It was a meeting like all meetings and yet it wasn’t. Of course there was the usual form and fodder but you could tell there was more going on as different groups of people were meeting at different tables than the usual and the little blue tickets were being lined up in rows so the numbers could be quickly checked. Today, someone would have a 50/50 chance of drawing the Queen of Hearts.
Jamie got to pull the lucky number and Carla, who had carefully picked one of her five tickets by matching the last three numbers to her birth month and day, nailed it. Without hesitation she quickly picked one of the two cards Steve had carefully shuffled and lo, she had the Queen that had eluded the 50 others who had gone before her.
In keeping with the different normal for the day, Ernst and Forrest led us in singing “In the Good Old Summertime” as a cold rain was starting to fall outside. President Garlan said a few words then allowed Steve C to have the floor since Steve indicated he could make some money for the club in the same fashion he does for his employer, “arrive late, leave early and make money while he’s there.”
Sure enough, as Steve proceeded to tell how, arriving late, he noted that Paul had parked his “Deacon” Buick in a convenient location where it should not have been. However, there it was with a handicap sign hanging on the rearview mirror. A fine in the magnitude of $5 was appropriately requested.
Paul quickly turned the table on Steve by explaining how he had picked up Mike to bring him to the meeting and therefore was parking, sign properly displayed, where he should. Graciously, Steve C. coughed up the first $5 for drawing an erroneous conclusion, Mike said he would add a 2nd $5 for enjoying the ride, and Paul dropped in a 3rd $5 for using a sign of questionable lineage. Christy was correct; he could certainly raise money with little effort!
President-Elect Don discussed the Auction Committee’s choice of The Haven to be the major beneficiary of the proceeds raised in the 2015-16 year auction.
The committee proposes we support The Haven in starting a new “Backpack” program to provide additional nutrition to children who participate in school lunch programs during the times the schools are not involved, such as weekends and vacations. In addition they are working on educational programs for the families in need re: healthy eating.
Paul made the motion to accept the committee’s recommendation, seconded by Steve C., where upon it was approved on a strong, rousing voice vote.
Carla, our fore-mentioned winner, demonstrated true Rotary spirit and became the first contributor to The Haven as she donated $250 to the cause.
In an answer to a question from John the Auction Committee said they had requested the amount of $10,000 be designated for the donation. That request is now being discussed at the Grants and Financial Operations Committee and a recommendation will be made in the near future.
Don thanked the members for the notes and thoughts he received last week on the death of his 97 year old mother as did Mike on the recent death of Jeanne. Mike said there would be a memorial service in the spring.
After a few more brags and fines the committees went to work. And this was what really made the meeting different. There was lots of discussion from around all of the six tables where groups were assembled. And as the meeting was drawing to a close the chairs all got in a quick summary of what had been discussed and the result was we didn’t break until 1:36PM. It was a great meeting.
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