Entrepreneurship & Creativity (Ron Erickson) | Preliminaries | Sign-Ups! | Highway Clean-Up | Proposed Member: Timothy Johnstone | Long-Range Planning Update Scheduled | New Member Recruitment | Rotary Walks! | District Day of Service | Student of the Month: Billy Runo | Youth Services Committee Update | Public Relations Update | Web Fun
Friday Program
Ron was a Rotary Student of the Month 45 years ago in Ellensburg, and if Ron is an example of what these students will do with their lives, then this is a program worth investing in! Ron’s first entrepreneur job was selling zucchini at a little store in Issaquah. He had zeal back then and still does. Ron’s mantra is: You are only limited by the scope of your imagination. He say’s, “It takes the same amount of energy to build something on a global level as it does to build something locally. It all comes down to the cut of your personality. There are no limits.”
Prior to introducing visiting Rotarians, Jan introduced a “special” guest, Tondo, a visiting Rotarian from Estonia. The hirsute Tondo answered Jan’s question about which was his favorite movie of the year with, “Well, Jan, it would have to be “Planet of the Apes.” Knowing we hadn’t seen the last of Tondo, the club members waited ...
District Conference
Proposed Member: Timothy Johnstone The BBRC Board of Directors voted Friday to accept the membership application of Timothy Johnstone of Woodinville. Tim is married, with three children, and his proposed classification is "Consultant-Strategic Planning." Tim heads the Johnstone Advantage Consulting Group, also in Woodinville. Please submit any comments you have on his proposed membership to Club Service II Director
Long-Range Planning Update Scheduled President Jim announced that the Long-Range Planning Committee which, last year, produced the club’s Mission, Vision and Values Statement, has been reconvened and will once again be brilliantly facilitated by Tom Smith. “BBRC members should take pride that all 55 clubs in District 5030 are using the BBRC’s planning process as a model, as they initiate their own long-range planning processes,” said President Jim.
As you might have expected, that prompted the densely matted Tondo to stand and loudly voice his disgust with Rourke for poking fun at his people. “Why did you have to say caveman? Why couldn’t you have said it was so easy even an attorney could do it?” At that point, Tondo decided this was not the club for him and he slinked out. Student of the Month: Billy Runo
Billy has a 3.46 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. He plays football for Eastside Catholic and hopes to become a civil engineer. Billy was president of his junior class and has been involved in several planning retreats for the school, where he has also participated in track and field. Billy was presented with a plaque honoring his academic, athletic and community service achievements. Our congratulations to this fine young man and to his parents! Youth Services Committee Update
Mike is looking for suggestions on how to re-energize this program so we can host a student on our own next year or bring other clubs back into the picture. The committee is also interested in setting up a short-term exchange over the summer. If anyone is interested in joining
“The PR Committee needs 'stories,' because newspapers don’t care about the club giving checks. That’s not news. They want stories that show how the BBRC makes a difference in people’s lives,” noted John. President Jim reminded us that there are 109 families in Guatemala who have fresh water because of our efforts. He added that there are millions of people worldwide who don’t have polio because Rotarians took on that disease and have promised to eradicate it. He added, “We need to let the world know about Rotary.” Friday Program
Ron was a Rotary Student of the Month 45 years ago in Ellensburg, and if Ron is an example of what these students will do with their lives, then this is a program worth investing in! Ron’s first entrepreneur job was selling zucchini at a little store in Issaquah. He had zeal back then and still does. Ron’s mantra is: You are only limited by the scope of your imagination. He say’s, “It takes the same amount of energy to build something on a global level as it does to build something locally. It all comes down to the cut of your personality. There are no limits.” Ron likes to think about an entrepreneur building a business as an artist with a blank canvas. He believes you should test the concept tentatively with people close to you then bring resources to bear on your enterprise. He says you much clearly articulate a compelling concept for your business so that you can put your whole purpose behind it. “Focus on the joy and the energy and the money will take care of itself,” Ron advocates. Ron told a story about having what he thought was a “new idea.” He had recently moved from Madison Park to Bainbridge island and felt that he had been “repotted” so he could have a brighter bloom. Ron thought this could be a great book and started writing it. However, things got busy in his life and he put it aside. Just last month, Ron discovered that two women have written a book and launched a website about “repotting women.” When you have an idea, you have to act on it. A bi-product of this experience is that Ron has learned that there is no such thing as a new idea.
Ron says entrepreneurs need to have youthful excitement and a focus on excellence. They need integrity and commitment to vision which takes heroism on a daily basis. He says, “Growing is learning to flow with, instead of fight with, your own greatness.” Current business enterprises: Putting the best possible light on the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club, during Q & A time, Jim Gordan said, "Tell me, Ron, have you considered applications for this product in the porn industry?” After at least five minutes of middle school-like snickering and guffawing, the club settled down and Ron replied, "Jim, all messages have to be screened due to FCC regulations." President Jim thanked Ron for his program and presented him with a certificate signifying a donation made in his name to Rotary First Harvest for 750 pounds of food. Make It A Great Day I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the day ends. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have. Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or ... Today I can grumble about my health or ... Today I can mourn my lack of friends or ... Today I can whine because I have to go to work or... Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or... Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have! |
Jim Gordon introduced Ron Erickson, saying Ron is a “serial (cereal) entrepreneur,” so we can expect a new high tech form of “Cheerios” any time now. Leave it to Jim ... 
On a foggy morning, the prelude to a rare sunny, winter day, President Jim called the meeting to order, introducing Tom Helbling for the invocation and Jan Nestler to introduce visiting guests and Rotarians. 
BBRC Annual Retreat
Valentine Dine Around
Rourke O’Brien, Membership Recruitment Chairperson, reminded club members to bring guests to the club meetings, as this is the surest way to get more people interested in membership. Rourke reviewed the recruitment procedure and said, “Come on, you guys, this is so easy even a caveman could do it!” 
Larry May introduced Billy Runo, January’s Eastside Catholic Student of the Month, and his proud parents, Diane and Steve. 
Mike Ralph updated the club on the current status of the Youth Exchange Program, saying, “We don’t have an exchange student this year because it has been difficult to coordinate hosting among the four Bellevue Rotary Clubs.” 
Rotary International has renewed its focus on public relations, and John Martinka updated the club on PR efforts.
Jim Gordon introduced Ron Erickson, saying Ron is a “serial (cereal) entrepreneur,” so we can expect a new high tech form of “Cheerios” any time now. Leave it to Jim ... 
Ron is a big believer in free will and goal setting. “You can choose to do something (start a business, change your body, etc.) and make it happen. By setting goals and exercising free will, you can make changes in your life.” Ron told a story about nearly drowning in the Chesapeake Bay in the 1970s because he couldn't swim. Vowing never to be in that situation again, he learned to swim and has now competed in numerous Ironman Triathlons. In fact, this “non-swimmer” as been the number one triathlete in his age group in the Northwest. 
