My Second Week

Hello Ithaca Rotarians,

Blogger's Note: Although this is the first week my blog appeared in the newsletter, you will notice there are two entries. Unfortunately, the link to my first posting didn't make it into last week's newsletter. I hope you will find it worthwhile to read both.


As I was greeting members when they arrived at our meeting this week (7/9), several folks asked, how being president was going. I turned the question around and said, "You have to tell me."

I have greatly enjoyed my first couple of weeks in the hot seat. But, my job is not for my own gratification. It is to serve you and Rotary. You know what they say..."Service Above Self."

However, just so you know, I am still on a high--one that I hope will last for the rest of the Rotary year.

All the same, I realize I still have a lot to learn.

For instance, this week's meeting went well past 1:15. I don't like this and I know some of you don't like it either. We are all very busy these days and you probably need to have the meeting start and end on time.

I admit it. I pushed too much into our agenda for one meeting. I apologize for this and I will try not to let it happen again. It may take a little time to get my sea legs here, but I promise you I will put all my efforts into creating an interesting and well organized meeting every week.

I am thinking seriously of playing with the order of the way things flow during our meetings. Some have suggested we put the speaker first on the agenda. A few years ago Brian Wilbur experimented with introducing the speaker half way through the meeting.

There are advantages and disadvantages to all the options. If you have any suggestions or comments on this subject, please post one to this blog by clicking on the "Comments" link below.

I'm keeping it short for this week. See you Wednesday.