It was a hard act for President Robin Smith to follow, but follow she did as we moved to introductions of a large number of guests:

 

Carminia Pavia, President Elect of Rotary Macata Gems, Philippines

Past Pres. Russ Swain of the Las Vegas Club

Ted Durant, Lake Oswego Rotary, Oregon

Diane Griffin, Prince Edward Rotary Club, Charlottetown

Cliff Marcek, Summerlin Rotary Club

Scott Rotheiser

Josh Crackow

 

Asst. Gov./Past Pres. Linda Bertuzzi was given a few minutes to recap her recent two week trip to India to participate in the National Immunization Day on February 23 and work on a water harvesting dam for 3 days with 2014 Rotary Dream Team members from Canada, France, Germany, and the US.  The NID was held across all of India and it is estimated that more than 150,000,000 babies received the life-saving Polio vaccine in just one day.  She presented President Robin with a travelling gift and also a gift from a friend of our Club, Dr. Nischal Pandey of India.  A more detailed presentation will be made in a few months. She is shown here with District 5300 teammates Rose Marie Joyce and April Romo.

 

Announcements:

• Las Vegas Mayor's Cup - Past Pres. Roger Tabor thanked the Club and especially International Chair Steve Reiter for coordinating the hosting of the Haitian Soccer team at the Mayor's Cup held over President's weekend.  More than 9,000 kids played and more than $20,000,000 made its way in the LV economy due to this event. It is our Club's farthest reaching project and not possible without Rotary's assistance.
• Mob Museum - Past Pres. Dulcinea Rongavilla announced the plans are finalized for the evening meeting on Tuesday, March 18th at the Mob Museum from 5-7pm.  This will be in place of our usual Tuesday lunch meeting and a great opportunity to invite a prospective member.  The evening will include appetizers, cocktails and a tour of the Museum.  Please RSVP to PP Dulcinea if you will be attending.
• District Assembly - April 5th will be our District Assembly for our 2014-15 Board.  Whether you are new or seasoned, please make plans to attend and support President Elect Teresa Sowers and her new Board.  It's a great opportunity to learn more about Rotary and where you might be able to serve, whether on the Board or at committee level.  Registration is open at  www.DaCdb.com 
• District Conference - May 15-18th, Palm Springs.  This is the 2013-14 end of year party, Luau style, and a fun time devoted to the successes of the Clubs.  See District News below for further details.  It is ALWAYS a fun time!
• Superbuild - the home build in Tecate, Mexico is set for May 3rd.  Register through www.corazon.org for build #00011285, which is the Southern Nevada build. Special room rates are available at the Quality Inn in El Cajon.  This is one of our Club's favorite hands-on projects.
• Block Party - Fundraising Chair Carla Smith reminded everyone the cut-off for ticket sales and raffle donations is April 1st.   This is our Club's biggest event of the year and this year is shaping up to be even bigger!

With no Presidential Recognitions, we moved right into cross-fines, of which there were many:

To guest Scott Rotheiser for not saying hello to Russ Swain or Steve Reiter; multiple fines to PP Scott Stolberg for sitting and not singing during the song; to Bonnie Helms for her excellent job doing check-ins and being an awesome new member; to Pres. Robin for missing Kathy York's birthday, which prompted a fine to Past Dist. Gov./Past Pres. Roy York for telling his wife's age; a self-fine to Larry Goldstein for his daughter's acceptance to Boston University; to the entire "back" table for not participating in the song; to PP Roger for "getting the Las Vegas Club involved in the Soccer tournament" and to Russ for his 8th year as a host for the event; to Carla for posting her daughter's school pix and for insisting the members sing a second verse during the song;  to John Chmela for his daughter's appearance in a local ad; a self-fine by PP Roger for his son's win at the State robotics competition and moving on to National level; (and probably next week to the editor who certainly missed a few more fines!)  

 

Riley Foley, a Bishop Gorman AND RYLA graduate, was on hand to share information about the DT/LV Dynamos volunteer program, which is part of the United Way.  The DT l LV Dynamos are ambassadors specially trained in customer service to serve as a welcoming presence for visitors, businesses, employees, and residents in Downtown Las Vegas.  Dynamos will are found on foot around Downtown Las Vegas.  The mission of the Dynamos is to create excitement around the vibrant Downtown Las Vegas community and provide locals and visitors an unforgettable experience through recommendations, guidance, and assistance.  In addition to being of assistance to visitors, they participate in clean-ups, fire hydrant painting, building picnic tables, as well as working special events downtown.  During the cold Las Vegas nights, they are even armed with blankets to pass out to the homeless.  Currently 36 volunteers are registered with the Dynamos and more are needed.  The minimum age to serve is 18 and the service days are Thursday through Saturday.  You can get more information by visiting Dynamos

 

And, Past President Drew Levy won the drawing.  Congratulations Drew!!!

                                                                                            

  District 5300 & RI News

The Big Kahuna Miles Petroff invites you to enjoy the "Spirit of Aloha" at the 2014 District Conference! Join us May 15-18 at the Hilton Palm Springs Resort. Ohana means family and we want to see the District 5300 Ohana of Rotary out in full force! The cost is just $209 for all five meals, with prices for individuals meals also available. Meal and room prices go up April 24, so register now.  www.DaCdb.com 
 
You'll enjoy golfing, the Palm Springs Street Fair, 4-Way Speech and Dan Stover Music contests, Rotary inspiration and, of course, the Tiki Lounges (hospitality suites)! You need to act now to secure your club's Tiki Lounge or space in the Ohana Hall, where you can show off your community service projects. More details are available on the flyer.