Meeting Recap for June 27, 2011

Posted by John McIntyre 
on Jun 29, 2011
 

 

Call to Order

President Scot Sorenson called the meeting to order at 12:15pm with thanks to everyone who made his year such a successful blur.

 

Invocation

Thought for the Day provided by Frank Espegren, Associate Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church, who suggested that we look at our Rotary service as a “tithe,” an investment in our community and in service to others.

 

Announcements and Events

  • Past President Jon Snyder shared a video summary of the recent Mystery Trip – a trek to the moon via the Discovery Science Center.
  • Past President Skip Lawrence encouraged everyone to give blood – we’re still ahead of those sanguine and wily Point Westians, 280-227. Skip recalled that Leslie Botos agreed to pay $1 for every pint, if we win this year. Time for Leslie to get out her checkbook!
  • Past President John Frisch shared a new Rotary award in honor of 32-year member of the Rotary Club of Sacramento, the redoubtable and inimitable Ludy Langer. Ludy’s son Michael was in attendance representing the family.  John thanked the members of the Ludy committee (who were recognized) and offered special thanks to Dan Cole, whose inspiration it was to create the award.  John then announced that the first recipient of the award is Art Breuer (and his wonderful bride Kiefie), which resulted in a standing ovation – both for Ludy and for Art.

 

Recognition and Celebrations

  • Beverly Brautigam invested, in honor of her and Hal Bartholomew’s 30th Anniversary together. Hal took the opportunity to note that he was now ready to change his surname to Brautigam.
  • Fred Teichert was pleased to honor his 20th Anniversary of wedded bliss to Nancy.
  • Art Breuer, not to be outdone, honored his and Kiefie’s 56th Anniversary.
  • Jim Phillips paid to tell the story about how he and Ludy were roommates on a Rotary trip in Munich and that he was introduced as “Mrs. Ludy Langer”
  • Mary Healy invested $100 in honor of Scot’s success as president
  • Ken Noack invested $100 to honor the executive chef of the Radisson, who made the wonderful cake (see photo) and who, week after week, keeps us fed during our meetings.
  • Tim Pinkney celebrated the Cal Lu grads in the room and was pleased to see that Frank Espegren increased the usual count by 50%.

 

Annual Summary

President Scot reviewed his goals and how he and the club fared in achieving them. Two merit attention here:

Membership – his aim was to increase our numbers, however the economy and actuarial tables conspired to leave us with a net loss of 30 members. However, on the bright side, there are a dozen or more prospective members in the queue who will be welcomed into the club during President Ken’s term.

Generosity – President Scot committed the club to $25K for Rotary Foundation. The club actually raised more than $31K, split between the club’s Foundation and Rotary International Foundation.  However, when we include all charitable investments by the Club, including Golf 4 Kids and Bids for Kids, the total is a staggering $516,437!

Thank you to Special Contributors: President Scot acknowledged that the success of Rotary is largely due to the shared sense of enterprise, however he called out a few for special recognition: Julie Van Dooren, Bob Daly, Art and Kiefie Breuer and Steve Raymond, each of whom pulled a laboring oar and often more than one! President Scot also acknowledged the members of the Foundation Board and his Board of Directors, the remarkable Rotary staff, Executive Director Hal Shipley, and last but not least, Scot’s family for their understanding during this demanding year.

 

Introduction of Speaker(s)

Chair of the Day Alan Markis, a member of Pastor Scot’s congregation, took his life and his immortal soul into his hands by chairing President Scot’s demotion… He introduced speaker and fellow Rotarian Jim Craig. Despite the nearly impossible task of roasting a pastor, Jim nonetheless provided some yukks, and then called forth Frank Espegren to speak from the trenches at St. John’s. Pastor Frank shared how the staff at St. John’s during the past year had renamed Monday and Tuesday “Rotaryday,” and “Dayafterrotaryday.” He also related that after his year of Rotary presidency, Pastor Scot would next year be in charge of a national Lutheran youth event in New Orleans for 35,000 high schoolers. By comparison, that should be easy…

Jim Craig again resumed his stance at the mic and shared his Google findings on “Lutheran humor,” some of which he took the liberty of sharing and which followed three basic themes: thriftiness, lack of erudition, and potlucks… He concluded with sincere thanks and approbation for President Scot’s service.

Alan Markis then called Past President Diane Mizell forward, who offered her own thanks and provided a gift certificate to President Scot to Williams Sonoma, which he, as a cook, called “my Toys-R-Us”. 

President Scot then received a well-earned standing ovation from the Club.

 

Conclusion

As President Scot neared conclusion of his final meeting, Ludy Langer’s son, Michael, was given the opportunity to express his thanks for the honor to his father and to recognize Art Breuer as the first recipient. The award means a great deal to his family.  Then President Scot concluded the meeting with his thanks and the admonition to be good Rotarians.

 

Next Meeting

We are dark on July 4th. Our next meeting is on Monday, July 11th, President Ken’s installation meeting!