The year was 1985.   23 years ago, almost to the month, a distinguished group of 33 came together to form our beloved Santa Cruz Sunrise club.   How fortunate we are to have John Caldwell, club historian par excellent, to recount for us some of the momentous events and fun times. 

 

From John's archive comes this early club newsletter circa 1985.   You'll find a few familiar names besides John's.    And how about this vintage piece of Rotary fashion!

 

What follows are excepts from John's notes for his terrific "Platinum Bio" given on 5/13/08.  Thanks for the sweet memories, John!

There was a 2nd organizational meeting on June 18th 1985.  Jerry Todd, the District Governor's representative conducted the meeting.  We adopted a charter and bylaws.  33 prospective members are listed in the minutes of that meeting.

Our club was chartered on June 26th 1985.

My Sponsor was Jerry Todd.

The five charter members remaining are Mark Junod, Dave Mello, Bob Thomas, Jack Western and myself.

Mike Shumate, a Rotarian from the Santa Cruz (Friday) club was our first president.

Scott Pinheiro and Bob Semas joined in October and November.  Joe Williams joined the following March and Carl Primavera in April.  All eventually became presidents.

At the end of the first six months, average attendance was 90.77%.  Fifteen members had 100%.

In May of 1987, we joined the Scotts Valley club in a joint fundraising project.  It was an auction at Chaminade.  I was the co-chair with a member of Scotts Valley.  We called it, "The Event" which grossed $36,000 and netted $23,000 the first year.  A portion of the proceeds when to Soquel HS "all weather" track.

I received the first "Rotarian of the Month" that was awarded in our club for effort.

Mark Junod accepted the "stripped gear" cog the following month.

In September, I hosted the BBQ at Harvey West Park to thank our members and socialize with Scotts Valley members for the work done at The Event.

Mike Shumate accepted from District 517 and presented to us an Outstanding New Club banner.  (District 517 later became 5170.)

Peter Prindle was our second president.  I was a board member assigned to Vocational Services.  I arranged for our regularly scheduled meeting to be hosted at Dominican Hospital.

My first International meeting was a five-district group meeting in Monterrey, Mexico.  The RI president was in attendance.

In April 1986, the second annual BBQ to "promote" The Event and inter-club relations was held at HWP.

Dave Mello accepted the weekly Bulletin editorship and promised a new look.  Peter Prindle was debunked.  Jack Western was our next president.  I continued to be on the board.  The BBQ was moved to de la Veaga following the golf tournament.  Polio Plus received a $25,000 commitment from our club to reach RI's $120,000 goal.

If February 1988, Lynne and I visited a group of physicians in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.  A district 517 World Community Service project was in the process of sending medical equipment and supplies to San Miquel.  We visited the site where the physicians planned to build a hospital. A year later we returned to visit an operational hospital with equipment, operating tables, x-ray machines in place and saving lives.  There was a favorable write-up in the San Jose Mercury.

Mark Junod became president, the youngest in Rotary, and was responsible for our Polio Plus effort.  

In April 1989, Ken Whiting, president-to-be, joined.   Bob Thomas, charter member, fined Gil Cardona $25... the highest fine on record to date!

Lee Thoma was president for 1989-90.   During 1990 our volleyball team competed at the district, we had beach parties, Jack Western introduced Camp Opportunity to us and the aftermath of the Loma Prieta quake involved our time.   There were tutu's worn at the Xmas Party.

Bob Semas took the reins next.  That year's Xmas Party featured break dancers Vince and Jim!   Bob Semas commented that Ken Gherkens was a bit "too reserved" for us.   Received a "cog" again for chairing the Xmas party.

Carl Primavera was president for 1992-93.   This year I was involved with Club Service and the Xmas party again.  And what a party it was... KARAOKE stars John Barisone, Rick Kuechle, David Wright, Vince Azzaro, Ken Whiting, Mark Junod, Carl and others entertained.

Presidents that followed: Ken Whiting ("Do Something!"... We Did!), Dan Turner (clam bake), Richard Kuechle, Joe Williams (95-96), John Barisone (96-97, we attended the Charter Night for San Juan Bautista), Scott Pinheiro (97-98), Charlie Verutti (98-99).

10/22-24/99: Jon & Ken's first "Most Excellent Adventure" from Santa Cruz to San Luis Obispo. 

Jeff Kirk was president in 2000-1.  During that time I attended the district Membership sessions to discover methods for increasing membership.  As Membership Chair, I initiated the concept of combining the Orientation at a dinner meeting with board members to present their portfolios.   A history of the club was also presented.   Pat Davis, DG's assistant, complemented the structure and stated we were the only club that used the format.

Roger Swenson presided during 2001-2.  During Al Rodrigues' reign (02-03) I was presented with a Rotary Historian pin.

More presidents: Carol Canaris (03-04), Jon Sisk (04-05), Sean Venables (05-06), Kelly Buck (06-07) and Hilary Bryant (07-08).

Member ship increased from 64 to 90, an increase of 29% during four administrations.

I joined the support team with Lynne for the 10th annual "Most Excellent Adventure" from Sebastapol to Santa Cruz.  Provided donations to support bike riders, individually and to the program, for all ten years of the ride.

Being involved with high school graduating seniors with aspirations to excel and achieve is rewarding and inspiring.  The role of the Scholarship Chair has enlightened me to regard the youth of today who apply with admiration.  Those who pursue their dreams and prove they have the ability to do so and who qualify with financial need are rewarded.  We provide them with scholarships on behalf of our club. It is a wonderful experience to be part of helping with the education.  As I finalize this year's scholarship awards for only 6 of 17 applications, I once again acknowledge we really should provide more.  The needs of some fantastic applicants are overwhelming.

Throughout the 90's and 00's, John was active in the club serving as a member and chairman of the Speech Contest, Scholarship, Membership and other committees.  John is a multi-Paul Harris Fellow.

And after 23 years he has a perfect record of 100% attendance!