July 31, 2009
Text of the Video:
"Hello, and welcome to the first edition of the 2009-2010 Director's "E-Briefs", a newsletter for Rotary leaders in the western United States and Canada, in zones 25 and 26.
"Why E-Briefs? Well, as a director of Rotary International I want to provide you with the latest news and information that might help you in your work in Rotary.
"In a minute I'm going to give you a quick overview of what's covered in the e-briefs written below, but first I want to take one more opportunity to invite you to our Rotary institute in California, this coming October 8 to 11.
"You know, I think it was Mark Twain who said, 'The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco'... Well obviously, if he'd gone a little further south into Monterey, he might have had to put on another sweater!
"It's a little chilly here this day in July, but I promise you that come October, it will be beautiful! You know, I've seen this gorgeous, costal town from almost every vantage point. For instance..."
(Music in background, image of John "in" Monterey Bay)
"I'm standing here at Monterey Bay, well not at the bay, more IN it, really, as I want to get up close with what makes this place so special…world class golf course, yes, and it's over that way (I think), and a bit higher up, 70 or so feet above sea level, actually, next to the Hyatt Resort and Spa, one of the finest facilities on the California coast... which, is, oh, two hundred feet or so- that way! The coast, that is, the Hyatt is a bit further up. And, of course, the world renown Monterey Bay aquarium, where people come to see…well, pretty much what I'm looking at now. And just down there is the stretch made famous by John Steinbeck, "Cannery Row", can't say that too loudly around here, upsets the natives, you know.
"What's really special is that all of this, well not actually all of this, as this is quite a lot of water, seaweed, and some rather colorful coral I just saw over there…and something large and grey swimming in this general direction… which may mean I'll be moving over that way in a minute... I'm told they aren't dangerous until you hear French horns and cellos... where was I…did you hear music?
(Image back to John at Monterey)
"Well, as you can see the sharks didn't get me; at least not yet! Below you can click to register for the institute, you can sign up for your hotel room, you can sign up for your meal package, register for some special events like the trip to the aquarium or the end polio now walk-run, or you can click on the news center page and see the program and the speakers and some of the wonderful things we have planned for you in October. I guarantee you this is an institute you don't want to miss!
"In this edition you'll see some important information and news about our new leadership: the district governors, our resources leaders, and our area coordinators, as well as, of course, President John Kenny of Scotland. Also, you'll note that we have a new website address. And finally, a big welcome to our three Arizona districts joining our new zone configuration, Zone 26.
"You know, it's 52 degrees in July here in Monterey, but I guarantee you that in October- it will be perfect! See you then!"
(Seals harping, fog horn blowing…John fades into fog)