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Program for Friday October 31, 2003

Save Mount Diablo

Malcolm Sproul, Principal of the Point Richmond environmental firm LSA will talk about efforts to preserve the natural beauty of Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County.

Door Duty: Barry Gordon and Oscar Lugo

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Program for Friday November 7, 2003

Cornell Green

Cornell Green (son of the great db for the Cowboys) will talk about his dropout prevention and student motivation program at Peres.

Door Duty: Paul Allen and George Alvarez

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Program of October 24, 2003

Michael Becker

Marc Howe introduced Michael Becker, speaking on the Rotary International Group Study Exchange, Vietnam 2003. This was a unique GSE - it was the first GSE Team to visit a non-Rotary country, and it was the first time 4 GSE teams were sent to one country. The teams represented different vocational areas and spent 3 weeks meeting with government officials and local Vietnamese. A reciprocal visit has been scheduled: 4 teams from Vietnam are visiting the U.S. this year.

Michael owns a high-tech marketing consulting firm, and was part of a team of 5. Only the team leader was a Rotarian. Their travel started in the north of Vietnam, where they observed a great deal of new construction as the country continues to develop. Michael stated that business is booming in Vietnam - he listed software out-sourcing, shrimp exports and manufacturing as hot areas. He also provided a list of on-going Rotary projects in the country, including a prosthesis donation program, bicycle helmet donations, assistance with aquaculture projects, water purification projects and a fishing boat donation program. Since returning from his visit, Michael has become an active fund-raiser with Minesweeps, an organization helping with land mine removal world-wide. It costs about $1000 to safely locate and remove one landmine! Michael was a dynamic speaker, with a cutting edge computer generated slide show - his presentation illustrated the value and vitality of the Rotary GSE Program.

Prospective Member
Pres. Stoney proposed Rhonda F. Harris for membership under the classification of "Housing-Developments"
Any objections to this proposal, please notify secretary Joe Nusbaum before Nov. 3, 2003.

Upcoming Speakers
11/14/03 Graham Hawks - Updates us on Deepspace.com
11/21/03 Berry Sue King - Precious Gems
11/28/03 No Meeting

Important Dates
11/07/03 Community Services Mtg Mira Vista 11:45-12:15
11/19/03 Peres Bedtime Story Night
11/28/03 No Meeting. Happy Turkey!
12/05/03 Holiday Auction and Club Elections
12/11/03 Holiday Party at Mira Vista CC
01/25/04 Annual Reno Train Trip
02/20/04 Help celebrate Rotary's 99th B'day
06/04/04 D-Day meeting on The Red Oak Victory

Door Duty Reminder
11/14/03 Jim Bates and Charles Belcher
11/21/03 Jim Cannon and Josh Genser
11/28/03 No Meeting
12/05/03 Dick King and Ken Leverich
12/12/03 Theodore Abreu and Charles Wong
12/19/03 Richard Alexander Father Nick

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Last Week
At the ring of the bell, Prez Stoney opened the meeting with a silent prayer for Freedom and Peace on Earth. Ted Abreu led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Prez gave the Thought for the Day:

There is no season such delight can bring
As Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring.

Visiting Rotarians
There was one Visiting Rotarian: Lilian Tsi Stielstra from San Francisco Club #2, sitting with Charlie.

Guests
Guests of Rotarians were Amirah Revels-Bey with Lilian and Charlie; Bill Thomason with Paul Washington; John Troughton with Jon and JJ. Wheatley with Ted. David K was good enough to introduce the Prez's guest, the delightful and soon to be Rotarian Rhonda Harris.

Announcements
Peres School. Dan E. announced the 3rd annual Peres School Barbeque, to be held this very same afternoon at Miller-Knox Park(on the Red Oak Victory end of the Park, of course). Dan noted the enormous success of the Spirit of Excellence Program - we were Wowed by 31 participants last year, and it's up to 56 this year. Thanks to Dan and the other Peres Volunteers for making a real contribution to the Community.
Hank Covell is helping gather support for this year's walk on breast cancer - see Hank to make your contribution.

Camp Royal
Ted introduced Herman "J.J." Wheatley, who attended Camp Royal through our sponsorship this year. J.J. is a well-spoken young man who provided an entertaining description of his time at camp. He enjoyed the campfires, the people and the leadership training and activities. Mark J.J. as a future Rotarian.

Recognitions
Charlie Wong was recognized and announced that he turned 78 years young yesterday. Yesterday or not, all hands stood up and embarrassed Charlie with a reasonably melodic birthday song.

Happy/Sad $$
Dan Ercolini's son is now established at Humbolt State - Dan doesn't expect to see him for awhile, which meant these were Happy Dollars. Josh Genser's donation was motivated by his lament that he thought he had left group singing behind with the Kiwanis when he became a Rotarian, only to suffer through two songs in two weeks. The Prez replied along the lines of "duly noted, Next!" Jim Young, never one to eschew a song himself, was happy that he and Linda enjoyed a weekend in Twain Harte - so were their hosts. David K. was happy that we were celebrating Charlie's birthday - even with a song. Jon Lawlis tossed some green in the box for his very positive experiences assisting with Camp Royal activities

Raffle
Past Prez David Brown won the ticket pull. With a one in nine chance of winning the Orange...the house won again.

"Be careful about reading health books. You might die of a misprint" - Mark Twain.

Semper Paratus

Where to Make Up
San Rafael   Monday       12:15 Seafood Peddler
Albany        Tuesday       12:30 Mira Vista G&CC
El Sobrante Tuesday       12:15 Joe's of El Sobrante
Berkeley     Wednesday 12:15 His Lordships
Hercules     Wednesday   7:15 am Hercules Senior Center
San Pablo   Wednesday 12:15 San Pablo Casino
El Cerrito    Thursday       12:15 Mira Vista G&CC
Pinole         Thursday      12:30 Outback Steak House
Vallejo        Thursday      12:15 World Holiday Inn