Blastoff January 17, 2011

January 10, 2011 Club Meeting Review

Singing was led by Jack Bacon, Carlos Villagomez led the prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance was initiated by Kippy Caraway, and Mary Alice Cherry kicked off the Four Way Test.  Bill Taylor introduced visitors and guests.  President David Coney announced that Courtney Lindberg has accepted a position in Ventura, California and will be leaving immediately.  Courtney's efforts on behalf of Space Center Rotary will be greatly missed. 

The next Rotary social will be Wednesday, January 19th at Dos Mas, Bay Area Boulevard at Highway 3.  Jon McKinnie announced that it was time to think about nominations for future leadership.  The District is accepting nominations for District Governor.  The Pasadena Rotary has nominated Assistant Governor Bob Gebhard for the position.  Jon asked that our club second the nomination.  A motion that Space Center Rotary second the nomination was made by Dr. Greg Smith, which the club seconded and passed.  A slate of candidates for election to the Board for Space Center Rotary has been available for review at meetings and on the web site.  The floor was opened for additional nominations.  Being none, nominations were closed.  Ballots will be on the web site and absentee voting will be available.

President Coney announced that there will be an Endowment Foundation meeting tomorrow at 7 am in the Bay Oaks Country Club coffee shop.  A suggestion was received that one of our social events should be a theatre trip.  President Coney welcomed Micki Czarnik and extended congratulations on the occasion of her 75th birthday.  Art Oswald had a successful surgery and is looking forward to visitors.

John Branch introduced  Dr. Andrew Voight of the University of Houston Engineering Department, and frequent speaker for the KUHF radio program "Engines of Our Ingenuity".  Dr. Voight discussed the potential future of self replicating machines and reminded his audience of the presence of naturally occurring self replicating organisms.  A brief question and answer session followed his presentation.  President Coney reminded members that there will not be a club meeting next week due to the holiday.  The next Club Board meeting is scheduled for a week from Tuesday at 7:00 am.  The meeting was adjourned by President Coney.