All members are welcome to attend the board meeting. We will be voting on two new members! We will also be discussing the successful X-Mas Party for the Kids and updates on other projects. Please plan on attending.
Any member interested in learning more about the Blue & Gold Award Committee activities are invited to attend the meetings.
We will meet at Phil's office, with occasional excursions to fun places, at 6 PM, 95 S. Market Street, Suite 500, every 2nd Thursday of the month. The next meetings are set for December 11, and January 8.
We will meet Thursday February 19, which is the 3rd Thursday of that month to get closer to the event in case we need any last minute changes.
It is the responsibility of the One-A-Month Sponsors to bring in a new member this month.
Upcoming One-A-Month Sponsors:
January - Dan Webb / Rob Nuddleman
February - Max Schultz/ Phil Griego
March - Lori Formusa / Roger Brandon
April - Lynda Brown / Jose Posades
May - Rob Nuddleman / Phil Griego
June - Jerry Hall / Bernie Mille
Well, to say we've had a very busy few months would be an understatement. Since July we have accomplished quite a bit. We've moved our meeting to a new location that provides excellent meals, service and a great place for our programs. We have have planned or helped plan three community service projects. On November 22 we helped plan the dedication services for the Moving Viet Nam Memorial Wall in Santa Clara City Central Park. The Garden City Choir, a military band, bagpipes, a stirring invocation, presentation of colors helped make this a moving celebration for "One Nation Under God" month. One of the volunteer docents wrote a short story about his feelings that day. I p[laced it at the end of this note for your reading. It was also a great opportunity to "Givakidaflagtowave" Hundreds of flags went home with the youngsters that day.
On December 2, 2003, we held our Annual District Christmas Lunch with Immediate Past President, Ron Lashmit, and representatives form Scotts Valley, Albany-El Cerritos and Fremont. That was all just a warm up for the big event December 2, the "Christmas for The Kids" Project. A full turkey and ham dinner with all the trimmings complete with Christmas carols, a visit from Santa and tons of toys all donated by the "Toy'-For-Tots" Program. We served over 80 at risk children from the Bill Wilson Center, Next Door Solutions and the Alum Rock Counseling Center after school program. Once again 30 Junior Exchangites from Yerba Buena High School helped serve meals, and do other kitchen duties for the event. A big hand for Lori Formusa who helped organize this annual event—a project since 1979.
Our next event is Blue & Gold Wounded in Service banquet, February 27, 2004. We expect 150 judges and local municipal and county representatives to attend and witness the unveiling of our first promotional film a project of the our Membership Committee and made by our own Secretary-Treasurer, Rob Nuddleman.
So until then, remember to bring a friend to lunch and lets build Exchange even bigger.
-- Phil Griego, Immediate Past President
Sunnyvale
California
November 28, 2003 Last week The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall was in the city parkof the neighboring city, Santa Clara, California. I, along with other veterans, helped set it up. I spent quite a bit of time there as a docent and standing watch because, as at the memorial in Washington D.C., it is manned around the clock. It was a rather emotional experience. Even by the end of the week there were still times when I would be explaining to visitors why the Wall is designed the way it is, and I would have to stop and choke back the overwhelming feelings that would well up in me before I could go on. It was very tough at times, but I was honored to be able to do it. It could have just as well been my name up there among the 58,328 names that are there. It truly was an honor to spend the week honoring and showing my respect for their sacrifice--not only to them, but to all the visitors to whom I had the opportunity of explaining the design of the Wall and the symbolism of the vacant dinner table with it's chairs tilted up because we know they will not be able to be home tonight for dinner, as our recognition of those still MIA.
Covenant of Service
Accepting the divine privilege, of single and collective responsibility as life's noblest gift, I covenant with my fellow Exchangites:
To consecrate my best energies to the uplifting of Social, Religious, Political and Business ideals;
To discharge the debt I owe to those of high and low estate who have served and sacrificed that the heritage of American citizenship might be mine;
To honor and respect law, to serve my fellow men, and to uphold the ideals and institutions of my Country;
To implant the life-giving, society-building spirit of Service and Comradeship in my social and business relationships;
To better serve in Unity with those seeking better conditions, better understanding and greater opportunities for all.
Top
Thank you to all those Exchangites that helped to make the Christmas for the Kids a huge success. We prepared turkey dinner for more than 80 kids. Including servers, counselors and parents, we had well over 100 people eating dinner. The Junior Exchange did a wonderful job serving and entertaining the children. A special thank you goes out to Steve Radunich's daughter and her friend for playing Santa's elves. We look forward to working with them in the future.
As
always, Bruce Newgren did a great job in the kitchen. Phil and his Christmas
carols were a big hit (at least with him they were!). Jon Rensen and Rob Nuddleman
arrived early to help cook and helped prepare for the District Luncheon. Lori
Formusa was an organizing wizard, directing people and setting things up. Dan
Webb not only helped cook and clean, he gave a beautiful invocation. Steve Radunich
and Dave Mowbray helped set things up and get the food prepared even though
they were only inducted that afternoon. Jerry made an excellent Santa even after
spending all day in the kitchen. Jose Posadas not only cooked and cleaned, he
took pictures which we will soon post for everyone to see.
Captains On Deck!
Date
Captain
Invocator
Finemaster
Speaker
Topic
12/9
BOARD MEETING 12/16 Hall Webb Sanfilippo Lynda Brown C.E.R.T. Program 12/23 NO MEETING 12/30 NO MEETING 1/6 Rahimi Nuddleman Schultz Mel Keyes Future of Real Estate in California 1/13 BOARD MEETING 1/20 Webb Brandon Pluff Nancy Pyle City Council Candidate
Dates for Your Calendar
President:Jerry Hall; Immediate Past President: Phil Griego; Secretary/Treasurer: Rob Nuddleman
Board of Directors for 2002-2004 Term: Jill Rahimi, Dan Webb
Board of Directors for 2003-2005 Term: Lynda Brown
Moving graphics from Animation Factory
