I've been ranting about this for years - I wear my Rotary pin everyplace I go (okay, not to bed or in the shower, but besides that, yeah, pretty much everyplace). I've been stopped at parties, at the airport, and walking down the street by people who recognized it and either said "What is it?" or "What club do you belong to?"
So how comforting to find my fellow RB Sunrise Rotary blogger Paul Gorman came out with an unsolicited column about the value and importance of wearing your pin all the time (http://www.redbadgerotarian.blogspot.com).
If you ever drive down the street, watch two Corvette owners happen upon each other. They flash their headlights. Rotarians are kind of the same way. As Paul says, it's kind of like a secret handshake...only we don't have to wear the funny hats.
There's business out there for anyone smart enough to recognize that wearing the Rotary pin in public is just one more way of marketing yourself. And remember - people do business with people they know, and like, and trust. And what could be more trustworthy than a fellow Rotarian?
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
an odd week
Well, this past week was very peculiar in the land of Rotary.
Sunday last I got a phone message from my good friend Marc. I tried calling him back at work on Monday, only to be told he was too busy to take my call. No big deal, right? I'll see him at breakfast on Tuesday, like I always do. Invariably, he and I end up sitting together, and we catch up then.
Only he didn't show for breakfast on Tuesday, and I figured something was up. Sure enough, past president Carl Kruse (or PP, as we like to call him) was running the meeting and announced that Marc was going in for brain surgery that day.
I called Marc at home immediately (forgive me, speaker of the day - this seemed a bit more important) and he said he was going in for tests at 4 and for surgery at 7. Given the slurring in his speech from just before the holidays, I knew something was probably up, but figured it was a stroke - never a brain problem.
Turns out the poor guy has a tumor and they were hoping to resolve the situation.
Wednesday I went to a luncheon at the Poway, California lunch club. Somehow they've been able to wangle getting the president of RI to address their club each of the past three years. Neat trick. They use it as a fundraiser, and charge $25 to attend. Of course, it would have been nice if someone had told me that prior to my showing up at the door, but you can't have everything, right?
They have a big sign at the door that they take Mastercard and Visa, but they didn't take either. Seems the one person who knows how to do that wasn't there that day. Sounds like poor planning to me.
So president Wilf Wilkinson spoke to us, but frankly, he didn't say anything that memorable. He was reading from notes, and seemed to be poorly prepared. I'm not even sure he knew which club he was at.
I did take a few minutes to speak with him after the meeting. I had what I considered to be legitimate thoughts on what they could do to improve visibility (more PR, naturally, and actually show people how to do it, a la my presentation at PETS). He dashed off with the president of the club to have a picture taken, and just gave me lip service. I didn't particularly appreciate it. He also seemed to be in quite a hurry to leave after the photo op.
I also spoke with his incoming replacement about Peter Meisen's idea of electrifying Africa as the next big RI project after we defeat polio. His answer: "That would be a great club project to take on". Talk about not even listening to what someone was saying to you.
Bottom line - these guys are just politicians in another type of suit, and I'm not very impressed.
Meanwhile, back to Marc and important things, like his health. I spoke with his wife as soon as I got out of the luncheon, and she let me speak with Marc briefly, since he's so wiped out. He sounded terrible, but there was rumor he'd go home that day or the next. GREAT NEWS!
Thursday, things took a turn for the worse. They operated again to try and relieve the pressure in his brain, but it doesn't look good. Turns out the tumor is the size of a golf ball, cancerous, very aggressive, has been there for about seven months, and...
So Thursday night I went to the hospital and wiggled my way into the ICU to see my breakfast companion one last time. He's a good guy, and I'd do anything to help - I had to go show my respects.
So I went to the ICU and, while the family (who had all flown in from Philadelphia) and his wife and son met with the doctors, I talked to him. It was a rather one-sided discussion. We talked about football and how he owed me a plate of buffalo wings and I owed him a caesar salad. He looked awful, hooked up to a machine that let him breathe. His arm moved, but was it intentional? Who knows?
So now I have this anger and frustration that my pal Marc - one of the good guys - is probably never coming home, even as some really rotten people continue to walk around. He's 44, and he's dying, and there isn't a damned thing I can do about it.
And after losing Garth Miller last week (okay, he was 84, but still!), I'm feeling more than a little vulnerable at the moment.
Sunday last I got a phone message from my good friend Marc. I tried calling him back at work on Monday, only to be told he was too busy to take my call. No big deal, right? I'll see him at breakfast on Tuesday, like I always do. Invariably, he and I end up sitting together, and we catch up then.
Only he didn't show for breakfast on Tuesday, and I figured something was up. Sure enough, past president Carl Kruse (or PP, as we like to call him) was running the meeting and announced that Marc was going in for brain surgery that day.
I called Marc at home immediately (forgive me, speaker of the day - this seemed a bit more important) and he said he was going in for tests at 4 and for surgery at 7. Given the slurring in his speech from just before the holidays, I knew something was probably up, but figured it was a stroke - never a brain problem.
Turns out the poor guy has a tumor and they were hoping to resolve the situation.
Wednesday I went to a luncheon at the Poway, California lunch club. Somehow they've been able to wangle getting the president of RI to address their club each of the past three years. Neat trick. They use it as a fundraiser, and charge $25 to attend. Of course, it would have been nice if someone had told me that prior to my showing up at the door, but you can't have everything, right?
They have a big sign at the door that they take Mastercard and Visa, but they didn't take either. Seems the one person who knows how to do that wasn't there that day. Sounds like poor planning to me.
So president Wilf Wilkinson spoke to us, but frankly, he didn't say anything that memorable. He was reading from notes, and seemed to be poorly prepared. I'm not even sure he knew which club he was at.
I did take a few minutes to speak with him after the meeting. I had what I considered to be legitimate thoughts on what they could do to improve visibility (more PR, naturally, and actually show people how to do it, a la my presentation at PETS). He dashed off with the president of the club to have a picture taken, and just gave me lip service. I didn't particularly appreciate it. He also seemed to be in quite a hurry to leave after the photo op.
I also spoke with his incoming replacement about Peter Meisen's idea of electrifying Africa as the next big RI project after we defeat polio. His answer: "That would be a great club project to take on". Talk about not even listening to what someone was saying to you.
Bottom line - these guys are just politicians in another type of suit, and I'm not very impressed.
Meanwhile, back to Marc and important things, like his health. I spoke with his wife as soon as I got out of the luncheon, and she let me speak with Marc briefly, since he's so wiped out. He sounded terrible, but there was rumor he'd go home that day or the next. GREAT NEWS!
Thursday, things took a turn for the worse. They operated again to try and relieve the pressure in his brain, but it doesn't look good. Turns out the tumor is the size of a golf ball, cancerous, very aggressive, has been there for about seven months, and...
So Thursday night I went to the hospital and wiggled my way into the ICU to see my breakfast companion one last time. He's a good guy, and I'd do anything to help - I had to go show my respects.
So I went to the ICU and, while the family (who had all flown in from Philadelphia) and his wife and son met with the doctors, I talked to him. It was a rather one-sided discussion. We talked about football and how he owed me a plate of buffalo wings and I owed him a caesar salad. He looked awful, hooked up to a machine that let him breathe. His arm moved, but was it intentional? Who knows?
So now I have this anger and frustration that my pal Marc - one of the good guys - is probably never coming home, even as some really rotten people continue to walk around. He's 44, and he's dying, and there isn't a damned thing I can do about it.
And after losing Garth Miller last week (okay, he was 84, but still!), I'm feeling more than a little vulnerable at the moment.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
RB Sunrise Rotary gives away dictionaries
I love opening the paper and seeing our stories. I just opened Friday's North County Times (I'm a little behind on my reading - what can I tell you?) and found this in the local section:
RB Sunrise Rotarians provide dictionaries for area third-graders
RB Sunrise Rotarians provide dictionaries for area third-graders
The Painted Rock students were among the nearly 1,350 third-graders at 11 San Diego-area schools to receive free dictionaries from the RB Sunrise Rotary Club. Project coordinator Steve Redd organized the effort in cooperation with the SoCal Dictionary Project, which is dedicated to providing free English and Spanish/English dictionaries to all third-grade students in the nation's public schools.
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The money for the project was raised during the Rotary Club's recent Freedom Ride, which generated approximately $40,000 for the club's community projects.
The RB Sunrise Rotary meets at 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo,
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Speaking at the La Jolla New Generations club
Last night I spoke before the La Jolla New Generations club. I showed about 30 people, all under the age of 40, how to develop their own electronic newsletters (a specialty of my marketing agency).
It was odd being in that room. Typical Rotary groups are almost all on the other side of 40 (sometimes quite a bit further on the other side!), and these were all fresh new faces, firmly planted in Generation Y.
Here were people who, according to FORTUNE Magazine, have their own rules. Yet unlike so many who grew up in the 1980s, these guys understand the need to give back to the community and help those with less than them. It was quite refreshing.
Afterwards, I sat with their new PR Chair (they had new officer elections last night, and even had two people running for PR Chair. Quite a change from me being appointed when I walked out of the room). This young woman, Brittany Catton, was delightful, energetic and truly interested in making an impact on the world around her. I applauded her enthusiasm.
Still, having a beer with her when she hardly looked old enough to drink (she was) made me feel like a fossil. Of course, learning that she was born the year after I graduated from college probably didn't help.
She spoke of developing a presentation to go to various clubs and show them how to get young people into their clubs. I think it's a wonderful idea, and shared some thoughts on how to make it happen on a wide scale.
It all made me wonder, though, why out of 61 clubs in district 5340, there is only one club with a focus on those under 40. Rotary as a whole has got to get their act together and start listening to people like Ms. Catton, and recruiting more like her, or else over the long-term our group is destined to die out.
It was odd being in that room. Typical Rotary groups are almost all on the other side of 40 (sometimes quite a bit further on the other side!), and these were all fresh new faces, firmly planted in Generation Y.
Here were people who, according to FORTUNE Magazine, have their own rules. Yet unlike so many who grew up in the 1980s, these guys understand the need to give back to the community and help those with less than them. It was quite refreshing.
Afterwards, I sat with their new PR Chair (they had new officer elections last night, and even had two people running for PR Chair. Quite a change from me being appointed when I walked out of the room). This young woman, Brittany Catton, was delightful, energetic and truly interested in making an impact on the world around her. I applauded her enthusiasm.
Still, having a beer with her when she hardly looked old enough to drink (she was) made me feel like a fossil. Of course, learning that she was born the year after I graduated from college probably didn't help.
She spoke of developing a presentation to go to various clubs and show them how to get young people into their clubs. I think it's a wonderful idea, and shared some thoughts on how to make it happen on a wide scale.
It all made me wonder, though, why out of 61 clubs in district 5340, there is only one club with a focus on those under 40. Rotary as a whole has got to get their act together and start listening to people like Ms. Catton, and recruiting more like her, or else over the long-term our group is destined to die out.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
This morning's meeting
Today's meeting was a sad one as we said goodbye to Garth Miller - one of the founding members of the RB Sunrise Rotary.
Garth was treasurer for 12 years and one of those people everyone had nice things to say about in life, as well as afterwards. From what was said at the meeting, I will not be the only one who will miss him.
Our speaker today was Jim Flood of Personally Fit - appropriate given that we all partied way too much during the holidays. He spoke of fitness, dieting, and the like. Everyone resolved to do better this year - a promise that should last until the posting of this blog.
Then past president Carl Kruse and incoming president Kendra Jeffcoat and I agreed to go green for the PETS meeting in Los Angeles next month and we're going to all ride up together.
Along those lines, I also sent an outline of my presentation to Dr. Helene Kalfus so that the district board knows what I'll be talking about. Next I have to tweak my presentation to update it a bit.
Before that, though, I need to get organized for a speaking gig at the new club in La Jolla. I'll be there tomorrow night. Haven't spoken before a club in about a year - gotta work out the rust before I go to PETS.
And now...off to bed.
Garth was treasurer for 12 years and one of those people everyone had nice things to say about in life, as well as afterwards. From what was said at the meeting, I will not be the only one who will miss him.
Our speaker today was Jim Flood of Personally Fit - appropriate given that we all partied way too much during the holidays. He spoke of fitness, dieting, and the like. Everyone resolved to do better this year - a promise that should last until the posting of this blog.
Then past president Carl Kruse and incoming president Kendra Jeffcoat and I agreed to go green for the PETS meeting in Los Angeles next month and we're going to all ride up together.
Along those lines, I also sent an outline of my presentation to Dr. Helene Kalfus so that the district board knows what I'll be talking about. Next I have to tweak my presentation to update it a bit.
Before that, though, I need to get organized for a speaking gig at the new club in La Jolla. I'll be there tomorrow night. Haven't spoken before a club in about a year - gotta work out the rust before I go to PETS.
And now...off to bed.
Monday, January 7, 2008
In memory of Garth Miller
I turned on my email this morning, only to be greeted by a very sad note from past president Carl Kruse. Garth Miller, whom I believe was our club's oldest member (85), died yesterday.
Garth was the epitome of the word gentleman. He always had a ready smile, was soft-spoken and with his black sweater and grey hair, he always reminded me of Robert Young in Father Knows Best...only without the patches on his elbows.
I will miss Garth very much. He has always been a bright spot for me at the RB Sunrise Rotary, and made it a little easier to attend a 7am meeting.
Garth was the epitome of the word gentleman. He always had a ready smile, was soft-spoken and with his black sweater and grey hair, he always reminded me of Robert Young in Father Knows Best...only without the patches on his elbows.
I will miss Garth very much. He has always been a bright spot for me at the RB Sunrise Rotary, and made it a little easier to attend a 7am meeting.
Friday, January 4, 2008
getting ready for PETS
I've just signed up for PETS 2008. That's the President Elect Training Seminar - a four-day training session for around 450-500 incoming club presidents from California, Nevada, Arizona and other places. Two years ago we had the guy from Jerusalem!
This will be my third one, and by the time I leave everyone knows my hat (though they sometimes forget my name, I think).
Next on my agenda is to update last year's presentation. I need to send a summary to Dr. Helene Kalfus (coordinator of the speakers) prior to a meeting on 1/19/08. I'm also going to create a shorter version for a breakfast I've been asked to speak at in El Cajon on January 31.
This will be my third one, and by the time I leave everyone knows my hat (though they sometimes forget my name, I think).
Next on my agenda is to update last year's presentation. I need to send a summary to Dr. Helene Kalfus (coordinator of the speakers) prior to a meeting on 1/19/08. I'm also going to create a shorter version for a breakfast I've been asked to speak at in El Cajon on January 31.
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