President's message - not sure what number

President’s Message from off Mazatlan

Value and Values are topics that have come to my mind the last few weeks while on board the Coral Princess.  Ruth and I have had the pleasure of sharing our experience with Marion and Dan Gallant.  We sailed from Ft Lauderdale on Jan. 24^th and will be in Los Angeles this Tuesday, Feb. 8^th.    We are also traveling with long time cruising buddies and a long time friend and her son.  

We have the opportunity to experience many cultures on our travels and one of the cultures of Latin America as well as other places is the expectation to barter.  This is where one has to place a value on the object or service one is getting and negotiate to it.  In North America we often do this by looking for sales.  What makes one dress from a store worth $200 one day and it is on special the next for 40% off?  In Cartagena one runs a gauntlet of street vendors selling t shirts to tablecloths.  I find I am able to look at an item or service (taxi ride) and place a value on it.  I don’t need any jewellery or ball caps so they have no value.  But a nice tablecloth cover is something I can use at home and so has a value.  My friend likes to see how low she can get it for.  There is a challenge, a game to this. If my friend negotiates a service for us, lower than my evaluation I can add an appropriate tip for a job well done.  Then I am not imposing my evaluation on my friend but I am being true to myself.  

I have been with Dan as he talks to people from around the world.  He talks enthusiastically about the World Help Network.  He was speaking to staff from the Philippines last night about the number of containers we have supported to there over the years.  He was spreading the word of what Rotary is.  We have seen Rotary signs in different countries as we zip by on the bus tours, highlighting work we help contribute to.  These are values we as an organization support.  Sharing our resources, time, expertise and money to help those in need is what we can do.  What we take for granted, others can just hope for.  For example, Panama has issues with basic garbage collection and disposal.  Lets keep up the good work supporting the club and organizational values of Service Above Self.

Hope to see you all Wednesday