Meeting Recap for July 8, 2013

Thom Gilbert didn’t just take over as Rotary Club of Sacramento’s 101^st President Monday at the Hilton, he literally swarmed the installation luncheon with friends, family, colleagues and celebrities.

Well, truth be told, none of the celebrities were actually there (and in all likelihood never will be), though John Kelly (Cheney), Mark Huffman (Letterman), Julia Ciano (Grammar) and Kim Mueller (Lagarde) made pretty good look-alikes.

President Thom had the club going for a while, actually believing he was going to deliver former VP Dick Cheney, TV host David Letterman, IMF Director Christine Lagarde, and “Real Housewives” star Camille Grammar as speakers.

Gilbert finally admitted that the celebrity list was a spoof, but said he and program chair Bob Rosenberg are working to line up people like Sleep Train CEO Dale Carlsen and the Governor.

“Programs are going to be a big priority for my term,” said Gilbert, a 25-year RCS member. “Programs first brought me to Rotary. I stayed for the people, but the programs are what got me here.”

Other priorities will be to increase family participation in club activities (including bike rides and camping) and to increase available resources (collective time, talent & treasure), vowed Gilbert.

Gilbert said he plans to capitalize on the club’s 100^th anniversary to do that and announced that instead of Bids for Kids, this year there will be the RCS Centennial Celebration.

“It will still be a fundraiser and some of the proceeds will still be shared, but this is a special year for us and we’re going to make the most of it,” said Gilbert, who received several standing ovations.

Just back from the Rotary International conference in Lisbon, Gilbert said the trip brought home for him just how important Rotary is; that its programs bring the world closer to peace a step at a time.

“We can’t do all the things the world needs,” he said. “But we should do all we can.”

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The installation luncheon began with Past President Walter Dahl presiding as Gilbert, the Board of Directors, Foundation Trustees and President - Elect Susan Sheridan marched into the room in unison. Joining them were Gilbert’s eight accounting firm partners, his wife, Linda Jane, several personal friends and the “Green Eyeshade Brigade” as the Rotary Rooters played “Hail to the Chief.”

The “Brigade” was a group of 10 RCS members who are certified public accountants. One of the “Brigade” members, Jim Olson, offered the thought for the day. Then the Brigade assembled in front of the audience and, in a Letterman-esque skit, offered 10 little known “facts” about President Thom. This was followed by Jack Cornelius, a “Brigade” member, singing “Oh Thom Me Boy” to the tune of “Oh Danny Boy.” Then one of Gilbert’s partners, Dave Ljung, shared President Thom’s life story in pictures before Past President Peter Dannenfelser II presented Gilbert with his president’s pin.

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Next Monday RCS returns to its normal meeting location, the Red Lion Hotel Woodlake, formerly known as the Radisson, which was formerly known as…never mind, we don’t have space for all that.