Reported by Ann Marie Ellis
President Julie Benkoski called the meeting to order at noon. Rob McCarthy led the pledges and Jim Bryce gave the invocation. Past President Sherry Workman led us in reciting the Four Way Test. Richard Payton was our greeter and Myron Burse, our host.
President Julie and Bill Davies collected ballots for the tw o places open on the Board of Directors from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2021. Richard Payton was elected President-Elect 2020-21, by acclamation. Vlad Bahrencu and Jon Yates were elected to the Board. Congratulations, gentlemen!
Sponsor Harold Benkoski introduced our newest member Marissa Williams, who will serve as sponsor for our other new member, Paul Daley. Welcome, Marissa and Paul!
President Julie presented a Paul Harris Fellowship+6 award to Past President Judge Lee Yeakel. President Julie also thanked members for their Annual Ask donations and noted that if anyone hasn’t given, we are still approximately $2,000 short of our goal.
The Helping Hand Home for Children’s Christmas Party is next Tuesday (December 18) at 5:30 pm. To promote the event Elves Barry Curlee and Betty Cunningham, along with Todd Coleman and others, including the fabulous “Dancing Presents,” provided information and entertainment! Past President Mary Bird Bowman was judged the best of the Dancing Presents (although all were great!). After the meeting today, members adjourned to the Vestry Conference Room to wrap presents for the children, in anticipation of next week’s party.
Mary Reynolds asked members to volunteer to speak to students about their careers for Pecan Springs Elementary School’s Career Day on February 26, from 8:00-9:30 or 9:40-11:15. Each time block will allow for short, 15-minute career presentations.
President Julie welcomed Stan Bullard back to our meetings and noted that Bill Baker is still in the hospital at this time. She reminded members that the Downtown Austin Breakfast Cluster meeting is on December 12th at 7:00 am at the Magnolia Café. The MasterMind Meeting is also at 7:00 am at Mimi’s
in the Arbor Walk on December 13th. Finally, our annual Membership Soiree Event will be held at the Headliners Club on February 7th. Mark your calendars!
Ann Graham, Ron Mullen, Jon Yates, David Menchaca, Vlad Bahrencu, Rick Ravel and Scott Rider donated to the Thank Goodness Basket and shared good new s. David’s donation was given in thanksgiving for Discount Electronics who is lending us 25 computers for this year’s Camp Enterprise
weekend.
Past President Gaines Bagby introduced our program: Holiday Music by five voices in tight harmony, “Take 5.” One of the members of this superb group is our own Past President Pete Meeker!
After Take 5 finished with their program, ,President Julie noted that our speaker for the December 18th meeting is Rob Golding from Austin Rodeo. She reminded us that there are no meetings on Tuesday, December 25th or on Tuesday, January 1st; and she wished everyone a happy holiday.
President Julie’s Thought for the Day: “Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others.” – Helen Keller. The meeting was adjourned at 1 pm.