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.
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We've missed you Paul!
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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
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Pat says 'Planning is fun'!
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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
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It's about money this time...
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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 . . . .
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Bob shared about Youth Exchange
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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.
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