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Friday, the 13th
by Dave Covey
Welcome District Governor Alex Alexander & Marnee
Normally, when you have important guests coming over, you'd think that
one would want to put their best foot forward. But no, our President
heads off into uncharted waters hosting the District Governor, Alex
Alexander and his wife Marnee.
At the start of the meeting if you had
your back turned, you wondered, "What the heck was that sound?"
Instead of ringing the bell like most of the 5020 Presidents, Greg II
brings us to order with a duck-call-like quack, then asked if we liked
it over the air horn (which he blasted briefly) then he rings the
bell! There's one thing for certain, after DG Alex helped induct Greg
II at the June Installation Dinner - blindfolded party-barge cruise of
Lake Steilacoom the District Governor was prepared for anything that
might happen at Lakewood Rotary!
President Greg II gleefully reminded us how lucky we were to be
Lakewood Rotarians, especially today on this Friday the 13th meeting!
He thanked his "band of brothers" that slaved away behind the scenes to
get this meeting off the ground: Sgt at Arms – Bill Young, Setup -
Duncan Cook, Paul Harris Desk – Gary Fulton, Greeter – Jim Skar,
Invocation – Scott Buser, Bulletin – Dave Covey. Then asked a favor
from our DG to lead us in the PLEDGE.
VISITORS
Pat Nagle from Tacoma 8 was our lone visiting Rotarian. Guests included Christmas Party Carole Wier (Dec 11), Pat Price (introduced by Bill), Katie & Nick Buser (introed by Dad Scott) and 2 people that played a role in this year's Courage Classic, Tina Turnbull and Matt Newport (introduced by Dave Covey).
SUNSHINE REPORT:
Unfortunately, we had one. Greg Rediske read a note from Patty Neighbors. Mel, our President in 1978, is scheduled for some major heart surgery (at least a triple bypass, possible aortic valve replacement & cerotic angioplasty) and that's not all. They've discovered issues with his kidney, lung and femoral artery. Patty said, "This is a huge hurdle for him and the power of prayer is so important." We're with ya, Mel!
Of course the Sunshine Report is a perfect place to insert an inappropriate joke on an unsuspecting membership if you were Greg II. Sparing you the details, Bill Young comes running in with a late breaking medical report on a Rotarian's wife. After an operation a doctor told the husband that his wife "didn't look that good". For discretion, we'll stop right here and you can use your imagination what one-liner Greg II would have drug up! After all that we learn that our First Lady Mary (Mrs Greg II) just had arthroscopic knee surgery THIS Friday morning! Get well, Mary believe us, YOUR HUSBAND NEEDS YOU! (to add fuel to the fire, this reporter discovered that Saturday Greg II left his wife at home one day after the operation and goes skiing at Crystal.)
MILLIONAIRE MEMBER:
It seems PP Rick Selden had a recent windfall - we're talking BIG BUCKS! The weekly raffle had grown to over 800 smackeroos and Mr Lucky pulled the red chip a few weeks ago. Don't ask him for a loan, he's already committed a big portion for another Paul Harris! In presenting Rick with his check, he also handed him the bad news: a tax form that gets sent to the IRS! Thanks Rick and congratulations.
DOUBLE WINNER:
Our District Gov's charge this year to all his clubs is, "Have FUN". He believes very strongly in the power of Fellowship to help Rotarians & Clubs make a difference in the world and in their communities. DG Alex asked Greg II to recognize a member that epitomizes FUN in our Club. PP Rick Selden, aka the Fruitful Gourmet, front and center again. Pretty nice honor, complete with a pinning ceremony by DG Alex but if you timed it right, and if you were Greg II, here's another opportunity! As it turned out, Greg II admitted he placed PP Rick in the runner up position behind Ole Magnuson - but John could not be torn away from his Hawaiian sunsets. Congrats again, Rick -I think! Note: It's rumored that the Board is considering some form of censure for future Presidents.
COURAGE CLASSIC:
The final tabulations are in, it was a RECORD YEAR! Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and the Child Advocacy Center raised $750,000. Amazing, $100,000 more than in 2008 and our economy is still trying to recover. One of the big successes this year was putting together all Rotary Riders in partnership with the Harmon (Brewery) Bike Club - creating one of the largest bike teams that raised the most of all teams - $82,857. It was a dream of Pat Nagle, Tacoma 8 - Harmon Brewery to raise awareness together & raise more money for the KIDS. On behalf of Mary Bridge, Dave Covey presented Pat with a plaque that will be displayed at the HUB, Pat's pizza & beer place that is the home for the Harmon Bike Club. Pat thanked everyone involved but especially his Bike Club's chief lieutenant, Matt Newport. Thank you also to the Lakewood Rotarians that raised money and rode the 174-mile 3 mountain pass Courage classic: Walt Richardson, Bud Montgomery, Sam Hunter, Dave Covey and Jim Churchill (Dave's Oregon biker).
PAUL HARRIS:
PE Mick Johnson said that whenever the DG visits a Club, he enjoys being a part of presentations to the Rotary Foundation. Well, DG Alex got a lot of enjoyment out of presentations to: Recipients are (from left) Gov. Alexander, Scott Buser, fifth PHF; Scott's daughter, Katie Nicole Buser; Greg Rediske (5th award); Joanne Crane (4th PHF and a Paul Harris Society certificate - signifying a commitment for a Paul Harris annually); Richard Simmons, 3rd; Mary Covelli-Johnson 3rd; Mark Blanchard, 2nd; and Bill Price, 5th Paul Harris. Pretty impressive! But kind of the standard at Lakewood Rotary (still pretty impressive). However, that's history. Mick shared with us that with just 4 months into our year, our giving to the Rotary Foundation is a little behind schedule. Let's Get Goin'!
FALL RAFFLE:
Ron Irwin was called upon for a report on how our Raffle is doing after 8 weeks - with just one week remaining. Ron seems focused on how the gold Krugerrand's value has jumped in the last 2 months, but reluctantly said we're a little behind schedule. We've got only $10,000 worth of tickets turned in (roughly 1/3) with just a week to go. NOT GOOD!
President Greg II calmed the crowd by reminding everyone how Lakewood Rotarians always come from behind, using the 11th hour to our maximum advantage. Seriously, the Club needs everyone's involvement. Visualize this Friday's deluge of tickets being turned in. If you can, take care of everything with Ron before the meeting. If you can, get to the meeting early to help us do the accounting on our Raffle.
Thank you to all who have already turned in their tickets (and money). Here's a "shout-out" (whatever that is) to our Mega Salesman, Bill Young, who is well over $2,500 in sales. Wow, and we only have to do $300? Thanks Bill, that's in the same category of previous Lakewood Rotary Mega Salesmen: Russ Klauser, Paul Reeder, Mike McGowan, Frank Jacobs, Michael McGovern.
Come on, you can't just ignore the fact that your Club needs your help NOW! This is to fund our commitment to the International Baccalaureate program for Clover Park School District - something our Committee worked on for years and we (you) voted approval. Sorry if you've already tuned out because of the little bulletin writer that cried WOLF too often. But Let's Get Goin'! (a quote from PE Mick Johnson earlier in the meeting, who borrowed it from John Beluchi in "Animal House").
NOMINATIONS FOR 2010-11:
PP Joel Feldman listed the members who have agreed to be considered as one of our Club's officers next year. The actual vote will take place in December. There is still time to take nominations from the floor.
Pres - Mick Johnson;
Pres Elect - Ben Sclair;
Treasurer - Astrid Arola;
Secretary - Sally Porter Smith
Board: Mark Blanchard. Lowell Johnson, Mike Turner, Stephanie Walsh, John Walstrum
It was moved and 2nd that the nominations were closed. A second reading will take place at next week's meeting.
FINES:
It was Judy Hosea's anniversary. There was a little confusion which anniversary, being married to Tom - or her years in Rotary. Judy, always one with a straight answer, mentioned that there were a lot of men in Tacoma 8 that rued her June 18, 1987 Rotary induction. Following that up with she's been married to Tom for 180 months. (Judy, not all of us can divide by 12 that easily - how about 1.5 decades?) Anyway, congratulations to Hosea A & Hosea B. An undisclosed amount was agreed upon. (Ed Note: It's never too early to put in a plug for the Sportsman's Dinner. I can't wait to see who will win the Procurement Trophy - have you got any ideas that need some advanced time to hatch?)
Tracye Kakely has been literally on the go these last few months, missing a lot of Rotary meetings, but was helping in the deployment of 30,000 troops and she was fined for it last week! But she volunteered $20 this week after seeing her 19-year-old nephew graduate from AF Basic Training at Lackland AFB, TX. He's been assigned to MacDill AFB, Florida. His comment? If the AF needs an airman to go to the white, sandy beaches of Florida, "Guess somebody has to do it!"
Tracye also wanted to thank all the Rotarians that have helped her for the USO Thanksgiving Food Drive. Canned foods and donations helped to make it a success. She works with the different military family support groups on-base. Don't be surprised this Christmas when Tracye comes calling, the USO does it all over again. Thank YOU Tracye, for what you do in support of our soldier families!
It wasn't just any Friday the 13th. It was also Asst Governor John Anderson's wife's birthday. Former AG Dave Covey volunteered that we should "accept" our new AG into Lakewood Rotary with a fine. The stage was set for him to implicate others with, "It's Covey's Birthday too!" (we were going to celebrate together). John was so preoccupied with having to introduce DG Alex next, he basically said "whatever" and kicked in $10.
District Governor Alex Alexander:
Before AG John Anderson could make the formal introduction, President Greg still had one bullet left in his chamber and took aim (one more time) at his own foot! Greg II said , "There are over 530 Rotary Districts in the world and a corresponding number of District Governors. Mathematically speaking, half are above average and half below. PAUSE - I am so pleased to welcome our DG who is definitely above average!"
Our DG's background is amazing: Served in the Navy as a medical corpsman; embalming school grad - funeral director; Deputy Coroner for Placer County, CA; 15 years on the California Highway Patrol; USC Undergraduate and Masters Degree in Public Administration; State Farm Agent.
He and Marnee were married in 1967 and moved with their daughter to Castle Rock in '79. In 1985 Alex was invited to join the Rotary Club of Longview. He has chaired almost every committee in his 24 years as a member, was president in 1994-95, Assistant Governor in 2000-01 and 2003-05 in Area 10. Alex proposed Marnee as member in 2002 and she has served on the board since 2007. Together they came up with a hands-on project, creating the Rotary Angel Program which helps local school children from low income families to have a very special Christmas. Alex also took on the fund-raising for this program. Alex and Marnee are multiple Paul Harris Fellows, Bequest Society Members and Benefactors.??Alex is particularly interested in projects and programs that benefit children through young adults. Due to the current fashion of dishonesty in schools, sports and politics at all levels, he feels it is important Rotarians continue to be involved with our young people by providing them with positive role models who embrace the highest ethical standards in their personal and professional lives.
DG Alex mentioned how important it was to get input from everywhere to run a successful Club, even as a Cal Highway Patrolman, they would listen. He had gotten calls from a couple of citizens complaining about a little red sports car that always flew down a particular freeway on-ramp and swerved across multiple lanes in an unsafe manner. So the next morning Alex was in position and sure enough, the little red sports car did exactly that again. Alex pulled him over and asked what was the driver thinking? The driver explained that he was a Doctor and he needed to get to the hospital. Alex countered with the fact that it's been reported he does this every day, swerving across lanes and began writing up the ticket. The Doctor said, "Don't you give verbal warnings any more?" Alex replied, "Not since $5 doctor's office visits!"
DG Alex urged us to let the community and the world know the good things that are happening in Rotary. We've been around for over a Century and we're determined to Eradicate Polio. Trust plays a big factor. When Warren Buffett gave the Gates Foundation $30 billion, it was because Buffett knew the money would get to where it was most needed by the Gates Foundation. When the Gates Foundation donated $255 million to Rotary, their trust in RI had already been established through working together. The job's not done, we still have 4 countries (India, Pakistan, Afghanistan & Nigeria) with cases of polio. The task is huge inoculating 117 million children each year. District 5020 alone has contributed $1 Million to the battle. Thank you, Lakewood Rotary, for doing your part.
DG Alex had launched into a pretty serious address to our Club. He challenged all Rotarians to look for new ideas, embrace fresh enthusiasm. He echoed the charge by RI President John Kenny to grow our membership by at least 1 and retain 80% of our membership that started the year. Alex asks all 87 of his Clubs to consider their involvement in all that Rotary touches: Clean water, Sanitation, Literacy, Health & Hunger, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity, Ethics (sorry for only a partial list, your scribe was writing as fast as he could).
Marnee complimented us on our Ft Steilacoom Park, but asked the question, "How accessible is it to the handicapped children?" She's been asking that question throughout District 5020 to raise the awareness. Marnee & Alex's daughter, Jenny, has lived her life with special needs. Marnee also invited us to meet again (District Conference Jun 4-6 and Montreal Jun 20-23 for the International Convention.
You've seen it on the pin, RI President Kenny's motto this year is: The Future of Rotary is in YOUR HANDS. Thank heaven (for our President Greg II) that we have DG Alex whose theme this year is HAVE FUN! With Greg II clutching the gavel, horn, or whatever, I think we're definitely accomplishing that goal!
DISCLAIMER: No one takes ownership of opinions expressed or implied here within, any perceived slights were purely intentional and besides, "We Bulletin writers are just following orders from the editor to add scintillating news coverage where it has never gone before (except the Suburban Times)".
Lakewood Rotary CALENDAR
Next Week's Program: Koshare Lomnicki Our GSE Representative to Australia
NO Thanksgiving Meeting Nov 27
Club Assembly Dec 4
Christmas Party Dec 11
Board Meeting Dec 16
Roasting Greg II Dec 18
Christmas Foodbaskets Dec 19
NO Christmas or New Year Meetings
Tac 8's 100th Anni Jan 30
DLTA in Port Angeles Feb 20-21
Dist Conf in Longview Jun 4-6
Intl Conference Montreal Jun 20-23
Rotary Friendship Exchange - July If anyone is interested in traveling to Southeastern Australia in Oct 2010 as part of the Rotary Friendship Exchange, contact Greg Horn. A wonderful experience but requires that we also host Australian Rotarians ourselves in July.
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