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Program for Friday August 30, 2002

Roundtable

Discussions

Chair:
Door Duty: Paul Hodgen and Joe Nusbaum

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Program for Friday September 6, 2002

TBD

Door Duty: Gloria Johnston and David Ninomiya

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Program of August 23, 2002

Gary Mills, former superintendent of Albany School District (and a school superintendent for 37 years), is a longtime Albany Rotarian. He is currently bringing awareness to Rotary clubs of the final effort to globally eradicate all of polio by the year 2005. In 1985, Rotary launched PolioPlus, one of the most ambitious humanitarian programs ever undertaken by a private entity. Since 1988, 350,000 cases in 125 countries have been reduced to 600 cases in 10 countries - thanks in large part to Rotary's significant financial contributions and mobilization of volunteers. It is in those final difficult-to-reach locations that the challenge to bring the vaccine discoveries of nearly 50 years ago is taking place. Contributions from major sources including Rotary are targeting to collect and invest $1 billion towards this effort. Paul Harris fellows have the opportunity to become double sustaining members with a pin of distinction to prove it. Thank you Gary Mills for making an eloquent appeal to complete the final chapter of Rotary International's success story.

Herb Cole reminds us that he is organizing Rotarians to go to Ghana on October 27 for a ten-day trip - a chance to be involved personally in completing the PolioPlus mission in that country. A shipment of wheelchairs to polio victims will also be distributed. It should be an amazing experience. Contact Herb if you are interested.

Our club's financial goal per member towards this project is in the neighborhood of $68/year for 3 years. This year's contributions to Paul Harris (since July) can count to PolioPlus (stay tuned for details from Erle Brown).

Happy / Sad $$$$$$
Leslie Levy passed her Brokers Real-estate Exam with flying colors on the first take…congratulations Leslie…Joni had a great trip to Lake Alminor with family…Dr. Herb (Herb Cole) won't be here next week as he happily serves as the ultimate babysitter for the grandkids…New Rotarian Jim Young has four happy dollars for the four buffalo who charged his car and missed in Yellowstone…Werner Schwartz found a beautiful home for an exchange student from Germany who starts at Redwood High School today…Jim Beaver had a good time looking for his roots in Los Angeles somewhere between the beach and Dodger games…David Brown got his son back to school in Santa Barbara - almost without a hitch.

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Last Meeting:
President David, dressed in muffler and overcoat, warmed us all with good humor on the coldest of summer days at the Mira Vista Golf Club. Dan Tanita led the pledge.

Thought for the day: "We sleep in separate rooms; we have dinner apart, we take separate vacations. We're doing everything we can to keep our marriage together…(comedian Rodney Dangerfield)

Visiting Rotarians:
Welcome Francisco from San Ramon Rotary and Ruth Vasquez visiting from San Pablo Rotary!

Guests:

Announcements
John Nicol reports that Vice President Stoney (Horace Stonework) is successfully recovering from gall stone surgery. "They don't call him Stoney for nothing," remarks Prez David. We wish Stoney a swift comeback and look forward to his return.

Richmond Rotary's meeting on September 13 WILL NOT meet at Mira Vista Country Club due to a scheduled golf tournament. La Strada Restaurant at San Pablo Avenue & Church Lane in San Pablo will be our meeting place for this day. Please take note.

Bavarian Bash (featuring food, beer, and fun) is October 5 in Dixon: George Egan reminds us that raffle tickets are $10 a piece, $100 per booklet. All proceeds are tax deductible, benefit Rotary's far-reaching programs and are credited to Paul Harris.

Group Study Exchange: Surely some young non-Rotarian in our community is perfect for our club to nominate for this valuable opportunity. Applications remain available.

Community Service: Dan Ercolini, notes that you can still sign up to be a docent or assistant for Artrain USA September 5 - 8. Dan also reminds us that Rotary needs legal computer operating systems for Peres School. If you once purchased a computer, chances are you have the original CD and registration number that went with it. What may seem worthless could legitimately bring new life to vacant computers for students. Dig deep in that storage room.

Recognitions
Joe Bagley brings out the best in Rotarian milestones: Judge Joni (Joni Hiramoto) and her husband Douglas enjoyed an anniversary with family; John Medlock turned an enviable real 39 and Dr. Dan Sanders is 39 again as well. Jim Beaver and wife Jane celebrate 22 years this month. Rotary's community outreach coffers are enriched by the generosity of these celebrants. Congratulations and thanks to each of you!

Richmond Rotary Lotto Joe Bagley came close, but the odds for winning are now down to 1 in 5 for a lucky ticket holder next week.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:30.

Respectfully submitted,
Jan B. Nimble