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Editor: Hugh Carter
President Stan Hartman enthusiastically
opened what became an incredible meeting. Richard Dreyfuss made an extraordinary presentation of great merit and content. He gave enough fine quotes to fill this whole issue….not equaled before except since Margaret Thatcher spoke here 14 years ago. More on Dreyfuss later.
Paul Nestor inspired us with a reminder to “Count
your blessings” and concluded with “We live in the land that stands for liberty and justice.” Steve Hubbard enlightened us with the new regulations for hand salutes for the military and led us in “The Star Spangled Banner” as Larry Showley accompanied. Janie Davis’ news concluded with an investment strategy of
drinking heavily of beer and turning in the cans for redemptions through 401 kegs. Stan updated us on the progress and importance of Rotary’s Polio Plus. Paul Nestor is chairing “Visit
Paul’s house” for the Young Rotarians night. Register online for this event. Stan introduced San Diego’s most admired CEOs: Jan Cetti, Paul Hering, Paul Palmer and Judy Thompson.
Former President Frank Arrington introduced new Rotary Club 33 Fellows: Ken Andersen, Garet Clark, Joe daRosa, Peg Eddy, Bruce Hunt, Cathy LeClair, Guy Maddox, Kay North, John Reid, Don Teemsma, President-Elect Dick Troncone and Ramona
Walker--a truly outstanding class.
Two Students of the Quarter from the Jackie Robinson YMCA Academy were introduced by Linda
Moore. Both students have all As. Jo Dee Jacob
showcased a diamond necklace, a glass vase and a
bottle of fine wine for the Dec. 11th auction.
Geri Warnke advised us to watch our email for
descriptions of the proposed nominees for the board and officers as the ballots are being mailed today. Stan emphasized the fun and camaraderie of participating in the Holiday Choir practices and urged men and women to come sing together.
Bill Littlejohn, Sharp’s CEO, offered the visiting Rotarian a book autographed by Richard Dreyfuss and a cap. He welcomed our speaker noting his powerful films, “American
Graffiti,” “Jaws,” the Oscar award winning “The Goodbye Girl” and the beloved “Mr. Holland’s Opus” and added that Dreyfuss will be speaking on “The Dreyfuss Initiative” that focuses on
restoring Civics courses to the K -12 schoolrooms.
Dreyfuss asked us to stand and then led us in the
“Pledge of Allegiance”. He ironically described the teaching of Civics as unimportant as, for example, the teaching of Art, Music. He praised Rotary, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other service clubs as extremely important to the fabric of our lives because “no one else is doing it.”
We Rotarians understand the need to prioritize
endeavors for what is the very foundation of our society-- namely ‘Civics,’ a subject which is no longer taught in our public schools. Present conditions requires the participation of an informed society to use reason, logic, and clarity of thought to engage us in an
enlightened debate focused on the western values of individual freedom, liberty, and the rule of laws.
The Bill of Rights has lead to this great experiment in democracy as our form of government-the only one like it in the world-and one learns about this in Civics classes.
We all leaned forward, spellbound by the ideas and power of this thoughtful, intelligent and insightful man. You could hear a pin drop!
http://www.thedreyfussinitiative.org
Pictures by Douglas Gates and Bruce Hunt
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