This was the first meeting of president Doug Brent’s year. Doug wore a snazzy magician outfit to celebrate the Rotary International theme of “The Magic of Rotary”. He had several magic examples of how through the connections of those we inspire, and causes we start that grow, that we are able to serve many. Pledge was led by Meghan Burton. Doug had the club recite the 4 way test. Meeting hygiene goals were announced: cell phones off, minimize side conversations, Rotary acronyms to be avoided with a $20/infraction charge. Doug will repeat these throughout the year, because just like teeth brushing, you need to do it more than once to be effective.
John Pencer led Inspiration by discussing the core rotary value of Service, which we do by providing greater understanding and peace through our local and international service projects.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”
- Mahatma Gandhi
Visitors:
- Helmut Clemm from Munich, a Rotarian in town visiting his son to celebrate his 60th wedding Anniversary. He is proud of the good job the LG club is doing and will report this back to his club
- Alex Bonev, president of the Interact Club, past winner of our speech contest, son of Rotarian Stefka, here to honor the start of Doug’s year
- Khalil Tahaei- guest of Marty Fishman, from Iran, a PHD biologist retired, living in LG, volunteers to help low income PG and E customers figure out how to afford energy bills
- Marjorie Brent- wife of Doug, supporting the start of his year, she’s a baker
Doug will periodically share videos from interviews of club members from the Centennial video cutting room floor. Today was Tom Boyce’s inspirational story from his 1997 trip to Zambia, and how a local immunization effort there grew to 2 million immunizations and was a part of a major giving effort where every LG Rotarian that year gave $1000 each to end Polio.
Doug thanked Lisa and Barry for hosting first Tuesday and shared some photos of the 60+ attendees. Gordon won the photo caption contest, attached. Birthdays and Anniversaries (attached) were announced and the 4th of July St Luke’s eggs were shown. Thanks to Randy and Kathy.
Upcoming events include
7/13 District Roast and Toast
7/17 Board meeting, all welcome
7/23 In-Meeting service project
8/27 Club BBQ, adults only this time
Programs committee is headed this year by Lisa Cheskin, Barry (self proclaimed eye candy), Lissa Kreisler, Sue Heller and Adam Mayer. Lissa shared some exciting upcoming speakers including the Sharks announcer and Mercury News columnist Sal Pizarro! Check our club website for future speakers and look for post-meeting surveys to tell them what you think.
Send in pictures of your family to Doug throughout the year to be shared at meetings.
Doug's photo, taken at his son’s recent wedding.
30 for 30:
-Jean-Marc shared his daughter is starting med school at Emory in Atlanta
-Doug gave $99 to Scholarship to thank now-unemployed Patti for her 3 years as Treasurer. Patti matched the pledge.
-Nicholas was grateful to go home for the 4th with his family to see his dad
-John Colwell’s grandson graduated from UM and pledged $100…all were then “treated” to the UM fight song, to which calls went out for an added fine haha
Doug proceeded to kick off the 101st year.
- He gave some background on himself
- his family: wife Marjorie, daughter Laura, son Eden and wife Ariana, and dog Zoe
- his career: worked at Apple, IBM, Nova, and was CTO at Trimble which was most fun where he worked on tech for commercial applications
- after much international travel he decided to retire
- briefly was considered for RI General Secretary, but on learning he needed to be a Rotarian first, thought this was a high-integrity organization
- in our club, he was Secretary for 3 years, and worked on Interact, ELC, and Scholarship…also has been a leader in mentoring tutors
- He discussed the club and its endowments (Scholarship at $2M, Charities at $1.8M). He mentioned all the committees that need active members for our club to thrive. Also there will be some changes this year.
- He discussed his vision for the year. See attached slides. Let’s have the best year ever. Let’s remember the Rotary Values and stretch to be involved with Fellowship AND Service AND Leadership.
- He discussed his commitment to the club. See attached slide. Let’s make our year Magical.