Cherry covers Tasneem

Using an oversized, pine-tarred gavel, Pres Erv opened the meeting at 7:30. Snappy gave history of the well-traveled Township of Grace flag prior to the salute for the US flag. Max inspired us with quotes on friendship. Coug Chris led a rousing rendition of Take me out ...

Max Zellweger introduced his dear friend Tasneem Bandakwala from Karachi, Pakistan. She was the first lady Rotarian in her country, and went on to serve as Club President and Assistant District Governor. This was her fifth visit to Woodinville Rotary.

The theme for her remarks, Partners in Service, reflects her lifelong work toward peace. She believes that friendship is the key building block for peace, so she has led three successful Rotary International matching grant programs in her country. They include a TB Clinic, a Commercial Drivers Training Program and an Artificial Limbs project. Now she is partnering again with Woodinville Rotary to upgrade a Deaf Children's School in Pakistan that was started by an American, Richard Geary. The school serves children in a 100 miles radius. In addition to teaching sign language to students and their families, they provide vocational training which leads to sustainable employment. Tasneem concluded her remarks by presenting a flag from her Club and expressing deep gratitude for the partnership with Woodinville Rotary. She welcomes members to visit her Club. Max can verify that a visit there is an extraordinary experience.

Announcements Alex urged members to consider attending the Rotary Academy which begins in September. He is impressed with the program that DG John Matthews has organized. Chris asked for volunteers to mentor a senior at Woodinville High School who lost his father.

Speaker Mental game coach, David Kloser, gave a terrific talk on ways to reframe difficult predicaments. Because of the obvious visibility of mistakes in baseball, he wanted to learn how players move past their mistakes. After all the very best batters, for examples, fail 7 out of 10 times at bat! Based on hundreds of interviews with major league ball players and coaches, David wrote a book to share the ways that players move on. Jimmy Rollins takes his cap off after an error to “let the error go.” When the cap goes back on, he’s ready to play.

He formulated an acronym, BASE, to summarize what he learned:

B – Belief in your ability. Own your talents.

A – Action Plan. Have one and use it. See yourself as a winner. Feel prepared.

S – Stay in the moment. Know your focus and stay on it. Don’t let detractors (heckling/booing) get to you.

E – Control emotions. Control what you can. Last pitch should not affect next pitch. Greg Maddux gives himself a pep talk after someone hits a homerun.

His closing story was from Barry Zito and the challenges of recording interviews. Finally he learned from Barry the power of positive thought and that “it’s all mental.” Barry said, “The thoughts we think are what happens in our life.”

Rousing applause followed. No peanuts were thrown.

Larry Duffield appealed again for help with our exchange student from Aug 25 to Sep 7.

Erv’s humorous Australia inquiries ended the meeting.

Cub Reporter Cherry Tinker

Charter members given special marble compensation. Still no white marble, though.

Next Reporter:

August 3 - Al Marsh