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How exciting; to celebrate two landmark birthdays in the month of June and while I assume a few of you came to celebrate the Lansing Rotary 100th as well I’m still touched. I’ve got to make it clear right from the start that Rotary is still slightly older than I. I am glad we are celebrating Lansing Rotary’s 100th birthday. All-important occasions should be celebrated. We are missing a few of the memorable occasions we should be celebrating. I’ll give you a couple of examples.
One I think is the decision some years back to be more flexible in the limitation for membership requirements which resulted in ½ the membership now being lawyers. This is a real boon to the younger members. Which by the way seems to be dominating the membership recently. The club is getting younger and younger. Right _____. Anyway sitting with all these lawyers is proof that you can’t buy happiness. Jack Davis’s 10 million dollars doesn’t make him any happier than Dave Marvin’s 9 million.
Another I think was the fortuitous choice to begin admitting women even though it removed our club from consideration as an exclusive Harvard club organization. Sorry Jack. I remember how it happened. Some years back Helen Mickens showed up at one of our meetings and was told Rotary only served men. “OK she said I’ll take two” How could we pass her up? And it’s gotten better from there especially since with all our distaff members Helen no longer has to carry her mace. And they did help us make the decision to meet at the Lansing Center rather than Omar’s as was our plan.
I’ve got to say though aging does have its drawbacks as well as benefits. Now I’m speaking personally. One of the attendant drawbacks became clear to me the other day. I was shopping for underwear and ask the sales girl at Walmart, “what do men my age wear briefs or boxers?” After scrutinizing me she smiled “Depends” and unfortunately prunes and all bran are starting to look better than wild oats.
OK I admit there are some benefits to getting along in years anyway I think so. My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Funny, I don't remember being absent minded. It does beat the alternative, you automatically get the senior discount and things you buy now won’t wear out. Also your investment in health insurance is finally paying off. And now I’m reading the bible with a purpose. To look for loop holes. Because eventually we’ll all be the subject of our Loftus day. I’ll tell you what when I go I want to go like my grandfather sleeping peacefully not screaming like his passengers.
It’s a real pleasure to be a part of this century old organization and I can’t wait for the next 100 year celebration but I’m going to try. And now what you’ve all come for, other than my birthday, in honor of this auspicious occasion I have pleasure of resurrecting that infamous all seeing magical sere recently returned from a Tibetan mountain top to again prove that you can see through #10 envelopes. The one and thankfully the only Marvack the Magnificent.  |
Ravi is CEO of a publicly listed company which he founded with a worldwide clientele in the tea packaging industry. He also serves on the board of several other companies and charitable trusts. He is the founding president of the Sri Lanka Anti-Narcotics Association. As his country's national PolioPlus chair, Ravi headed a task force consisting of the government, UNICEF, and Rotary and worked closely with UNICEF to successfully negotiate a ceasefire with the northern militants during National Immunization Days. A Rotarian since 1974, Ravi has served RI as treasurer; director; Foundation trustee; committee member, vice chair, and chair; task force member; RI training leader; and district governor. He also chaired the Schools Reawakening project, sponsored by Rotary clubs and districts in Sir Lanka, to rebuild 25 tsunami-devastated schools to benefit 15,000 children. Ravi and his wife, Vanathy, are level 4 Major Donors of The Rotary Foundation. They have been married since 1975, and have two adult children and one grandchild.