Friday Program:
“The Road Ahead,” Paula Reynolds, President & CEO, Safeco Insurance

Paula Rosput Reynolds, President and CEO of Safeco, commented that the consumers are driving changes in the insurance industry.

1) In 2002, 38 percent of respondents said they saw through hype and advertising.

2) In 2007, the number had risen to 58 percent.

3) About 59 percent of people questioned think their IQ is higher than average.

4) The ratio of Caucasians to non-Caucasians over the age of 70 is 5 to 2.

5) The ratio of Caucasians to non-Caucasians under age 40 is 2 to 1.

6) The ratio of Caucasians to non-Caucasians under age 10 is 1.5 to 1.

While there is more complexity to insurance products, 40-50 percent of people feel they will buy insurance next time without using an insurance agency. Those results hold regardless of age or income.

Geico was mentioned for its impact on the insurance industry. It has the most recognized ads, is the largest spender in the insurance industry (spending $600 million a year in advertising). Soon, Reynolds said, insurance will supplant pharmaceuticals in yearly advertising.

A new product is available in the industry, Teensurance, a GPS system that tracks teen drivers so parents know where and how fast they are going. Does this mean Big Brother in the insurance industry is watching? Reynolds asked. “Absolutely.”

Reynolds mentioned the recent Southern California fires where 2,000 homes were destroyed in seven locations. That disaster will change thinking in fire suppression, she said. Likely changes will be more fire suppression systems in peoples’ homes. Also, weed abatement and construction of fire breaks.

Safeco, she noted, was the first insurance company to drive into the damaged area and was the first to hand out checks for temporary housing for those taking shelter at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

Preliminaries

President Phil reminded Rotarians to set their clocks back one hour this weekend as we return to standard time.

Hal Teel gave the invocation and led the members in the Pledge.

Craig Groshart introduced visiting Rotarians and welcomed guests.

The Rotary Foundation

Cary Kopcznski discussed the Rotary Foundation. All the money given to Rotary Foundation goes to programs — every dollar. It is the interest on the invested money that pays for the administrative costs. Rotarians can feel good about their contributions. Cary reminded members that November is dedicated to Rotary Foundation. The BBRC has two goals:

1) To meet the $100 minimum per member per year. “I think that’s a modest sum.”

2) The club also wants to average donations of $300 per member per year. Last year the club averaged about $330 per member. People can go on line or fill out paper forms for their donations.

Next, Kim Shrader led members in a quiz about Foundation giving. Over its history, the Rotary Foundation has benefited from one million Rotarians having given $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation. Here is what different gifts can provide:

Your $100 gift will provide tuition and books for one year of secondary school education for two children in Kenya.

Your $500 gift will provide 12 to 13 prosthetic limbs to an “Operation Walk” limb camp in Thailand.

Your $100 gift will provide mosquito netting for 35 homes to help prevent the spread of malaria in Bangladesh.

Your $1,000 gift will provide materials to construct a deep borewell in India, supplying clean water to more than 300 people.

Your $300 gift will provide sufficient vaccine to fully immunize 1,100 children against polio. And a final reminder, zero percent of donations go toward overhead.

Rotarian of the Month: Sadru Kabani

Sadru Kabani was honored as the Rotarian of the Month. He has been active in Rotary First Harvest, a recent trip to Turkey, hosted a Japanese GSE team, and hosted two visitors from Turkey who participated in Computers for the World.

Student of the Month: George Angulo

George A. Angulo, a senior at Eastside Catholic High School, was introduced as the Rotary Student of the Month. George has a 3.6 GPA and is senior class president and has been active in student government all four years. He has played baseball for four years and is looking to attend Boston College or Pepperdine University.

Officers Slated for Rotary Year 2008-09

The slate of officers was introduced for the 2008-2009 year. Margie Burnett was introduced as President-Elect; Mary Bell was nominated as Treasurer; and David Bolson was nominated at Sergeant At Arms.

Returning members are Phil Salvatori, Jenny Andrews, Steve Vincent, Hal Teel, Fred Barkman, Chris Ballard, and John Martinka.

New members are Juan Hernandez and Bob Bowman.

The election will be held December 7.

SAA Rakes it In

Sergeant At Arms Tom Harrelson called Margie Burnett forward to ask her about being interviewed on KOMO-TV after a Hillary Clinton rally. Margie agreed to be fined $50 for being allowed to mention Hillary five times. She actually said the name six times.

Next Chris Ballard was asked about the birth of his son. When he mentioned that the boy’s name was Jackson, he was fined $20, in recognition of Andrew Jackson’s face on the $20 bill.

We Continue to Seek Team Members for GSE Exchange With RI District 4459-Lima, Peru

The District 5030 Group Study Exchange (GSE) Committee has extended the application period and are taking applications until the Team Members have been selected. Inital interviews will begin on Saturday, November 10, 8:00 AM to Noon at the Best Western Executive Inn, 200 Taylor Ave. N., Seattle. Information on the exchange and applications can be obtained at gse.rotary5030.org.

The Outbound GSE Team from RI District 5030 will be visiting Rotary clubs in Peru April 13-May 12, 2008. The GSE Committee for the Eastside and District encourage our BBRC members to introduce this great global learning opportunity for young business and professional men and women to your families, friends and employees. The exchange is open to non-Rotarians.

If you have any questions, please contact Eastside Coordinator and BBRC Member John Armenia (Ph 425-890-6427) or District 5030 GSE Committee Chair Laverne McIntyre.

Web Fun

WHY MEN DON'T WRITE ADVICE COLUMNS
Courtesy of John Mix

Dear Ted,

I hope you can help me here. The other day I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching the TV as usual. I hadn't gone more than a mile down the road when my engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt.

I walked back home to get my husband's help. When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. He was in the bedroom with a neighbor lady making mad passionate love to her. I am 32, my husband is 34 and we have been married for 12 years.

When I confronted him, he tried to make out that he went into the back yard and heard a lady scream, had come to her rescue but found her unconscious. He'd carried the woman back to our house, laid her in bed, and began CPR. When she awoke she immediately began thanking him and kissing him and he was attempting to break free when I came back. But when I asked him why neither of them had any clothes on, he broke down and admitted that he'd been having an affair for the past six months.

I told him to stop or I would leave him. He was let go from his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed and worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. I don't feel I can get through to him anymore.

Can you please help?

Sincerely,
Susie Fox

* * *

Dear Susie,

A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the clips holding the vacuum lines onto the inlet manifold for air leaks. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the carburetor float chamber.

I hope this helps.

Ted

BBRC Thanksgiving
Food Baskets
Juan Hernandez

We will be collecting donations at breakfast on
November 9 to assist families in need on
the Eastside.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1. Bring an item of food from the list below:

10 lbs of potatoes
2 lbs of carrots
pie crust mix for at least 2 pies
pie filling for at least 2 pies
5 l. box of Bisquick
1 lb of butter
1 large jar of jam
10 cans veggies or fruit
5 lbs of apples
5 lbs of oranges

2. Bring a check (perhaps the cost of a turkey?) and we’ll do the shopping (make checks out to: BBRC).

3. Help us shop Friday morning, November 9.

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE FLYER WITH THIS INFORMATION.