Reported by Phil Thoden
President Dale Lowe called the Rotary Club of Austin (RCA) meeting to order. Girish Altekar led the pledges and Allison Allen gave the invocation of the day. Laraine Lasdon led us in saying The Four Way Test. Myron Burse served as greeter and Carl Noble introduced the large number of guests and visitors. Tillery Castillo reminder everyone about the Changing of the Guard Party scheduled next Tuesday, June 20, at Abel’s on the Lake. We’ll have the upstairs section from 6pm to 8pm, with both air conditioning and a great water view. Nadir Abdeladim reminded us of the June Wine Tasting event at his home in Lago Vista scheduled for Friday, June 16 beginning at 6:30pm. President Dale then made the following announcements:
- Remember to check in to each meeting via MeetUp.com and Facebook
- The downtown breakfast cluster meets on the 14th at Magnolia Café
- The scholarship committee’s wrap-up meeting takes place on June 20th at 1pm
- Jack Mayo suffered a shoulder injury and please sign his “get well” card
President Lowe then called upon Meade Bauer to tell us what he enjoys most about Rotary. As a Past President, Meade said he enjoys the opportunity for service, fellowship and fun that the RCA provides. After extensive time for fellowship, Allison Allen introduced Darrick Eugene, Laraine Lasdon and Griffon Ramsey as this week’s panelists in our Member Showcase. Darrick kicked it off by noting he is a Partner with the law firm of Powell and Leon with 10 years of experience in the area of public finance. He has been licensed to practice law since 2004 and began his legal career with Vinson & Elkins. Prior to that, he worked for AT&T where he applied for and was chosen to participate in a Rotary Exchange program to Germany. As part of that experience he learned that people are truly alike wherever they are across the globe. Laraine, who was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and attended the University of the Witwatersrand before leaving for London to study music, dance and drama, then came forward to talk about her career. She started LLA, Inc in 1985 and began her career in business development and philanthropy programming in Austin, Texas. With an extensive network of contacts and an outstanding reputation for her creative leadership skills and reliable work ethic, and insights into the political process, Laraine has worked with some of the largest firms (and smallest firms) developing strategies to grow their businesses, win projects and develop and implement a Corporate Philanthropy program. Laraine explained that listening to her clients is the crucial first step in her work. Griffon took over the microphone and shared that she is an internationally competitive chainsaw artist, entrepreneur and entertainer working out of her studio in east Austin; The FORT (atx). Originally from Oregon, she moved to central Texas in 2002 and received a BFA in Technical Theater from Texas State. She has led a variety of creative projects, migrating through design for theater, film, online entertainment, interior design, special events, installations and has produced several online web series. You can find her actively posting photos and video on most social media platforms – just search for “griffonramsey” on the internet. She had never travelled much in her young life before leaving for Chateauroux, France, on a Rotary Youth Exchange Program in 1996. She shared many photos and anecdotes about her impressive creative accomplishments.
Next week’s meeting will feature the Annual Club Wrap-Up.