Windmill for Thursday November 10, 2011
Welcome to the warm and friendly Westwood Village Rotary Club. It is Thursday, November 10, 2011. President Ed Jackson declared the meeting open by welcoming all Rotarians and guests. Mark Block led the Pledge of Allegiance to The Flag, shortly followed by the invocation by President Elect Dwight Heikkila.
The Maestro himself, Lenny Friedman led the group in a wonderful song to set the mood for the meeting. President Ed Jackson shared with the group that today marked his 21st marriage anniversary to the beautiful Nina Jackson. David Friedman jokingly advised President Ed Jackson on the perfect anniversary gift for Nina. Needless to say, he was fined. PP Jim Collins generously accepted to be fined $100 as well. President Ed Jackson also highlighted the fact that the Marine Corps would be celebrating their 236th anniversary as well today in honor of Veterans Day.
Today was a particularly interesting meeting as President Ed Jackson celebrated several birthdays of Rotarians with a Rotary hat gift and promised to play catch-up with the rest of Rotarians. Several members were celebrated including PP Gordon Fell, our Treasurer Don Nelson, Mrs. Peggy Bloomfield, Hank Heuer, Krista Stilley, Tom Barron and others. Our community service chair, John Heidt brought returning guest Kait Peters. She is the Major Gifts and Annual Giving Manager at OPCC.
At the head table was Hank Heuer, President Elect Dwight Heikkila, Krista Stilley, President Ed Jackson, Sally Brant and our guest speaker and author Arnold Kunst
Announcements
PP Bob Wessling shared about the upcoming game on Saturday morning. PP and Treasurer Don Nelson informed the group that Warren Dodson who has been in and out of the hospital was in hospice, and our new generations chair, Dr. Colby Smith provided an update on the food drive at Uni-High and the on-going effort to collect food and monetary gifts. Dr. Colby Smith also encouraged members to come support our 2nd dictionary distribution effort at Nora Sterry Elementary School at 11am on Monday, November 14, 2011. Community Service chair, John Heidt reminded the group that we would be preparing and serving meals later-on that evening at OPCC.
Speech
Our speaker, Arnold Kunst is a motivational speaker and the author of Lincoln 365. He shared on the wit and wisdom of Abraham Lincoln. Arnold Kunst holds a MA in history from Queens University in Northern Ireland, and he has taught both children and adults on both sides of the Atlantic for over 30 years. His students range from the children of cabinet ministers to convicted felons, from the cream of academic crop to those some would consider dregs of the society. He brings a wide range of experience to the speaker’s podium as a member of toast masters international, a teacher, business owner and school administrator.
Arnold Kunst gave a brief and succinct insight into the wit and humor of America’s most beloved President and the imperative need of such, especially in these trying economic times. He admonished Rotarians to learn from the wisdom of Abraham Lincoln, his managerial and leadership style, and more importantly his ability to get along well with others. Citing from his book, he shared a couple of instances where humor salvaged an otherwise near hopeless situation.
