RCGC Meeting Recap Friday, June 24, 2016
By Gerry Kosanovic, President
Final Friday Meeting of 2015-16 Rotary Year! It was a busy week, hosting the group from Wales with tours and parties, but Friday’s meeting brought out everything that Rotary represents so well: International fellowship, informative presentation, Rotary Foundation giving, fun, and member engagement. A Rotary Friendship Exchange Group was handed off to the Florence club for three days on the coast, and then Medford followed by Eugene. It was a spectacular visit and kudos to Tom Nelson for coordinating the Corvallis stay. In addition to myself (with Michael Mellors) and Tom (with Roger & Gaby Staite), thanks to the other hosts for making this visit a memorable one for the Welsh Eight: Michele Kellison (Carol Herbert); Tom Wirth (Bryan Digby); Inge King Richard Withers); Jeff Davis (John Hopkins); and, Megan Schneider (Ian Phillips).
Changing of the Guard June 30th: LAST CALL to attend this Thursday evening dinner – no additional cost for members; only $25 for guests. Register on line with Eventbrite or e-mail Kate Lacy: klslacy@gmail.com
I began the meeting with an Inspirational message, taken from the archives from this year: “Stepping up to the Plate,” encouraging everyone to assume a role in the functioning of this great club. Claudia Hamilton introduced our visiting Rotarians, Eric Blackledge and Pete Sekermestrovich (Corvallis). Inge King introduced her husband, Rick King; Tom Wirth introduced his wife Katrina Wirth, and I introduced the lovely First Lady of the Rotary Club of Greater Corvallis, my wife of 26 years, Lynn Kosanovic.
Kudos and thanks: Michele Kellison introduced our outgoing Assistant Governor Rob Thurston, thanking him for his service to the district and leadership of the four Rotary clubs of Benton County. Thanks Rob – well done!
Blue Badge: Anissa Arthenayake, having completed all of the requirements of new members, was awarded his Blue Badge. Congratulations, Anissa.
Sleepy Returns: An old vandalized piece of the Pastaga Christmas Display was recently found in the basement of a college rental. None the worse for wear, Sleepy, one of the seven Dwarfs, was rescued and will be returned to the display for the annual holiday presentation.
Judy Corwin introduced our featured presenter, Diana Hendrickson, Director of Occupational Medicine with the Corvallis Clinic. Diana’s topic was “Marijuana in the Workplace.” The first thing that occurred with the passing out of chocolate chip cookies – making the point that the new availability in Oregon of marijuana edibles is of concern to all. Edibles with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may contain 5 – 100 mg of product. The effect, depending upon time of digestion, could be felt 30-60 minutes after ingestion. Measure 91 allows legal marijuana possession by those 21 and older for home recreational use. It does not, however, prevent employers from banning marijuana in the workplace, from drug testing employees, nor does it change federal laws. Because it is still illegal under federal law, employers are not required to accommodate medical marijuana use under ADA statues. If an employee is tested positive for marijuana in system, a positive test does not equate with impairment. Saliva testing will soon be approved by the DOT. Positive drug tests have increased for the first time since 2011: 20% in Colorado, 23% in Washington, and 5% nationwide.
Welsh Presentation: Our friends from Wales provided a ten-minute presentation, highlighting the activity of their separate clubs and exchanging a club banner with our club. The clubs: Rotary Club of Aberaeron a’r Cylch (small, but “perfectly formed”); Rotary Club of Brecon (“56 years old, 30 members strong”), Rotary Club of Dolgellau (“sheep shearing in fancy dress is town event”); Rotary Club of Cefn Sidan (“The only Rotary club in the world with no inhabitants”). A Wales video was presented, available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOv6qwIandk
President Thanks: Dave Henderer (with a suspected committee of spirited co-conspirators) presented me with a HUGE bottle of Pinot Noir, on the condition that the club immediately raise $1,000 for the Rotary Foundation, AND I take a whipped cream pie in the face. The members were surprisingly enthusiastic in the giving (thanks to all who contributed) and even though I devoted 34 years of my life in public schools avoiding the goofy pie-in-the-face issue, I reluctantly stepped up to the plate and took one in the face for the Rotary Foundation and the GREAT members of the finest Rotary Club around – RCGC!
Thanks to Everyone for a Great Rotary Year….hope to see you Thursday Evening, June 30th, at the Country Club when we celebrate and I pass the Presidential Gavel to Judy Corwin (Wild Thing). Festivities and fellowship begin at 5:30 pm.
