Rotary Ramblings - September 30, 2008

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   Normal  0      false  false  false                     MicrosoftInternetExplorer4   Rotary Ramblings –September 30, 2008
 
As usual, we wereentertained by our resident piano player, Bruce Williams. The meeting wascalled to order by President, Steve Bates. Pat Archer led us in the invocation followed by a lively rendition of“R.O.T.A.R.Y.” and “Smile” led by Jimmy Weatherspoon.  We also sang Happy Birthday to Mike Campbell.
 
Harvey Brownintroduced our one visiting Rotarian, Bill Schnabel of Boca Sunrise anddiscussed the several makeups by Jess Sowards and Sarah Martin.  There were not guests today.
 
Fred Bonardi was inattendance, with the stock report.  Themarket was up 275 points (however up is relative considering how it closedyesterday down 777 points).  NASDAQdropped 199 points yesterday, but is up 60 as of noon today and S&P 500 isup 40 points.  Oil and gold are bothdown.  The bad and good news is thatyesterday was one of the worst days in history, which means the market isbottoming out and will turn around.
 
Sergeant at Arms Reportwas given by Roy Simon.  We collected$151 from various sources including $45 for Mike Campbell’s birthday.
 
Severalopportunities for service:
 
10/4     Rotary Leadership Institute in Vero Beach.  Officers and Directors are encouraged toattend.  Contact Steve Bates forinformation.
 
10/11   Scholastic Achievement Foundation GolfTournament at Quail Ridge Country Club. They still need players and sponsors. Contact Leo Phillips to participate.
 
10/14   Official visit from District Governor, BetsyOwens.  The offer to match $500 toindividual $500 for a Paul Harris Fellowship expires after that date.  Please come support our own Betsy Owens asshe discusses the District issues.
 
10/23   Barbeque Party at Wright-By-The-Sea –5:30-9:00pm – Food and Beer/Wine to be provided by President Steve Bates.   Sign-up sheet is available at Ellie’s onmeeting days.  If you are unable to getto Ellie’s to sign up, let Sue Miller or Steve Bates know that you want toattend, so he can make sure he procures enough supplies.  Steve needs to know by Thursday, October 16thhow many are attending.
 
10/30   Achievement Center for Children andFamilies Reading Day – Come out from 9-10am or 3-4pm and read to thechildren.  Let Bob Teninga know if youwill be there.
 
Bob Teningaintroduced our speaker, none other than our own (albeit recently absent), NickLoeb.  Nick has numerous enterprises heis involved in and came to speak to us about one of his newest – CarbonSolutions America.  This is a new marketcalled carbon markets.  What we know issince the industrial revolution, carbon dioxide gas has doubled.  As the sunlight warms the planet some of thegases get trapped.  These trapped gasesare what melt the ice which will increase the sea level.  For every foot of sea level increase, thereis 200 feet of earth erosion.  Somestates have cap regulations that cap emissions – this was just passed in Florida.  Last year there were 195 bills introduced byCongress to establish legislation to address these issues.  Cap and trade is where a company that cannotreduce GHG emissions below allotted levels must purchase additionalcredits.  While those companies with lessthat the allotted levels can sell their credits.  50% of the Fortune 500 companies are buyingsome carbon credits.  Additionally, theecological responsible companies can actually save money by reducing greenhousegases; they maximize their energy usage thereby saving additional money or thecosts for energy.  (I.e. Dow spent $1million to reduce greenhouse gases and saved $5 million in energy efficiency).
 
Green hat up to $1,131.50– Jim Pignato did not get the ace.
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