10-31-14 CLUB MEETING AT THE CORNERSTONE
 
Flag Salute:  Pres. Bob Bustard
           
Invocation: Bob Balentine
 
Members Present: Bob Balentine, Dick Beattie, June Bertini, Bob Bustard, Ryan Cangialosi, Joeen Ciannella, Bernie Cohen, Whitney Debordenave, Jan Doornbosch, Steve Fox, Stuart Gold, Cindy Rose, Tara Scheuerman, George Sherman, Nancy Swales, DGE Peter Wells, Phil Wells.

 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests District Governor Calisto Bertin (Mid-Bergen Club), PDG Len Agrusti (Wayne PM Club), Prospective Members Dan Antokal and Lester Kempner.
 
Make Ups: Earning Make-Ups at the Governor’s pre-meeting conference were Dick B., Pres. Bob B., Ryan C., Bernie C., Jan D., Steve F., Stuart G., George S. and Phil W.
 
(Please be sure to report your make-ups for our records and to improve our percentage of attendance!)
 
Birthdays and Anniversaries – Nancy S. celebrated birthday number 85.
 
Sunshine: Peter Wells reported that Ann K. is home and feeling better.
 
Phil Wells reported that a good friend of Brittany’s had been killed in a car accident last week.
 
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are currently contending with adversity of one type or another.
 
Happiness:
by G. Sherman
 
The presence of District Governor Calisto Bertin and PDG Len Agrusti brought in an abundance of Happy Dollars.
 
Bernie was happy to provide the club with notices for the upcoming Fruit Sale.
 
Whitney D. was happy to be home from her recent trip to Virginia.
 
Lester K. was happy about his pending membership.
 
Peter W. was happy to be anticipating the birth of his first grandchild. He was also happy to provide additional dollars in recognition of Phil’s Community Service Award last week.
 
Joeen C. was happy to have daughter Tara and soon to be born grand-daughter here today.
 
Tara was eagerly looking forward to the birth of her first child.
 
June B. was happy for a friend’s cancer being in remission.
 
Nancy S. was happy for her son’s lymphoma being in remission as well.
 
Phil W. was happy to promote again the upcoming “Fun-Raiser” for Governor Elect Peter.
 
Steve F. was happy to be headed up to West Point with his son for Saturday’s football game.
 
Announcements:
by G. Sherman
 
Phil Wells reviewed details and passed out flyers for the upcoming “Fun Raiser” for DGE Peter Wells. The event will feature chef Tara, free wine and beer, and a pot luck dinner with prizes. Download the flyer from our website for additional details and SAVE THE DATE – THIS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 from 6:00-10:00 for a fun evening as we start building momentum for Peter’s 2015-16 year as Governor of District 7490.
 
Time to order FRESH ORANGES AND GRAPEFRUIT! Our 27th annual FRUIT SALE is underway. Order forms can be downloaded from our website. Half-cases - $28.00; full cases - $46.00. Orders must be in to Bernie Cohen by Friday, November 28. Fruit will be available for pick-up on Saturday, December 6 between 10:00 and noon in the parking lot of 50 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Montvale.
 
Dick Beattie reminded members of the arrival of a Gift of Life child from the Philippines this month. Posted on our website are copies of GOL materials sent out by current District Chairman David Whitlock for the benefit of anyone who may wish to become involved in this most rewarding endeavor.
 
Mark Your Calendar with these UPCOMING EVENTS:
by G. Sherman
 
Mon., Nov. 3 – District Staff Meeting – Al Di La Italian Bistro – 1 Hoboken Rd., E. Rutherford – 5:30-8:00 - $30.00. Register at http://www.clubrunner.ca/Portal/Events/EvpEventDetails.aspx?accountid=50049&eid=32c84db2-e437-485a-bc5a-d956618ed48b&tid=2
 
Thurs., Nov. 6 – Cooking Night with Wine Pairing and Pot Luck – Bolger Community Center, 455 Godwin Ave., Midland Park – 6:00-10:00 - $55.00 p/p.
 
Fri., Nov. 7 – Club Meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott, 100 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Montvale. Bell rings at 12:15. Speaker will be our own Ray Falcon who will describe his Special Need Job Sampling Initiative.
 
Fri., Nov. 28 – Orders for fresh Florida oranges and grapefruit due to Bernie Cohen
 
 
Program
by G. Sherman
 
Prior to the introduction of DG Calisto Bertin, President Bob was pleased to present Jan Doornbosch, our club’s nominee for this year’s Vocational Service Award, with a plaque from District 7490 recognizing Jan’s generous donation of 10,000 flower bulbs to the people of Newtown, Connecticut. The bulbs became the centerpiece of a garden created in the community in memory of the children killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School last year. CONGRATULATIONS, JAN!
 
Introducing Governor Calisto was PDG Len Agrusti. In his remarks he highlighted a few of the many achievements of our governor as a Rotarian, including his service as Chairman of the District 7490 Foundation, his creation of the Military Family Assistance Center, and his role as a facilitator and trainer at the Multi-District PETS since 2007. He and his wife Lisa have four grown children and, on numerous occasions beginning in 1998, have hosted 6 Gift of Life children. For nearly 30 years Calisto has served as President of Bertin Engineering and in 2008 was awarded the District’s Vocational Service Award.
 
The question “What is Rotary?” is one that Rotarians confront regularly. As he began his talk, Governor Calisto reminded all present that Rotary is a label that can be attached to any number of worthy projects Rotarians carry out each and every day throughout the world. The brand of Rotary allows individual Rotarians to accomplish great things that they could not possibly achieve alone. It is through Rotary that countless initiatives have helped others in need in a multitude of ways. The brand allows each of us to do things bigger than ourselves.
 
There are many Avenues of Service through which Rotarians can make a difference: Club Service; Community Service; International Service; Vocational Service and Youth Service. Mentorships provide a means by which several of these pathways can be trod simultaneously. It is through the idea of mentorships that a new initiative in the District is evolving – a Rotary Village Elders Program, a concept that will be talked more about in the near future.
 
Of course the work of Rotary could not occur without The Rotary Foundation. Valued at over a billion dollars, The Rotary Foundation opens doors. It is the impetus that "Lights Up Rotary". It allows local clubs and districts to leverage local fund-raising efforts so that they might more effectively continue the Rotary mission of making the world a better place.
 
Governor Calisto ended his presentation by encouraging members to celebrate this Rotary year by attending the annual District Conference, April 30-May 3, 2015 at Hacienda Tres Rios All Inclusive Resort, Nature Park and Spa in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, a brochure for which can be found on our website.