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I Asked God …
I asked God to take away my pride
And God said, “No.”
He said it was not for Him to take away,
But for me to give up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole,
And God said, “No.”
He said her spirit is whole,
Her body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience,
And God said, “No.”
He said that patience is a by-product of tribulation,
It isn’t granted, it is earned.
I asked God to give me happiness,
And God said, “No.”
He said He gives blessings,
Happiness is up to me.
I asked God to spare me pain,
And God said, “No.”
He said, “Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
And brings you closer to me.”
I asked God to make my spirit grow,
And God said, “No.”
He said I must grow on my own.
But he will prune me and make me fruitful.
I asked God if He loved me.
And God said, “Yes.”
I asked God to help me love others
As much as He loves me,
And God said, “Ah, finally you have the idea!”
– Anonymous
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Annual Planning Retreat Is History
The 14th Annual Planning Retreat ended at noon on Saturday, as the 40+ members and guests wrapped up an intense bit of seeking new ways to do the Club’s work.
Preliminary activities included a Friday golf outing and a women-only shopping tour in LaConner. Various prizes were awarded for that activity at the evening meal.
One special guest was former BBRC member and Past District Governor Jim Givan, who is currently terrorizing his new district, 5080, from his outpost at Yakima. Jim’s attendance was based on his knowledge that “this is the best darn Rotary Club in the world, and I’m just wanting to pick up some tidbits for the Rotarians in my new district.”
Prior to the evening meal, an invocation was offered by John Mix. (Prayer acquired from Gene Williams and given at BBRC Retreat, April 4, 2003; see right.)
After a delicious meal of halibut or crab-stuffed chicken, the crowd warmed up to the prizes given to the golfers and shoppers. The longest putt at the soggy Loomis Trail course was stroked by Ted Szatrowski – an amazing 66 feet, according to observers. New BBRC member Rich Hammond took the prize for the most balls in the water – 11. Steve Waltar walloped the longest drive – 450 yards. Robin Callan posted the 2nd Low Gross, with a 98, and the shortest drive, 3 yards. Brian Evison, our leader, carded the high score at something more that 125. Peter Powell had the most lost balls; Brian Heimbigner had the most well-balanced effort, with an equal number of lost balls and balls in the water. The big prize – a handsome trophy of the Raffle Prize given out in 1999 found in someone’s basement – was awarded to newcomer Cyril Faulkner for his 94 net score. Poor Cyril will have to attend next year’s retreat in order to get ride of this atrocious trophy!
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Shoppers: Top shopper Vicky Hunsicker Sanko, Jane Kuechle, Sharon Edberg, Jenny Andrews, Shelley Noble, Mary Bell
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The Sharon Edberg Retail Therapy Award (SERTA) involved the several members who elected to shop instead of golf. They invaded LaConner Friday afternoon, and their group purchase came out to be $7 to $8 apiece. They sported their recently purchased pastel shirts. They’ll make a lovely bowling team! Jane Kuechle was last year’s winner, and it was her job to pass the trophy on to the person she determined best exemplified the high standards of SERTA. The winner was Vicky Hunsicker Sanko, .who became, as Jane so aptly put it, “the new me!”
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Mixing business with pleasure. |
Gifts for all who worked on the retreat were distributed by President-Elect Evison. After a few shots at Karaoke, the crowd gravitated to another room in the spacious Semiahmoo facility to continue the various games of chance that have become an integral part of the planning process.
That done, and a short night later, the crew bounded in for breakfast to begin the big day of planning.
Brian Evison began the morning by giving a snapshot of his experience at PETS and sharing some of his special thoughts. He distributed a sheet outlining the Presidential Citation Program for the coming year. Next, Norm Johnson, who will be in charge of fundraising next year, introduced his hand-picked chairman, Jim Zidar, who got the planners excited about the next raffle. Kim Shrader did ten minutes on the Rotary Foundation, and John DeWater closed with assessment of the Assistant Governor Program as part of the District Leadership Plan.
Next, the conferees split into three groups, and, in turn, participated in three breakout sessions. Jenny Andrews chaired one called “Membership Challenges.” Norm Johnson led another, brainstorming idea session for the Rotary Centennial Project. And, Cary Kopczynski explored the issue of the cost of belonging to Rotary and how that should be managed.
In succeeding issues of the Reveille, the results of these sessions will be revisited so members can get a feel for what the planners determined.
The final session brought all retreaters back to the beginning, where recaps of the major topics were discussed by the session leaders. Four new members, Maureen Concannon, Cyril Faulkner, Rich Hammond, and Vicky Hunsicker Sanko were praised for their interest in the Club’s future and congratulated for becoming involved in the planning process.
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Peter Powell
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Throughout the course of the retreat, prizes were awarded. At the end, many of the prizes were left looking for owners. So, Peter Powell conducted an auction for bottles of wine and cases of beverages. A fine Semiahmoo box lunch sent the crowd on its way south, and another retreat was history.
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