Fred Shatsky
I’ve experienced and learned much about myself and my fellow “Rockers” since becoming president a couple of months ago. At the “Spring Fling” installation celebration I learned that I can’t dance as well as I could when I was younger and able to drink alcohol…….. Again, on behalf of our organization, I thank Chris Fischbach and Donna King for all their effort and for allowing us the privilege to use the clubhouse on their premises for such events.
I learned at two picnics how fortunate we are to have Linda and Bob Duggan, Jerome Lester, and the many helpers as members of our organization. I observed how some members prefer to sit and eat more than meet and greet, which is fine as long as we are all off our rockers. I like to imagine that our club could be like the lyrics in the old sitcom Cheers theme song “A place where everyone knows your name”. Our name badges can help us remember names, if we can remember to wear them.
I learned through two board meetings how competent each of my fellow board members are. Thank you, VP Brian Swanson, Treasurer Geoff Mack, Secretary Susan Freedman, Hospitality Director Cynthia Hirsch, Membership Director Judi Spuris, and Website Coordinator Vern Snyder. I also appreciated the input from Jacquie Reilly, Martin Wascher, and Debbie Haon towards some issues we discussed at our recent board meeting.
I also learned at the age of 86 that I’m no longer physically able to participate in many of the activities that enticed me to join this great club more than 15 years ago. I can still bike, but can no longer hike, bowl, kayak, or even play pickleball. The main reason I joined this organization was for the skiing activity which I sadly had to recently stop. I’m mentioning skiing because I feel I should clarify my opinion about our club’s affiliation with the San Diego Council of Ski Clubs which seem to have been misinterpreted by some of our members.
I am NOT opposed to keeping our club in affiliation with the Ski Council as we have had for so many years. Now, as I am President and Chairman of the GOYR Board of Directors, while we are currently examining our bylaws and policies for a possible need of revisions and updates, we felt it wise to examine our affiliation with the Council. If affiliation does not negatively affect our organization, it makes good sense to continue our affiliation. My own personal concern is that I was asked to provide the Council with a roster of our membership and to have my signature put on a document I have not seen. If this is required by the Council’s bylaws, perhaps their bylaws need to be revised, or we need a statement to that effect added to our organization’s bylaws.
Proudly, Fred POTR