New President Carol Smith Opens the 2010-2011 Service Year

New President Carol Smith Opens the 2010-2011 Service Year

Carol Smith opened her first meeting as Twilight's 2010-2011president with skill, organization, and grace. The room was packed, keeping greeters John Tait and Larry Mueller busy. President Carol invited Past President Cecil Martin (yes, Twilight has its first PP!) to lead the flag salute, and President Elect Gary Fachin to give the invocation. If you haven't heard one of Gary's invocations.you should. He is poetry personified. John Vasinda was hard pressed to list all the visiting Rotarians on hand to do honor to the occasion. And Robyn Paggi actually led "It's a Grand Old Flag" in a key most of us could sing!

                President Carol honored Peter Nathaniel Swanson, newly arrived son of proud dad Jeremy. Peter distinguished himself by arriving on Twilight's Charter Night.and assembled Twilighters and guests distinguished him with nearly $600 in contributions to his college fund, which Mom and Dad will match.

                Business attended to (including the presentation of a 2009-2010 Paul Harris Fellow to Dixie King), President Carol shared a few words about her history with Rotary, and her hopes for this year and beyond (see inset). Carol came into the club through the support and encouragement of her husband's Rotary colleagues after his unexpected death several years ago. She paid special tribute to Gerry Starr (Bakersfield Breakfast), reminding us all that our Rotary family is always there for us.

                Our first presentation of the new year was given by Jim Dyer on the Shelter Box Project. The Shelter Box concept was the brain child of Rotarian Tom Henderson, who wanted to find a way to make a difference for families displaced or made homeless by disaster. A Shelter Box contains a tent and basic essentials for up to ten people, and can be deployed almost immediately. From the first 143 boxes delivered to the Indian state of Gujarat in 2001, the project has grown exponentially. Over 22,000 Shelter Boxes have been delivered to Haiti since the earthquake there this year.

                Rotarians were so moved by Dyer's presentation that four came forward at the end of the meeting to pledge the $1,000 to sponsor a Box. The money pays for the contents of the Box, the transportation and delivery of it, and the modest administrative costs of keeping the project moving.

                President Carol has pledged the 50/50 earnings from Twlight this year toward the Box-and thanks to the generosity of the 50/50 winner, Susan Eaton (Bakersfield Breakfast) we now have $150 toward our first Shelter Box.

                The president also introduced the "Secret Handshake." A designated secret handshaker will be wandering the room each Wednesday night for the next year, waiting for someone to shake his or her hand (YOU have to make the first move!). The handshaker will be given a number-like "4"-and the fourth person to initiate a handshake receives a token that is later exchanged for a gift certificate. Trust Carol to promote a social atmosphere.(hand sanitizer will be provided during the cold and flu season).

                Between the brewing excitement over Moonlight in Casablanca, our upcoming fundraiser, and the enthusiasm and innovations of our new president, it promises to be a special year!