Slide show prior to the opening bell. Paul Alvestad’s “Cow-pocalypse,” Golferitaville.
Opening Bell: by Mel Santos at 7:30 am; Invocation: by Fred Labayen; Pledge of Allegiance: by Mel Santos; Song: National Anthem, led by Hal Cline; Four Way Test: led by all
Visiting Rotarians: None visiting
Guests: Bill Every (prospective Rotarian), Noel Brambila, Peninsula Youth Orchestra
Announcements:
- Suits for Service Members: 60+ items of clothing have been collected so far.
- Bovine Experience: The “Cow-pocalypse,” hosted by Paul was dampened somewhat by the rain, but he did have one family attend.
- Board Actions: The relationship between the club and the club foundation is being clarified and finalized. There is a membership proposal being examined setting a 60% attendance requirement or “aspiration” to keep your membership active.
- Perfect Attendance: You can now keep up with your own “perfect attendance” and your status regarding the “Rule of 85,” (years of membership plus your age.)
- Calendar: See our online calendar (Clubrunner) for events happening this week.
- District Conference: We viewed a video of District Gov. Craig Gillis singing about Rotary set to the tune of “The House of the Rising Sun.” The Governor also promoted the upcoming District Conference.
- Cars 4 Change: We viewed a video featuring Howard Mackert explain the program.
- Peninsula Youth Orchestra: Noelle Brambila appealed to the club members asking for help finding a new home for the Peninsula Youth Orchestra. They recently lost their “home venue” and have 100 middle-school aged string students on four different levels who need a meeting space on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-6:00. They need at least 4 rooms with adequate space for each group. If you have a prospective site they might use, please contact Noelle at 253-534-5384. Their web site is: HarborPYO.org
- Gig Harbor Film Festival: Betty Felker announced that the GHFF is now rated in the top 30 film festivals in the country; it was previously rated in the top 100. The festival has 500 film submissions this year (up from 160 last year.) The festival is starting a youth camp this summer to teach kids how to make films. Their gala fundraiser is scheduled for June 7 at Canterwood.
- Paul Harris Awards were given to Ivan Gorne (+1) and Walker Allen (+3) Congratulations!
Raffle: Marti Anderson won ten-free. Mel Wick drew a white chip.
Fines and Happy Bucks: John Winslow was the Fine-master today. Coach was fined for criticizing the film festival. John Eddy was fined for promoting Marti Anderson Travel earlier in the meeting. Paul Alvestad, who has 10 more meetings to go to the end of his presidency, was fined for using the term “aspirational.” Jeff Harris was fined for delegating to Sharon Shaffer the placing of a nice article in the Gig Harbor, “Living Local.”* Mack Pinch was fined for promoting himself for the Penlight board. Mark Hoppen was fined for laughing at the District Governor’s singing. Hal Cline was fined for asking Annie Arbenz, “Are you pregnant?” (She gave a happy buck because she is not.)
Happy Bucks: Mel Santos reminded us that he is celebrating the ribbon cutting of his business next week to which we’re all invited. Kelly Busey announced that our club is graduating 18 students in the prison program. Donna Lormor shared her happiness that her Rotary friends in China noted that today is Paul Harris’ birthday, and that they are interested in a friendship exchange with our club. Cindy Reed reminded us that there will be a ribbon cutting for Heritage Distilling’s refurbished downtown tasting room next week; she also announced that she will soon be visiting Melony Meyer, our last Rotary exchange student soon. Mike Pinch announced that he will soon have a new grandson (Mack’s brother’s child.) Sharon Shaffer announced the paddlers cup is coming up on Sunday, April 28 at Skansie Brothers Park. The Dragonboat club is honoring cancer survivors and caregivers at 3:15 on the day of the festival. They need 3 more paddlers; contact Sharon if you’d like to paddle.
Vocational: The Vocational Committee is the only committee that serves wine and beer at their meetings. Come join the committee and enjoy the hospitality!
International: Our club has installed water projects in 15 villages in Guatemala and have 15 more to go. We also have a couple additional water projects we’re exploring in Uganda.
Community Service: Mary Bridge Courage is coming up at the end of August. We have a celebration planned for Veterans Day. We’re working on installing a Rotary Gazebo, working toward our Musical Instruments in the Park project, and a PenMet Parks project and Splashpad project.
Club Service: The club does not have a waiting list, so invite new members now. We have a Fireside coming up in June. Watch announcements for time and place.
Program: Reclassification Talk: Marcia Harris. Marcia presented her life’s journey using music titles and lyrics including: Janice Joplin’s A Mercedes Benz and Me and Bobby McGee, Hellen Reddy’s, I am Woman, Jim Croce’s, I Got a Name and Time in a Bottle, Judy Collins’, Someday Soon, Randy Newman’s, It’s Lonely at the Top, Whiney Houston’s, Greatest Love of All, Let There be Peace on Earth, Frank Sinatra’s I did it My Way, and Louis Armstrong’s It’s a Beautiful World.
*Living Local Article Cassie Riendeau is the Marketing Director of Living Local. Cassie came to the Star Awards banquet and wrote a three-page story about it in the March issue of the magazine. Because she is so impressed with the work Rotary does in the community, she offered the ad in the magazine for only $300 for the three Gig Harbor clubs ($100/club.) Cassie is a great friend of Rotary!
President Paul ended the meeting at 8:32
Notes by Randy Spitzer
