Thanks to Eleanor Kenitzer, our Program Chair, for allowing our Club to share in the fun of the Gathering of Cornish Cousins in Western Nevada County. Our guest, Alun Howells of the Mounts Bay Rotary Club, located in Penzance, Cornwall, UK, spoke of his experiences as a Rotarian in the Isles of Scilly and in Penzance. He described the customs of his Club, including a "jester" who tells jokes about Club members; "scrambles," in which the Club collectively attends the meeting of another Club; and their involvement in the renowned Shelter Box project. Our own Club is considering partnering with our Cornish cousins on a Shelter Box project. It was an interesting and fun meeting, full of international camaraderie, even if I did have the mischance of quoting John Paul Jones' comments about a battle with the British in the Revolutionary War for my Thought of the Day! Thank you, Eleanor!
We had several new guests in attendance last week and will have three prospective members for consideration at the August Board meeting. If you have someone in your personal or professional life who might make a good Rotarian, invite them to lunch. If you'd rather someone else extend the invitation, talk to Membership Co-Chairs Walt Stickel and Austin Farrar and their Committee can pitch in. The Club covers the cost of lunch for prospective members, but we ask you to pay for the lunch for family members, visitors and other guests who are not prospects.
I also have our first new member of the new year to propose – retired USC communications officer Karen Young. Karen is sponsored by Dixie Redfearn and Ben Barretta. She is on the Board of Hospitality House and has been a member of our community for two years. Her proposed classification is "Education - Retired."
If you have any questions or concerns about this nomination, please let me know.
A highlight of the meeting was pP John Hensley's report that he closed two escrows in one week for the first time in a long while. Congrats, John! Perhaps the economy is turning around sooner than we thought!
We are getting ready for our annual Fair Booth fundraiser. The Fair is August 12th to 16th, and we need every Club member to cover two shifts at the fair booth. This is a fun way to attend the fair, catch up with your friends, and help us raise funds for scholarships and our other youth endeavors. If you have not signed up for two shifts (you are welcome to bring a friend to half your two-shift commitment – anyone over 14 is fine), please contact Austin Farrar, ASAP.
August 3rd is the deadline for John Hazelwood to commit to our ticket buy for Rotarians at Raley's Field Day on Sunday, August 9th. You can participate in any or all of the party bus, the pre-game barbecue, or just the game. It will be a fun time for Rotarians from around District 5190, and $5 from each ticket benefits Polio Plus. We will share a comfortable bus (with restroom!) with the 49er Club, so get your sign-ups to John soon!
This week's meeting is our annual visit from the District Governor. Please come show a good turnout for DG Jan Gage of Auburn, who will report on activities at the District level, tell us a bit about the RI Convention in Birmingham, and bestow our annual Quiet Rotarian Award at that meeting. This award recognizes someone who can always be counted on to contribute to the work and fun of the Club, evinces the motto "Service Above Self," and is understated about his or her contributions. Rumor has it that my missing bell may make an appearance, too! Come honor both DG Jan and a member of our Club to be named soon! See you Thursday!
