Having just returning from the 2013-14 District Conference in Palm Springs, President Robin Smith was very eager to open the meeting and share the incredible recognitions our club received and, thus, the opening bell was rang just a little louder! We welcomed two fine guests:
Josh Crackow, formerly of the Las Vegas Sunrise Club
Keith West, guest of AG/PP Linda Bertuzzi
Pres. Robin extended her heartfelt thanks for the fantastic work our club has done this year, which resulted in the 12 awards received at Conference. A special newsletter will be done to share how each award was earned. Thank you to each and every member whose efforts made this all possible. And, maybe the most memorable moment at Conference for our club was the announcement of our 4-Way Test Speech contestant's win of the top honor. Shane Cashin of Clark High School, against some tough competition, wowed the audience with his perfectly executed delivery. His Forensics Coach Brown was thrilled to have one of her students in a Rotary program, as her father was a member of Rotary many years ago. Shane's award was $6,000 and will go towards his college fund for Duke University. Here's the link to his award-winning presentation - please share with those you know.
Pres. Robin then inducted our newest member Rusty Bridges, with his wife Tammy standing by his side. Rusty, owner of Pop Culture Graphics, has been a long-time support of our Block Party and approached Membership Chair Michael Woodfield about joining. Please take a moment to extend a warm welcome to Rusty & Tammy.
A special note - Bernice Davidson took a spill at home, injuring her back, and may be out for some time. Please keep her in your thoughts for a speedy recovery.
Cross-fines started out with a bang, as Past Dist. Gov./Past President Roy York offered up the first multiple fines to our newest member, which cost Rusty between $10 and $15 - a gentle hazing, if you will. A selfie to Past Pres. Jim Main for his son's graduation, magna cum laude, and his next step to medical school; another to PP Jim for sporting a suit to the meeting, a sight seldom seen by most of us; a selfie to Past Pres. Lane Kay for his son's high school graduation and sharing a little known fact that his son attended pre-school with 4-Way Test Speech contestant Shane; to Pres. Robin for not knowing the difference between Stephen King and Steven Spielberg (and possibly even Stevie Wonder); another to Pres. Robin for the last minute marathon to complete the District Conference awards submission with AG/PP Linda Bertuzzi, which resulted in too much wine consumption (prompting one member to note that may be why we won so many?); and, finally, to President Elect Teresa Sowers for responding to a "past presidents only" e-mail. Not yet, Teresa!!!
Our speaker, Gail Tuzzolo, of Gail Tuzzolo & Associates, is a long-time consultant for public affairs, political issues, and candidates focused on programs, initiative campaigns, and grassroots political programs. Her presentation centered the upcoming November ballot measure, commonly referred to as the Margin Tax for Public Schools Initiative, Question 3. "This 2% 'Margin Tax' would be on gross revenues, not profits, so it's the equivalent of a nearly 15% business tax. That would make Nevada one of the five highest taxed states in the country for businesses." She went on to share charts showing the costs to small business with over $1,000,000 in gross revenue and the disparity that occurs with the much larger businesses, where the tax becomes almost nonexistent. The biggest misconception is that the funds are earmarked for Nevada's educational system, when, in fact, there is no guarantee where the funds will end up. She said "in the end, the obvious result is the costs to the businesses will be passed along to the consumer." She encouraged everyone to take the time to study the measure before voting. In addition to one website against the measure, there are numerous articles online providing more in depth details. Do your homework!