Liz introduced the day’s guest speaker, Kyle Haugen, Past District Governor from the Rotary Club of Prior Lake, Minn. Talking to us via Zoom, he told us about himself: From 2017 to 2018 he served as District Governor of Rotary District 5960; currently he is serving as a District Rotary Foundation Team Leader 2019-2021 and will serve as Region 36 Rotary Public Image Coordinator, 2021-2024. Liz met him when they served together on a polio immunization trip to India. The son of Rotarian parents and brother of a Rotarian, he had worked in insurance and coached T-Ball. A Rotarian himself since 2003, he had also visited Uganda, India, Haity and Rwanda; visiting Kenya on Rotary water projects, and was the youngest Governor of his district at the time. He and his wife are both Major Donors and members of the Bequest Society.

Throughout his talk, Kyle stressed the importance of story and, for all of us, the importance of telling our individual Rotary stories. He held the Half Moon Bay Rotarians enthralled, speaking encouragingly about membership and the Rotary Foundation, telling of his polio immunization trip to India and visit with a village leader, and his role as Rotary Public Image Coordinator, Zones 25B and 29.

He spoke about public image, “the delivery system” to members and to the public. We need to create an emotional response that makes people want to be involved -- everyone enjoys being part of a solution. Think about why you joined Rotary – Because you enjoyed being part of a group? Is there an emotional connection? What’s a good way to forge that – telling your story,  helping listeners to create a picture of themselves in that situation? Could you picture yourself there? Does that make you proud to be a Rotarian? Without an emotional connection, there is no story.

DEBUNKING CLUB PRESIDENT KRYSTLYN GIEDT (2022-23

)

Color set the tone as it filled the June 29, 2003 meeting of the Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay. Bright pastel plastic tablecloths, gold centerpieces and a handful of little stars graced every table, and several colorful tutus decorated the chairs. President Krystlyn Giedt, herself a star since “Star” is her middle name and her year’s theme and this was her debunking, brightened the room with her smiles. She herself wore a sparkling star tiara and a yellow tutu. And cheery multi-colored tutus sparkled on the chairs.
Incoming Club President Liz Schuck, who had chaired and planned the debunking event and luncheon, introduced Dianne Bobko, who in turn introduced Chef Ellie Angelini of "A Teaspoon of Love"who catered our delicious Luncheon. As Dianne treminded us, Chef Ellie has supported our Club's Magic of the Coastside Auction over the years each time donating a full gourmet dinner she prepared and cooked in the winner's home for 6 guests.  Dianne mentioned that she was the lucky winner twice, and they were amazing dinners. Chef Ellie hails from the Cordon Bleu. 

Liz asked members to introduce their guests who included Rosi Fontana’s partner Hal Novotny, Bo Bobko, Larkin Evans, Kathy, Wilson, and new member Wendy Smittle, who is due to be inducted in July.

Liz then invited Joe to offer a few words as the key part of Krystlyn's debunking.  Joe Brennan, calling this “a good year,” obliged with the following limerick. “First with apologies to Frank Sinatra, he then read,"

 
“The year twenty twenty two / Was a very good year / It was a very good year for a small town girl / On first Thursday nights / She played under lights / On Main Street / In twenty twenty two … 
“As twenty twenty two closed / It was a very good year / It was a very good year for Chamber girl / Who wrapped up the year / With a meeting at Odd Fellows / And it was some fun / Goodbye twenty twenty two … 
“Now it is twenty twenty three / Which is a very good year / It is a very good year for warm-blooded girl / Of the Chamber’s dreams / Who’d work long hours / Burning the candle at both ends / Twenty twenty three is a very good year …
“Now in mid twenty twenty three / It is a very good year / Her term is winding down / She’s holding together / The whole damn town / And passing on the Rotary crown / Twenty twenty-three is a very good year … 
“Krystlyn fortunately never suffers the blues, / Because in her closet she has all those tutus. / If she starts to feel blue, / She can take the cue / Slipping on a tutu and high, high top tennis shoes!
“Tracking the Goonies at Columbia River’s end, / Taking a well deserved vacation with a friend. / They visited the Astoria Jail, / But didn’t have to post no bail. / Visiting all the Goonies locations as penned …
“Krystlyn answered the Chamber’s call / It takes half of every 24 hours, that’s all / Then came the Rotary call / She took it without stall / But her office support evaporated by Fall!
“She found it difficult to be in two places at once / The frustration gets one’s knickers in a bunch. / But she balanced her events / Whether in offices or tents / And survived the year with only a few lumps ... 
“It became a year of almost endless Zooms / Allowing her to be in two if not three rooms! / It was hectic to be sure / But also a stop gap cure / Allowing her distance from numerous sure glooms ...
“Committee meetings had to be the worst, / You’re on the agenda but you’re never first / If you bide your time right / You’ll be in the spotlight. / Miss your cue and you’ll be exposed  … and cursed!
  
“This year saw the town’s first Pride parade, / Many came out into the sun from the shade / It was colorful to be sure, / Seeing the rainbow’s allure / Celebrating what progress we all have made!”
Joe than called Krystlyn up front and presented her with her own Starr award and, in recognition, a crystal statue of a star and her Past President pin that “you’ve worked all year to achieve.”

Amid applause, Liz gave Krystlyn heartfelt thanks. Krystlyn then acknowledged that it was a group effort. She said she took on the presidency with good intentions that ended up flying right out the window. Thanking Liz for being her unofficial “sounding board” all year, and helping her keep the Club going, Krystlyn turned it over to Liz who presented her with a beautiful engraved piece with a star on the top from the Club.

As her “last official act” as President, Krystlyn rang the bell. “Thank you to everyone,” she said to the club. “It was a group effort. Love you all!”

NOTE: Click "Read More" to read about the Club Meeting and Announcements that followed and see lots of fun pictures in the PHOTO GALLERY.