Acorn March 19, 2007

Reporter: Geof Lambert

Pledge of Allegiance: Led by John Chavez

Thought of the Day: Charley Blatchford   

Patriot Song: God Bless American led by Blaine Lamb and accompanied by Ernie Drouge.

Menu consisted of green salad, cheesy lasagna, and warm garlic bread, chocolate birthday cake for dessert.

Introduction of Visiting Rotarians:

Jeff Marmins – Rotary Club of Historic Folsom

Introduction of Guests of Rotarians:

Julian Prentice Cliff Staehley Martin Hauser Jim Wilcoxson

Announcements:

Sunshine report by Howard Papworth, Howard announced the passing of Shirley Field last night. He was an incredible individual, he had been a member of the Rotary Club of Fair Oaks for over 40 years. Services will held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday at Russ Monroe’s Chapel.

Next week will be the speech contest; it should be a full house.

Warren announced the Adopt a Street will be on the 31st of March. Participants to meet at Warren’s. If you have any questions about that program go see Warren.

The Barn Demolition, nothing new to

April 21st, Spring Fling, lots of fun, that will be our meeting that week, lot’s fun to be had by all, starts at 7:00 p.m. If you are going to talk to Maggie. Feel free to invite anybody you would like over the age of 21.

The district assembly is coming this Saturday, it will on March 24th, 8:30 to Noon. The club pays for it. It will be at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento.

There will be a STRS training session on Sat. the 31st from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Sign ups for District Conference can be found on the Rotary District website at www.Rotary5180.org .

Julian Prentice presented on her studies in France as a Rotary Ambassadorial Cultural Scholarship. She gave a nice presentation on the life in Sacramento that she will present to her host clubs in France. Julian has recently graduated from Cal Berkeley and is planning to attend UCLA to study library studies. She has started a tutoring project in Oak Park. She was an Americor tutor in Berkeley, where she was able to help a lot of students with landlords in Berkeley. She believes in Service Above Self as a motto. She is interested in French cultural and wants to expand her knowledge of the area of many great thinkers in the world of women’s studies.

A famous quote by the famous Philadelphian, Ben Franklin: “Every man has two countries, their own and France”

She is going to Institut de Touraine with an open heart and mind, and she is very interested in taking Sacramento to France and bringing some of France back from her cultural experience, you can connect her at: julianyoko@gmail.com

Tonight is Birthday time…many Rotarians are having birthdays this month. For all those having birthdays this month congratulations, and enjoy the cake!

The winning ticket for the free dinner was won by Mr. Palmer Swanson. In the absence of Buzz McLain we missed the Ace of Spades.

Mini-Little Genius extracted Happy Birthday fines from the celebrants of Birth Day.

Dan Smallhouse introduced our speaker for the evening, Mr. Jeff Marmins. Jeff is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Historic Folsom. Jeff gave us tips on being a more effective human being. He talked how we recognize principles: Timeless, Self-Validating, Empowering, and Actually remove obstacles to growth and accomplishment. What keeps you from being effective? Too many things to do, laziness, lack of purpose, not enough money, interruptions, lack of organization, mental fragmentation.

Here are the problem solvers: vision, identity, purpose, order, concentration, integrity, harmony, progression. Vision is seeing clearly, vision is seeing contextually, vision is seeing imaginatively, vision is seeing alternatively.

What is the most fundamental paradigm of effectiveness?

Self-paradigm = Identity. We are not our feelings, we are not our thoughts, we are not our moods, we are responsible, we do not blame other people or circumstances.

Purpose defines our destination. Where are you going? Purpose defines location, where are you with respect to purpose?

Order: you have to set your priorities, everything has a season, deferred gratification, preparation, position.

Concentration, use time and energy like burning ants with a magnifying glass, harness the sun.

Integrity, act in accordance with your deepest values without compromise.

Your personal integrity account. Is it in the red or in the black? Your personal integrity account powerfully effects: Confidence Level of Stress Creativity Ability to relate to others

Harmony, inner harmony = prelude to harmonious relationships, harmony goals congruent with inner values resolution of wants and shoulds, balance work, family community and personal priorities.

Progression no exercise of the mind and body = degeneration not static, nothing left to itself remains as it is, “Cogito ErgoZoom”

Three point test Harmony – is it in harmony with timeless principles? Effectiveness – Does it bring the desired result? Efficiency – Does the outcome justify the input? Is there a better way?