January 5, 2015

Posted by David Aubry 
on Jan 08, 2015
 
Rotary meeting minutes 1/5/2015
We had no Greeter this evening.  [Easy job – sign up all you people!]
President John Pruitt called us to order at 6:30PM.
Rick Ostrander led us in the Pledge.
 
Inspirational Minute: Terry Cole related that he had had a phone call from a client saying that something had happened that was going to change their relationship.  Apparently the client had just won the Lottery!
 
Introductions:  Guests: DV Hurst introduced George Anderson from Palestine, TX, who just moved here.  He was a Rotarian in Texas.
Elizabeth Rusnak introduced Casey Harder, our Student of the Month from Juanita High School.
 
Visiting Rotarians:  Rick Ostrander introduced Doug Sato, again, from Seattle 4.
 
Announcements: 
  • Dan Bartel reminded us about the scheduled Northwest harvest work party this Saturday morning, January 10.  For those wanting to car pool, meet at 8AM at the Houghton Park and Ride near the NE 70th exit on 405.
  • Dan also reminded us that the next meeting on Monday the 12th is Bring-Your-Kids.  Kids’ dinner will be $15, and there will a magician present at the meeting. 
  • Saturday, January 17th, is a club tour of MOHAI.  Bring cash or a check for $14/person.  This tour will be followed by a casual dinner out.
  • In February, the Club will once again hold its famous ‘Sweethearts Night’ in honor of Valentine’s Day.  Veal Parmagiana and pasta will be served
  • Joanne Primavera passed around sympathy cards to be signed for Bill Taylor’s grandson, Steve Shinstrom’s mother, and for Sandy Ekins, Past President of this Club, whose husband died.
  • Joanne also passed out wallet cards for us to use to help interest potential new club members.
  • President John reminded us that there will be a Club Board meeting January 6 – please RSVP and bring $10 for dinner [wine included!]
  • President John acknowledged all his Club Chairs and asked for a round of applause.
  • Buck Alboucq has died – he was Club Treasurer for 15 years.  A memorial service will be coming up.
 
*** Steve Shinstrom's Mother passed away peacefully on December 4th.  There will be a celebration of her life for those wanting to attend at Inglewood Golf & CC Friday Jan, 16 starting at 2:00pm.  She was a major Seahawks and Husky fan so folks are encouraged to wear Seahawks or Huskies clothing to honor her.***
 
Jason Overleese introduced our speaker Bob (R.K.) Bennett.  He has written a book for CEOs’ on the subject of Achieving a Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA), titled ‘The Playbook for the CEO’.  Mr. Bennett spoke about Strategic Alignment throughout an organization as a means of achieving an SCA.  An SCA consistently achieved leads to higher margins than most competitors.  His book is designed to allow companies to achieve this in an organized way. 
The Seven Guiding Principles of Top Organizations:
  1.  Keep central focus on customers’ needs.
  2. Pick the right customers.
  3. Differentiate how the company will serve the recognized needs of specific customers.
  4. Develop and promulgate prioritized values.
  5. All actions, decisions, etc. are to be in alignment with the central focus of customer service.
  6. Went so fast, I missed the last two
  7. Buy the book and see what they are.
Mr. Bennett discussed the symptoms of misalignment in an organization, such as internal conflict, customer complaints, variance in agendas  in the organization, poor employee morale, a focus on internal issues, etc.
The emphasis must be on the customer and his/her needs.  Remember – be selective when taking on customers – cannot be all things to all people.
The Mission Statement is important – should be about 1-1/2 pages in length.
The organization needs to differentiate – know and understand its customers on a continuous basis.
The customer must recognize this differentiation as having real value.
Success leads to high margins and customer loyalty.
Alignment is a process – organizations are either moving towards or away from perfect alignment.
Joker Pool – there are 17 cards remaining in the deck.  There is over $1000 in the pot.  Rick Walter had the winning ticket but…. Not the Joker.  Everyone better come next week and try for the big jackpot.
There will be no meeting February 19 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Meeting Adjourned at about 7:26 PM.
Respectfully submitted
David Aubry
Acting Scribe.