The meeting started with Prez Jenny having technical problems with the mike. It varied from not being able to hear her to her sounding like a goldfish under water. What can you expect from a hand held lapel mike?
Bob Bowen gave an eloquent invocation as usual, followed by the pledge. He was sporting a fashionable neck brace, courtesy of an auto accident in Africa. Fortunately he came back with all his pieces.
Hal Teel handled the introduction of visiting Rotarians and visitors using the herd approach. There were two visiting Rotarians but many guests.
Rotarian of the Month: Steve Lingenbrink
Every month I am privileged to select one outstanding member as our club’s Rotarian of the Month. This is a challenging decision because we have so many passionate Rotarians who do so much good in the community and for the club.
The September Rotarian of the Month is a person who exemplifies Service Above Self. This Rotarian has not only served our club in many capacities and traveled the world providing service to people in great need, he has also served on several District committees and currently serves as the Executive Assistant Governor for District 5030.
This Rotarian is a busy guy, but when I asked him to take on a huge challenge this year, he didn’t hesitate to say yes. To promote our very aggressive membership growth and retention goals, this Rotarian has organized a team of volunteers who are making this a Rotary Fellowship Year to Remember!
How many of you have attended a fellowship event already this Rotary year? Oktoberfest, BBRC Family Picnic, Barbeque Throw Down, Third Thursday Socials? How many of you are planning to attend the Wine Tasting at Sadru’s house? The Red Dress Anniversary Dinner?
I am sure that all of you who have enjoyed or will enjoy these events. Please join me in recognizing Steve Lingenbrink as the September Rotarian of the Month.
This is RFH month so Howard Johnson gave a detailed talk on the function of Rotary First Harvest showing a slide containing the distribution process. He also solicited member participation in the last step, packaging produce so the food banks can distribute to those in need. These work parties are held the second Tuesday of each month.
Howard also detailed ways for members to make financial contributions, either directly, monthly, or through gift cards. There was a table set up with exhibits. The BBRC goal is to have 150 volunteers for work parties and a financial donation of $6,000. Half of that or $3,000 will be a club grant.
To get the ball rolling, Howard had a food basket to auction off with a starting bid of $1. BBRC’s professional auctioneer Tim Leahy quickly stepped in claiming we would be there all day. He started the bid at $30 and quickly had a winning bid of $200. Surprise! surprise! There were two more food baskets! Using strongarm tactics, these were then sold for an additional $200 each, raising a total of $600. A quick SAA-type ploy of happy dollars on the table raised another $251, bringing the total take to $851. That leaves $2,149 to go. You will hear more about this the next two meetings.
Student of the Month: Peter Pham
Bob Holert introduced Peter Pham, from Sammamish High School, as our student of the month. Peter sports a 3.96 grade point average and is President of the Student Body, although it now comes with a less attractive title.
Peter started out wanting to be an architect, but a fund raising project raised his awareness of helping the less fortunate. His goal now is to help other people to be sure all get an equal and equitable opportunity.
Peter will major in International Relations and Cultural Issues.
Marisa Sylvestor and Clair Brostrom joined our meeting to make a pitch for the University of Washington Rotaract Club Auction. This auction is to support the McKean Rehabilitation Institute in Thailand. The Institute provides medical assistance to leprosy patients and the physically disabled. This includes financial support to get the integrated back into society.
The Auction is set for October 24th. Visit them online for more information at Rotaract is an organization of younger people characterized by President Jenny as future Rotarians.
Career & Professional Study/Travel Opportunity
Rotary District 5030 and the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club are seeking applicants for Group Study Exchanges with India and France. Eligible candidates are business and professional men and women between the ages of 25 and 40, who are in the early stages of their careers. GSE Exchanges are: January 24-February 23 to SW India and March 28-April 26 to SW France. Click here to apply.
Rotary Clubs have worked towards advancing understanding, goodwill and peace since Rotary’s beginning in 1905. Local clubs are encouraging young business people to join these efforts by taking part in a month-long Group Study Exchanges. Each GSE Team is composed of four non-Rotarians.
The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for business and professional women and men that provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.
During the four-week tour, applicants participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families.
For each team member, the Foundation provides the most economical round-trip airline ticket between the home and host countries. Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district.
For more information visit the Rotary International website.
New Members Proposed: Smith, Addison & Turner
Lee Smith is the president of CoachWorks International in Bellevue. She coaches executives on leadership. Lee's community involvements include Kindering Center and mentoring of graduate students at Seattle University and Seattle Pacific University, and her passion is leadership facilitation. She has already visited the BBRC several times and is ready to jump in. Lee lives in Woodinville, and her suggested classification is Executive Coaching.
Christine Addison is a security consultant at Sonitrol Pacific in Bellevue. Sonitorol Pacific protects their clients’ property and personnel with commercial building security systems and services, including verified intrusion alarms, keyless access control, video surveillance and fire monitoring. Chris lives in Bellevue with her husband, Tom, and two daughters, Rachel and Megan. She has visited the BBRC several times and has already participated in one of our community service projects. She has been involved in Girl Scouts since 1996 and is very active in the PTSA. Her talents include being a “volunteer barista,” and her suggested classification is Security Consultant.
Colleen Turner lives in Maple Valley with her husband, Steve, and commutes to Bellevue. She is the president of Cruise Holidays of Bellevue, and cruises are her business! She has served on the Renton Airport Advisory Committee and has been involved in the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. She also belongs to the Washington Pilot Association. Her hobbies include flying, skiing, and traveling, and she has a private pilot certificate with instrument rating. Colleen has lived in Rio de Janeiro. Her classification is Cruise Diva.
This became a major part of the meeting since our speaker was a little more than fashionably late.
Steve Lingenbrink, along with her husband Ron Black, heaped praise on Stella Black for her work on the Fellowship Committee, including designing the invitations for the Anniversary Dinner.
John Martinka needs computers for his annual project. If you know of a company upgrading that has 10 or more computers to donate, contact John.
Walkathon will be Sunday, April 26 ...
... and Andrew Face is getting married this Saturday. Congratulations were given to Andrew, and then the agony ended, as the speaker arrived.
Friday Program:
Incumbent Governor Christine Gregoire
Paul Martin introduced our speaker, Governor Christine Gregoire. Governor Gregoire quickly made up the lost time with a rapid fire list of accomplishments. She started on a downer by mentioning the state of college football in Washington and worked her way up to more positive topics like budget deficits.
This reporter was hard pressed to keep up with her speedy delivery but some of the topics covered were education, particularly in early learning that prepares young children to be ready to learn when they start kindergarten. Under her administration the Department of Early Learning was created and a new public-private partnership called Thrive by Five was created. She said Forbes magazine ranked Washington third in best States in which to do business. Much of that rating was due to Washington ranking second in the education component.
Other topics were economic successes, particularly in clean energy. Washington has the largest silicon solar factory in the country. We also have the largest bio-fuel refinery. According to the Governor, these products not only can be sold here but are readily exportable. She also touched on our life sciences industry as it affects global health stating that both France and Australia are following the results.
The last major topic was transportation. Under Governor Gregoire’s administration, there have been 165 Department of Transportation projects completed, as opposed to just 12 the previous four years. The crown jewel was the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Work has started on the Alaska Way viaduct and work will start on the new 520 bridge next year.
Governor Gregoire’s presentation was very positive and remarkably non-partisan. The only time partisanship came up was when a question was asked about the projected budget deficit. This hit a nerve and she quickly pointed out that this deficit is in large part because of the credit crisis and that her opponent would make it worse. You can find out more about Governor Gregoire’s priorities at www.governor.wa.gov/priorities.
New Stock Market Terms
Courtesy of Ercan Turkarslan
CEO: Chief Embezzlement Officer.
CFO: Corporate Fraud Officer.
BULL MARKET: A random market movement causing an investor to mistake himself for a financial genius.
BEAR MARKET: A 6 to 18 month period when the kids get no allowance, the wife gets no jewelry, and the husband gets no sex.
VALUE INVESTING: The art of buying low and selling lower.
P/E RATIO: The percentage of investors wetting their pants as the market keeps crashing.
BROKER: What my broker has made me.
STANDARD & POOR: Your life in a nutshell.
STOCK ANALYST: Idiot who just downgraded your stock.
STOCK SPLIT: When your ex: wife and her lawyer split your assets equally between themselves.
FINANCIAL PLANNER: A guy whose phone has been disconnected.
MARKET CORRECTION: The day after you buy stocks.
CASH FLOW: The movement your money makes as it disappears down the toilet.
YAHOO: What you yell after selling it to some poor sucker for $240 per share.
WINDOWS: What you jump out of when you're the sucker who bought Yahoo @ $240 per share.
INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR: Past year investor who's now locked up in a nuthouse.
PROFIT: An archaic word no longer in use.
• • •
The Value of a Drink
'Sometimes when I reflect back on all the wine I drink I feel shame. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this wine, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, "It is better that I drink this wine and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver." ~ Jack Handy
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." ~ Frank Sinatra
"After I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading." ~ Henny Youngman
"24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not." ~ Stephen Wright
"When we drink, we get drunk. When we get drunk, we fall asleep. When we fall asleep, we commit no sin. When we commit no sin, we go to heaven. So, let's all get drunk and go to heaven!" ~ Brian O'Rourke
"Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza." ~ Dave Barry
One afternoon at Cheers, Cliff Clavin was explaining the "Buffalo Theory" to his buddy Norm. Here's how it went:
- "Well, ya see, Norm, it's like this: A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."