Rotary Club of Santa Monica

"2001/2002 - A Rotary Odyssey"

Rota-Monica

COME AND TOUR THE NEW YMCA

             We won’t meet at the Riviera this Friday.  Instead, we’ll have lunch at the big new Santa Monica Family YMCA, l332 6th Street, to inspect and rejoice in a notable civic accomplishment.

             Five years ago Dick Lawrence, bank executive who has been a notably active member of Rotary since 1983, was asked to take charge of a fund-raising drive for the Y.  But this wasn’t a routine once-a-year drive.  This was to raise enough money to build a whole new establishment twice the size of the old one.

             Nobody was sure how much it would cost, nor how long it would take to get the construction done.  But there seemed little doubt that this would be the biggest local drive for charitable gifts in the community’s history. 

            Nevertheless, when Dick took it on he determined to stay until completion.  He has done so.  Now the new Y is an accomplished fact, humming along at virtual full speed.  It cost $7.9 million dollars, all in contributions solicited locally by Dick Lawrence and his dedicated committee.

             This Friday Dick will show us a short film about the project, and lead us on a tour of the 85,000 square foot facilities.  We’ll see the new underground parking area with space for 175 cars; the double-size gym where two basketball games can go on simultaneously; the child-care center where pre-schoolers under 5 can spend happy time whenever parents aren’t available; a gym full of weight-training equipment; a boxing room; handball courts; special facilities to help people with heart problems; and much else.  No wonder local Y people think this is the best facility of its kind in the Western United States.  And it’s open to any Santa Monican who wants to join.

             Ten Rotarians have been president of the YMCA.  We’ll honor all of them Friday.

WHY OUR CLUB HAS 3 PRESIDENTS -  SORT OF

             Newer members of our club are sometimes slightly mystified to realize that we have not only a president but also a president-elect and a president-designate, serving simultaneously.  It is also noteworthy that none of our presidents are elected in contested votes.  While their names appear on the ballot at our annual election, no opposition candidate is listed opposite. 

            Who chooses the nominee for president?  Ordinarily this isn’t announced.  However, anyone interested can find out by looking in our bylaws, which say “A nominating committee, composed of past club presidents…shall be appointed by the club president…The nominating committee shall select a president-elect from a pool of past vice-presidents and shall announce that selection at the annual meeting…The nominating committee shall select a president-elect-designate from the pool of past vice-presidents and shall announce that selection at the annual meeting.”  Annual meeting?  There’s not much fanfare in preparation.  But its date is fairly plain in article 5 of our bylaws:  “The annual meeting shall be held on the second Friday in December, at which time the election of officers and directors to serve for the ensuing year shall take place.”  Whether this means our regular Friday lunch meeting, or some other time on Friday, isn’t specified.  But a conspiracy of insiders to hold the annual meeting secretly would have small chance of succeeding, because article 5 also says:  “One third of the membership shall constitute a quorum at the annual and regular meetings of this club.”

             The bylaws don’t address the puzzle of why we annually elect a new president-elect and a new president-designate, each retaining that title for six months before moving up.  This means that the identity of the future club president is always known a year in advance.  Is this good? 

            Veteran Rotarians think so.  It precludes any member from campaigning or politicking for nomination as president.  And it also precludes the hard feelings that sometimes arise in a club where rivals compete for the presidential office.

             But why two future presidents?  Wouldn’t one do?  Our club’s Policies and Procedures Manual assigns one bit job to the president-designate: to “chair the annual dethroning/installation dinner meeting.”  The dethroning party is the most elaborate foregathering of the club year.  Arrangements must be made for banquet service, dinner dancing, awards bestowals, skits, speeches and other procedures to enliven a long evening.  Planning and arranging are enough to justify the selection of one competent individual six months before the event.

             The task could, perhaps, be assigned to the president-elect.  But that individual has a long learning process that will keep him or her busy for the year before taking office, as laid out by the time-tested Rotary plan of operation.

             First there comes an annual “Presidents-Elect Training” seminar, organized by the Rotary district that occupies the presidents-to-be for a day or longer.  Then starts a year when the future president must attend the monthly meetings of his club’s board of directors.  The club must keep all 44 standing committees of the club up to snuff.  After the twelve meetings where committee reports are heard and acted on, as well as all other club problems dealt with, the incoming president is thoroughly familiar with most matters likely to arise during his term at the tiller.  This long and detailed year of preparation is likely the reason why most Rotary clubs around the would keep running smoothly.

 ANOTHER FINE DAY – 16 assessed $1,975

            Total taxes levied through January 4:  $16,791.

            Because of their “good community service” Mike Rosenthal and Kathy Dodson were directed to pay the club $100 each.

             Susan Dawson was recognized $100 worth for her great article about the Rotary four-way test.  Only an inspired Rotarian could have drawn up such an article.

             Nat Trives and Bob Gabriel were taxed $175 each for helping with the ceremonious breaking of ground for the New Santa Monica-UCLA Hospital.

             Glen Ricard, we welcome you to your new home in Pacific Palisades.  Your $150 property tax is a bargain.

             Congratulations to Phil Whiting on getting Link training from such a beautiful instructor.  Pay your Luck Tax of $125 and hug Trainer Jane, your wife.

             For attending a new member party at Tom Loo’s home, Sara Frank, Rosemary Regalbuto, Mike Nichols, and Charlie Christensen paid us $100 each.  Also attending, and taxable at $125 each were Norma Barnes, Nancy Freedman, Harris Levey, and Judy Neveau.  Also self-taxed at $150 for his good work was our Numero Uno, Hal Quigley.

GUESTS OF MEMBERS JANUARY 4

            Three friends of Rotarians came as guests on January 4, and some of course we were delighted to have them with us.  Who knows?  Some may become members later:  Charles Murphy, Nicholas Vratadil, Oded Wolf.

TWO BIG FRIDAYS AHEAD