First President's Dinner: An Amazing Evening

The evening began with an hour of fellowship. More than 120 people were in attendance, the largest group at such an event in memory. Following the invocation and flag salute, the attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner which included salad, several types of kabobs, and several types of rice-all exceptionally delicious.

Vested interest Rotarians (that's a made up term to mean Rotarians that are not Presidents talking about things they are trying to motivate the attendees to do like volunteer for the 2008 Convention, or send articles to yours truly for future inclusion in The Proclaimer) and Presidents in attendance were permitted four minutes each to address the group. PP Sam Pirnazar did his best to keep the program on a course as to purpose and time. Chief Deputy Governor Marc "the Dawg" Leeka held the pole hook to assure compliance with time constraints. Senior Assistant Governor Carmela Raack had to be protected from the Dawg by Senior Assistant Governor Lew Bertrand, Carmela insisting all the time, while glaring at the Dawg, that she was speaking on several different topics and should receive four minutes for each topic. She managed to get her various messages across, despite repeated attempts by the Dawg to hook her! Presidents shared wonderful projects in which their clubs are participating. As someone said, you could not leave this event without being proud to be a Rotarian.

Just before the planned entertainment for the evening, August 2006 President John Elman of the Malibu Rotary Club (this is one of those clubs that has a different President each month) climbed to the stage to perform a Rotary rap song for the group. You had to be there to hear it but there is hope that John will receive a recording contract in the near future and record the Rotary song!

Now we get to the Persian dancers! The pictures tell the story! The three young ladies gave a fabulous performance through many costume changes and managed to coax the District Governor from his place of honor onto the dance floor where he did not disappoint.

Thank you Rotary Club of Rancho Park for a memorable evening. See you all at the next Presidents' dinner.