THE JURY IS NOT OUT

If there is one thing I have learned to recognize this Rotary year, it is the remarkable amount of talent your Club offers in so many of its members. A second realization that has maintained its consistency over the years is the fact that some of our best weekly programs are given by our very own members. Last week was no exception and it all transpired as a consequence of our scheduled program speaker Trudy Scott, a nutritionist, calling in sick (what are the chances of that!)

Needless to say, with not more than an hour’s notice, Past President Judge Brian Van Camp rose to the occasion with a spellbinding retrospective of the history of law worldwide as it applied to the creation and implementation of the jury system. Touching on such “Democracies” as Julius Caesar’s Roman Empire, to the Russians and their Bolshevik Revolution, to Chairman Mao and Chaing Kai-shek reign in China, to our very own historical lineage and the thoughtfully structure legal system vis a vis Thomas Jefferson and his band of “rebels” (among many other nations, states worldwide).  Eloquently, Judge Brian put it all into perspective with recited dates and events of influence. We came away from his oration with perhaps a renewed appreciation and privilege to participate in the jury system of justice enjoyed and administered by only about 5% of the Democracies worldwide also “operating” from a constitution modeled after ours. So, unlike so many of us, you may wish to view that next Jury Duty notice with vigor and enthusiasm having being given the privilege to judge your fellow citizen. Who knows when you might just be on the other side of that fence?

If the post meeting accolades, emails and phone calls are any indication Brian, you hit it out of the park and we thank you for sharing a snippet of this integral and so very important component of our legal system with the membership, delivered masterfully on very short notice.               

And speaking of masters…don’t miss your National Anthem this Sunday, Raley Field at about a quarter to 1:00 pm in the afternoon, to be sung live by none other than your Four Way Test Quartet comprised of Dick Osen, John McIntyre, Kevin Smith-Fagan and prior member Steve Green, kicking off our Rotary Day at the Ball Game sponsoring 7,000 kids and Polio…and if you act quickly you can still sponsor 10 kids for $100 bucks. We’ll take the money at the door!

Seats (and the 35 spots are going fast) on the bus ($199 bucks a head) for this year’s Dive Bar Tour, all for the benefit of the Society for the Blind, graciously hosted by PP John Frisch and Elfrena Foord. Do not miss this very popular Bids for Kids event tour of “vintage dive” to places where you might not otherwise set foot in a lifetime. 

And if you are Too Hip for the Strip (Vegas that is) you don’t want to miss this traditional swaree to be held in the fab 40’s at the lovely home of Patti Monczewski, August 25th, poolside. Dress is black tie (Rat Pack 1950’s vintage) with more small plate gourmet appetizers than you can imagine a martini bar or other libation to your liking, a backdrop of Sinatra music and of course…flamingo races in the pool! Hosted by Leesa Fons, Randy Friedman, Ann Ferguson and Patti Monczewski. For a $100 bucks you’re in (60 penguin limit).

Sign up for one or both events at a Monday meeting, on line or at the office, once again benefitting your Bids for Kids beneficiary, Society for the Blind.      

Creative live and silent auction items are still very welcome. Don’t be shy!

A handful of stalwart Rotarians enjoyed a Rotary Ski Day at Northstar last Thursday including lunch libations and delights at the oh so very posh and private Tahoe Mountain Club courtesy of Bill Proffit. Thanks to Chair Norm Marshall for arranging it all during a not so traditional and late ski season. 

Just a heads up…your Club will be hosting one of the Rotary Speech Contest semi finalists Daniel Li, Monday April 23rd, as he prepares to compete for the championship to be held in May at your District Conference. We will have the privilege of listening to his 7 minute speech, then…you be the judge.  

A big congratulations to the Rotary Club of Roseville and its President Michael Reinero, as one of three clubs out of 33,000 + clubs worldwide chosen by RI President Kalyan Banerjee as an International winner ( and the large club category winner) to receive the Changemaker Award. President Mike has been invited and hosted by Rotary International to attend this year’s RI Convention in Bangkok to receive the award, on behalf of his Club, on stage from RI President Kalyan. We spoke to Mike today (while traveling on the east coast) and he just happens to be …on cloud nine! A tremendous achievement and what a testimony to all of the good work of your District 5180! 

Many thanks to John Wood for sponsoring the meeting this past week and to your Exploring Mountaineers, the Rotary Rooters contributing more of the fruits of their entertaining venues about town, the proceeds from which your Foundation corpus benefits (and don’t forget about their fabulous CD’s also available at the office).

Enjoy a terrific week, reserve your Bids for Kids tables and sponsorships for this 28th gala event at the Hyatt, Saturday May 12th.

Ken Noack, Jr.

Photos by John Swentowsky, Swentowsky Photography