The Rotary Club of Cypress-Fairbanks (RCCF), Texas District 5890 meets at Carl's Mesquite Barbeque on Tuesdays, at 12:00 noon.  Having found information about RCCF on the Rotary Website (www.rotary.org), I called the number listed on the site and was welcomed and invited to the meeting.  Much like our Rotary Club (or clubs in District 3790), the club program had a welcome, greetings, prayers and pledge of allegiance.  Unlike our club, however, the opening ceremonies are all done by the President.  Another difference was that there was no friendship session (good thing, since everything here is in dollars)!

As a visiting Rotarian, of course, I was called to introduce myself and to inform the club of our Rotary Club of San Fernando La Union, Inc.   I was asked questions about the size of our club, how I heard of the new club and what type of projects are done with the Rotary Club of San Fernando.  I gladly informed them of our club size (60+ and growing), the rotary website and the various barangay based community projects where I had participated in the past.  They were all happy to hear about our club.  And I was treated to some delicious barbeque "on the house".

The Rotary Club of Cypress-Fairbanks (RCCF) has 20 members - male and female.  Like our club, the members are businessmen and women dedicated to fellowship and community service.  One of the projects RCCF is engaged in at the moment is the Judith House.  The Judith House Project is a shelter for abused and battered women.  RCCF is in the process of locating sites that would not only accommodate the women in distress but would be located close to establishments that can employ these women.  According to the President, they are very close to completing the project and are in the finalization stages.  Another project discussed was a Leadership Training Program for high school students. 

Overall, RCCF was similar to RCSFLU in its purpose and objective - that is, community service and development.  Cypress Fairbanks is a growing community and one of the prime objectives of the club is to recruit members to grow to a significant number. 

I can say nothing but good things about RCCF as I felt very welcomed and was invited to attend every Tuesday.  I was even given a little flag of RCCF and an attendance tag (for Manang Lydia).   Tomorrow, I will attend again- but this time, I will pay for the barbeque.    ---  AAA

Siglet of the Week:  "My cousin just died. He was only 19. He got stung by a bee - the natural enemy of a tightrope walker."
- Dan Rather (News anchorman)     

Pres. JEROME rung the starting bell at precisely 12:30, according to Pres. JEROME'S watch, and our regular luncheon meeting filled with an international assortment of Koreans, Filipinos, Americans, and I thought I saw a Japanese or two, got off to a running start. Dir. JERRY "filled in" as the Master of Ceremonies until VP TANTE was able to arrive and assume his duties as DC & MC.

The prayer and 4-Way Test was led by former seminary student Dir. JUN, who I might add, did a "saintly" job. Pres. JUN, of the Rotary Club of An San, Korea, led us in the Korean National Anthem while all of the RCSFU members stood in attention. IPP ALBERT arrived just in time to lead us in the Philippine National Anthem, while the Koreans paid similar respect.

Dir/IP RICHARD, who must have been practicing for when he takes over the reigns of leadership, did an excellent job introducing all of our Korean guests and other visiting Rotarians. I am convinced that only a person of Chinese could pronounce those Korean names. I felt a little sorry for Rtn. REGGIE and RAY E. who supplied us with a double scoop of ice cream on behalf of their wives who were both celebrating birthdays. Thanks guys, we needed that …..

Dir. JERRY was up on stage again, as he was the one tasked with leading us in the Friendship Session. To make it more interesting, Dir. JERRY involved the visiting Koreans in the activities. Koreans and Filipino and Americans asked each other questions and tried to communicate any way that they could, without an interpreter. Everyone had a great time and when it was all over, the Koreans donated $100 to the Club. Thanks guys, we needed that……..

Pres. JEROME did a great job, as he always does, greeting all of our special guests before calling the President of the Rotary Club of An San, Korea to share a short talk with the Club. Following the talk was the official presentation and exchange of Club banners and gifts.

All in all, a good time was had by all….Koreans, Filipinos and Americans.