Meeting Recap - 12/9/08

Pledge of  Allegiance Jim Cochran

The THOUGHT for the day - Dennis Kobza

SONG:   Phil Armi - "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

VISITING  ROTARIANS:

                             Rob Slawinski- Scotts Valley

                             John Hammerschmidt- Los Altos

                             Geoff Ziman- Palo Alto

                             Ashish Tapiawala - RC Borivli, Mumbai

GUEST: Dave Arriaga, San Jose

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Thanks to Tom and Judy for organizing our Holiday Party. It was certainly in keeping with our aim to HAVE FUN.

Locally- there is a sign-up sheet for Bellringing to help the Salvation Army at Trader Joe's on Saturday Dec. 20 from 9 am to 7 pm.  Contact Alicia to sign up.

The draw for the Rotary International Foundation prizes were won by Irmgard Lafrentz of the Cupertino Rotary Club and Ken Pon, a member of the San Leandro Rotary Club.

Locally, in our District there are proposals to change legislation at International level:              

1) Making Youth Service the Fifth Avenue of Service

          2) Not major projects before Polio certified as eradicated

          3) Public relations a District & Club responsibility

          4) Assessment to preserve the home of Paul Harris.

 See our Bulletin for four proposals and come prepared to vote at our next meeting.

Funds for both International and local projects also come through donations by Club members to the Presidents Club.  Certificates of recognition were awarded to Jim Spangler, Tom Myers and Frank Davila.

Member talk:  

Frank Davila shared information about the projects he has been involved with in Rotary since he joined the club in 1980.

International Service:

International Service chair Bert Raphael shared information about trips to overseas Rotary projects including one for polio immunization in India.  Bert introduced Geoff Ziman of the Palo Alto Rotary Club - our club will be donating our matching funds towards their water harvesting project in India with the Bombay Metropolitan Club.

Crab Feed Kick-Off:

Sandi McDonough, our Crab Feed chair, introduced her committee and reminded everyone that club members need to sell tickets.  Members are also asked to find/donate at least one item for our auction.  Sandi also reminded everyone that we will be doing our drawing for the Mexican Cruise at next week's meeting - so make sure to get your tickets!

SPEAKER:

Rob Slawinski , President-Elect of the Scotts Valley Rotary and a professional auctioneer, spoke to us about ways to raise more money through our crab feed.

He suggested having people swipe their credit cards at the door when they come in and using their bid numbers to purchase everything - including drinks - which will encourage more spending.

Adding a "Fund-a-Need" element will allow people who don't want to bid on items to donate directly for causes or needs they identify with.

Adding items you can't buy (dinner for 20 at a private home, for example) will increase your return. 

He also suggested networking with other clubs to trade items, such as time shares and airline miles.