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Rotary Tuesday Meeting
Welcome to Rotary Club of Sacramento!
Sacramento

P.O. Box 2528
Fair Oaks , CA  95628

We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 12:10 p.m.
The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Ballroom
600 Alhambra Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95816
United States of America
Phone:
(916) 929-2662
Email:
info@rotarysacramento.com
District Site
Venue Map
Foundation
 
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New Prospective Member
 
 
The following applicants have been proposed for membership.  All comments related to these membership application must be in writing and sent to President Todd Koolakian.
 
 
Prospect:      Rachel Dee Minyard
Business:      Surroundings
Position:        Realtor
Sponsor:       Maggie Hopkins and Tom Bacon
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                      
 
              
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The Pulse for the Week of April 23rd, 2024






 
Posted by Megan Masten
On April 23rd, we gathered to commemorate the memory of Jean Runyon, who made history as the first female member of the Sacramento Rotary. Reflecting on her groundbreaking induction on September 29, 1987, we celebrated the enduring impact of her inclusion. Over time, our club's demographic evolved, with women eventually constituting 30% of our membership. Their invaluable contributions have played a pivotal role in fostering a brighter and stronger community.
 
PP Thom Gilbert opened our meeting with an insightful thought of the day, setting the tone for what turned out to be a day filled with action and purpose. Among the highlights was the presence of special guests from the Sacramento State Transition Program, enriching our gathering with their presence.
 
With Golf4Kids swiftly approaching on May 10th at the William Land Park Golf Course, anticipation is building. Importantly, a portion of the proceeds raised will directly benefit the students in the transition program. This program plays a crucial role in nurturing independence, job skills, and overall life skills among its participants. Throughout the week, students engage at various job sites, honing a diverse range of skills. Additionally, they learn essential life skills such as navigating public transportation and fostering social connections with peers.
 
This year, the students are setting their sights on a new adventure: Disneyland. For many, this journey will mark their maiden flight, adding an extra layer of excitement to the experience.
 
In addition, we joyously welcomed a new addition to our Rotary family, Michael Mui. Michael serves as  Chief Technology Officer at MSC Integration, a company specializing in cloud service security solutions. Notably, MSC Integration served as a key sponsor for Sac Century in 2024, rallying 10 riders to participate in the event.
 
Michael's induction into Rotary was made possible through the sponsorship of Kathe Nathan and David Brandenburger.
 
"Todd's Tuesday Trivia" lived up to its reputation, delivering another evening of memorable moments. Among the anecdotes shared, some of our members recounted interactions with renowned celebrities, while others showcased their passion for art. Surprisingly, a recurring theme emerged—many of our members share the same name! We boast three Megans (four if we count our esteemed speaker of the day), two Dianes, two Virginias, and two Dees!
 
We ask that you keep Dave Higdon in your thoughts as he bravely battles kidney cancer. Your support and well wishes mean a great deal to him and his loved ones during this challenging time.
 
Additionally, a reminder to sign up for volunteering or donating to Golf4Kids. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the children benefiting from this event.
During our "Let's go Skiing" segment of the meeting, we were blessed with a flurry of joyous moments worth celebrating:
  • Jim Henderson proudly shared the news of his son obtaining his driver's license, marking a significant milestone in his life journey.
  • Elfrena Foord delighted in commemorating her historic achievement as the 5th woman ever inducted into the Sacramento Rotary, a testament to her enduring commitment and dedication. She holds the distinction of being the longest-standing female member.
  • Jim Culleton took a moment to recognize Elfrena's invaluable contributions to "Todd's Tuesday Trivia" and her remarkable 36-year tenure within Rotary, honoring her steadfast dedication and impact.
  • Peter Dannenfelser fondly recounted a cherished memory of meeting Jean at the tender age of 7, crediting her with a serendipitous role in matching him with his beloved wife, a testament to Jean's enduring influence.
  • Dan paid tribute to Jean Runyon's legacy and congratulated Jim's son for his recent success, underscoring the spirit of support and celebration within our Rotary community.
  • Barbara joined in honoring Jean's lasting effects, highlighting the profound impact of her pioneering leadership and vision.
  • Rick Davis bestowed well-deserved recognition upon Diane Mizell as Rotary's first female president, acknowledging her trailblazing leadership and dedication to our shared mission.
  • Paul Keefer's generosity shone through as he donated to various causes and individuals, embodying the spirit of giving and compassion that defines our Rotary family.
 
The Jean Runyon award, a prestigious recognition within our Rotary community, was postponed during this meeting as the recipient was unable to attend. We invite you to join us again in June when we will unveil the deserving individual who will be honored with this esteemed accolade. Stay tuned for this exciting announcement as we continue to celebrate the spirit of Jean Runyon's legacy and the exemplary contributions of our members.
 
Maggie introduced our speaker of the day, Megan Morgan, an equity advocate for the California Arts Council. Megan holds an MFA in photography from the San Francisco Art Institute and is the author of her debut book, "The End of Me," published in 2019.
 
During her presentation, Megan shared a deeply personal journey of her encounters with death, revealing how each experience profoundly impacted her life. At the tender age of 19, she faced drowning in Lake Heron, where she encountered her deceased mother urging her to be strong and continue her journey.
 
Her second encounter occurred at 25 during an unplanned home birth, where she connected with her departed grandfather, who guided her to pursue her desires upon returning to Earth.
 
The third encounter, at 28, happened during a harrowing snowstorm collision. Elevated above the wreckage, Megan was presented with a choice: to depart or to embrace life. Fueled by love for her husband and children, she opted to continue her earthly journey.
Reflecting on these profound experiences, Megan underscored the transformative power of choice, encapsulating it with the poignant quote, "Between stimulus and response, there is space, and where there is space, there is choice."
 
Furthermore, Megan highlighted the significance of community, emphasizing how the act of improving one person's life invariably enriches our own.
 
Paul Keefer closed the meeting by reminding us of next week's speaker, Devin Strecker, Executive Director for the River District.
 
A big thank you to this week's contributors: Guiliano Kornberg, Norm Marshall, and PP Diane Mizell for greeting, Virginia Wade for photography, and Jim Henderson for sponsoring the wine.
 
Photos Courtesy of Virginia Wade
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The Pulse for the Week of April 23rd , 2024






 
Posted by Megan Wygant

It was a glorious spring day when President Todd Koolakian gaveled in the April 11 meeting of the Rotary Club of Sacramento. 

 

Jim Culleton’s Thought for the Day was an excerpt from a wartime Woodrow Wilson speech, a passage harkening both today’s speaker and our upcoming Armed Forces Day (May 21), which both engage with the question of freedom – who earns it, and how. 

 

Meeting sponsor Elfrena Foord promoting Habitat for Humanity’s upcoming Rock the Block, taking place May 3-4 in Oak Park and October 11-12 in the Bryte/Broderick neighborhood. Learn more about how you can participate here.

 

President Todd shared photos of the Rotary Ski Trip last weekend; a good time was had by all! (And evidently, an excellent lunch as well).

 

Club announcements:

  • Golf For Kids - Diane Mizell appealed for tee sponsors, and Megan Masten called for item donations for the Golf 4 Kids silent auction that’s part of the post-golf dinner at Fairytale Town
  • Fireside – the next Fireside evening is scheduled for April 18, 5:30pm-7:30pm at Hacienda Miklaus
  • Sac Century – registration opens May 1, and Susan Sheridan seeks your help distributing promotional rack cards around town. 

President Todd reminded us all that Golf 4 Kids and the Sac Century are the two major club fundraisers, where all club members are expected to support these events in some way. Please mark your calendars and make plans to participate.

 

Let’s go Skiing!

  • Surender Singal gave in honor of his daughter's progress coping with the difficult loss of her mother
  • Dennis Godby made a gift in advance of his impending cardiac surgery on May 3
  • PP Wesley Yee made gifts in honor of his recently arrived second grandchild and his daughter’s recent ascendancy to partner at the law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson
  • Liz McClatchy celebrated her return home from a five-week South Pacific cruise and time in Monterey
  • Elke von Schlosser honored the value of the Rotary network and community. 
 

Speaker of the Day:
Reporter and author James D. Richardson joined us to talk about his second book, “The Abolitionist's Journal: The Memories of an American Antislavery Family." 

 

Richardson had a notable journalism career before quitting The Sacramento Bee to become an Episcopal priest (ultimately retiring as Dean of Trinity Cathedral). While suffering second thoughts in the month before starting seminary, his father presented him The Journal – a 324-page autobiography handwritten by George Richardson, his grandfather’s grandfather. 

 

George was an abolitionist and minister who managed a stop on the Underground Railroad before the Civil War, served as chaplain for a Black regiment during the Civil War, and then started a college for the previously enslaved now known as Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, TX. Despite his ancestors’ laudable lives, Richardson’s family had not discussed their abolitionist roots – as other families grafted onto their family tree, so had white supremacy, and so this story had been willfully forgotten. As James Richardson said, it matters that we remember our history. 

James Richardson’s book can be found here. 

 

Our greeters were Megan Masten, Danielle McGarrity and Bryan Murray. PP Diane Woodruff was the meeting photographer. Forrest Junod was joined by Andis Winery as today’s wine sponsor, and Megan Wygant was your hapless Pulse reporter.


Next week, we’re hearing from two of our own: Brad Schmidt and Ruth Tesar will share ​​The Power of PET/CT: a Revolutionary Technology. We will see you here, but until then, get out there and be good Rotarians!
 

Photos Courtesy of Past President Diane Woodruff

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The Pulse for the Week of March 26th , 2024






 
Posted by Nancy Teichert
Easter was in full bloom! The tables were beautifully decorated with yellow, pink and lilac napkins. Centerpieces were filled with assorted Peep’s bunnies of various colors, jelly beans and topped with sparkling eggs.
 
President Todd Koolakian called upon Sarah Hodge for a Thought for the Day. Sarah offered a poem by Mary Oliver about California’s poppies sending up their orange flares: “That light is an invitation to happiness.”
 
Dan Fenocchio surprised members with the announcement of a new Sacramento Rotary Fellow: PP Bob Miller. Bob realized it was HIM when his Northern California graduating class of about 42 high school students was referenced. Miller played college football and is an avid golfer, runner and LA Dodgers fan. In addition to all his volunteering and donations to our club, he still finds time to make his own beer, bread and pizza. When Miller was president of our club, he also chaired the Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce.
 
Club Announcements:
 
Ski Trip – David Brandenburger reminded members that the club’s ski trip to Heavenly Valley will be on April 5 at Heavenly.
Fireside gathering – Mik Miklaus has offered his home for a Fireside night on April 18. You can register here.
District Conference - President Todd said it’s time to sign up for the District 5180 Conference at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno.
 
Let’s Go Skiing:
 
Bhavnesh Makin donated in honor of the graduations of his daughter and son. PP Bob was grateful to be honored as the newest Sacramento Rotary Fellow. Amin Elmallah donated in honor of the 20+ club members who recently contributed over $7,000 to Doctors Without Borders for Gaza humanitarian relief.
 
Chair of the Day Steve Huffman introduced our guest speaker Kai Bockmann, president of the Blue Diamond Almonds which is a 114-year-old cooperative headquartered in Sacramento. Huffman worked for Blue Diamond for many years.
Bockmann said Blue Diamond’s 3,000 almond growers in the Central Valley provide 80 percent of the almonds sold in the world. It is California’s number one agricultural crop that provides $9 billion to the state’s economy.
 
One of the first questions usually asked of Bockmann is about how much water is needed to grow almonds. He said more growers have started using micro irrigations which decreases the water needed. And he compared almonds with tomatoes, which require three times as much water and have a short lifespan.
 
Almonds are grown on 21 percent of the farmland in the valley but use only 14 percent of the state’s agricultural water supply. With the increased use of micro irrigations, their growers use 33 percent less water than they did 30 years to grow a pound of almonds. Growers are also focused on earning Honeybee Friendly certification for certain products.
 
In harvesting, the entire almond shaken out of trees then separated into nut, hull and shell. The hulls provide bedding for farm animals, and the shells are a nutrition element for cattle feed.
 
California’s almond growers have been challenged by weather issues such as high winds and too much rain. “We’re in a world of hurt right now,” Bockmann said, with more almonds being grown than consumed. “But we’re in a great position to be successful.”
 
Club members can get a 30 percent discount on all products sold in Blue Diamond’s store at 7th and C Streets until March 30 by using the password of “Nuts for Rotary.” (This reporter has shipped them as gifts to friends in other states and carried gift baskets to parties or vacation stays.)
 
President Todd acknowledged the numerous club members who facilitated the meeting. Tom Bacon served as sergeant-at-arms. Members and guests were greeted at the door by Megan Laurie, Bhavnesh Makin, and Josh Pelz. Photography was provided by John Swentowsky. Rick Davis poured the wine.
 
No meeting next Tuesday because of Easter. Next meeting will be April 9.
 
By Nancy Weaver Teichert
 
 
Photos courtesy of John Swentowsky of Swentowsky Photography
 
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The Pulse for the Week of March 19th, 2024




 
Posted by Matt Page
The sun was shining brightly outside as President Todd Koolakian welcomed everyone to our
meeting.
 
Len McCandliss’ thought for the day quoted Apple cofounder Steve Jobs: “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.”
 
Our newest member, Emily Carper, was read-in. Emily is a Clinical Supervisor and Physical
Therapist at Valley Rehabilitation. Her sponsors were Jamie Furlong and Sarah Hodge. Fun fact about Emily: in 2014 she started a dance marathon fundraiser at San Diego State, and this event has now raised over $2.2 million for a children’s hospital.
 
Club Announcements
  • Honorary club member Millie Stone turns 100 on Monday, March 25, and all Rotarians are invited to drop by her home for a midday celebration - 36 Keel Court, Sacramento, between 11:30am - 2:30pm.
  • Wine sponsors needed! Tom Bacon said we are looking for a wine sponsor for next week.
  • Fireside gathering - Mik Miklaus invited all to the April 18 evening gathering at his home in El Dorado Hills
  • Networking Night - next Tuesday, March 26 is our club’s next Networking Night, at Bennett’s on Fair Oaks Boulevard, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, reported organizer Ted White.
  • Brown Bag Day - Steve Huffman recapped the successful efforts on March 12.
There was a lot of good news to share. PP Jim Leet, PE Bobby Reed and Matt Page all had good news about their family members playing youth sports and showed their gratitude with their donations.
 
Lunch speaker Warner Thomas, President and CEO of Sutter Health, talked about Sutter’s long legacy in Sacramento. Sutter employs more than 53,000 people in Northern California and serves 800,000 patients per year in the Sacramento area. Last year, Sutter approved a $1 billion investment in ambulatory services in Northern California. Warner went on to discuss the impact of 11,000 Americans going on Medicare each year as well as the aging of Sutter’s workforce.
 
He said a large investment in technology is helping with access to care and increasing the number of patients Sutter serves every year. Sutter has retained more employees and hired more doctors in a single year than ever before. They are the largest cancer center and neuro provider in our region.
 
Our charismatic greeters were Hadley Wilson, PP Jim Leet and PP John Lemmon. John Swentowsky took fantastic pictures. Tom Bacon was generously serving up red and white grape-based libations for everyone to enjoy.
To close out our meeting, Robyn DeLong announced our next meeting speaker is Kai Bockmann, President and CEO of Blue Diamond Growers. Rotary will be going nuts next week.
 
Submitted by Matt Page
 
Photos by John Swentowsky
 
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 The Pulse for the Week of March 5th, 2024




 
Posted by Megan Wygant
After President Todd gaveled the crew to order, Peter Coyle provided an erudite Thought for the Day which concluded that money is like manure – it doesn’t do any good unless you spread it around! And the same goes for our desire to serve.
Club announcements
 
The club’s next happy hour will take place at Bennett’s on Tuesday, March 26, announced Ted White. Please sign up via the RSVP link that will be sent out shortly.
 
The Rotary Ski Trip is set for Friday, April 5, noted Dave Brandenburger. Signup link forthcoming.
 
The Scholarship Committee is getting ready to hand out college funding to deserving youth. Contact Diane Woodruff or Nancy Smith-Fagan to join the committee.
 
The Sac Century Ride date is set for September 28, 2024 – mark this one in red on your calendars!
  • Sarah Hodge and Ruth Tesar are this year’s ride co-chairs
  • The team also unveiled a new jersey (woo-hoo!)
  • Online registration will open May 1
  • Corporate Sponsor and Century Challenge fundraising packages are now available – speak to Käthe Nathan.
  • Starting mid-April, you can join Ruth on local bike trails to hand out cards advertising the ride.
  • June 2, there will be a test ride from Capitol Mall to Husick’s Tap House in Clarksburg. Ability to ride 100 miles not required! A save the date coming soon.
 Click on the links below to see the Thought for the Day and the table hand out titled "Golden Rule" from Rick Davis on February 27th.
 
Amin Elmallah made a heartfelt request to donate to Doctors Without Borders to provide medical aid to civilians caught in the crossfire during the Gaza conflict. (Read Doctors Without Borders’ statement on the conflict here). Parties wishing to join a collective donation from RCOS can email Barbara Clegg.
 
Let’s Go Skiing!
It was a short ski run this week – but Kiefie Breuer would have been the standout star no matter the length. Kiefie stood to thank all participating RCOS members for the caregrams and fellowship sent to her during her recent hospital stay. Welcome back, Kiefie! We are grateful you are on the mend.
 
Guest Speaker: The 2024 Economic Forecast by Mik Miklaus
Mik’s preview of the local economic forecast started with a review of the different forces impacting our money supply, which drives interest rates. The Fed put a thumb on the scales during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep lending rates low and have since been trying to remove their influence without creating an economic backlash. This approach has had mixed success – mortgage rates are now as high as 8% after more than a decade of sitting around 4%.
 
Interest rates will drop this year, Mik projects (rates typically drop between 5 and 25 basis points in November of election years).
 
A projected downturn in mortgage rates is one of several indicators that a recession is on its way. Payments on credit cards are slowing down, and more than 100 different online retailers have begun offering payment plans similar to the old layaway model. The unemployment rate is still looking good, but the Department of Labor is including the work done by undocumented migrants, rendering it an imperfect measure of whether a recession is imminent.
 
In terms of housing, and particularly the Sacramento market – it remains a sellers’ market for houses valued under $1.25M. In that price range, the average home is on the market for about 3 months; about 5 months is considered an “equal market.” The recent spike in housing prices is a recognition of increased demand, rather than a balloon. Folks are more likely to stay in their homes longer; the average rate of turnover for a home used to be about 6 years, and now it’s closer to 12 years – and the recent low interest rates will likely slow that turnover even further as homeowners hang onto their favorable current mortgages.
 
Overall, Mik’s economic forecast predicts gray skies ahead.
 
Next week is a Brown Bag week for the club, so go to your lunch site and not the church! We’ll see you back in the same place, same time on March 19, when the meeting will feature Sutter Health president and CEO Warner Thomas.
 
Our greeters today were Sarah Hodge, Bruce Hester and Todd Aquilina. The wine sponsor was Rick Davis and Josh Pelz, John Swenstowsky was on the camera, and Megan Wygant was your humble Pulse reporter.
 
 
Photos by John Swentowsky
 
 
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New Prospective Member
 
 
The following applicants have been proposed for membership.  All comments related to these membership application must be in writing and sent to President Todd Koolakian.
 
 
Prospect:      Michael Mui
Business:      MSC Integration
Position:        CTO
Sponsor:       David Brandenburger and Kathe Nathan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                      
 
              
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