At 12:05pm, President Carol Duris’ daughter Scarlett, got the meeting off to a great start with the ringing of the bell!
Dean Hanks provided the invocation. He asked for a pledge to ensure success for the year for President Carol. The word of the day from Hanks was Gratitude. He asked us to think about what we are most grateful for and reminded us to give thanks through acknowledgement of those who inspire gratitude in each of us. Jan Brazzell led us in the national anthem and four way test, with Jack Warnick on the piano. Molly Peterson, Ben Bridge and Monique Valenzuela, Tacoma Youth Marine Foundation manged roving mics as we welcomed guests, visiting Rotarians and prospective members.
Cindy Niemi was asked to come forward to introduce the newest member of Rotary 8, Alecia Cunningham, who is from the Girl Scouts. During her introduction of Alicia, Cindy shared some of the lessons she learned early in life selling Girl Scout cookies…..the experience led her into marketing. Alecia Cunningham is Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Girl Scouts. She described herself as a Mom of three boys, a wife – she and her husband just recently celebrated their anniversary! A go-getter and innovator, she is excited to join the club and shared that she will ask anyone for anything….she’s ready to go and brings energy galore. She also brought Girl Scout cookies for everyone!
Michael Thompson came forward to celebrate birthdays for the month of July. After sharing a quote that is often erroneously attributed to Mark Twain, Thompson asked each July birthday person to answer “What did you know or thought you knew about business, about workplaces, about people at the very beginning of your career that still holds true today? The answers varied from communications and relationships to completing your assignments to a person’s worth not being tied to their salary to leaving a place better than it was found. Inspiration abounded in the comments shared by fellow Rotarians; Noah Baskett, Maureen Fife, Dean Hanks, Jim Henderson, Kim Bedier, Joe Gordon Jr, Jan Anderson, Skip Anderson, Brien Elvins and Jan Brazzell. Anniversaries ranging from 1 year to 33 years were acknowledged for the following members; Bruce Dammeier, Diane Kelleher, Cindy Grady, Linda Nguyen, Donna Haynes, Carol Webster, Robin Echtle, Steve O’Brien, Maureen Fife and Past President Ray Schuler.
Rotarians were uplifted and inspired the messages shared by fellow Rotarian Dr. John Gaines. He was introduced by Jackie Flowers of Tacoma Public Utilities who shared that she is inspired by him on a daily basis.
Dr. John PUSH Gaines was a foster child, who “pushes” others to be the best they can possibly be. He graduated from East Central University, gained his Masters from Liberty University and will soon have his Ph.D in Business. He is Community Relations Manager at Tacoma Public Utilities where he pushes everyone to be better and to do better. Gaines has been in Rotary just under a year and chose as his theme the “Spirit of a Rotarian” and what it means to him. He shared three stories of people who impacted his life and who influenced him.
As a young man he dreamed of playing football. He shared his dream with his brother who advised him that if that’s what you want, you have to start playing football. So he went out for the team when he got to high school. He shared with the coach that the position he wanted to play was running back. But the coach has other ideas and tried to spoil that dream by telling him “you ain’t no running back”, you’ll play the offensive line. Having his dream derailed, his brother helped by encouraging him with the idea that if you start everyday with a great thought, it will lead to great actions. So everyday begins with a great thought…..and questions of what to be grateful for and other affirmations such as “I can accomplish everything….. these thoughts became his actions and helped him build his confidence.
Going back to the team with newly found confidence, he once again shared his dream of being a running back with his coach. This time the coach told him…..if you can run and beat all these players you can be running back……he did! His coach then shared that he always knew……Off to college where his team the first couple of years stood at 0-11, as a group of young students shared after hearing these stats – you guys sucked! Which they did, but this helped him understand that his dream couldn’t be just about himself, he needed to show up and encourage the team to be the best. By the time senior year came around the team began winning, but he was injured after being hit by a very large player on the other team. His hip was dislocated, and he was told he couldn’t play……but it turned out that he had to be put into the game when a couple of his team mates were injured. He ended up running the winning score of the game helping his team be champions!
His second story was about a teacher who influenced him. She asked what he wanted to become, he shared his dream of playing college football. She believed him and shared that she also believed he could be more than an athlete. That she saw him as a leader who would inspire the nation. Her words of support embodied the Spirit of a Rotarian. Here she was, speaking to a young man who had a speech impediment, and learning disabilities who had just the week before lost his mother to crack cocaine, and telling him that she believed in him. He reminded us that what you say matters.
His third story was about Miss Irene. Who he says truly inspires the Spirit of a Rotarian. She was a tutor who taught him to read. He had lost contact with her, but was able to find her after 27 years by putting her picture on Facebook. He was able to speak at her church. His message…."It Matters” what you say matters this is the work and service of Rotary to him. He left us with three key points: 1 - Legacy is not what we leave, it is what we inspire in people. 2 - Not all heroes wear capes. 3- Start every single day with a great thought because they become great actions. Focus on one person at a time, that’s how we change the world. Give a hug, give a smile. Needless to say, his fellow Rotarians gave him a rousing round of applause and a standing ovation!
A donation in Dr. John PUSH Gaines name was made by Jacki Flowers from her RI Foundation recognition points account, to award John with his first Paul Harris Fellowship. President Carol thanked John for his remarks and presented him with the speaker gift, a donation to the RI Foundation.
Carol Webster came forward to ask for volunteers to host one of the incoming Exchange students from Sweden and France. Ask a friend or a neighbor if you are unable to host yourself.
John Douville invited members to join in the fun for Stuff the Bus on August 22nd immediately following the regular meeting.
Tracy Peacock invited volunteers to help sort through donations at St. Vinnie’s on August 17 from noon to 3.
President Carol thanked Dean for the invocation, Jan and Jack for the music, Cindy for introducing Alecia as a new member, and John for his inspiring remarks. Next week’s speaker will be Dr. Frank Senecal. The social will be at Anthony’s as we join the members who spent the afternoon at Camp Goodtimes. President Carol rang the bell at 1:00 pm and urged everyone to be People of Action this coming week.
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