Vol. 17, No. 23, December 6, 2004

IN THIS ISSUE:

This Reveille Home Page | The Friday Program: The Costco Code of Ethics | Giving Tree Makes Out | Calendar Updates | Friday Potpourri | BBRC Railroad Runs on Time | Classification Talk: Carlos Aragon | Sergeant At Arms Celebrates Birthday | Of Caring and Coffee | Web Fun

The Friday Program:
The Costco Code of Ethics

Jane Kuechle introduced John Matthews, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Risk Management for Costco Wholesale. John is an active member of the Mercer Island Rotary Club, currently serving as club secretary. It was noted that MI Rotarian Gary Smith was the winner of the 2004 BBRC Raffle. Matthews confirmed that Smith’s new found bonanza simply “doubled his Paul Harris contribution!”

Kuechle gave a thumbnail on Costco: 110,000 employees in eight countries, with 417 warehouses open. The company is on a schedule of opening 35-42 new warehouses each year. In addition to his Costco duties, John Matthews is a member of the board of Pacific Science Center. His successful Rotary Foundation fundraising efforts have brought him before Rotary District audiences to show how it’s done.

Matthews noted that the group gathered for breakfast last Friday was meeting at Costco’s World Headquarters. “It’s unusual for Costco to host a meeting like this,” he said. Matthews stressed the importance of Costco’s reputation, “experiences both within and without the company. It’s a great place to work, with lots of positive feedback from the community. We focus on employee communications. We want them to share in how we develop our culture ­ we hired 30,000 people last year. So, the question is: How do you integrate that many new people each year into your operation? We urge our employees to tell the stories of why Costco is different ... and how they’re making a difference.” READ MORE

Giving Tree Makes Out

Phil Salvatori announced that thanks to response from club members, ALL of the ornaments have been plucked from the Giving Tree. This Friday is the final day for bringing your gifts to our club meeting to give to Phil. Remember to follow the instructions on the ornament for wrapping or not wrapping the gift.

“For members who didn’t get an ornament and feel moved to participate, we’d like you to send a check of any amount to me and we’ll split those proceeds with the two organizations the gifts are meant for: The YMCA and Hopelink. Thank you to all members making this a successful project. There are 110 special gifts to as many special people and we thank you for making their holidays special.”

TOP

Calendar Updates

Glendale Country Club will close on January 1st through January 13th. Therefore, the BBRC’s meeting set for Friday, January 7, will not be held at Glendale. The meeting will take place just up the street at the newly-remodeled Sammamish High School. The club has met each year at Sammamish to learn about education initiatives. This year will be a special visit, since a massive building project has transformed the school. Don’t miss this exciting program!

There are very strange people who insist on golfing year-round in Western Washington. Carrying on a tradition that escapes us, on December 24, a number of golfers will go golfing with the elves at the Mt. Si Golf Course. Tee-off time is 10:00 a.m.

TOP

Thought for the Week

"Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood. Make big plans, aim high in hope and work.” Daniel H. Burnham

TOP

THIS WEEK'S EDITOR
John Mix

THIS WEEK'S PHOTOGRAPHER
Jim Kindsvater, Steve Lingenbrink

CLICK HERE
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BBRC CENTENNIAL PROJECT

Reveille | Reveille Archives | Meeting Information | Calendar | How to Join the BBRC | Officers & Directors | Committees | Online Member Directory | Short Directory PDF File | Directory Info Form | Set Up User Info | Forgot User Info | Meeting Make-Up Form | Attendance Statistics | New Member Application (PDF File) | Expense-Funding Request Form (PDF File) | Rotary Foundation Pledge Form | District 5030 Website & Newsletter | District 5030 Club Websites & Where-When They Meet | 2004 Raffle Winner | About the Raffle | Email Us