Meeting Summary December 6,2011

President’s Greeting Our call to action for 2011-12 is to “Reach Within to Embrace Humanity” and our Rotary International President is Kalyan Banerjee.

Pledge of Allegiance: Bert Raphael?

Thought for the Day:  Roger Kao. 

Song of the Day:  Phil Armi.  God Bless America.

Introduction of Visitors:  Judy Hannemann.  Bill Mahood, visiting Rotarian from Los Altos Sunset.

Presidents Club Members: Anita.  Dave Cole & Bert Raphael each received their Certificates.

General Club Announcements:

●        The District has two repopulations that need immediate attention: one is creating a new paradigm for Rotary International to attract young adults in the 21-30 range by allowing Rotaract members to continue their membership after age 21 until graduation, and encouraging Rotary Clubs to create Young Adult Groups. The second is a formal statement regarding harassment to ensure the safety of any person involved in any Rotary activity.  The resolutions are being passed around on the clip board and will be emailed to you later today. We’ll take a formal vote next Tuesday.

●        Reminder that the Holiday Party is this Sunday, December 11 at Cuccina Venti on Shoreline. The event will begin at 6:00 for cocktails and 7:00 for dinner. The wonderful Madrigals from Mountain View High School are confirmed, and we’ll have the ever-popular gift

●        Jim Spangler announced that December 21 from 1 – 4 would be the date and time to help sort food at CSA.  He will send out a reminder.

●        Alan Goodman announced that the price for Crab would be about the same as last year.  He wanted any input as to if the ticket prices should remain the same or increase.  Each member is requested to sell at least 10 tickets.

●        Scholarship Coordinator for Mountain View High School, Los Altos High School and Mountain View academy: Ken Schwaderer volunteered to be the coordinator for this year.  He has a concern about making all of the meetings – Bruce volunteered to fill in for him at the one all important selection meeting.

●        New meeting place beginning in January:  As you know, we have been researching new venues for our club meetings ever since the City tacked on another $18 dollars per hour for cleaning fees, in addition to the $54 we’re already paying them for rental use. We currently pay our caterer $491 plus $108 to the City of Mountain View. In order to break even, we would have to have about at least 28-30 people paying full-price on a regular basis. We’re basically losing between $100 and $150 per week.  We looked at a few locations and between the price and parking, the Board decided that the Elks Club makes the most sense.  So, beginning with the January 3^rd meeting, we will meet at the Elks club on El Camino in Palo Alto. 

Rotary Jeopardy – Bruce Barsi

RotaCare Commitment – Jim Spangler.  He has collected from all but a few members.  Please give your $115 to him ASAP.  Make your checks out to the Mountain View Rotary Endowment Fund.

Christmas Party Judy Hannemann passed out invitations for the party this Sunday at Cuccina de Venti, 1380 Pear Ave (Near the theaters on Shoreline Blvd.)  6:15 wine & social, 7:00 Dinner, 7:30 entertainment.  Bring a “White Elephant” gift (up to $20) to exchange.  Let Judy know that you are coming.  (This is one of two mandatory Rotary events – meaning you are charged weather you attend or not.)

Email from our Exchange Student - Bianca Chang - To Gerry Felix

Hello Gerry,
 
I got back from Paris on Monday and I had a fantastic time there with the other exchange students from my district and the Berlin district! Although it was tiring and uncomfortable to travel for more than 12 hours on a bus, I have forgotten the uneasiness when I saw the name "Paris" on the highway. : ) We had visited Louvre, Notre Dame,Moulin Rouge, Versailles, La Grande Arche de la Défense and of course, the Eiffel Tower. Although Paris is the city of love, I found it not as romantic as it seem to be on magazines and TV... because the streets are very dirty. However, it is still wonderful and I found it amazing about how different Paris is from Germany although they are neighbors. It was hard to return to my normal life again when I got back from Paris...and the whole trip felt lke it was a dream to me (other exchange students, too). But I know that once the fun is over, I have to focus on studying my German because I have a big German test in Janurary. My Germany district said that If I don't pass the test, I have to go back to America. I am a little bit nervous but I believe I will pass it when I study hard. :) 

During the past few days, I was baking Christmas cookies with my host mom. We have baked about 5 boxes of cookies and we are not done yet! I never baked so many different kinds of cookies before so it was a very nice experience!  

I dont have any big plan this month...at least not yet but I know for sure that next month, a lot of events will keep my life exciting. Before I say good-bye, I want to ask you a question: Do I also have to write to my German counselor every two weeks? No one told me about it... but it seems like I have to? :/
 
Well then, I wish you a wonderful weekened and please send my kind regards to the Rotarians in Mountain View Club. : ) Talk to you soon!
 

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Next week’s presenter is Shelley Wolfe, Executive Director of KNTV. Our greeter/thought for the day and scribe is Hiro Kariya.