January 4, 2008 Meeting

Pledge, Song & Invocation

Stalwart Rotarian Len Wilson spurred on we members to rededicate ourselves to doing good. Marie Stultz led us in Auld Lang Syne to kick off another year that once seemed eons away. (The editor offers a $10,000 reward to any member who knows what "auld lang syne" means.)

Guests

Yet another Lawrence refugee, Bob Comeau, found solace in our midst. Only a former Texas Rotarian would characterize our club as "small and intimate" but Andover's Ted Bucholtz found the atmosphere to his liking. Rounding out guests was our speaker and professor at Merrimack College Debbie London.

Announcements

The Rotoplast mission to Chile embarks on February 23 and Paul Evans is hoping to arrive with Spanish language books. If you "habla espanol" then ransack your library. If you don't take a trip to Borders.

Got coats? If you put one on and you ask "Do I look fat in this?" then you need to pack it up and bring it to Anton's Cleaners in Shawsheen. Peter Cotch is calling all Rotarians to bring their gently used winter coats to Anton's by January 15.

Alan Michel and Bill Buck reported that the STOP program is still going strong. If you're not signed up with a class to whom you're reading then you will want to do so now. Learn why there is one degree of separation between anything you say and a child's dog.

Paul Mercandetti and President Helene Michels will have met in Danvers Saturday, January 5, to plan for Camp RYLA coming this summer.

In the attendance department Helen divulged that we have lost 8 members and are down to 52 in total. The next time you run into someone who likes to laugh (sometimes at his or her own expense) and do good invite him or her to a breakfast. If you come across a long lost member cajole or threaten him with whatever resources you have.

Rotary Minute

The subject of Joan Johnson's minute was "feeling good by giving back." She read excerpts from The Rotarian that described the "helper's high" that comes from the body's production of serotonin and dopamine. So if running was not amongst your New Year's goals then volunteering is your answer to feeling good all over.

The Main Event - Deborah London

In today's workforce the skill ranked higher than all others is (drum roll) communication. And 90% of that communication is non-verbal. So where are you going to go when you want to be a better communicator?

You can't do much better than Deborah London. As a coach/consultant for the Speech Improvement Company she has taught in Pennsylvania, China, Korea, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Here in New England she is a communications professor at Merrimack College. Recently one of her students landed a top job at ESPN.

Professor Debbie elaborated on the two major modes through which we communicate: inductive and deductive. If you insist on a lengthy preamble before getting to your point then you are an inductive communicator (and probably female). If, on the other hand, you prefer to get right to the point then you fall into the deductive camp. Knowing your own personal mode and that of your listener allows you to adapt your speaking style so that you can be more effective.

So, if you are male, you fall into tickets to the Patriots - Chargers game and you want your wife's blessing then start with a really good story. Just don't tell her she looks fat in her new coat.

Fines and Happy Dollars

Bob Comeau's King of Hearts trounced Matthew Gold's nine.

Relief sargent-at-arms Jim Greeley began his rounds with a vengeful fury that had been building for weeks. First on his list was Paul Brown whose only sin was looking like Alfred Hitchcock. He then fell on fellow Merrimack colleague Bob Comeau who turned over his $10 raffle winnings. (You're welcome here any time , Bob.) Not to be undone the sargent himself parted with $20 for another Merrimack College speaker appearance and for our exemplary club volunteers. The only ones in the Littlefield family that have split are the eggs in Justin's wife's womb. Twins are due this May. Richard Brenner invited members to a concert at Memorial Hall this Tuesday that features his pianist daughter and a cellist partner.

For no other reason than it is now the New Year Howard Perkins dug into his pocket. Brian Dauphin was grateful for his tour of duty in the Good Shepherd Kitchen. Rick Downey also gave willingly at a soup kitchen in Lynn but it turns out he also gave his car to someone who didn't say "please.". While we freeze Jack McSweeney's daughter soaks up the Mediterranean sun in Spain. Maestro Marie was interviewed on WBUR and heard all over the country. Her latest articles appear in Southwest Musician and Choruster. Jim Sutton has multiple blessings: his volunteer stint at Lazarus House, Alan's holiday Rotary Newsletter and his daughter's emerging twins. Jim was also a speaker at a Chamber Breakfast and Bill Buck gave him high marks and the kitty a few dollars for the 2.2% of the town budget that flows into library coffers.

Class was in session as Professor Peter Cotch explained that January 7 is Christmas day on the Julian calendar. Susan Big was relieved to make it to a meeting, albeit late on account of a teenage daughter. Bob Troiano celebrated the transfer of households for Felipe one block away to the Spencer domicile. Helene Michels capped off the fesitivites with a Happy New Year dollar and thanks to Felipe for being our favorite son.