The Splinter - Archive  Feb 12, 2010

print this page

 CLUB 470 * DISTRICT 5160  *  ORGANIZED APRIL 29, 1926                   MEETING DATE:  February 16,2010

www.rotary5160.org                                                                                    ww.woodlandrotary.org

check the pictures

Today's Meeting 

President Bob opened the meeting with a minute of silence for Romie Berrittonni.

 Eagle Scout Taylor Baines led us in the Pledge and Marc Faye in the Rotary Grace.

Visiting Rotarians 

Bill Hollingshead from Davis, John Martin President of Woodland Sunrise, Peter Faye III from the Sunrise Club as well.

Guests of Rotarians

JIm Lingberg Scout leader, Steve Dunn excetive of the Golden Empire district of Scouting. BIll Ragsdale District Chair . Eagle Scouts  Alan Issacson, Mario Berrittoni, Taylor Baines.  Also in attendance Harriot Griffith and Diane Hollinshead.

Announcements

Saturday will be a work day for the Rotary Park Shade project. Mark Werum reminded all to sell Raffle tickets and get their auction items in for the Rotary Audtion March 27th.  

Birthdays

    Eagle Scout Bob Griffith is celebrating.

Anniversaries 

George and Janet Burger will celebrate 24 years. Peter and Chris Holmes have 26 years of marriage to celebrate February 11.

Recognition

Almost DIstrict Governor Karl Diekman led the recognition. His questions were quite appropriate regarding Boy Scout highlights. Those who were tested (and failed I might add) were Kevin Haarberg, Tim Petitt, Bob Tamblin, Tony Delevati, Dave Janes, Roger Dorris, Marc Ullrich. Karl was also happy and recognized himself.

Rags to Riches

Ron Maraviov has a free lunch comming.

Today’s Program

Yesterday the Scouting program was 100 years old said Bob Griffith  who started the program with recognition of Eagle Scout Rotarians,  MIke Chandler, Tim Petitt. George Berrittoni, Peter Faye II and III, Bob Moeller and Ben Pate, also recognized was past District Governor Brian Theisen and  local scout leader Jim Lingberg. and Bill Ragsdale who is the District Chairman  Bob gave us the history of Scouting in Yolo County and the relationship with Rotary., the Boy Scout Cabin in Woodland was built in 1931 and is lovingly carred for by Jim Lingberg.  Peter Faye then introduced Brian Thiesen  who gave the history of Scouting and Rotary in the United States and the World. Brian Thiesen then brought up Mario Berrittoni and his father George. George was honored with the Cliff Dochterman award for his service in Rotary and Scouting. This Scouting Rotarian is the premier recognition award for Rotarians.

The following is a speech prepared by Mario Berrittoni for his father. He was unable to give this speech but you can read it in full:
Thank your very much. I know my dad has given numerous speeches over the years, where he as roasted quite a few people with his odd sense of humor. However, I have my mother's sense of decorum, so I won't pick on you too much dad.

I feel quite honored to speak with everyone about my dad and his impact on Scouting, both in my life and those who have met him. My dad has been involved in my Scouting experience since day one, when I started as a Webelos and throughout numbers of troop meetings, canned food drives, popcorn sales, summer camp trips, and my Eagle Project. There were many times when I wanted to quit, due to lack of interest ad the perception that Boy Scouts were lame. My dad encouraged me to stay the course and finish what I had started, the path to Eagle. Looking back, some of my best memories come from my time in the Boy Scouts, and a portion of those I was glad to share with my dad. I also came out with a great appreciation for the ideals and beliefs of Scouting.

There are 12 points to the Scout Law, which serve as tenets for Boy Scouts to follow. I could go throught all 12 of these to describe my dad, but the one that stands out the most is loyalty:. I would have said "trustworthy" , but he still hasn't taken me for that round of golf at Pebble Beach as reward for completing my Eagle Scout rank. Loyalty means, "A Scout is true to his family, friends, Scout leaders, school and nation" . I am 6 years removed from Boy Scouts, and my father is still actively involved in Troop 69. He serves as a merit badge counselor, committee member, and is a unit commissioner for the Yolo District of the Golden Empire Council. During the Fourth of July, he would spend the night in a trailer guarding the booth and put his time in for sales on the Fourth of July holiday. He enjoyed numerous overnight trips with the Troop, where he could flex his culinary and MacGyver-esque skills while entertaining the Scouts with his wit and charm. He especially enjoyed the trips to Point Reyes during Memorial Day weekend. One would think after almost passing out during a hike, getting a flat tire at night in the middle of nowhere, and enduring long walks behind slow Scouts that he would be finished. Instead, these adventures have provided ammunition for many stories and lessons for himself and Scouts alike.

I am not the only one in my family to have been a part of the Boy Scouts of America. I have four cousins who are involveed with Scouting. Two of them have completed the path to Eagle, while the other two are just starting their journey. If asked who it was that got them into Scouting, they would probably say me, because I was active in a  troop. They saw the fun I was having, so they joined. However, if asked, "Who was the one who kept you going in Scouts?" they would reply "Uncle George" At every family function, my dad was the one always checking with them to make sure they were completing requirements and getting projects done.

While he has been recognized for his service to the troop, his biggest honor is the number of Scouts achieving the Eagle rank who recognize him at the Court of Honor for his help. He has recieved several Mentor pins from Eagle Scouts. My dad is in this for the Scouts. The gratitude he receives form the kids is far more important than any service award from the Scouting organization.

He has remained loyal, not only to Troop 69, gut to the ideals and benefits of the Scouting Movement. Current Scouts know that Mr. Berrettoni wil always be there to help with a merit badge. Past Scouts know is door is always open to them for advice, talk or a good laugh.

Congratulations Dad. I know I'm heading back to Las Vegas later tonight, but next time I come home, hopefully those reservations for Pebble Beach have been make.

Upcoming Programs

 DIstrict Governor visit

Annual Events    Upcoming Programs        Officers/Directors        Where to Make Up       Roster