Meeting on August 21 2013
GREETER: Emerson got us started with very statesman-like quote (from memory): (This was very appropriate for yours truly who barely made it to the 76 Miles mark of the intended 100 Mile ride on Saturday)!
"We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender." Winston Churchill
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Pres Chuck: The Annual Bocce - BBQ and fund-raiser is on for August 25th from 9 am to 4 pm. Please contact Peter ASAP is you wish to attend as your organizer, Farhad has a conflict and will be in Tahoe :-( This is truly a fun event and you need not have a six member team as they fill fit you in with another team. Contact Peter Lagarias 415-460-0100, ext. 111
Past Pres Rolando announced that that all dates in September, just two weeks away, are available for RotaCare. Please contact him for signing up if you have not done so already.
Past Pres Ken reviewed the great time and hard work that he with his son Kevin had on the Rid4vets tandem bike on Saturday. He was interviewed on record without knowing he was being filmed. We will have to wait to see the edited version. He is using the GOFUNDME website and has so far raised $450 from that site. He has totaled $2,000 for the event and met his goal of $1,000 per person. Well done Ken and of course Kevin!
Past Pres Phil was reminded of a time when hr was to give an interview. He did what he thought was a practice but it turned out to be the final recording, just as the interviewer had intended. It came out to be quite professional precisely because he was not aware that he was being filmed.
Past Pres Farhad joined Jeff Allen at the Rotary rest stop and unknown to both, ended up riding an extra 22 miles when they were ready to quit. Farhad had a poor sense of direction because there were no sand dunes or camels to guide him!
Past Pres Herman shared his interaction with the film crew. Our club will be starring in a film worth about $90,000 to promote many such events at Rotary Clubs in the US (and maybe even in allied countries) in support of our veterans. The entire event from the flags and memorial mile signs to the rest stops and finally to the music and home made lunch was filmed. The West Marin Services group put on a first class individual and family event for all to enjoy in a friendly and informal atmosphere. It was an honor for us to be part it.
Past Pres Hank pointed out the incredible collaboration among all volunteers to produce such a great event. Past Pres Herman applauded Pres Chuck for his 100's of hours that he put into the event from the website work, to recruiting key volunteers, and fund raising. The final results will be available next week. We have not stopped the fund raising and the site www.Ride4Vets.org is still up if you wish to support the funding.
SPEAKER:
Katie Rice, Marin County Supervisor (not to be confused with Kathrin Sears )
Emerson introduced Supervisor Rice. She grew up in Mill Valley, went to Tam High and Sonoma State for a BA. She has three children, ages 16, 25 and 26 years. She joined Supervisor Hal Brown's team and then became his chief of staff. Her two main interests are public administration and preservation of Marin County. She lives in San Anselmo and is quite active with Ross Valley water preservation efforts.
Ms. Rice's message to us was that after a few bumps, Marin County is in an excellent shape fiscally and is planning ahead for many challenges. The work force is now 10% fewer than recent past and the issue of pensions is behind us with no layoffs planned in the future. Our County now has a AAA bond rating. She then reviewed very quickly the current concerns on land use and affordable housing as the next hot items on the public mind.
She then opened the floor to general discussions that were cordial and informative. She appreciated the atmosphere of our club as opposed to many contentious meetings most supervisors are facing including few who may face recall. Thankfully, she is not one of them and, given her obvious integrity and openness, your editor can see why.
She promised to be back for more informal discussions.
RAFFLE:
Chuck won the ticket to choose ONE of the TWO remaining marbles to win $500, but he choose the wrong one!! Attend next week to WIN the largest raffle we have had in years!!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SEPT 18th - PRESENTATION ON THE CUBA PROJECT!! :-)