District Governor Roger Schulte visited today, meeting first with
Pres. Bill Pierce and Sec. Jan Carlton, then with the Board of
Directors. As with every visiting District Governor, he was impressed
with the giving our club demonstrates to support its mission and other
projects.
He was our speaker at the meeting and delivered a terrific message
based on his "Rotary Moments," though he did not refer to them as
such. Roger is a retired middle school principal whose mother taught
elementary school. He described how his mother would shake a hand and
examine it, remembering that person, or child, for life. Roger
transitioned that into eyes, and told of his visit to India to
administer polio vaccine in a small Muslim village which had
experienced a recent case, a small child. There were photos during
his talk of many children and parents, and their eyes. The kids were
worried and scared but the parents were happy and grateful.
Rogers' next trip was to South America with the Rotoplast program,
where plastic surgeons repair cleft palates and lips, as well as other
deficiencies. Again, the pictures of the eyes tell a big story. Of
course, our club supports both programs. Several of us were reminded
of trips to Mexico for the Corazon super-build projects, and the
famous trip to El Fuerte. Roger mentioned the District support for
Corozon and told the story of the grand mother who hugged everyone at
the conclusion of the home our club helped build. I was making a
video of it and you can't write drama like this (if anyone missed it,
i will send it to you, just ask). Rogers message was a take off on
the Rotary slogan, "Service Above Self:" Service to Others.
Text by Tom Lott
If you missed the meeting, thinking well, the DG is making a speech,
how boring - you missed a real treat. Roger is right up there with
our own Tom Novotny! By the way, he only mentioned membership,
District Conference (June 9-12, 2011 in La Jolla), and foundation
giving in passing. He did his homework and knows we are already
working on and doing a good job in these areas.
There weren't a lot of happy or cross fines. I didn't mention the
Texas Rangers nor Ken Fong the SF Giants. Duncan's chess champion son
had a big hit as safety in football; I sent his name to Mack Brown,
who needs help saving his job.
Every time I miss a few meetings and return, I am reminded how
important the fellowship and personal contact means in the Rotary
experience. Ted Baker and I found a connection we had never known,
despite many meals, golf and fishing together. Its difficult to get
that being an occasional visitor. We were happy to see Bill Kink,
doing well, and remembered Brett and Bernie during both the Board and
during regular meeting, who we all miss a lot.
Hope to see you all next week!
Tom Lott
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