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July 12, 2018
Another
Rotary day, a NEW Rotary Club of Petaluma President!
It
was a beautiful, sunny Thursday when newly minted President Michael Nistler
called together the “95-years young” Rotary Club of Petaluma at the
Petaluma Golf and Country Club. The President
welcomed members and guests noting that he was “missing some things”
(such as his microphone, podium, tablecloth, bell and gavel…and other
items we could only but imagine!). He did anticipate some of the
“first day” high jinx, bringing along his own wireless body microphone
and hotel front desk bell, but some things (like a gavel) were not to
be found. President
Michael nevertheless persisted with his usual good
cheer and enthusiasm.
President Michael called on Whit Hall to
lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. President Michael next
called for a “volunteer” to lead us in our club song, and since none of
us stepped up, Immediate
Past President
and Rotarian of the Year Chris Ranney got “volunteered”
to lead us in our club song and God
Bless America. Hit it!
President Michael called on Past President Michael
Baddeley for the Thought for the Day. Michael declined
to offer any suggestions for the new Prez, but shared a number of
humorous quotes, including one appropriate for the occasion about two
types of leadership (being followed or chased?) and something about
peeing on an electric fence.
Before
President
Michael could continue with his first meeting, Immediate Past President Chris Ranney stood
up to complain about his “lost gavel” (apparently on loan to the new
guy!), and when he did 10 “gavels for hire” popped up all over the
room. President
Michael was handed a bag-o-gavels, but not before being
fined $100 for the loan ($10 each if you’re doing the math).
Let's see if he needs more!
Visiting
Rotarians were announced by Maggie
Radney and in a very special show of support included
club presidents from Petaluma’s “other” clubs…Curt from Petaluma
Sunrise and Bruce from Petaluma Valley. Rotarians with Guests
included proud papa, Brett
Shinn, with his daughter Harlow (who seems quite ready
to take over the world!), Michael
Caruana with his wife Diane (we tried not to notice
they were sitting at separate tables), and, of course, President Michael,
with his bestie and our very talented webmaster, Grace. President Michael
invited everyone to get started on friendship greetings.
President Michael made
excellent use of PowerPoint throughout the meeting and used it to
introduce us to his new club executives and committee chairs.
President Michael also
announced Past
District Governor Ed Fullerton as winner of the recent
membership campaign.
President Michael announced
“Himself” as the day’s program speaker and then took some time to
preview future programs, including next week’s speaker, Byron Hadcock
from the Sonoma Rotary who will speak on his ‘secret sauce’ for a
successful club. He also reminded us to contact Gail Cardaropoli to
sign up for the next SCARC dinner.
President Michael called on Michael Caruana
who gave a brief update on this year’s Bocce Ball Tournament.
Seems the team is still looking for a “few good players” to help
maintain their “perfect record.” Michael is passing along coaching
duties to Mike
Ambrosio, who has agreed to take on the burden of
leading our club to victory (or not)!
Shari Ranney gave us
more details on the tri-club “For the Children” fundraiser at Brewsters
on August 6; tickets are $20 each and she promises a fun night out for
the whole family.
President Michael gave a
rundown of his Communications Plan including Club Runner, RotaTeller,
club emails, club meetings that will be videotaped, free conference
calls to Board meetings (also videotaped), printed calendars (on each
table) and a suggestion box for member input. He also gave some details
about this year’s Youth Exchange program.
President Michael noted that
rather than levying “fines” or opportunities to express “gratitude,”
during his reign he would be seeking to “recognize stewardship.”
His first victim of the year was Past President Chris Ranney who
has stepped up as the interim CEO of COTS (just until a new CEO is
hired), which cost him $100.
President Michael revealed that
we are working to clean our “stuff” out of Marlene Freetly’s barn.
When
it came time for President
Michael to call out the week’s raffle winner, it seems
his “purse with rocks” was nowhere to be found, so he used his next
best thing…a digital wheel. The winner was Past President Rick Mossi,
who got a digital brown rock and won himself a NBW (with come complaint
that he should have gotten the cash…brown rock, blue rock…who knows any
more)!
President Michael also
discussed his 4 M’s…Marketing, Meetings, Membership (we’re down two
members in his first week!), and Mentorship.
Grace
assisted with a roll out of the Four Way Test. During all this we
kept hearing background music, and at one point Whit Hall
asked the new Prez,
“WTH, was that chicken on the windmill supposed to mean?” The
explanation was not too clear...
Michael Caruana gave a
wonderful update on the Petaluma People Services Center Serenity Garden
project (more on that later), and lastly, Past President Lee Reposa shared
that the ground breaking for the Miracle League playground was a big
success. Our club has $60-70K in the bank ready and waiting to
contribute toward building the Rotary Pavilion.
President Michael then ended by
thanking all involved with making his “first” such a memorable bell
ringer! Ding, ding!!
This
week's Editor: Jane Saldaña-Talley
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