Opening Traditions

President Tom Meyer continuing his attempt to train us to respond (on the FIRST TRY)   in unison that we are “THE Rotary Club of Fullerton”, he had to repeat it twice (as is tradition thus far) (Perhaps by his last meeting we’ll get it right!)
Anyway, the leading of the pledge, song and invocation were ably performed by Deidre Kinsey, Howard Wood and Joyce Capelle respectively.

Visitors Included:
Mark McNaughton was a guest of Ken Kaisch but also barely qualified as a visiting Rotarian from Orange North because 24 hours earlier, was inducted as a new Rotarian!
Andy Ersek was also visiting from Orange North.
Todd Huffman of Save the Fox was a guest of Jim Blake.
Dawn Lyons and Steph McKelvey guests of Craig Walker.
Tommy Nixon, guest of Leroy Fulton
Kermit Southerland  head of Prayer Breakfast Network guest of Bill Peloquin.

Announcements

As announcers approached the microphone, Prez Tom reminded us that April 2nd will be our first meeting at the new Elk’s Club facility with the other two Fullerton Rotary Clubs, South and Sunrise. He then told of the next board meeting Tuesday March 11 at 7:30AM at 131 W. Commonwealth Ave.
-All Rotarians not wearing Rotary Pins were embarrassingly left standing as Rick Crane made available a sign-up sheet for Rotary pins at $3.00 each. There are unexpected benefits to wearing your Rotary pins when in public and even to our meetings!
-Rick Crane gave everyone an opportunity to get involved the annual All City Track Meet to be held March 29 from 8AM-1PM.
-On behalf of Jim McKamy, Tom reminded us of the Poker Night benefiting “Preventable Blindness”. It will be at Danny K’s in Anaheim Thursday, March 20.
-Allyn Lean reminded us that as an average, we’re shooting for at least $200 /member for Donations to the Rotary Foundation. You’ll need a form to clarify the intent of your check.
-Dick Mathewson announced that our club has donated 5000 books in the past 7 years at a cost of $10,000. This year we delivered to 5 local schools which was well-received!
-Tom announced that Vimal Seth has procured 100 pairs of women’s boots and that this afternoon we’ll be shipping them to the largest Catholic orphanage in the Midwest! Great job, Vimal! .

In what almost turned out to be a pre-program program, Don Bankhead was fixin to have Dick Daybell stand up at the front of the room during the entire Recognition marathon, but since Dick intuitively slipped out beforehand, President Tom was asked to  stand up front to keep Don company the entire time, no doubt hoping to avoid a fine. Remember the days when presidents never got fined?... (Me neither!) Surely Tom got the added enjoyment of delayed gratification with his apple pie after he sat down. Clearly, someone still owes Dick Daybell big time for making everyone stand up and sit down so many times when he did recognitions last week. It bordered on member abuse. (I thought  I was in church!! …. but as has been pointed out to me, 85 year-old ladies stand up in church all the time without complaining so neither should I ) 
Apparently oblivious to the likelihood of certain future payback from the Finemaster Meister himself ,  Don chastised Phil Silverman and credited his own wife Carol regarding procurement of the birthday and anniversary list that he needed for today’s duties.
Recognitions included:
George Giokaris Birthday  
Maryalyce Jeremiah birthday
Craig Walker  anniversary
Jim Young and Dot were honored at the recent YWCA’s Chocolate Fantasy banquet.
Buck Catlin was honored at a city council meeting for his contributions as an outstanding citizen. For years, Buck continues to organize the County’s largest Memorial Day Ceremony.
Don mentioned the Boy’s and Girls Club carwash Saturday for $5.00.
Mike Oates was fined for his picture in a local Korean newspaper

Opportunity Drawing
Allyn Lean got the equivalent of his own Rotary Foundation Donation covered with a car wash ticket to spare by pulling one of the two jokers out of Tom’s deck. Still one joker left, gang!

Program

Judi Bambas, director of  Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Services know as “FIES” gave a great overview of the major services the non-profit organization offers to our local citizens who are having a difficult times. “Helping the Hungry and the Homeless”, food and shelter have benefited many of our homeless. Four programs give families and single adults a free safe place to live and regroup to start saving funds so they can move out to a place to rent on their own. To qualify, individuals must be willing and able to legally work.  Also, an emergency food distribution center and a holiday program to  help 800 needy families with vouchers, food and gifts rounds out the four programs FIES offers. They accomplish all this with only 10 paid staff and many volunteers. Their website is www.FIES.us. Chefs are being sought for the popular, “Fun Loving Guys Raising Funds for FIES” Cook-off at the Astor Classics Automobile Museum on March 10.

Concluding Quote

The quote was obviously significant because it was attributed to Ben Franklin. To hear the quote and birthdays disclosed, YOU HAD TO BE THERE!!