If the first meeting of a new Rotary year is an indication of what lies ahead then the Rotary Club of Sacramento is in for a great deal of fun and accomplishment over the next 12 months.
Under the direction of John Wood (McGee & Thielen Insurance Brokers) and Dave Higdon (California Moving Systems), the installation of President John Lemmon (Knox, Lemmon & Anapolsky, LLP) was a tremendous success. Dave called the meeting to order to start the 104th year of the Sacramento Rotary Club. The meeting began with a parade of stars as the members of the Rotary Club of Sacramento Foundation Trustees and Board of Directors were introduced with the last introduction saved for John who entered the room to a standing ovation. Dave then thanked Skip Lawrence for the Wine Reception, Aaron French (Zanker Recycling) for spinning the tunes, Jack Anderson (Dick James & Associates) for playing the piano, and Mike Bullington (Pacific Advisors), Kathe Nathan (The Merchants National Bank) and Diana Spencer (Shriners Hospital) for greeting everyone at the door.
Mik Miklaus (Integrity Mortgage) provided the opening thought talking about the nomadic nature of our Club during his 38 years of membership and commenting on the evolution of the food that we have been eating over that time. He summed it up nicely with the simple phrase “take it or leave it.”
Dave then introduced our new Sergeant-At-Arms, Callee Setzer (Setzer Forest Products), who with the help of an amazing pair of glasses made the introductions of guests Mike & Dee Geremia and Dennis Raymond; Prospective Members Gary Giri and Lincoln Snyder; and visiting Rotarians Rick Bixler, Drew Houghton and Russel Fuji from Point West and Katherine Turner from Clarksburg.
Dave introduced the Head Table, which included John Frisch (Cornish & Carey Commercial), John Wood, Tom Knox, Debbie Lemmon and John Lemmon.
Dave then introduced Bessie Papailias from the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church to provide some welcoming remarks as we have our first meeting in the facility.
Time for some announcements: Beverly Brautigam (Brautigam Financial Services) invited everyone to the annual BBQ and Swim Party at the Bartholomew’s on July 23. Skip Lawrence encouraged everyone to stop by Blood Source and give blood and the need is critical during this time of year; Tom Bacon (Kidder Mathews) put in a plug of the Sacramento Century Bike Ride; Bob Miller (First US Community Credit Union) encouraged everyone to hit the links at the Golf 4 Kids event on August 7; and John Swentowsky (Swentowsky Photography) thanked the Loaves and Fishes volunteers and announced that the Sacramento Rotary Club Softball Team currently sits atop the standings in first place, much to the chagrin of the visitors from the Point West Club.
So with the formalities out of the way, John Wood took the lead for the induction of our new President. Some insights from John Wood about President John: “He’s tall, he is a hard worker, and he is a planner and always prepared.” We were then treated to a video of President John’s dancing skills, which were very much like watching Lurch from the Addams Family. With the belief that no president should enter office without a theme song, an original composition was composed and Broadway Star James Snyder was invited to lead us in singing that song. Unfortunately, James was not available so his father Jon Snyder (Snyder Commercial Real Estate) stepped in and we were treated to an off-off-Broadway sing along of “John Lemmon’s Rotary” sung to the Addams Family theme song.
John Wood then introduced Tom Knox, a member of the Point West Rotary Club and President John’s law partner to share a few insights with us. Tom indicated that he and John have known each other for years, they work together, go backpacking together, and pretty much share every free moment of time that they have with each other. As a Past President of the Point West club, Tom knows that the role of club president can be demanding so when it comes to President John, Tom implored us, he begged us to “take him, use him, drain him and get him out of my life!” Tom simply can’t take it anymore. President John is the managing partner of their law firm and Tom provided the reasoning. “Is he the oldest, no. Is he a better lawyer, Bull S*#@ on that” It’s because he is six foot five, 220 pounds and a “big bully.” For the next year, we should expect to provide 7.5 hours each day to rotary to reach our quota and to ensure that we do that he will constantly remind us of that obligation and at times use his size to intimidate us. If we are not intimidated by the Make Rotary Great Again Hat that he will wear, the midnight tweets will do us in. Tom closed by letting us know that for additional information on his remarks he has a printed handout he would be happy to provide that includes an application for the Point West Club on the backside.
By now we are starting to get a good sense of what a year under President John will be like, but the questions of his qualifications for this esteemed office is still somewhat in doubt. Enter the expertise of John Frisch to fill us in on the detailed background check that he performed to clear up any doubt that may linger in the minds of members. John (there are too many John’s taking part in today’s program) Frisch reminded everyone that this is the “toughest job in America, it requires character, judgement, teeth and good hygiene.” John Frisch’s background check revealed that President John is 63, married to a wonderful woman for 43 years, has three kids and 5 grandchildren. He has always been tall and throughout his life he has had many successes and failures. As a child he ran away from home, camped on the American River Parkway and caused the first conflagration on the parkway. He won a Rotary contest for building a cabin as a child which earned him the nickname “Cocky John”. He played basketball at Jesuit, he dabbled in the Porn industry. Graduated from UC Davis. Was a member of an elite 20/30 Club Paramilitary Unit. Performed in a Sonny & Cher lounge act. Posed as a snow skier on a mountaintop. Was a Parrott Breeder, a Pirate Ship Captain, and a Navy Seal. He has a list of failed businesses included a dachshund water rescue team and a dolphin dancing school. Throughout his life, even the numerous times that he ended up homeless and living on the parkway he has persevered and raised a wonderful family. As a result, the John Frisch investigating service deems him fit and highly qualified to assume to office of President of the Sacramento Rotary Club. John Frisch then had the pleasure of pinning John Lemmon’s Presidential Pin on his lapel.
For the Inaugural Address President John started by letting everyone know he is “honored, humble and nervous.” He thanked now Past President Dan McVeigh (Downey Brand LLP) for his year of leadership, thanked the Church for allowing us to use their facility, thanked the Rotary Club staff for all they do, and thanked Dave Higdon and John Wood for co-chairing today’s festivities. He made a few comments on the “witty, entertaining and partially accurate remarks” that were made by his law partner, and on the “funny and slanderous slide show” that the Frisch investigation services provided. His biggest thanks was to his wife, the “love of my life” for the role that she has played in supporting him and sharing the journey for the past 43 years.
For the Roast, Boasts, and Toasts segment of his meetings, President John invited everyone to join him in Building Something Together with recognition levels of Bird House - $50-100; Doll House - $250, Condominium - $500; House - $750; and Palace - $1,000. He also introduced a new $25 “Atta” Mulligan program to recognize fellow Rotarians and he kicked it off with a recognition of John Frisch who sponsored him into the club, Susan Sheridan, who asked him to be her Sergeant-At-Arms, and David Cohen (Cohen – Durrett) who gave him the opportunity to be involved with the Sacramento Century Bike Ride.
With a few minutes remaining President John provided a vision for the year and a small history lesson. First with the lesson, his grandfather’s law firm filed the papers that incorporated the Rotary Club of Sacramento. His grandfather personally notarized the documents. His grandfather was also a long time member of the club and past president. He used this lesson to make the point that what we do today matters in the community, for our members and the organizations we support, and the consequences of what we do will outlive us. Our role is to serve the community with the best that Rotary has to offer. He summed it up with we have “lots to do and there is a place for all” in what we do.Callee Setzer provided a plug for next week’s meeting featuring Oleg Kaganovich, the CEO of Wyndow. Name sound familiar? It should, its Lev’s son.
One week down, 51 to go and by all accounts we are off to a great start. President John adjourned the meeting with the admonition to “Do Good, Avoid Evil.”
Thank you John Swentowsky (Swentowsky Photography) for the photos!