Rotary Log for June 13, 2019
 
 
President Cleo opened with the Pledge. Al Lantinen channeled his best Irving Berlin and led us in singing “God Bless America.”. Justin Finn was rumored to be the Greeter. Ben Wheeler joined a growing list of fine Invocators who don’t require a microphone to be heard.
 
There were no guests or visiting Rotarians. In three years of Rotary Log service, your scribe has never witnessed a guestless meeting!
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
There was even a paucity of announcements. Dave Holden lauded the Speakers Committee for their efforts. Tiffany McKenna reported that our service work with Crossroads will continue next year. Justin Finn drummed up support and participation in our upcoming Golf Tournament.
 
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION
 
 
Marcie Bergan introduced our newest new member, Josiah Babcock. Josiah is involved in IT, including website design. He has already been active in various Seacoast community activities. Welcome aboard, Josiah!
 
ROTARY HISTORY
 
 
Jon Flagg provided today’s Historical Hour, err, Moment. Among other curiosities, Jon discovered that today’s speaker last spoke at our club in June 2012.
 
SPEAKER
 
 
Jay Gibson introduced our speaker, former New Hampshire Governor John Lynch.  Governor Lynch is now Professor Lynch at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. Jay and John were fraternity brothers at UNH in the last century. They formed a friendship that has continued to this day. The two men are godparents to each other’s child.
 
After graduating from UNH, Governor Lynch earned degrees from Harvard Business School and Georgetown Law School. He enjoyed considerable success in the business world, culminating in a complete turnaround at high end furniture design supplier, Knoll Furniture. Entering politics, John was elected governor of New Hampshire…FOUR times! While a Democrat, John was generally considered an effective bi-partisan leader, garnering across-the-board voter approval.
 
 
Drawing upon his experience in both the private sector and government service, Governor Lynch outlined five guidelines that served him well in both arenas. He fleshed out each with anecdotes that illustrated their efficacy.
 
  1. Fiscal matters must be carefully controlled.  Businesses need to show a profit. Governments need to balance budgets.
  2. The quality of products and services should be defined in terms of the needs of the customer (or citizens.) Don’t dictate to the market what the user wants or needs Listen, then adapt.
  3. Make sure the facts are correct. Assemble accurate data before making decisions.
  4. Cultivate an ability to deal with failure. Everyone fails at something some time. Author Dan Brown’s first four published books were considered failures. His fifth book, The DaVinci Code, sold over 100 million copies. Had he not persevered past failure, the book would not have been written.
  5. Build trust within the organization. Trust must be earned. Know your stuff, then deliver.
Governor Lynch provided excellent advice in an engaging and entertaining manner. Already a Paul Harris Fellow, President Cleo presented him with a second Paul Harris Award.
 
 
Francois Meissner won the $46 raffle but was unable to win the match.
 
Respectfully submitted, Richard Greulic
Photos by Sara Treacy
 
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