As I approach the new Rotary year with great fear and trepidation and the President-Elect’s mantra firmly in place – “Please don’t let me screw it up in my year as President”, I would like to summarize a few thoughts, ideas and concerns for the upcoming year.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007 marks the kick off of my year and first meeting.  As usual, we will start at 12 Noon at Tahoe Joe’s at XXX Howe Avenue, Sacramento, CA.  What is not so usual is that I have extended the meeting time to end at 1:15 PM each meeting day.  Since I returned to Sacramento a couple of years ago and began to attend our meetings once again, I felt that we were always running out of time, limiting our socializing, rushing our speakers and running over our 1:00 PM adjournment.  I am a pretty punctual person and would much rather plan for a 1:15 PM adjournment and end early – whoopee!!  Free Time!! – than end late and feel rushed to get to my next meeting.  I hope this works for everyone and my commitment to you is that I will do my best to start on time and never end later than 1:15 PM. 

To date, the food has been very good at Tahoe Joe’s and I am convinced it will stay that way.  I am also excited about steaks on the first Tuesday of each month again.  Unfortunately, good food cost more – “You get what you pay for”.  As a result, we will be raising the cost of lunch to $20.00 per meeting.  Where else can you get good food, a beverage, a salad, a desert and good friendship for less?

To start the meeting, we will say the Pledge of Allegiance the correct way – “,…one nation under God,…”.  No comma, no pause, just one nation under God.  I would also like to go back to the idea of sharing the thought for the day or invocation with all the members of the club.  I will post names in the bulletin and you will be asked to be prepared when your name comes up or be responsible to trade with someone else in the club if you cannot be there.  Those that are unprepared or forget to ask someone else, will be fined appropriately.

I am going back to a minimum $5 fine for your birthday ($10 if our Secretary has it wrong and you have not corrected it by now) and $10 for your anniversary, which will also get you a nice bottle of wine.  Of course we will always accept more, but never less.

We will always have time for announcements, but I would appreciate advance notice of the topic and the time required, so I can plan for it on my agenda.  As always, I am planning on a very busy year.

I am trying to put together a calendar to include in our bulletin that looks out ahead for a month or two.  Please let me know of any notices or events you would like to be included in the calendar.

I am anticipating a lot of good natured, low budget fining.  So feel free to “tattle” on your friends that are buying new cars, marrying off their children, graduating their sons or daughters, welcoming new children or grandchildren, taking a great trip or other “fineworthy” events in their lives.  I feel it is good to recognize our members, but not make it too painful.  For those items that deserve larger fines, I will do my best to work it out with you in advance, but please don’t hesitate to offer me more money, it will never be refused.  A $100 contribution will make you a bell ringer and get you a “Fine Free for a Day” card that can be used at any time to get out of a fine, except birthdays and anniversaries.  A $250 contribution will make you a super bell ringer and get you three Fine Free cards.

In continuing our support of the Rotary Foundation, the district has asked each club to have each member contribute at least $250 this year.  I am very proud to be a member of Arden Arcade whose members far exceed that every year.  In support of the Districts desires, I will be giving any member that contributes the minimum $250, or hopefully more, a special “Irish” Rotary Pin and I hope to give one to every member this year.

Speaking of Irish, although my last name does not show my heritage, I am all Irish on my mother’s side.  Her maiden name was Murphy, with lots of Harrington’s and Sullivan’s on that side and as most of you know, I am a proud alum of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.  As a result, you will see a significant Irish theme throughout the year.  I am willing to take a few reasonable sports bets with other proud alums, with 50% of the winnings (not the gross) going to the club, so let me know what you are up for.

With the seasoned veterans we have in our club (I did not say old), I am sure we will continue with many of the great traditions that we have enjoyed over the years.  The one that is causing me the most concern, as I head into the month of July, is the annual fund raiser.  I am suggesting we change to a fall Octoberfest/Barbecue, at the end of October.  I am in desperate need of a Chairperson(s) and volunteers, so don’t be surprised if I tap you on the shoulder and ask for your support.  Or better yet, please give me a call or tap me on the shoulder and volunteer before I ask you!!

I look forward to your feedback and comments throughout the year.  The suggestion box will be the one sitting on the wastebasket as you go out the door.

All kidding aside, I am looking forward to a fun filled year with lots of laughter, camaraderie and good fun.  With that,  and a good and consistent meeting place, we should be able to grow our membership and enjoy a great year.

Yours in Rotary,

Bruce Stimson