The newsletter for the active Venice - Marina Rotarian

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The Mesh

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From the desk of the President,

Willie Hjorth

GIFT EXCHANGE MEETING

KUDOS

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

January 9, 2003 MEETING AT SHANGHAI RED'S

From the desk of Vice President

DAVID MAXWELL

It was a pleasure for our Club to have the second visit by our District Governor to

our Club. He addressed two matters, one with our own Club Foundation

Chairman Dr. Vince Scott and the second my club report of the Long-Range

Planning Meeting, which I attended as part of my participation in the District

Mentoring activity. It is great to know that the DG reads our MESH and to also

know that he does care what is going on at the Club level.

We certainly appreciated his attendance and we certainly appreciated his pledge

of $100 and the participation of the wallets of Culver City’s DG Designee Pat

Cashin and ADG Janet Chabola. THANK YOU ALL. The money will go to

good work for the McBride School’s Girl and Boy Scouts. The DG is doing an

excellent job to include all clubs in district activities and to promote the growth of

Rotarian membership.

With trepidation, I feel I must make two comments, which are just my reaction

and opinion about the matter of the Long Range Committee meeting I attended

and the DG comments at this Club meeting to my mentoring written report. The

first is the fact that the Long-Range Planning Commission might be better

renamed with different functions. The District, like all organizations, needs a

long-range vision in my opinion. Secondly, restricting the number of non-committee

members able to attend this meeting to two- (2) limits District

members’ participation in observing and obtaining knowledge of our District’s

operations.

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ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT RATTAKUL RECEPTION REPORT

BY DAVID MAXWELL

It was my privilege and honor to attend the Reception for Rotary International

President Bhichai Rattakul from Bangkok, Thailand, on December 29, 2002 on

two counts. First, I accompanied President Willie, Adiba and our own Kaz Smith

and her son and daughter-in-law and secondly, I heard the speech of RI’s current.President. This report is my attempt to convey the flavor of the event to each and

every member of the Club. Held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (in

the room where LA 5 meets), we were able to tour the new cathedral, enjoy

cocktails and hors d’oeurves by Patina Caterers (don’t worry Howard, your food

is better, but then I’m prejudiced).

Major donors were able to have their picture taken with President Rattakul, who

by the way speaks excellent English and I understand was a Foreign Minister for

his country. Kaz and her family were in a long line (there are many major Rotary

Foundation donors). I was able to also take pictures of Kaz and also Adiba with

Mr. Rattakul. The district provided a professional photographer who took 2 shots

of each donor. The reception lasted from 5:30PM to 7:30PM. Our club was able

to procure a table for us to enjoy the event and our company. In fact, we stayed

at our table talking well after the event was completed. Kaz Smith and her family

are delightful, charming entertaining people.

Introductions occurred after the photo and greeting line portion of the event.

Many 5280 District dignitaries were present. Our DG Rich Mendoza made a fine

speech of introduction and recognition. Representatives from the Thai, Swiss,

People’s Republic of China and two other consulates were present. The Chinese

Consulate person’ attendance just confirms that RI is making strides to have full

Rotary clubs in mainland China soon and that the Chinese government looks

favorably on that relationship.

RI President Rattakul then talked. His life is in an airplane and attending

meetings and function for RI around the world. He has been home twice in the

last 5 months, including a visit at Christmas and one for illness with inner ear

infection. He was gracious and humble. He likes meeting clubs and the local

members because this is where the work of Rotary is done. He emphasized how

proud he was of the service performed by individual clubs. He gave two

examples of how local clubs identify local needs and then act. Like in Northeast

Thailand, the local clubs obtained over 9500 bicycles and the tools and

knowledge to maintain and repair to be provided to locals for transportation to

school instead of walking. And in India where blood banks are in short supply, a

local club raised the money to outfit and maintain a first class blood bank that

supplies blood to an average of 100 people a day, who would have probably died

before this bank was opened..President Rattakul thanked all the members of the clubs who do provide services

to our community. He is a strong leader who delivers a short, informative,

inspiring and humble speech. He puts the spotlight on service. When I was

listening I felt good to be part of an organization and a local club in Venice

Marina that does make a difference for the positive in people’s lives. He stated

that International existed to serve the local clubs. His theme is Sow the Seeds of

Love; he definitely is able to do this and to inspire others to keep on keeping on.

After the event, DG Mendoza came to our table to say hello. He stated videotape

of the speech would be available for clubs to view – an excellent program for our

club meeting. I would estimate that about 250-300 Rotarians and guests

attended. The Seven Districts in Southern California sponsored the event. There

is another event later in January at Westlake Village when President Rattakul will

be present and speaking. I encourage any of you able to attend this event to

obtain a flavor of what Rotary means to this man and to others around the World.

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Letter to the Editor

GREAT CHRISTMAS EXCHANGE!!!

The January 2, 2003, meeting at Shanghai Red’s was our annual Christmas

exchange of white elephant gifts. There were many fine gifts and some of us

gave meaning to the new phrase "Feng Shui-ed". Special recognition must go to

Tom Ryan, who brought the most ugly, tasteless, cheap white elephant gift,

which yours truly ended up with. Way to go Tom. You are a true Rotary Club

leader in all respects. I will keep this gift on my office desk to remember you to

all during the coming year.

We had a great and fun filled time. Dr. Vince Scott and President Will sure run

an excellent gift exchange..Yours in Rotary,

David Maxwell

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Rotary People

John W. Jaacks, AG, Membership Rick Mendoza, District Governor

December, 2002

District Membership 2384

2003