The Greatest Rotary Club in the World: Santa Clara, California
Live and in Person!, May 27, 2021
Mike Sellers, President for a few more hours
Bob Ricks, Humble and still scribbling
PE Bill Kelly, Put me in Coach!
Hybrid! President Mike welcomed the club on both Zoom and in Person as TGRCITW resumed its normal format. Three new members grumbled as they had placed a wager that Mike was under 5 feet 5 inches tall. A special note for Elks Club visitors. The mounted Elk on display in the other room was donated by our own PP Larry Fargher…….so bow to the Elk head as you walk by.
Our own official Club Grinch, Ted “Agent Orange” Keech, led us in the pledge. No one dared to kneel, scratch or breathe. The pledge went well.
Nima Moridi led us in the Greeting and the Inspiration. Nima stated that you cannot let stress get you down. Avoid negative moments and think ahead, not back. Visualize what you want and go for it. Find that next best friendly, positive thought. Well said Nima as we journey out of the Covid World.
PP Joe Sweeney checked in from Arizona…..shaven and cleaned up somewhat. He and Jan Eric are in a race to be a Governor. The pool will start soon. PP Bob Ricks reported for duty from Texas. Bassam Musaffar was back for another visit. He seems to be showing he likes this club. Welcome back!
All of the above listed members and spouses were missing in action for this meeting. President Mike was disappointed as he had a special message from our Mayor congratulating PP Miles Barber on 37 years married to Linda……or was it asking Linda how she stayed married for 37 years to Miles? We will never know as Miles and the message were lost in action.
President Mike reported that Denise’s sister’s surgery went well and Denise is now with her in Alaska helping out.
Ted Morehead was spotted in the audience sporting a shoulder brace. It seems that Ted met an unfriendly rock while skiing a few weeks ago. The rock won. Here’s to a swift recovery.
Announcement: President Mike updated the club on how the Hybrid meetings will work. We are having some start up issues. There may be a voice delay on the ZOOM portion so bear with us. Plus, only one person can talk at a time. The best solution for all would be to drop your Zoom Machine, get dressed and return to the live meetings. Hopefully we get it all worked out soon.
PP Rod “Hang em High” Stafford will be our speaker on June 3. If you own a gavel please bring it to the meeting and bang it once when you agree with Rod and twice when you disagree with Rod. Hang Em High likes the sound of gavels. Rod has cleaned up the names on any potential cases he will discuss and has committed that no Santa Clara Rotarian will be mentioned. It should be an interesting talk. Rod may even throw in some photographs along the way.
PPBBQ and DEBUNK: This meeting on June 10 will have an 11:30 start for cocktails and fellowship. All members are invited, not just past presidents. The first part of the meeting will be the PP Recognition part followed by the Debunking of President Mike by PP Colleen Noll and associates. It all happens on the patio of the Elks Lodge. Be there!
June 17 Car Show: You need to DVR all your favorite Hawaii 5-O shows and attend this meeting in person. PPFAD John Bertolotti is hosting the club at his car collection. This is a must see event. Armadillo Willy’s will be providing the food. John has already ordered extra plastic seat covers for all his cars so members can drip BBQ sauce at leisure.
The Last Meeting until the Next First Meeting: President Mike will say his official farewell on June 24 as well as introduce one of our scholarship recipients that just graduated from college. Mike also stated that he is welcome to getting some golfers together for 9 holes at Pruneridge at the conclusion of the meeting. If you are up to playing just let Mike know.
President Mike reported that our final count at the Welcome Back event topped 59 live members and guests. We are back! So long Covid. A great time was had by all. Four members have even requested a full recording of PP Lorenzo Rios’ inspiration talk at the beginning. It was one for the ages.
Miracles in the Darkness by Julie Cluff: Lois Gordon highly recommended this book to the club. President Mike said they are ordering some additional copies. If anyone is interested let him know or just go to Amazon. Lois guaranteed an inspirational read.
A moment of Silence: President Mike led the club in a moment of silence for the 9 victims shot in San Jose this week. This should not happen in our community. Even with the shock of the event our outstanding First Responders did a magnificent job in managing and tamping down the shooter. We do not thank these people enough. They ran into a building knowing there were bullets flying.
Speaker:
I have heard a few speakers in my 25 years in Rotary. In my opinion the one Santa Clara Rotarian Thomas Silvas gave to our club yesterday goes right to the top. The members that saw it know this also. If you missed Thomas’ presentation you need to get to the video feed immediately. If you have young children or grandchildren you need to get them to watch it also.
Thanks, Thomas. I have never seen the importance of caring parents more brilliantly displayed. Well done!
Next Week: Bring your gavel. Hang Em High Stafford is on the schedule.