Minutes for February 6, 2007

 

Pledge: Kim Murdock

 

 

 

 

 

Thought/Blessing: PE Dick Short                                 

 

 

 

 

 

Song: Ceta Dochterman: God Bless America

 

4-Way Test by Guest-from-Arizona, Ken!

Walt Schneider introduced guests and visiting Rotarians:

 

            Ken, Realtor, from Arizona.

            Paul Knoblich, CFP from Castro Valley and Calistoga RC.

            Mike  Roland and Greg Costa from Merrill Lynch, guests of Angela Sweet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President Bernie Kempen’s continued saga: “Out of Africa”

         

 

This week, President Bernie spoke about the concept of “Ubuntu.”

There are many possible translations in English for ubuntu, including:

• "Humanity towards others"
• "I am because we are"
• "A person 'becomes human' through other persons"
• "A person is a person because of other persons"

A popular definition of ubuntu is, "the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity."

 

 

An attempt at a longer definition has been made by Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1999): A person with ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.

Louw (1998) suggests that the concept of ubuntu defines the individual in terms of their several relationships with others, and stresses the importance of ubuntu as a religious concept. He states that while the Zulu maxim umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu ("a person is a person through other persons") may have no apparent religious connotations in the context of Western society, in an African context it suggests that the person one is to become by behaving with humanity is an ancestor worthy of respect or veneration. Those who uphold the principle of ubuntu throughout their lives will, in death, achieve a unity with those still living.

Nelson Mandela explained Ubuntu as follows. A traveller through our country would stop at a village, and he didn't have to ask for food or for water. Once he stops, the people give him food, entertain him. That is one aspect of Ubuntu but it'll have various aspects.

NEWEST BLUE BADGE MEMBERS:  Finally inducted as out newest Blue Badge Members were Angela Sweet and Valerie Robles.  Valorie already paid a $20 recognition for failing to list the time and place for our Club’s BBQ! (Saturday March 3, 2007 - http://www.castrovalleyrotary.org/calen/calendar.pl?calendar=Rotary&month=3)

 

Newest Blue Badge Members: Welcome Angela Sweet and Valorie Robles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark Poniatowski thanked all of the CV Rotarians who helped out with this year’s very successful Kid’s Christmas Party!  Great job, once again Mark!

 

Leslie Rothwell reminded us about the Speech Contest, which is scheduled in two weeks on Tuesday, February 20, 2007.  We need judges, timers, tellers and greeters.

 

Bernie recognized himself for a slightly “interesting” comment when Bill Jarvis revealed the news of his wife, Leah’s pregnancy.  Bernie paid $20.  But Bill also noted that Leah was offended he had only paid $20 for her pregnancy so he made it an even $100!  Still pretty cheap, I think!!!

 

SPEAKER

 

Ceta Dochterman introduced today’s speaker, Jay Schurman who spoke about funding your retirement.  He described the Pension Protection Act of 2006, Roth IRA’s, Roth 401K’s, 529 College Saving’s Plans and Tax Free Distributions to Charities.

 

If you have ANY questions about these or any other sorts of investments we have many very well qualified financial specialists in our own club who can provide you with answers.

 

 Respectfully submitted by Darrell Lavin