Rotary Spoke

OK, now I’ve got your attention.  (I’ve always wanted to write an article with that title.  Well, that’s one to cross off my Bucket List.)

While it wasn’t a dark and stormy night, it was a gray, humid day.  The Caesar salad was the best dressed one in the dining room, even though there were 27 Rotarians and one guest gathered there to partake of shepherd’s pie, sandwiches, and cookies.  Pres. Elect David S. promptly calculated a total of 28 for lunch (or 4 x 7). (Editor’s note: 28 can also be extrapolated as 1 x 28 and 2 x 14.)  Our only guest, Fred Johnson, was introduced by PP Ed G., who noted that Fred was familiar with our luncheon antics and, to his credit, came back for more.

“Past Pres. Elect” Jim S. welcomed all, even the unruly few who spoke without raising their hands and being recognized.  (Hey, that should have been learned in 2nd grade!)  Even so, Jim says that he is looking forward to a great year.

The pledge was admirably led by Alan A., the 1st verse of America by yours truly, and a thoughtful invocation was provided by PP Don S.  I was promised the opportunity to lead the classic Welcome Song for our brave, intrepid guest, who even paid a fine for Pres. Jim’s youthful photo in last week’s Bulletin.  What a guy!  Certainly deserving of a heartfelt serenade!

Pres. Jim noted that I was wearing “snappy suspenders.” I felt honor-bound to share the credit/blame with Bob C. of Lexington Ace Hardware, who had thought that the wide, yellow straps made me look “ten years younger and twenty pounds lighter.”  (The suspenders were marked with inches, like a tape measure.  PP Don S. later noted that their stretchable quality made for interesting measurement problems.)  Bob, that will cost you $10.

PP Nick C. offered the Club $5 if I’d take them off.   I did.  Nick paid.  PP Dan B. paid $9 for missing Pres. Jim S.’s induction meeting.  (The other $1?  Dan needed to buy his raffle ticket and knew that Connie was “change-challenged.”  Pres. Jim gave $25 happy dollars for a good prognosis after his wife had surgery for breast cancer, and the Club gave a solid round of applause.

PP Doug H. upped the ante for missing Pres. Jim’s induction meeting to $19.  (Same logic as Dan B.’s)  His excuse?  Doug was in Lisbon at the RI Conference.  I chipped in a measly $10 for being back among this mature (?) group of Lexington Rotarians, after a school year with eight and nine year olds.  Pres. Elect. Dave noted that he “won’t be here next week,” as he will be at the Cape celebrating his son’s third birthday. That was worth $10.

Pres. Jim read a gracious thank you note from a Stanford-bound scholarship recipient.  Then he noted that next year’s theme is “Engage Rotary and Change Lives,” and that he’d like each member to think “membership.”  “Share what Rotary means to you with someone, and then invite him/her to a meeting.”  Pres. Jim wants the Club to do more things in Lexington, which will be the focus of next week’s Assembly meeting. 

In memoriam of PP Dan Lucas, three of our Club’s scholarship recipients will be awarded additional scholarship grants at our meeting on July 15. 

Somehow or other, John O’Donnell’s birthday was overlooked by Pres. Jim, which cost Jim $6.  PP Dan B. was incredulous:  “Don’t you pay for your own birthday here at Rotary?”  I guess you do only if the president reminds you that it’s your birthday.  After the Assembly Meeting next week, there will be classification talks by new members for the rest of the summer meetings.  It’s a good chance to promote your business without any risk of being fined. 

PP Doug H. had a great time at the 104th RI Conference in Lisbon, where he was a voting member.  A lot of money for the End Polio Now Campaign has been raised, thanks to Rotarians and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, but it is estimated that $5.5 billion will have to be raised over the next five years to totally eradicate polio.  190 governments have pledged $4 billion, leaving $1 billion to raise.  The Gates Foundation will match the first $35 million that Rotary raises each year on a two-for-one basis.  Over five years this will generate the needed billion dollars. 

Each Rotary Club was challenged to raise $1,000 a year.  Doug pondered the issue of inflation and wondered if our members would consider increasing their personal contributions to counter inflation and to ensure that Rotary’s goal is met.  To this end, Doug offered to match additional member giving up to $5,000.  Watch for more information in future Bulletins.

Finally, just before Pres. Jim gaveled the meeting to a close, I reminded him that our sole guest was still waiting patiently to hear the Welcome Song.  My $5 was matched by Jim’s, and the assembled Rotarians stood and welcomed Fred with song.  As the last notes faded away, PP Dan O. stood up and complimented the Club on the fine quality of the singing, which he attributed to PP Murry A.’s absence.  (Oh, it’s great to be back among these fine ladies and gentlemen!)

PP Bill C.