Meeting Recap - October 20, 2016
World’s Greatest Rotary Club: Santa Clara, California
Meeting Recap and a few personal comments
Miten Marfatia, President of the Mob
Bob Ricks, Humble Scribe
Pledge of Allegiance: Dave DeLozier got the nod today. We are still at 100% standing up for the pledge. This may change after November 8. Stay tuned.
Inspiration: Bill Carver read his inspiration in German in honor of our Oktoberfest beer celebration today. Having served my country in Germany (after WWII for the wise crackers in the group) and fluent in this easy language I was able to determine that Bill was sending three platoons into Berlin to blow up Hitler’s bunker. We were inspired.
This is Rotary Foundation Month! Sandy Allen briefed us on the Rotary Foundation and where we stand. Please note: October 31 is the final day to contribute and for our club to meet its goal for this year. We ask that each member try to be a double sustainer at $200, but anything you can afford is appreciated. You can hand or mail your checks in or go online to Rotary.org and use a credit card. Just do it. Thanks!
Walt Marwitz (sure to impress Carver) introduced his visiting daughter in his fluent German left over from his Army days in Bamberg. I think he said, “This is my daughter Leann and she is going to lead a platoon into Berlin to blow up Hitler’s bunker”. It was very moving. You do know that both of these guys were officers and once led men?
Bob Buchser, birthday boy! PP Bob was celebrating his actual birthday today. Against the wishes of only 99% of the club Bob requested Jimmy Fallon (aka Ken Rowell) sing the Happy Birthday song to him acappella. Jimmy responded that he did not play the guitar but we did get him to sing solo after straightening that out. In the end Miten collected about $300 from both of them and any proceeds from the iTunes version.
Suds Jain also had a birthday and quickly requested that Bob and Jimmy not do an encore. We could all hear Jimmy breathing deep again and this request was swiftly granted by Miten at the podium.
New York, New York: Marcia Daszko brought us a banner from NY Club #6. Walt Marwitz recognized the banner from his days in a gang in that area. Marcia told Miten that she DID explain to the New Yorkers that she belonged to the greatest Rotary Club in the World. As a result we may have a few of their members heading this way looking for housing during the winter. We will need some members to interpret.
Joker’s Wild: This alone is worth showing up for a meeting. Susan Taylor did not pull the card today so the pot next week should be over $1500 unless Skinner has put it in the market. One day we will have a winner and it could be you!
Hawaii: Poor Carver goes to Hawaii and pays a fine. We also found out he did not take German lessons while gone. Miles goes to Hawaii once a month and pays zero. Is this thing rigged?
Club Survey: The results of the recent club survey have been tabulated. Thanks to all the members that took the time to respond. The ones that did not….we know who you are.
Our committee is meeting next week to review the results and make a determination for our future direction based on member feedback. This will be reported soon.
Mission City Community Fund annual dinner, November 4. Our club is purchasing two to three tables and subsidizing members that want to attend. Miten has all the details. Please contact him. This year our community will be honoring two men and both are members of TGRCITW…….Jerry Marsalli (Lou Mariani in Andy’s year) and Bud Heintz. If you can attend, let Miten know asap. Seats go fast when discounted. This is always a great event and it will be BEFORE the election so the depression will not have set in. Most people will still be smiling.
Steps for Success: Another project completed last weekend. We had a mis-communication with Scott Lane contacts on the kids that were eligible and this is being corrected. All in all we gave a lot of shoes to some needy kids in our area. Well done to all members that helped out.
Dates:
October 22: Avenues of Service. We have 11 members signed to attend. A Red Badge must and we also need to support PP and future DG Jan-Eric Nordmo. Jan has a special feeling in his heart for any two year red badgers. Just do not go over that limit.
October 27 meeting will NOT be at the Bay Club. We will be trying out the Elks Club. Miten will send a reminder for the short term memory deficit members.
October 28: Happy Hour (Or Hours) at Dan Holder’s new restaurant. Be there and take advantage of the free food and discount drinks. Maybe even the whiffen poof song from Carver.
November 9: Red Badge project at the Santa Clara Senior Center. David Cross is running the project. We are providing a BBQ for the seniors. David did happen to mention that many of our members may also qualify for the BBQ but he really needs their help in serving. Some grumbling was noticed. RIM President John Bertolotti usually attends this function just to catch up with his old high school buddies. Bottom line: We need some more bodies to help out. Contact David or Joe Sweeney.
November 17: District Governor Jeff Orth will visit and see TGRCITW in action. Please clean up for this meeting.
Speaker: Our speaker was Andy Dolich, past COO of the SF 49ers and long time COO of the Oakland Athletics. Andy had some great stories from the world of sports and even threw out some sports history trivia. A fun session was had by all.
NEXT WEEK! Go to the ELKS LODGE!