FEBRUARY 14, 2012

NEXT MEETING, FEBRUARY 21 PROGRAM: A Wildlife Safari in Africa with Russ Aubry Invocation & Greeter: Angelo Costanza
~~ COMING UP ~

of very descriptive pictures, Zack discussed many of his experiences in studying abroad. He explained how he visited Rotary Clubs and humanitarian projects throughout South Africa. He clearly fulfilled the role of an Ambassador Scholar in exploring ways the Rotarians are seeking peace and goodwill in the world by meeting human needs. Zacks next assignment is going to Haiti to help in development work. It was an excellent program by a charming young man who demonstrated the values of Rotary Scholarships.

FUN AN FELLOWSHIP
It seemed that several persons were celebrating happy birthdays. Frank & Linda May admitted this was their th 20 Anniversary, and he was pleased to pay for the honor! Gary Irwin had a high five for bragging rights for Kansas Jayhawks beating K State and almost defeating Missouri. Dave Kruegel told of his recent visit to Phoenix to visit his brother and popped for $25 bucks! Tony Schoemehl admitted going on a trip with seven buddies to play golf in Mexico the golf wasnt too good, but he felt it was worth $20. Cliff Dochterman had a happy buck for Mary Elenas quick recovery from recent gall bladder surgery. Debbie Roessler told of the great success of the Oakland Museums White Elephant sale in its beginning weeks and thanked several Club members for their volunteer effortsworth $2. Then Herb Wehmeyer found another happy buck for his daughters birthday. When the red ticket was drawn, it was held by Birthday Girl Peg Render but alas no white marble!

Feb. 21-22 The ANNUAL ROTARY RENO TRIP *Feb 28 Part 2 of Jack The Ripper Story Chris Lardge will continue the real story of this amazing mystery. *Mar. 6 After Katrina Rotarys Role in Restoring New Orleanss Historic Warren Easton High School Pate Thomson and Grier Graff of Berkeley Rotary. *Mar. 13 Program: To Be Announced. *April 3 Moragas Chamber of Commerce Frank Melon, CEO Moraga Country Club and Pres. Chamber of Commerce
*Indicates a regular Tuesday noon luncheon meeting

GUESTS
Pete & Caroline Giers Orinda Rotary Club Zack Zimbalist Ambassador Scholar and Speaker Guest Spouses Linda May, Suzann Costanza, Libby Schoemehl, Peggy Render, Joan McSpadden, Mary Caburi, Ann Damaschino, Yelena Mucovich, Mary Sue Erickson, Pat Renworth, Carol Irwin, Marilyn Simonsen, Leslie Lynch, Ron Schopke, and Lou Roessler

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nite At the Races Meeting on Wednesday at 5:00 pm at Frank Mays home 12 Woodford Dr. (across from Campolindo sports field). You dont have to be a member of the committee to come and join in the discussions and planning. Take part get involved! Rotaract Club meeting will take place Thursday at 7:00 pm in Galileo Hall, Room 201. It is the first meeting of the new St. Marys College semester, so it would be good if several Rotarians would drop by and give the Rotaractors a little support!

THIS WEEKS PROGRAM

It was the annual Valentines Day Dinner meeting and the room was colorfully decorated with Valentine dcor. President-elect Frank May filled in for President Nora, who is recovering from a recent fall we understand. Tony Schoemehl opened the meeting with some quotes filled with love messages. The tables sported some bright Rotary place mats, designed and secured by John & Mary Sue Erickson. The second Paul Harris Award was presented to Ann Damaschino for additional contributions to The Rotary Foundation. Orinda Rotarian, Pete Giers, formerly District Scholarship Chairman, introduced our guest speaker, Zack Zimbalist, a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar who studied in Durbin, South Africa for the past 2 years. Zack earned a masters degree while studying the Rural and Urban Development in Post-Apartheid South Africa. With a series

NITE AT THE RACES COMING SOON

Our big fund-raiser of the year, The Nite At The Races is just about one month away Saturday, March 10 and there is still so much work to be done if it is to be as successful as in past years. Auction items must be secured and tables must be filled! Have you made your reservation or helped fill a table? Have you secured a few items for the silent auction tables? NOW is the time to take a few minutes and just do it. Invite your friends and family and MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW. If you are playing golf, or going out to dinner, or doing business with a local establishment, take a minute and

ask if they will give us a gift certificate for our fund-raiser which secures the money for our many charitable and humanitarian activities. Its that easy! Please dont expect just 4 or 5 club members to do the whole job. Everyone is needed. Step up and do your share! Make Reservations and Secure Auction items.

CALENDAR OF FUTURE EVENTS

Feb. 21-22 Annual Reno Train Trip Mar. 10 Annual Nite at the Races Fundraiser Mar. 16-17 Disaster Preparedness Conference Berkeley Marina Doubletree Inn Apr. 21 E-Waste Collection Day May 12 Moraga Community Faire June 16 Bocce Ball Tournament, Martinez June 26 Annual Demotion Dinner and Recognitions.
Watch for these dates to come: Moraga Rotary Field Day for Grade School Children Barbecue for Rotaract and Interact

KUDOS OF THE WEEK

Thanks to President Nora, Ron Swisher, Barb Bruner, Debbie Roessler, Louise Schopke and Kevin Reneau for taking on the special tasks at the Annual 5 Club Meeting at Rossmoor last week. We were proud of Noras presiding skills; Rons significant invocation; Barb and Debbie handling table decorations, Louise and Kevin holding down the reservation desk. And finally to all 15 of our members who made the special effort to show up at Rossmoor, we say you represented Moraga Rotary very well! Thanks also to John & Mary Sue Erickson for designing the colorful and informative new place mats. A GREAT job!

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Now is the time to submit your recommendation for the Moraga Employee of the Month. You can secure a copy of the nomination form by going to the Moraga Rotary website and looking under the news flash section and securing a nomination form. Lets get some nominations for some of the excellent employees who work in Moraga. It is important to get the program started now, since the first selection must be made in March. Give it a thought! This is an excellent project and good publicity for our Club and a nice bonus for some employee.

EDITORIAL COMMENTS
Moraga Rotary has been known for its excellent weekly programs, good speakers, and interesting entertainment. Finding and inviting these speakers is a huge task and it is coordinated by Ron Mucovich. Give Ron some of your ideas of good speakers you have heard, or even good topics for programs. Please make it your personal responsibility to find at least one good program it is the least each member can do! Think about it and call Ron now.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS CONFERENCE MARCH 16-17

How prepared are you if a disaster hits our area or your th home? Rotary is hosting the 6 Annual Emergency Disaster Initiative Conference at the Marina Doubletree Inn in Berkeley on March 16 and 17. This event is sponsored by Rotary International, and our District 5160 is serving as host, under the leadership of Past District Governor Karl Diekman. The purpose of the Conference is to develop and encourage preparation for the multiple hazards that result from disasters. Rotarians from around the nation and other countries are expected to attend. All Rotarians are welcome to attend. For more information go to www.rediconference.org or talk with Debbie Roessler.

MORAGA ROTARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2011-12 President..Nora Avelar President-elect..... Frank May Past President .....Tony Schoemehl Secretary.........Kevin Reneau Treasurer..Louise Schopke Community Service Chair.Barbara Bruner New Generations....Rich Render International Service Chair..Colin Barnard MembershipFrank May Rotary Foundation...... Lad Lynch Public Relations Gary Irwin Director at LargeDebbie Roessler Director at Large..Mary Elena Dochterman Director at Large...Cliff Dochterman President, Rotary International...Kalyan Banerjee District Governor, 5160 ...David Dacus Assistant District Governor.Debbie Roessler
Newsletter Editor for February Cliff Dochterman

Rotary International Theme for 2011-12 REACH WITHIN TO EMBRACE HUMANITY