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Windmill for 6 July -it's a New Year!
PROLOGUE -
We began with the RI Theme - and once published herein, it will no doubt
be
forever burned into your memory, and thus not necessary to repeat -
"Create Awareness and Take Action". DENNIS CORNWELL
strode fearlessly to the platform and led us in the Pledge.
The song was next, with music by BILL MAXWELL, under the baton of PP
STEVE DAY. After a couple of pre-beginnings, we launched into God
Bless America, to everyone's satisfaction. The now-defrocked RON
KLEPETAR provided the Invocation, pointing out that we needed a strong
message. We were reminded that July 3rd was the last day of the
climatic battle of Gettysburg, and that our nation's birthday is a time
to remember that many people have contributed to this land of freedom
that we all enjoy. RON then read a letter from Abraham Lincoln to
a mother who lost five sons during the War - a reminder that we all have
debts to those who came before us.
YOE allowed as how there weren't any visiting Rotarians, but was
corrected by Prez. STEVE who introduced Neil Graboski, President of W.
Hollywood and his Special Guest. During this next period, there
were several reputed calls to either Prez STEVE or PP BOB WESSLING,
which served to stretch out further introductions. Prez STEVE did
manage to introduce Jamie Spencer, from UCLA, plus his son, Evan, who
will soon be going to Dublin to study Veterinarian Medicine at
University College there. Next was his daughter, Melanie, a
personal chef for, among others, Ann Margaret (YOE wonders if she ever
needs a sous chef…). Melanie also produces breadsticks for
restaurants. Claude Cutwright was of course there in support of
STEVE.
POTPOURRI -
Much to the dismay of PP JIM DOWNIE, there were announcements - all made
by Prez. STEVE - (and another word of advice - have other members make
these remarks - share the blame, so to speak). Anyway, here they are:
July 11th - first Board Meeting, at DiStefano's in WW - 6:30.
July 20th - joint Board Meeting of WVRC and Brentwood /WLA Club to
discuss fundraiser at the Peterson Museum.- ll:30 before our meeting,
DON CONNER in charge.
July 25th, first District Breakfast, LAX Marriott, with dancing Indians
- 0645! Contact JIM GREATHEAD.
Our Rotary Auxiliary is hosting a Summer Dinner Party at the home of LEO
and Marian TSENG on Saturday, August 5th at 6 p.m. RSVP with check
for $25 pp to Petie Henkes, 12313 Navy Street, LA 90066.
AND, at next week's meeting you will be seated at numbered tables - be
forewarned!
PROGRAM -
Those at the head table were each asked to speak briefly on their area
of
activity. First up was ANN ELKIN, who is our new Vocational
Service Chair. The programs we have had success with will be
continued - and she always needs volunteers to help. PP RON LYSTER
now has the new title of email maven, this because he briefly mentioned
the three email sites available: For Official Business, (wvrc@egroups.com
).For serious but non-rotary matters (wvrc-forum@egroups.com)
and for postings in a lighter vein (wvrc-chat@egroups.com).
Note that 80% of the Club is now on the Internet,
the newest joiners being PP DAVE MORE and PP MIKE NEWMAN. ANN
SAMSON is in charge of Community Service, and will focus on our
excellent
PLLUS program. PETER MORE is the new Secretary/Treasurer, who
admitted that PP DOUG DESCH does most of the work. However, this
frees PETER to take minutes of the Board Meetings, which necessitates
his keeping awake during these proceedings. PETER, a word of advice here
from YOE - into each life some rain must fall… BOB YOUNKER is
our Webmaster, and our home page (www.wvrc.net)
gives access to the Windmill, the Calendar, our history, the officers -
just check the Navigator Bar on the left hand for the complete
menu. RUDY ALVAREZ, still breathing hard from finishing last
year's Award Book, had enough left to take on International Service.
His intent is to establish better links with many clubs worldwide.
MARK BLOCK was up next, and he is Youth Chair. They will initiate
KICK,
Karate for Inner City Kids, and LEE DUNAYER will assist, while ELLIOTT
TURNER will handle Rotaract - and ELLIOTT, be aware that GEORGE DEA'S
shoes are large ones to fill. PP STEVE DAY is our Foundation Chair - and
we have TWO, RI and WVRC. He mentioned that PP BOB WESSLING was to
be in charge of one of the Foundations, and an unidentified voice asked
if that was subject to a vote…Moving right along, STEVE allowed as how
we would concentrate on Polio Plus and the Ambassadorial Scholar
programs. President Elect GEORGE DEA stated that he was
considering taking a course called Staging and Managing Communications,
but also admitted that he will be selecting the site for the Demotion
Party (and STEVE, a word here, if I may - just because we are planning
during your FIRST meeting to cast you out later shouldn't be taken
personally - we all are subject to term limits…) GEORGE added that
Vice President TED IHNEN will be in charge of the skit for the Demotion.
His final announcement was that our request for a Matching Grant for the
PLLUS Program has been approved, with Singapore West as our other
matchee. Public Relations will be handled by PP ROY BELOSIC, who
started out by trying to put the best face he could on his being seated
below the dais with the hoipoli, saying that was where he really
preferred to be. However, he did recover enough to suggest that
Hump Day and the Sweetheart Brunch should perhaps not be mentioned in
the same sentence. SUSAN ALLEN will handle Membership, but was not
able to attend today. Our ever-vigilant PP JIM DOWNIE reminded
Prez STEVE that he had l minute left- Believe it or not, Prez
STEVE had a couple of final thoughts. He reminded us that RI
International President Frank Devlin is the first such officer with an
Internet focus. STEVE pointed out what a difference one person can
make, his example being PP RON LYSTER who founded the International
Association of Rotary Motorcyclists in 1991 - and they now have over
1500 members worldwide!
At this point, PP MIKE NEWMAN suggested that we needed dessert,
rather than that lousy salad, to which YOE heartily agrees. Before
STEVE could finish with his Thought for the Day, it was passed by
acclimation that all Board Members (they are listed above) be fined
$100.
Final Thought, anyway - Measure Twice, Cut Once!
YOE, Ernie Wolfe
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