Meeting Recap for July 16, 2012
(Photo's by Swentowsky Photography)
Meeting number two of our new Rotary term, yet President Peter Dannenfelser II (the sequel) already looks to be in mid-season form, as he showed a veteran’s command of the podium and gavel at this week’s Rotary confab (a word of advice to those who haven’t dropped in yet this term – El Presidente likes to see Rotarians adorned with their Rotary pins -- and likes even more to drain the wallets of those who aren’t [you’ve been warned]).
After Dave McKie gave us the thought of the day (a nautical one at that), Dick Osen warmed up those golden pipes of his and led us in a song, and Rick Davis (new Sergeant-at-Arms) dispensed with the usual and customary visitor and new member introductions, we moved on to one of the most meaningful of the club’s rituals – the inducting of our latest Sacramento Rotary Fellow – and a more honorable fellow you’ll not find than our newest recipient (for you newer members, the Sacramento Rotary Fellow is the highest honor bestowed by the club, and one is in rarified Rotary air when awarded that title).
Introduced by Past Prez John Frisch, FMIR (Funniest Man in Rotary), our newest Sacramento Rotary Fellow is Mr. Ken Stieger. Ken’s contributions to the betterment of Sacramento are too numerous to mention here, but I’ll leave you with this: Kenny may be the only person who has been honored both as the “Man of the Year” in the Active 20/30 Club (the highest honor bestowed by that organization), and a Sacramento Rotary Fellow in ours. Congratulations, Ken, there’s no one more deserving.
After Ken’s ceremony, we heard from 3-week young member, David Stewart, who has jumped into the Rotary pool with both feet, pulling double duty today and serving as both Chair and Sponsor of the Day, spending his $300-and-3 updating us on the goings on at the Sacramento campus of Drexel University, where he hangs his proverbial hat (more about Drexel later).
Speaking of pools, many thanks to PP Beverly Brautigam and the First Dude (known in lesser circles as Hal Bartholomew [also a Past President, by the way]) for another successful Rotary BBQ at their Elk Grove estate. Also on the announcement front, Brad Towne advises that his sire and fellow Rotarian, Ed Towne, had some emergency surgery and is in the ICU, but stable. No calls yet, but cards are welcomed.
Looking for things to do on behalf of Rotary? Barry Goldberg is looking for hosts for the upcoming round of Brown Bag lunch meetings, so give him or Steve Shiflett a ring if you can help. John Swentowsky is looking for volunteers for our upcoming Loaves & Fishes duty at the end of the month, and who better to help than you? You can call John or, better yet, go out to the Softball Complex at I-80 and Fulton this Wednesday and tell him in person, after cheering on the Rotary softball team. Want even easier duty? Plan to attend the Rotary Day at the Sacramento Capitals tennis match on July 27th. Sit on your keester, turn your head from one side to the other for a few hours, and raise money for Polio Plus with your ticket purchase.
All Presidents have their style, and me thinks President Pete will become known quickly for his ability to shake the change from the members pockets. Among his victims this week were newly-minted Past Prez, Ken Noack, Jr. (who summited Shasta for the 16th time last week, and took a Rotary flag to the top with him), and Christopher Johnson, who was bestowed Father of the Year kudos by Comstock’s magazine (a fact that Chris takes great delight in pointing out to his better half, when she opines that he lets their daughter get away with too much). A third potential tithing candidate is Burnie Lenau, whose fine has been put in abeyance by Mr. President – pending the outcome of the 9th race at Cal Expo this Saturday. Bernie, you see, owns a couple fast hay eaters – Elizabeth A and Sea Rascal be their names – and he’s racing them at the State Fair this weekend (Ms. Elizabeth runs in the 9th on Saturday, while Sea Rascal is running sometime on Sunday [check your Daily Racing Form for times]). If either wins, Burnie pays – so if you’re looking for something to do this weekend, join Burnie at the track and encourage his hosses to raise some money for Rotary.
After his Sponsor of the Day pitch, David Steward circled back to the podium to introduce our Speaker of the Day, his colleague at Drexel, Ms. Sandy Kirschenmann, who gave us the longer version of the happenings at Drexel. Some quick tidbits from Sandy’s speech include her advising that the Sacramento campus is part of the 122-year old legacy of Drexel University in Pennsylvania, which is rated among the top 100 of universities in the U.S. Drexel’s Sacramento campus focuses currently on graduate degrees for working folk (MBAs, PhD’s and whatnot), but plans are in the works to introduce an undergraduate completion program in 2013 (a diploma from a Top 100 university and you won’t even have to leave town – not a bad deal). Sandy also wanted to assure that Drexel is a private, non-profit university, and not of the private for-profit ilk that has been getting the bad press lately.
Next week’s meeting is at the Woodlake, where bestselling author, Robert Dugoni will be the guest speaker, and we’ll find out if Burnie pays. See you then (and wear your Rotary pin!). JBW