Notice: 8/3 meeting - special recognition of some long-time valued members
Meeting Minutes
July 20, 2023
President Jim Reid rang the bell to open our meeting and led us in reciting the 4 Way Test.
Note the improved appearance of the bell; nice and shiny with a new finial.
John Goodrich led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Before that he regaled us with many facts about flag etiquette and how to display the flag properly.
Jim thanked our volunteers for their service at today’s meeting including Treasurer Pat Chaffee and Assistant Treasurer Joel Doss, shown here checking in Jim Sommer.
Terry Heck inspired us with several quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson, including this:
To laugh often and much: To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded.
Bob Vaughn introduced several visitors including Bahira from Egypt, shown here with Alex Robertson and Katie Hunter.
Joel then fired up his baton and we sang our incredible “Welcome Song” to our guests. No one left.
Alan Turner announced that $3000 in District Designated Funds are available to match club contributions to Rotary grants. Diane Remick said we have 3 seats left for the Day at the Races at Del Mar on August 25th. President Jim reminded us of John Mullin’s Camel Hair Challenge to donate every time he wears his father’s camel hair coat at a meeting (note that he did in the first picture of these minutes).
In concert with his musical theme during his year and the Australian theme of today’s speakers, President Jim was joined by Joel and Jim in singing “Waltzing Matilda”. The bush ballad, a country folk song, has been called "the unofficial national anthem of Australia". The title is Australian slang for walking through the country looking for work, with one's goods in a "Matilda" (bag) carried over one's back.
Deputy Assistant Fine Master at Large Athenea Luciano collected many Happy Bucks.
In the Family of Rotary, it was announced that Steve LaPointe had gall bladder surgery last week and is now home.
Jim has re-instituted having cake to celebrate birthdays each month and we enjoyed this one:
Your humble scribe joined President Jim in speaking about our experiences at Rotary conventions. The 2023 Melbourne convention was Jim’s first and my 10th. Note that there are TWO camel hair jackets in these pictures.
We did not get to sign a book for our speakers’ gift, and we hope to do that in the near future.
Jim adjourned today’s meeting at 1:30 pm.
