Blue & Gold Bulletin

Guests

Alex Makarski, Georg Krohn

Eighteen members were absent or excused this week:
Rene B; Brian B; John C; Reg F; Brett G; Jennifer; Randy H; Steve J; President Sue; Ross M; Gord W; L/a: ex Paul M; John R; Doug P; Gloria M; Ted W; Al Strike; Al Sylvester

Make ups were provided by:
Lyle (1), Don W (1)
Make up meetings can help you achieve perfect attendance. If you attend Rotary Committee meetings or meetings in other areas please "Keep track and keep Chuck informed".

There were no attendance pins this week.

Doc Sylvester was born on this day a few decades ago. He was absent but we still miss him. "Come back soon Doc!"

There were no anniversaries to celebrate this week.

copy won the free breakfast.

If you would like something put in the bulletin please email Ryan Frank @ ryan.frank@live.ca with the announcement. If the announcement is done at the breakfast I will do my best to get the announcement in the bulletin, but to ensure that all announcements make it into the bulletin please email.

Let the Membership Committee know if you plan to bring a guest that intends to join the club.

The Rifest Sponsorship Committee is looking for potential sponsors for Ribfest 2010. If you have any ideas or suggestions please notify either Wayne Routly or Jennifer Hutchinson.

Remember that elimination draw tickets have been handed out. If you need more see Chuck C…only 32 days left.

Dance and Silent Auction Meeting resulted in Lyle taking charge of the "donors and sponsors list". He is adamant that the abysmal 17% success rate of responses improves this year. Greater participation is going to be required from us all this year. Contact Lyle about any special collection requests that you may have. Director Don added things are going along fine. Pauline has taken on the job of publishing and distributing tickets. This year's theme is strictly "The Elegant Evening".

Nominations for The Paul Harris Award should be given to Harry C, Tim F and Kevin A. So far they have quite a few! Thanks.

Reminder that dues are due. "Pay up or be harassed by one of Angie's henchmen!

Contact Don Hutton. We still need a couple of hosts for our guests arriving from India. Kevin and Georg will assist with special diet ideas for our Hindu friends. Any suggestions for visits and vocational partnering pleas contact Don or any other committee member. "Come on crew! Let's pull together and make this a memorable experience for everyone!" says President O'mama from Sick Bay.

· Mark Tuesday February 16th 5:00 to 6:00, Saturday 20th 4:00 to 6:00 and Monday 22nd 5:00 to 6:00 on your calendars. Bowl For Kids Sake 2010 celebrating the Canadian Olympics at Liberty Lanes 30 Baseline Road East, Bowmanville. Register on the website http://clarington.kintera.org/bfks Come dressed to celebrate "The Canadian Olympics". Simply obtain a pledge sheet, collect the pledges and submit pledge amounts. Receipts can be issued for any amounts over $20.00.

Who will join Team Rotary this year? Let Fred know if you are interested and he'll sign you up immediately.

Fred announced the "Launch assembly at Dr. Ross Tilley PS. January 28th@11:30 am. Principal Peter Bischoff and the School Community are excited about the possibilities."

We hope Renee and Sue are both feeling better.

Lyle was over visiting Al Strike. He was feeling good and very chatty. He still has a long way to go to reach 100%. He has appreciated all of the good wishes and cards.

Let's have a special thought and prayer for all of those folks in Haiti that are strugglin' to stay alive. Thank our lucky stars we're Canadian.

PS sorry if I missed anyone…I took no notes and was given this assignment by Chuck, former President of Rotary.

Fred announced that the entire club is spotlighted this week. What a great crew!

Alex Makarski

Linda Vignale (L), Alex Makarski, and Andre Rodrigues

Linda Vignale introduced our guest speaker- Alex Makarski. Alex is a business strategist and consultant to small businesses in Canada and the US who helps his clients generate more business referrals.

Alex grew up in Russia and has an Engineering degree from Moscow University of Technology. In various consulting capacities, he has done work for companies like MacDonald's, Siemens, Proctor and Gamble, Nortel, Denison Mines - both in Canada and internationally. He was also a Marketing Director for Small business CEO Magazine.

In 2009, Alex conducted a weekly series of referral workshops at Canadian Institute of Management in Toronto. Alex travelled with this workshop to Montreal, London ON, Chicago Il and Austin TX. A recent tele-seminar series that Alex has co-organized attracted over 3300 entrepreneurs from 5 continents.

Alex's company, IZLEVERAGE CONSULTING GROUP, owns and operates over 50 websites, including MyOwnLeads.com and ReferralFormula.comthat show a small business how it can become not so …ahem..friggin' small by using unusual, kick butt profit building referral tactics.

Alex and his wife Irina have been married for almost 20 years and make their home in Richmond Hill with their two sons Anton and Eugene, and that yappy little dog of an unknown breed named Roxy. Bing a hockey dad, Alex usually thinks up the next killer referral campaign for his clients while he's driving his "hockey mobile" to some cold rink in some remote town in Ontario or Michigan.

Today he presented himself as a successful entrepreneur and consultant, providing tips and systems to succeed by making effective connections and contacts with potential clients "Generating More Business!" Expanding your client base by using common sense and low cost resources "just waiting for you to try!" was the order of the day. You had to be there to appreciate what this young man can do with a dollar, a camera and the computer!

Andres thanked the speaker for all of his advice and new ideas. Several members signed up for further contact and his free offer.

The draw this week was for $2,399.00. Steve Code pulled the 9 of clubs. The crowd went nuts again. The pot lives for another week. Better luck next time!!!
Remember you can't win if you don't buy a ticket. Good luck!

Please visit the Upcoming Events and Programs webpage for details.

Prepared by Fred Mandryk