The Program
The Rotarian of the Day was Lorna Cochrane. The program consisted of Rotarian Profile interviews with Bob Latimer and Jason Drane. Jason was presented his Blue Badge at the meeting. President Pam also debriefed the Club on the Annual Survey results.
Bob Latimer joined our club in 1985, and served as its president in 1997-98. He noted that he’d been one of the 15 members of the first four-year graduating class of the College of William & Mary in Norfolk (now ODU). Bob said his worst job was working for Swift Packing in sales, “because they taught me how to lie, cheat and steal!” Bob said that his favorite job was teaching, and he was inspired by the children and helping them learn. Bob’s first car was a 1950 Chevy, which he purchased from his father for $500. He said that a snapshot of a perfect day for him would show him sailing, but not at his current age of 84. Bob’s personal motto: “to do the best I can on everything I do, including clocks,” adding, “I’ve built a total of 306 clocks.”
Bob was asked to give three truths and lie to the club: “(1) My favorite old TV show is Candid Camera; (2) Once a year, I treat the whole club to hot dogs; (3) I lettered in track and field while at ODU; and (4) I ran a movie theater in Korea, while I was in the Army.” By a show of hands, the club correctly guessed that Bob was not an ODU athlete. He said “Hot Dog Day” is usually the last Friday before Christmas, although sometimes the schedule varies. He closed with these words of wisdom from his father: “Be careful with your money, boy, because you’re not going to have much of it. Get the most education, study hard, be kind and show love to your wife and kids.” He quickly added, “or husband!”
Jason Drane joined Rotary a little less than a year ago, on 19 September 2017. He grew up in Sutton, WV, which he commented, “is in the middle of nowhere.” He said his wife, Stefanie, also works in radiology, although they didn’t meet at work, but at a birthday party. Asked what it’s like to be married to another radiologist who works at different hospital, Jason said, “As long as she’s always right, I’m good.” The Dranes relocated from Virginia Beach to Moyock, NC, as they wanted their children to grow up in a rural area, as they did. Jason’s first car was a 1979 GMC pickup that he bought for $300. “I used in primarily to go fishing,” he said, and, citing what the truck lacked, he announced, “Welcome to floorboards anonymous.”
His favorite book is Tuesdays with Morrie; he likes that it’s a true story, and admires the protagonist’s selflessness in spending time with a dying man. Jason’s Three Truths and a Lie: “(1) My pet peeve is people who do not respect others; (2) One of my hobbies is raising 8 chickens; (3) My wife and I are both fluent in German; and (4) I once was involved in a serious whitewater rafting accident.” The vote was close, but the club figured out that the lie was about Jason’s being fluent in German (Stefanie, however, is). Jason’s motto is “Spend every day like it’s your last, and don’t take anything for granted.”
Pam showed a power point presentation to brief the club on the results of our annual survey. Forty-nine Rotarians responded, although not all respondents answered all ten questions, which focused on our preferences for speakers, service projects/social outings, and options for meetings. She noted: “The survey software we use is free if we have 10 or fewer survey questions, so we tried to combine some questions to sneak in more than the maximum of ten. Unfortunately, this combining led to some ambiguity in the data, so we will be doing a follow-up survey to hone in on your preferences later on.”
In terms of programs, Pam noted: “Mentioned were local CEOs like Gary Philbin of Dollar Tree, James Squires of Norfolk Southern, and developer Buddy Gadams; others wanted to hear from NATO and Senior military officials; Federal, state and city leaders like Mayor Alexander,” who spoke last month. “You want more community news from Norfolk Public Schools, Police & Fire, and local Arts leaders; Presidents of colleges like our own Greg Decinque from TCC; athletic leaders like the Norfolk Tides general manager and college coaches.” At this point, VP for Programs Jim Kitz announced that Virginia First Lady Pam Northam will speak to us on October 16th, news that inspired approving murmurs. Pam went on: “You also would like to hear from opinion arbiters like Gordon C. Morse, and prominent attorneys like Vince Mastracco and Chuck McPhillips; you’d like updates on health, medical, and legal issues such as elder law, as well as the environment (like Chesapeake Bay health and Elizabeth River Trail development). As for the regional economic update, thanks to Steve Schultz, we’ll be hearing later this year from the heir to Dr. Koch—ODU’s Dr. Bob McNab. Those who said they want to hear from Members of our Club and others?—that starts today!
As for Outings—you’d like to visit ODU’s Planetarium, and the Modeling, Analysis & Simulation Center, and spend more time at the Chrysler Museum: watch our website calendar for other exciting events being scheduled by Lisa Chandler and the Club Socials & Outings.”
With regard to a question on how to make 2018-19 an outstanding year for Rotary, Pam said, “Of the 35 Rotarians who responded to this question, the majority commented—almost all positively—on our programming and activities. They appreciate our varied speakers and the number and type of service opportunities and social outings (although some note their conflicts with events scheduled during business hours). Many are concerned about attendance, with a few wishing we could return to required attendance and meetings every week! Others want to move to a meeting space with better audio-visual support, natural light, and healthier food (Finance Committee Chair Gus Stuhlreyer will brief us on the result of his contract negotiations soon). Many commented specifically that they like what we’re doing now and see no need to change a thing.”
With regard to how well the club engages our membership, Pam reported that, “73 percent of the respondents thought we were doing a good job. The remaining survey respondents who offered ways to improve in this area didn’t hold back, especially regarding our need to better nurture new members and keep older members engaged. Immediate Past President Gary Boswick and his Past Presidents Advisory Group are focused on how we can improve in this area. In addition, Membership Director Ben Mason and Mentoring/Engagement Committee Chairs Lois Kercher and Joe Massey are hard at work employing suggestions, such as more closely mentoring new members and speeding up the Blue Badge process. Two respondents thought we were spreading ourselves too thin, thus diluting our effectiveness. Several commented that with so many members, we could be doing much more.”
Pam added, “Raw survey data indicate that many respondents have no idea as to how many of our members are engaged in charitable activities.” She asked that we contact Jane Dembert with hours we spend on other volunteer projects, saying, “You’re not just tied to the volunteer opportunities that we offer.” She added, “International Service Director Steve Jones, Community Service Director Ashley Molinaro, and Public Image Director Marty Raiss know that it’s nearly as big a challenge to organize volunteer involvement as it is to accurately log our hours. We also need to gather data to gauge our effectiveness.” On the question of where and what type of holiday event members preferred, the data indicated a desire for an informal event, not at Scope. Pam asked for a quick show of hands from attendees for their preferences regarding our holiday gathering. Since the vote was as varied as the survey data, Pam said the question would be voted on again later.
Pam then opened the floor to questions on the survey. Referring to preferences on meals, Steve Schultz pointed out that, the soup/salad meal we experimented with a couple of years ago was $1 less than the full meal. Michael Desplaines suggested having fewer tables in the room for better fellowship, considering fewer people are attending. “Rotary is about service AND fellowship,” Pam said. “It’s about doing things together for the good of the community.” With regard to attendance at meetings, Pam noted, “Is there someone you’ve noticed who hasn’t been at a meeting lately? Give that person a call,” and invite that person to our next luncheon.
The Meeting
Visitation Report from Winston Whitehurst—Joe Massey is in the hospital.
Introduction of Guests by Al Carmichael—There were no guests or visiting Rotarians, but prospective member Bill Moore was present; ballots listing him and Tom Ambler were available for signature.
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS—Dabney Baker & Shep Miller, Sep 1st; Jean Owens, 6th; Joey Rothgery, 7th; Pam Tubbs, 12th; Julie Keesling, 17th; Bill Gresham, 18th; Lisa Chandler, 29th.
FINES/HAPPY BUCKS
• Dyteya Lewis & Lorna Cochrane forgot their Rotary pins, and were assessed $5 each.
• Ray Norton donated $100 in memory of Sen. John McCain.
• Steve Jones donated $100 to announce the recent move of his Jones CPA group from their previous location (on Boush St. for 30 years) to their new address, 120 Atlantic Street, Suite 300, in downtown Norfolk (in the Atlantic Building, between Main & Plume).
• Jeff Wells pitched in two happy bucks for his daughter (who was having breakfast with the Rotary Club of San Francisco as we met), as well as his sailing team’s having won two sailing races.