Highlights of July 28 Meeting

President Pam opened the meeting and suggested that everyone say "Hi" to Jeanie Morgan who was attending via Zoom.  She asked Ed Koeneman to offer the invocation, which he was happy to do, reciting a Boy Scout invocation.  Pam showed those present a book that would be available at the reception table.  Many members are reluctant to volunteer to offer the invocation or thought for the day.  The book is full of inspirational messages that would be perfect, so if your are "voluntold" to offer the invocation at a meeting, grab the book and share one of those messages.  Warren Williamson led the Pledge of Allegiance.   She announced for the program would be presented by Dr. Mark Leonard on The Happiness Breakthrough.

 

The Rotary theme for the month of August is Membership and Extension.  To truly reflect our community, we should keep in mind the Diversity Equity and Inclusion commitment of Rotary International:

 

At Rotary, we're committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect, allowing everyone's voice to be heard, and providing equitable opportunities for fellowship, service, and leadership.

 

Our members want and expect Rotary to be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. We're committed to creating supportive environments that foster open communication and shared learning. And although the Rotary experience may differ from country to country, the dynamics, histories, and structures that create inequality and bias can be found all over the world. Issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion are globally relevant. 

 

The Rotary International Board of Directors and The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees embrace the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and Rotary is taking action to follow these principles in everything we do. We recognize that being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization will enhance the experience that members have in Rotary, allow us to carry out more meaningful and effective service efforts, and create open, welcoming environments that appeal to people who want to connect with us.

 

Polly shared a few names of famous Rotarians she had found on a list in Wikipedia.  Among those named were  Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Gerald R. Ford, John F. Kennedy, Frank Borman, Dr. Charles H. Mayo, Sir Winston Churchill, and Admiral Richard Byrd.

 

President Pam thanked Steve Ross for serving as greeter.  She also remarked that Clarence Birdseye of Birdseye frozen foods was another famous Rotarian.

 

 

The ticket drawn was held by Dave Brauchler, but when Dave attempted to draw the Ace of Clubs form the deck, he instead drew the Queen of Diamonds.

 

 

Lucinda pointed out that she was the deliverer.  The items were all selected by Wayne, who would purchase one item for the auction at each of several interesting places they visited.  She pointed out the "Newport Mansion" on the bag which contained something edible, but no alcohol.  She suggested the bidding start at $35.  She said one item started out being edible but is now in a different state.  The bag was purchased by Colleen Coons for $75.  Among the items in the bag was some Cinnamon Pear Jam, a mysterious Cranberry item and a book about New England Ships.

 

 

 

President Pam introduced our speaker.  He has been an entrepreneur and business owner for over twenty years.  He's had his share of worries, sleepless nights and setbacks.  He currently owns two businesses that employ - on average- twenty employees.  He understands the pressure of owning a business.  For the past sixteen years, he has studied why some people are successful while others struggle.  In his quest he has earned an EdD in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University where he gained expertise in helping companies and their leaders achieve their goals.  Helping people break through their limitations and plateaus is a personal passion for him.

 

He has been married over thirty years.  He and his wife have six children, and twelve grandchildren.  When it comes to juggling life's priorities, he understands the challenges.

 

One of life's puzzles is trying to figure out why when some people touch something it turns to gold while others cause the opposite reaction.  He enjoys employing teenagers in one of his businesses - an Italian Ice store.  He teaches the kids about business and about giving more than is expected, encouraging them to serve their community.  

 

Dr. Leonard has a back story.  It started when he was in a hospital bed waiting for lung surgery.  He was getting mixed messages.  "You have cancer" - "No you don't." If the final diagnosis was cancer, he was going to lose his lungs.  In his speaking/coaching business, his tool was his voice.  He begged God not to let him lose his voice.

 

He learned life was worth striving for.  He had too much to live for.  He was needed.  His family was growing.  He said daughter #5 brought her wedding dress the night before our meeting.  He has travelled the world.  He's been in Africa, Serviced in India.  While there, his wife was in a room with prostitutes who were sold into slavery by their husbands.  He knew that whatever he was doing it wasn't enough.  He is certain we are here to live a life of excellence.

 

It's impossible to find what excellence looks like for others.  It's not what anyone else defines.  It is what we each define for ourselves.  We each need to define what our excellence looks like.

 

He suggested taking a piece of paper, sit upright with both feet firmly on the ground, get comfortable, and take a deep breath.  With eyes closed, visualize how someone would describe the very best of you at a memorial service.  Come up with words that would fit on a business card.  His words are, "Authentic, Courageous, and Serving."   For a time, he and his wife switched places.  He was a stay at home dad.  One night his wife told him he had his "work" face on at home.  He realized he was different in each environment and worked to change that.  He said that the night before our meeting, he was ready to fire a nineteen-year-old who had slept for 70 minutes in his office.  Instead, he ended up hugging him and asking how he could help.  Once you understand your definition of excellence, you can work to live your excellence.

 

He talked for a bit about actually connecting with those we interact with.  Instead of asking the normal "What do you do? Where do you live?" questions, ask someone to tell you about something they are passionate about.  This can happen when making introductions.  It can also happen with family.  It's possible to connect with people wherever you are.  It's really important to connect with your family and close friends.  Take time to connect with cousins you rarely see.  Don't postpone that phone call.  Ask what you can do for them.  

 

To live a life of excellence, do simple things over and over.  Find opportunities to do what you've been sent here to do.

 

The rest of the story about lung cancer.  There was a tumor pressing up against the lung wall.  It looked like it was inside the lung, but it wasn't.  The biopsy ruled out cancer.  It was a rare disease - Castleman's disease - not cancer.  He said there is power in prayer.  He knows it.  He's felt it.

 

His Italian Ice store is at Victoria and Ellsworth - Jeremiah's Italian Ice.  They make everything in the store. and serve over 40 flavors.

 

Pam closed the meeting ringer the bell with our new ringer.