Opening traditions

Bob Sattler let us in the pledge, while Howard Wood, Leroy Fulton, Bill Peloquin and Randy McFarland gave the luncheon attendees something to look at during the singing of the familiar “Yankee Doodle” followed by the even more familiar “Smile” which, by the way is featured on our club home page for the world to hear! www.fullertonrotary.org

Welcome

Jim McKamy introduced our guests, beginning with Steve Eldridge, president of Fullerton Sunrise Rotary. Ken Kaisch introduced his bride to be Julia Emerson, Bill Peloquin, our District Governor, introduced Robert Hunt, J Richie introduced Pastor Greg Hickman, and Minard Duncan introduced Pam Keller.

Announcements

          Rick Crane reminded us of an upcoming event at Cal State Fullerton on Ground Hog Day (Feb. 2^nd) beginning with dinner at 6:00PM. All three Fullerton Rotary Clubs will be there, which is always fun!

Theresa Harvey credited her 23 years of wedded bliss to “patience”.

          Pam Keller thanked the club for again sponsoring the clinics that benefit kids without dental insurance. Please plan to represent our club at one or both of the events. Jan.14^th at Richman Elementary School at 700 South Richman Ave. and on Feb. 11,  Valencia Park Elementary School at 3441 W. Valencia Drive. Please join us for the “photo op”!

           Cathy Gach announced a January 18 fundraising concert at Plummer Auditorium as well as a Golf Tournament benefiting the Jazz Choir  at Fullerton Union High School.

          Maryalyce Jeremiah, coach of the women’s basketball team at Cal State Fullerton, promised that the volunteer assistant coaches (one from each of the Fullerton Rotary clubs would be allowed in the women’s locker room as part of their duties (besides keeping the end of the bench warm). The plan may be that the “assistant” coaches will write their best “pep talks” for the first three quarters, and Maryalyce will do her best to salvage the situation in the final quarter. Thus far, we have a perfect record in this regard. Rotary assistant-coached teams have never lost a game. Each year, the pressure to maintain this streak mounts… no potential assistant coach wants the burden of  humiliation and concomitant fines if they were associated with a loss after the precedent that was set by Bob Savage back in ’05.

          J Richey announced the Jan. 19 meeting at 7:30AM Program Committee Meeting at Carrows. New members are encouraged to join in!

          Don Bankhead announced that Pat McKinley has challenged Mike Oates to a “funniest joke” contest at next week’s meeting. Mike didn’t seem fazed, so let’s see if President Joyce  offers any disclaimers before she sets the two loose!

Raffle        

Lee Brockett confidently rattled off three club member names, trying to convince President Joyce Capelle that they were board members, but President Joyce didn’t buy two of the answers, which set up Drew Napolin to sponsor the $10. consolation prize.

Finemaster

          At the behest of Jim Williams, Ken Kaisch’s fiancé spilled the beans that the date (they will commit matrimony) was chosen by Ken as a memory aid. (02/04/06) While it is a catchy date, Ken must realize that all club members get a free reminder (of such life impacting dates) each year, compliments of the fine master.

          Cathy Gach was fined for the great football accomplishments for her son in the book, “Notre Dame Where Are You?”

          Jim McKamy was fined for having lost 7 pounds and credited the accomplishment to cutting back on “M&Ms”.  Jim Williams challenged him to lose another 14 pounds, prompting him to ponder if this would impact his “Skittles” quota!

          Jim Young announced this weekend’s grand opening of the long awaited Cal State Fullerton Performing Arts Center. Although he was too modest to mention it, both he and Bill McGarvey are being honored by having a theater and dance studio, respectively, named after them in the complex! We’re so proud of our club members!

          Joe Lins surprise us all by NOT having his red bow tie spin when we all sang him “Happy Birthday”!

          Fred Johnson was justifiably fined on “general principles”.

Special Honors 

          Dr. Pat Franks superintendent of the north Orange County Regional Occupational Program (ROP), was introduced and welcomed by Bob Hathaway and inducted into our club after Teri Grassi said a few words about what Rotary means to her.

          Kathy Gach was recognized for a nice donation making her a multiple Paul Harris Fellow!

Program

          President Joyce Capelle aptly expressed her enthusiasm for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Program (RYLA) which she has attended in recent years. Our club sponsored 8 students from Sunny Hills and Fullerton High School. Selected students are invited to the weekend camp and are immersed  in team building, alliance building activities that encourage cooperation and communication amongst the participants.   For instance, the participants encountered a “Ropes course”, requiring these skills to be able to traverse between two large trees 30 feet above the ground! Although Joyce kept her feet firmly on the ground, she showed several pictures of the experience as she marveled at how the students’ self confidence dramatically improved after tackling the challenges they faced over the weekend!  

. . . . Meeting Adjourned! C U Nxt wk . .