Meeting called to order by President Nicholas Welzenbach at 12:30
 
Pledge led by District Governor Richard Flanders.
 
Inspiration was given by Judy Rodriguez. She told the story of the two patients at the hospital. One shared what he saw out of the window to the other. Later, the first patient found out the storyteller was blind.  The storyteller just wanted to share what he knew the other man would want to hear; it was a gift from the heart. Judy urged us to think about meaningful gifts. She wishes for us peace and joy.
 
Guests: 
  • Dina Duckworth- this is her second visit, she is looking forward to joining the club.
Guest Rotarians:
  • Bob Carlson- Campbell Rotary
  • Stella Ralph- West Valley Community Corps
  • Maggie Padovani- District Public Image Chair, San Jose Rotary
  • Sesh Ramaswami- Asst. District Governor, Saratoga Rotary
  • Richard Flanders- District Governor, Pleasanton North Rotary
 
Nicholas asked for a moment of silence for the three students lost this morning to gun violence at school in Michigan. 
 
The song today was Harvest Moon by Neil Young, suggested by Hal Rosen. Great choice Hal.
 
Nicholas thanked Randy Cobb and Kathie Benko for their beautiful Hannukah themed eggs. We love seeing what the two of you come up with each week.
 
 
New member introductions:
  • Mike Norcia introduced Tom Rossmeissl
  • Suzanne Boxer-Gassman introduced Sue Heller
  • Lisa Cheskin introduced Karen Anderson
 
Welcome everyone! We look forward to working with you serving the community.
 
 
Services for Len Smith will be held December 27 from 2-4 at the Rinconada Hills Club House off Pollard Road. 
 
Anniversaries:
  • Linda Lester- 1 year
  • Russell Couch- 2 years
  • David Hubbard- 3 years
  • Hal Rosen- 5 years
  • Margaret Smith- 6 years
  • Neal Mudget- 6 years
  • Janice Gali- 7 years
  • Amy Potts- 7 years
  • Gordon Levin- 7 years
  • Greg Smith- 8 years
  • Tina Orsi-Hartigan- 20 years
  • Ed Stahl- 55 years
  • John Colwell- 56 years
 
Congratulations. Thank you all for your service to the community.
 
Upcoming events:
  • New Member Schmooze today after the meeting.
  • December 5 President’s Brunch. Tickets sales closed.
  • December 7- no lunch meeting.
  • First Tuesday December 7 at John and Devonne Pencer’s home, 5:30-7:30. Please let Maddie Smith know if you will be bringing food. Please bring drinks to share. Guests welcome. Come enjoy the Pencer’s beautiful decorations and fellowship with your fellow Rotarians.
  • Next meeting December 14 our speaker will be Mark Purdy, sports columnist.
  • January 29 Winefest tickets and more information coming soon!
 
Marty Fishman presented the TRF Thank You 2021 video. This is the end of Rotary Foundation Month, but you can still donate. You can donate through either Rotary Direct or a pledge card. We are doing well on our total dollar amount donated, nearly $26,000 of a $40,000 goal but only 40% of our members have donated. Our goal is Every Rotarian, Every Year. 
Amy Potts told us that she didn’t show up on the list as having donating, but she has an autopayment set up. She called RI and found her card needed to be updated. During this call she found we can direct our donations to any of the seven causes. Contact RI if you would like to donate in this way.
 
Nicholas pledged $150 to purchase a wheelchair. He asked people to raise their hands if they wanted to join him.  At the end of the meeting, it was announced that members generously stepped up and purchased 15 wheelchairs during the meeting. Thank you everyone.
 
20 for 20
Lisa C. gave $20 for conducting a survey on lunch preference.
Judy R. $25 for Julian and her 25th anniversary
 
Patti Van der Burg announced the slate from the Nominating Committee. The club will vote on December 14.
 

Our program today was our District Governor Richard Flanders. 

Gov. Flanders began his presentation by telling us his focus for the year is on membership. He presented pins from the district to our new members and their sponsors. He recognized our club members for their contributions to the district: Tina for her time as District Chief of Staff, Avis La Grone for her long-time involvement in a variety of areas specifically her work in Viet Nam, and Andrew Stearns for his help training secretaries. He also thanked Sesh for his work as Assistant Governor and Maggie for her work as Public Image Chair. 
 
The governor is in the process of visiting all the clubs in the district. He complimented our club not just on how well we are doing with retaining and adding new members but also our activities within the community. Nicholas has a goal of getting to 130 members by the end of his term. Amy, Rachelle Lopp, and the rest of the PR committee have been doing a great job. We have a couple new members that found us through our social media presence. 
 
Gov. Flanders spoke about how the pandemic has affected our clubs and membership. He urged us to be engaged in activities as well as reaching out to current and prospective members. Try to stay connected to members you haven’t seen for a while. The theme of RI this year is Serve to Change Lives, by being engaged we can all change lives. He also mentioned that if we know of a member who is having a hard time right now keeping up with dues please apply to the district for a grant. These grants will automatically be approved. 
 
Upcoming district events: 
  • February 27 Dinner with RI’s first woman president Jennifer Jones at the Blackhawk Museum
  • April District conference Walnut Creek.
 
The governor ended his talk with a personal story about how he and his family were helped by a Rotarian they had never met who was 6,000 miles away in Taipei. The help he received let him unite his mother’s and father’s ashes. The Rotarian was Gary C.K. Huang, who went on to be RI president 2014-2015. Rotarians, people of action. 
 

 
Remember: No lunch meeting Dec. 7. Social event at the Pencer’s.
 
Meeting adjourned 1:30