Rotary Interclub Meeting (by Frank May)

There was no Moraga Rotary Club meeting this week. Instead, many of our members attended the 2014 Interclub Meeting that was held at Rossmoor in the new Event Center building on Wednesday at noon. The meeting was called to order by Pam Regatuso, the current president of the Rossmoor Rotary Club. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a spirited rendition of God Bless America. Visiting dignitaries were introduced including our own Cliff Dochterman, our speaker from Rotary International, John Blount, District Governor Steve Lack, and Assistant District Governor, Jose Avelar. A short presentation was given by the CEO of Rossmoor, Warren Salmons, on the new Event Center. He also gave a sales pitch on Rossmoor itself. I gues he felt he had a captive audience!! The FAB Five club presidents introduced themselves and gave a three minute update on significant happenings in their respective clubs. President Nora updated the audience on our School Magazines and Employee of the Month actvities and encouraged everyone to attend Nite at the Races this year.

February 5, 2014
NEXT MEETING February 11: 6 p.m. meeting at the Soda Center; Orinda Room (nearest Claeys Lounge)

Program: Brother Dominic: Winemaking History of St. Marys College

Greeter/Invocator for Feb 11 Gary Irwin

~COMING UP~
*Feb 18 Ken Chew, Mayor of Moraga and Jill Keimach, Town Manager *Feb 25 Bobbie Preston Hospice of the East Bay *Indicates a regular Tuesday noon luncheon meeting **Indicates our monthly evening meeting at 6pm

Message from President Nora

The Memorial Service for Pat Renworth has been scheduled for this coming Sunday. Pat was the wife of George Renworth who is a charter member of our Rotary Club of Moraga, and she was great asset to Rotary. Please come honor her memory this Sunday, February 9th, 2pm at the Miramonte Gardens Clubhouse (the location where she has generously reserved for our annual Holiday Dinners). The clubhouse is located in Miramonte Gardens on Miramonte Dr. in Moraga. It is requested that when you attend, please wear SF 49ers colors (red & gold) or SF Giants colors (orange & black).

Steve Lack then intoduced Dick Burkhalter highlighting Dicks work with Rotoplast and their cleft palate programs in Africa. He then inducted Dick and his wife Barbara into the Arch Klumph Society, the organization that provides the highest level of support to Rotary Foundation goals and projects. Congratulations, Dick and Barbara!

Russ Cunningham then introduced our speaker, John Blount. John, a dentist by trade who claims that Rotary is his hobby, is a thirty-two year member and past president of the Sebastopol Rotary Club. He was Governor of District 5130 and its 36 clubs in northwestern California in 19901991. He has the distinction of being the youngest to hold that office in District 5130s history. He was a Director of Rotary International and was the chair of its Executive Committee. The theme of Johns talk was Change in Rotary. He began with Dan Quayles famous quote I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy -- but that could change."

Moraga Rotarians at the Kiwanis Crab Feed

Members of our club had a great time at the Kiwanis Crab Feed on Saturday evening. President Nora is attending the Kiwaniss meeting this week to promote our Nite at the Races event.

He discussed Rotarys history of change beginning with supporting local communities and moving to a truly international organization. John emphasized the importance of the inclusion of women into Rotary in the the eighties. He talked about more recent change citing our progress fighting polio. John then talked about the recent the problem of membership particularly in the United States and Japan. He felt that membership retention requires special emphasis in todays world. John taked about the myriad brands that we have in Rotary International and the work to strengthen the brand as well as the development of a simple mantra of Connect for Good. He reviewed some of the administrative changes that are occurring in RI including with the focus of projects in the future. Johns message was the Rotary has always been a changing organization and that we need to continue to move forward in a world that really needs us!!

Important Nite at the Races Meeting On Wednesday, February 12 at 5:30 at Cliff Dochtermans house, the Nite at the Races committee and interested Rotarians and spouses will meet to finalize the details of the event, which will then be just about one month away. This is an all hands event for our Club, and everyone is invited to attend the meeting.
Al Simonsen has volunteered to sell horses. Please contact him if you would like to sponsor a horse at just $25 per horse. You can promote a business, honor a grandchild or just make a statement. Thank you, Al !

Chamber of Commerce Social March 25th Moraga Rotary along with the Kiwanis Club of Moraga Valley is sponsoring a Chamber of Commerce Mixer at the Serbian Church on School Street. Put this event on your calendar and plan to help make this community event a success. Typically this monthly event attracts 70 people from all parts of the Moraga community.

MORAGA ROTARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2013-2014

President...........Nora Avelar President-Elect....Debbie Roessler Past President ....Frank May Secretary....Kevin Reneau Treasurer......Lad Lynch Community Service Chair...Barbara Bruner New Generations Chair.........Rich Render International Service Chair..Tony Schoemehl Membership....Frank & Debbie Public Relations..Gary Irwin Director at Large.....Cliff Dochterman Director at Large.........John Erickson

***CALENDAR OF FUTURE EVENTS***

~ PLACES TO MAKE UP ROTARY ~

MONDAY Danville @ Noon.......Faz, Danville TUESDAY Diablo View @ 5:30pm...Lift Lounge, Walnut Creek WEDNESDAY Orinda @ Noon......Orinda Country Club Berkeley @ Noon..His Lordships Restaurant Rossmoor @ Noon.Hillside Clubhouse, Rossmoor THURSDAY Pleasant Hill @ Noon......St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Lafayette @ Noon....Oakwood Health Center Oakland @ Noon......California Ballroom FRIDAY Lamorinda Sunrise @ 7am....Celias Mexican Restaurant Concord @ Noon.....Concord Hilton

Feb 12 A Nite at the Races committee mtg. Mar 15 A Nite at the Races Fundraiser Mar 25 Moraga Chamber of Commerce Social April 26 E-Waste Fundraiser May 10 Moraga Community Faire

THE 2013-14 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL THEME

ENGAGE ROTARY, CHANGE LIVES

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This months editorGary Irwin February Room Setup.. Marv Ellenberg