December 21, 2009 Spokesman

Posted by Donald Dicks 
 

December 21, 2009 Spokesman

 

Vice President Pat Dye called the meeting to order promptly at 6:30 PM with a bell stroke that scared the cr-- out of most of us.   Joanne Primavera led the flag salute.  Jim Styner was the greeter tonight.  Thanks Joanne and Jim. 

Our inspirational moment has provided by Pat Dye with the "Red Marble" story.

 

Visiting Rotarians and Guests:  Jim Styner introduced his wife, Karen.  Catherine Kehrli introduced her hubby, Tim (soon to become an honorary member - just kidding Tim).  Elizabeth Rusnak introduced her hubby, Chris. 

Students:  Our student of the month, Jonathan Wilson was introduced by Joanne Primavera and gave a short talk - he has submitted applications to six colleges/universities, and anxiously awaits their reply.  He is a musician (bass trombone) and performs with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra.  He is active with St. John's, assisting with 3 and 4 year olds and with the Youth Symphony Summer Program for 5 thru 13 year olds.  He thanked us for honoring him as Student of the Month and has been inspired by our participation in the community.

 

Announcements: 

  • Dick Weston thanked those who participated as Salvation Army Bell Ringers and congratulations to the team of Rachel K and Steve B who took the honors as the "Celebrity Bell-ringers for 2009". 
  • Steve Brown announced that he has resigned as CEO of Evergreen Hospital effective in February. (Insert sad face!)  He and Mary will be returning to Pennsylvania where he has accepted a position as CEO of Mount Nittany Medical Center at State College.  He and Mary will be only hours away from family and especially grandchildren.  We will miss you both, my friend.
  • Scott Rethke announced that our next meeting on January 4th will be exactly 6 months to the day before our Duck Dash 2010.  He is looking for ideas on Group Sales and for a replacement for the Third Floor Fish Café as one of our sponsors. 
  • Chuck Brockway provided Scott R and Dwight O with their "winnings" from the Husky/Cougar Apple Cup.  (Go Huskies!!)

 

Program:  John Karpoff, U of W Professor of Economics, etc., etc., etc., talked about "Trust & Reputation" - Market Forces & Business Conduct.  When does the pursuit of self-interest not promote society's interest?  This current recession was, in his view - simplistically, the result of a breakdown in trust.  Regulation enforcement, personal ethics and market forces keep our economy from grinding to a halt.  Those firms which "cook their books" to inflate their stock price, are eventually found out and penalized far greater than just the legal penalties involved.  Reputation costs account for approximately 65% of the total loss in stock price.  Environmental violations are not as costly because there is not the same market discipline.  Customer & suppliers have no incentive to change the contract terms and reputation costs are minimal.

 

Vice President Pat ended the meeting with our regular drawing.  Rachel K had the winning number but, unfortunately, did not guess the winning duck.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 pm

 

REMINDER NO MEETING NEXT WEEK!!!

 

..and he was heard to exclaim as he drove out of sight, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, and to all a good night!

 

Don Dicks, Scribe