We Meet at Noon on Thursday

August 5, 2021

Plated Meal Served

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

 

A. J. Axtell

Western Lake Superior Sanitary District

 

 

 

By Steve Yorde

 

President Chana Stocke welcomed all and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test.  Past Assistant Governor Phil Strom provided an enlightening Rotary Reflection about the (Fourth) Object of Rotary, “the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace.”  Today’s guests included: Nancy Landwehr, wife of our fellow Rotarian Jim Landwehr, plus former Club members Bob Heimbach, Don Melander, Gary Halgren and his wife Nancy.

 

Fellowship self-reports: Jeff Iisakka invited all to view two 1950’s-era printed programs from the Grand Ole Opry.  President Chana Stocke reported that over 31 of our 112 members have signed up for a committee.  For those not yet signed up their name could be placed in a lottery to select the next “president-elect” – your choice!  She and President-elect Barb Perrella met with Holiday Inn staff regarding the buffet (not coming back anytime soon due to food safety and costs) and the size of the room (we need a larger space than what was available last week).  President Chana Stocke also announced that Junior Rotarians will be returning soon and that Brian Fulda is enlisting members interested in doing the Rotary Reflection. 

 

Past President Jerry Ostroski, read a letter of thanks from Cathy Tiede for the Rotary Club of Duluth Foundation’s gift to the LSS Bethany Crisis Center.  He also presented Westmoreland Crests to Mike Orman and Greg Hansen.

 

Greg Hansen and Mike Orman receive their Westmoreland Crests from Jerry Ostroski 

 

Team Fun’s events chair Mary Niemeyer announced that the August 12 Noon Meeting has been moved to an EVENING EVENT at Pier B.  Check future Gimlets and our Facebook Page for details.

 

Mary Niemeyer, Chair of Team Fun, announces the August 12 evening event at Pier B.

 

Jim Landwehr proudly introduced his brother Bob appearing via Zoom from his home in London.  The six-hour time difference did not impact Bob’s entertaining, provocative and interesting thoughts about living as a citizen of the world.  As Global Deputy Vice-Chair for Ernst & Young, a 300,000-employee accounting firm with offices in 150 countries, Bob and his wife lived in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Russia for over 30 years.  His presentation had three parts: Cultures, Languages and Communications, and Stereotypes.  First, any discussion about Cultures starts with, “prepare for the unexpected.”  Bob described the process of the Japanese exchanging business cards as a matter of high and important etiquette.  He presented practical advice “to watch, listen and learn” as keys to successful human interactions.  In Languages and Communications, “you don’t have to be fluent in another country’s language to be successful.  Learn greetings such as good morning/evening, please/thank you, hello/goodbye.”  Understanding and effectively using the three V’s” (Visual, Vocal and Verbal) will go a long way toward building bridges of friendliness and goodwill.  Visual, the expression on your face. Vocal, how you use your own voice.  Verbal, the words you say without slang or profanity.  And finally, Stereotypes are everywhere given long-standing rivalries, wars, and deep-rooted tensions and atrocities which are never forgotten.  And most know more about America than we know about the world.  Bob concluded this fascinating presentation with Q & A which described a traditional celebration of business colleagues in Russia.

 

The rarely sighted, Chair of the day, Jim Landwehr

 

 

Our speaker, Bob Landwehr, coming to us from London England

 

A map showing where our speaker lived and worked (in yellow)

 

 

By Jerry Pelofske

To see the video of today’s presentation, (and previous speakers), log on to duluthrotary.org, then click on the Member Area to log in, then move your cursor to the Speakers label and the Video Library banner will appear underneath.  Click on the banner, and a list of speakers will appear on the left side of your screen, click on the speaker you want.  If you have challenges getting to a program call your Club’s very own videographer Jerry Pelofske at (218) 485-1593.