 of us will meet with Laura Day (Candy Pierce knows better than to deal with us again) for exactly that purpose.  Call Pat Flaharty for details.  He says there are enough of us signed up, but if you beg or bribe him with a nice bottle of red wine, you can probably talk him into letting you join us.

 

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE

 

In case the Club planning she-bang on the 11th isn't enough for you, there is a joint Chamber of Commerce mixer at the Town Hall Theater on the 12th, co-sponsored by the Lamorinda Sunrise and Lafayette Rotary Clubs. 

 

YOU KNEW IT HAD TO BE ABOUT MEMBERSHIP OR MONEY

It's about money this time...

 

District Governors usually have one of two things on their minds if they are visiting a Club: membership or money.  Today, Steve Lack's mind was on the latter, as President Hays presented him with a check for the District in the amount of $360.  This is 20% of the haul from the Rob Roy tickets we sold at the District Conference back in October.  Steve let us know that the money will be going to the District Fund for the District's 47 Interact Clubs (roughly 1,500 members).  Thus our sales (and Steve's willingness to put up with us) will help high school students in Interact Clubs throughout the District. 

 

Thanks for the report, Steve.  And have you ever considered getting a car that stands out a little more?

 

SPEAKING OF YOUTH EXCHANGE . . . .

Bob shared about Youth Exchange

 

Bob Shusta, he of the Lafayette Club, always seems to be involved in international projects.  Once upon a time, it was the Russian bakers project.  Now, it's Youth Exchange, only the best organized exchange student program for high school aged kids in the world.   The Lafayette Club is looking to host an incoming Youth Exchange student and is asking for our help.  In particular, they are looking for a host family for the student.  Rotary Youth Exchange is set up so that there are at least three host families during the time the student is here (roughly mid-August to early July), so this is roughly a three-month commitment.

 

Basically, you are a surrogate parent, and the student is part of the family (you are not expected to be a hotel keeper, and the student is expected to do their share around the house, like any other kid in the house).  You have to get the student to and from school (probably Acalanes High) and basically show them how you live here in the US of A. 

 

Can you help?  Let Hays or Bob Shusta know. 

 

CAMP ROYAL/CAMP VENTURE UPDATES

 

Spike Speicher reported that Acalanes student and Eagle Scout Marc Davis has been chosen as the camper we are sending to Camp Venture this summer.  As noted in a recent issue of the Lamorinda Weekly Marc has been developing apps for the Iphone since he was at Stanley Middle School and his Eagle Scout project was to create a walking tour of Lafayette Iphone app for the Lafayette Historical Society.  Camp Venture is a one-week camp for high schoolers who have just finished their junior year that focuses on and develops entrepreneurship and related skills.

 

Meanwhile, plans for Camp Royal are also moving ahead.  Also open to students who have just completed their junior year, Camp Royal is a one-week camp that focuses on developing the campers' leadership skills and their ability to mobilize their unique strengths to help a group advance its goals.  So far, we have two campers selected, both of whom just happen to be Paul Fillinger's grandchildren and one of whom just happens to be Rick Ashburn's child.  There are still two openings left (there do not appear to be any more Fillinger family members of suitable age this year), so if you have or know of a high school junior who would enjoy this experience (and, trust me, they will), let Spike know pronto.

 

RENO, HO!

 

The Reno Train Trip is alive and well.  The current iteration is sponsored by the Orinda Club, and David Pierce of said Club is in charge.  This year's jaunt is from Saturday, Feb 28 to Sunday, March 2.  Want to go or get more info?  Contact David at 925-639-0411 or at [email protected]

 

VOCATIONAL MINUTE - SIXTY SECONDS WELL SPENT

 

You know Jeff Hawkins as our Sergeant-at-Arms, the guy with the magic bucket, the one that reaches into your wallet at the behest of President Hays or one of his minions.  But in his mild-mannered alter ego, Jeff is a financial service professional of 20+ years standing, the last 15 or so as a financial advisor.  He stresses an in-depth approach with his clients, making sure he takes the time needed to fully understand the client's resources, needs and goals so that, together, they can chart the best course to reach the client's financial goals. 

 

PROGRAM

Started off seriously...

Paul Fillinger has been a Member of Lamorinda Sunrise for 14 years now, including one as Club President. Today, Paul took us on a personal journey that was at the same time funny and serious, personal and universal, unique to Rotary and applicable to life in general.  In short, it was typically and wonderfully Paul.

 

As mentioned, Paul has long been an active part of our Club and its activities.  But for a while, he was losing interest.  He was, by his own admission, in danger of becoming part of the trend that has seen Rotary membership in North America drop by 63,000 in the past ten years.   

 

Part of it, he now believes, was the fact that he turned 80 and that got him a bit down. He pondered what he was going to do with the rest of his life.  He thought seriously of dropping out of Rotary.  (Paul also reports that Glenda had some pithy observations about this, such as: "Stop it! You're starting to sound like a grumpy old man.")

 

In his search for renewed meaning, Paul signed up for a stand-up comic class (Buddy Burke can vouch for this one) and a Zen Buddhism class (we have to take Paul's word on this one).  There was, however, one small problem: both classes met at the same time.  Finding it difficult to rewrite the laws of physics, Paul tried to solve the dilemma by going to each class on alternating weeks.  But this left him guilt-riddled at what was, by definition, a mere 50% attendance rate for both classes.

 

What to do?  Paul approached the Zen Buddhism instructor and confessed all.  The instructor was pleased, observing that comedy and Zen Buddhism require many of the same qualities.  Paul left it to us to figure out what the overlap in needed qualities might be, but one suspects it has something to do with letting go of expectations and learning not to be hurt by life's slings and arrows. 

 

But then the fun began! 

Feeling better, Paul approached the comedy instructor, who had not noticed Paul had been missing.  Rebounding quickly, the instructor suggested Paul go to an "open mike" night at a comedy club. So he did.  According to Paul, he bombed.

 

So what has this to do with re-energizing one's Rotary commitment?  Well, it turns out that this is the kind of story of his life Paul now uses to break the ice while engaged in a project he has taken on - visiting rest homes, retirement homes, skilled nursing facilities and the like, and talking with the people there, especially the older people.  They have stories of their lives to share and precious little opportunity to do so.  Paul uses stories of his life, such as the one just related, to draw them out.  And they talk, brightening everyone's day.

 

So here's the message to us all.  If you are starting to feel burned out on Rotary, try something new within it.  And keep trying.  And if you can't find a project that floats your boat, invent one.  For example, Paul loved the idea of Home Team, and felt capable of getting down on the floor to reach under counters to do stuff, but getting up again was increasingly problematic (a problem more Lamorinda Sunrisers share than care to admit it).  On the other hand, sitting and talking with people, drawing them out, finding out about their lives, is right in his wheelhouse, and that is almost certainly true of other Rotarians.  The fact that there is no current Rotary project along these lines doesn't matter - Paul is finding a way to make it happen and, thus, revitalizing his Rotary experience. 

 

And isn't it interesting to note that the other project Paul mentioned - Home Team - didn't exist until Hays Englehart and Joe Bettencourt thought it up? 

 

Paul's advice ties in to one of the great strengths of Rotary, its bottom-up approach.  If a Rotarian has an idea, it can literally change the world.  Even Polio Plus, our signature global initiative, started locally in the Philippines when a local doctor enlisted the help of a Rotary Club to immunize area children against polio.  The idea caught on and spread, first in a larger area of the Philippines, and eventually all the way to Rotary International.  Home Team has spread to a number of Clubs in the District.  In both cases, it is grass-roots interest and support, not a mandate from on high, that has sustained the growth.  . 

 

So if you are feeling a little down on Rotary, take Paul's advice - look for a new project or challenge, something you haven't been a part of before.  And if you can't find one, create it.  Not only might it reinvigorate you, it could become the next Rotary global initiative.

Thanks from our Prez for sharing his wisdom! 

 

CALENDAR

 

Friday, Jan 31 - Gillett Johnson 'Exposes Himself" and shares 'A Day in the Life of a Winery Owner/International Wine Merchant'  

 

Friday, Jan 31 - TGITLFOTM @ the Bettelheim home - the fun starts at 5:30pm 

 
Wednesday, February 5 - Fab Five Luncheon, Rossmoor

Friday, February 7 - 4-Way Speech Contest, Miramonte students

Tuesday, February 11 - LSR 5 year plan update - 5:30pm Lafayette Library

Friday, February 14th - our speaker is Patricia Frost, M.S., R.N. and Director of Emergency Medical Services for Contra Costa County
Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Links

Lamorinda Sunrise Web Site

Lamorindan Archives


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