Meeting Recap for February 24, 2015
Posted by Steve Heath
on Feb 26, 2015
For a guy who really didn’t want to be there, Bill Marr did a pretty remarkable job Tuesday as Rotary Club of Sacramento’s guest speaker at the Red Lion Woodlake Hotel.
Marr, a 41-year-old Folsom father of three who is afflicted with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), received a standing ovation after sharing intimate details of his bout with the debilitating anxiety disorder that often produces panic attacks.
Representing Stop Stigma Now, a local nonprofit dedicated to reducing the stigma of mental illness, the former banker, cop and soldier was introduced by Chair of the Day Dr. Barbara Arnold.
“I really don’t want to be here,” Marr told the surprised audience of Rotarians. Outwardly, the insurance broker looked calm; almost detached. But on the inside: “On a scale of 1-10, right now my anxiety level is above 10. I came here yesterday and just sat for a couple of hours to get used to the surroundings and reduce my anxiety. When I got here today, I couldn’t get out of the car.”
Marr talked about the various traumatic events in his life that contributed to his condition, which is classified as severe and for which there is no cure. “Police officers and people in the military often see things no human being should have to see; things we weren’t meant to see,” he said. “It causes damage that builds.” So does losing your father at age two, having a mother who spent half her adult life in prison for various crimes and a stepfather who abandoned him at 15.
Why did Marr agree to speak to Rotary?
“I do this in the hope that it will help you understand better when you meet someone who has a condition like this,” Marr said. “You have no idea the pain it causes. If someone made me the offer of cutting off my left arm in return for never having to feel like this again, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
---
President Susan Sheridan opened the meeting by congratulating Bob Cole on achieving 64 years of membership in the club this month.
Two new members were sworn into the Club on Tuesday by President Susan: Kresta Daly, partner in the Barth Daly law firm, was sponsored by Chris Ann Bachtel and President Susan. And Ken Adamson, retired former owner of Capital Beverage, rejoined the club. He was sponsored by Past Presidents Skip Lawrence and Dave Murphy.
---
Past President Peter Dannenfelser II announced that the RCS offices are moving in May from Commerce Circle to new quarters at 1451 River Park Drive. The space is currently occupied by a lawyer who has already made many high end improvements to the space. The building does have a conference room and training space which is included in our lease. A five-year lease has been signed for the new location. This move will save the Club approximately $1500 per month in addition to the first 5 months of free rent. An added bonus will be marquis signage on the street.
---
Kelley Moran was the meeting sponsor and used his three podium minutes to talk about the Rotary Club of Sacramento Foundation and Legacy Circle urging fellow members to participate. Foundation president Heidi Hershenhouse also was at the head table.
---
Dominic Vessigault, Past Governor of Rotary District 3450 (Hong Kong and Macao) invited Rotarians to attend the third annual Peace Through Understanding Forum at 6:30 p.m. March 12 at the Elk Grove Events Center. The free event, which is sponsored by the Laguna Sunrise Club, will feature a panel discussion about working locally to promote peace. Among the panelists will be Dr. Irfan Haq , president of the Council of Sacramento Valley Islamic Organizations, who provided the invocation for Tuesday’s meeting.
---
Past President Walter Dahl urged club members to sign up for the District 5180 Conference April 24-26 at the Doubletree in Rohnert Park. The event will feature a golf tournament, a visit to the Schultz Museum and keynote speakers Kitty O’Neal and Brian Schul. It also will be Fred Teichert’s final event as District Governor.
---
Other announcements Tuesday: Jerry Haley said that District 5180’s Rotary Day at the River Cats will be Sunday, June 7. It will be a 1 p.m. game against Tacoma at Raley Field…Ken Cross and Rick Davis said that work on the club’s signature project for 2015—a new Habitat for Humanity home—will commence on Saturday, March 14, with volunteers needed on alternating Fridays and Saturdays…Elfrena Foord said the women’s Habitat for Humanity team that recently completed a project in Nicaragua would be joining the new Sacramento effort whose team name is “We Paint More Than Our Nails!” Julia Ciano showed members a new display designed to promote participation in the Paul Harris Fellowship program, that she displays it in her chiropractic office. Jim Phillips announced that a ranger-led snowshoe trek will be held March 14 in Yosemite for people who would rather hike than hammer.
---
Gary Bazlen sponsored the pre-meeting wine reception, during which Randy Friedman provided piano music…Leonard Simpson and Michelle Single were greeters.
###