Meeting of January 03, 2008

Next Meeting Time & Place:  January 10, 2008.   RSCC. Program: Maryland Mentoring Partnership, Robin Neely

Greeter:  Carol Maher

Song: “God Bless America” led by Ray Matheu

Pledge:  President Marion Keenan

Prayer:  Brian Brushmiller

Head Table: As this was Fellowship Night, no Head Table

Guests:  Nancyellen Morris, Rob Hart, Mark Forno

Announcements: 

• Historic occasion – fire in our fireplace – thanks to Gordon Gladden!
• Excellent attendance tonight – 62 members and 3 guests.
• Birthday night – Nancyellen (a January birthday girl, herself) drew the winning Rotarian’s name - Mike Bloxham.  (You’ll get the cake next week, Mike; we promise!) Congratulations to other January babies:  Glenn Benedict, John Crawford, Ginny Dulany, Carolyn Hall, Gary Mackes, Henry Vinyard. 
• Thoughts and prayers to Bud Potter who has had a stroke. He is in PRMC.
• Comments from Ginny Dulany about her recent trip down (up?) the Danube and her visit to a Vienna Rotary Club.  She presented our Club with their banner.  Tonight’s chocolates were courtesy of Ginny. Apparently there is a saying in old Vienna - “What happens on the Danube, stays on the Danube”!
• President Marion reviewed many activities of the past 6 months with special thanks to Committee Chairs.

ü      By-Laws were reviewed and revised

ü      Marie Calafiura “ate $2,000 worth of chicken” for the benefit of the Club

ü      Membership Update, under Steve Capelli’s leadership, we inducted 4 new members, with two additional people proposed in the Cog (Gary Howell and Mark Forno).  Gary and Mark are to be inducted as new members next week.

ü      Transitions – Sadly, Dick Brooks died, as have some of the nearest and dearest to us.  A few former members moved on to other Clubs (Gerry Meckly transferred to Cambridge) or interests, but all remain with us in friendship and memory.

ü      Meals under Jock McNair’s leadership and Special Events under Simpson Dunahoo’s have been spectacular.  Both gentlemen received a round of applause!  Bill Cropper dropped a hint about upcoming Valentine’s Day Special Event – it will be “West of the Ocean and East of the Bay”.

ü      Kathleen McLain has kept us front and center with PR.  PAC 14 will soon be showing last year’s Service by Youth activities as led by George Whitehead and Mike Bloxham.

ü      Hank Engster and team have kept Club members current with the COG

ü      Gary Mackes has provided speakers who informed, entertained, and even trained us.

ü      John Burkett’s GSE choice for Belgium exchange was chosen – Sonya ???

ü      Stan Morris organized everyone for Salvation Army Bell Ringing donations and continues to get Meals-on-Wheels delivered.

ü      Mark Glushakow’s team raised significant money through the Raffle.

ü      Darryl Nixon’s Fellowship/Retention Committee initiated “First Thursdays” with Badges and Greeter, encouraging all members to mingle with one another. 

ü      Mike Hickson’s committee helps start every meeting on a high note – both spiritually and vocally!

ü      Mike Bloxham’s committee continues Service by Youth projects – e.g. School Back Pack Project.

ü      Thanks to Finith Jernigan and the RSCC Operations Committee for their care of our facility.

ü      RI Foundation (and our Foundation Committee under Mike Abercrombie) made international news with a Gates Foundation challenge.  Per Art Goetz, $5,600 raised so far this year for RI Foundation.

• Endeavors for the remainder of the Rotary year include:

ü      Mike Hickson & Steve Capelli, with our Club leadership, are moving ahead to Fruitland annexation.

ü      John Broyhill’s Club History Committee will use these fallow winter months to prepare an article on our members’ impact on Salisbury’s history.

ü      Mark Glushakow is planning more fun fundraisers.

President Marion encouraged individual members to give suggestions and share aspirations for the Club.  Rocky Burnett suggested that perhaps a meeting could be dedicated to recognizing senior members and high lighting their contributions. 

Main Program: 

Past-President Allen Brown reported from the Nominating Committee.  He thanked the Past Presidents that met with him and announced their nomination for President Elect 2009:  John D. Burkett. 

Gordon Gladden moved that nominations be closed.  Multiple seconds and unanimous approval from members. 

John stated that he was “… humbled, delighted and flattered… there’s no place that I’d rather be on Thursday nights... this is the finest group of people that I’ve ever been privileged enough to be associated with…”

50/50 Winners :  Simpson Dunahoo and Steve Capelli - $16.00 each.

       Enjoy Rotary!