Rotary Club of Montecito Axis - Archive  Dec 11, 2009

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MONTECITO ROTARY CLUB

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 8, 2009

Our meeting on December 8^th was a stunning reminder of the depth and connection we are privileged to share in Rotary.  Jim Bechtel, Lisa Wozniak and J.T. Turner each shared some profound reflections with an emphasis on gratitude and appreciation.  During this Holiday Season there are ample reasons for cynicism and despair, but we as Rotarians are in a position to carry the flame of hope and possibility.  We are each given gifts to share, and through our common bond as Rotarians we are able to magnify those gifts to the community and wider world through our shared, collective resourcefulness.  The current issue of the Rotarian has an excellent article about Rotary’s Founder, Paul Harris.  It’s amazing to see how the vision of one individual has blossomed into an organization of 1.2 million members worldwide.

As we gather each week at our Club, other Rotarians around the world similarly gather, and do what we do.  It may at times seem mundane and insignificant, but in the scheme of our lives, we have been given a marvelous vehicle and infrastructure to make a difference,  One example of this was the message shared by Gerry Beckerman of the Ventura Rotary about his Segue Career Mentoring Program.  For more information, see www.SegueProgram.org.  This program is now available at Santa Barbara High School, and Gerry encouraged us to consider giving a very modest amount of time to help a high school student to bolster motivation and direction, by sharing our gifts.  Remember, in the words of R.I. President John Kinney, “The Future of Rotary is in our Hands.”

Congratulations to President-Elect Nominee Carolyn Brown and the Santa Barbara Boys & Girls Club for securing a significant grant that will boost the capacity of the Club in its offerings.

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Dick Douglas notes that the Montecito Rotary Foundation grant recipients have been announced for this cycle and will receive their grants on December 22^nd at our Meeting.  The recipients for the first cycle of grants are as follows:

Art for Humanities

Boys & Girls Club of Santa Barbara

Channel Islands YMCA

Dyslexia Awareness and Resource Center

Future Leaders of America

New Beginnings Counseling Center

Ushindi Center Project

We will again be passing out the parking permits for our transition to Emilio’s for our meetings beginning on January 5^th.  Many of you received them at the last meeting, but if you didn’t, be sure to get your laminated, hermetically sealed permit next Tuesday.  We will soon have a map showing the parking arrangements as well.

Our Program for the 15^th will feature member Aaron Clark, of Monarch Wealth Strategies, “Musings on the Economy: Past, Present & Future” 

Why not invite a prospective member to attend the 15^th or the 22^nd???  The Future of Rotary is in Our Hands.

Assignments:  Invocation/Flag Salute:  Harlan Green    50/50 Raffle:  Sherry Melchiorre

Remember that proceeds of Fines and Raffle for 12/8, 12/15, and 12/22 will go to the servers at the Montecito Country Club who have taken good care of us over the years….  This will be our way of tangibly expressing our appreciation.

BOARD MEMBERS:  REMEMBER December BOARD MEETING at 11:00 Tuesday 12/15 before our regular meeting!

Upcoming events:  

1-UCSB Lady Gauchos on December 20^th

2-December 26th  Rose Bowl Parade Float Decorating c/o Walt Stephens  (stephens@silcom.com)  $35.00 per person.  Bus transportation to Pasadena and back and meals include,

Bill Limberg

President, 2009-2010