Rotary Meeting April 19, 2022
The skies were threatening rain but the greeters brightened the day with their smiles. JEFF STONE (VP HUB International), JOHN SWENTOEWSKY (owner Swentowsky Photography) and BETH TESAR (CEO of Northern California PET Imaging) welcomed everyone. JOHN SWENTOEWSKY did double duty as the photographer too.
PRESIDENT BOB MILLER (Vice president of First US Community Credit Union) thanked the sponsors of the wine reception MEGAN WYGANT (CLARA Studios) and the Capitol Stage and Theater.
The Thought of the Day was provided by PAUL KEEFER (Executive Director, Pacific Charter Institute). “The person who agrees with you 80 percent of the time is a friend and an ally – not 20 percent a traitor” -Ronald Reagan
PAST PRESIDENT WALTER DAHL (Dahl Law) was sworn in as Acting Sergeant At Arms for GIULIANO KORNBERG (Executive Director, Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera). Seated at the head table were PRESIDENT BOB; CONGRESSMAN AMI BERA, guest speaker; CHRISTIE HOLDEREGGER (Vice President Volunteers of America), Chair of the day; and JOHN GORALKA (President of Goralka Law Firm), the meeting sponsor.
MEETING SPONSER- JOHN GORALKA
JOHN GORALKA donated his time as sponsor to Broadway Sacramento which will be having its first GALA since 2019 on May 7 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, Ballroom A. JOHN reminded us that there was no social distancing in live theatre. The Broadway series and Music Circus were both closed during the pandemic. The Gala, which is Broadway Sacramento’s key fundraising event, was postponed for two (2) years in a row.
JOHN awarded two (2) lucky Rotarians with $200 gift certificates for each to attend a future show with a guest. JOHN introduced KAREN MCCLAFLIN, the Director of Development for Broadway Sacramento and a fellow Rotarian. KAREN announced that the Gala will feature a performance by Tony award winner STEPHANIE J. BLOCK who is best known for her work on the Broadway stage including The Boy from Oz and Wicked. The Gala includes a cocktail reception with full bar, a gourmet dinner, Napa wines and dancing with the band Hip Service. For tickets or more information, go online to broadwaysacramento.com/support/gala. You can also contact KAREN MCCLAFLIN as indicated below.
Karen McClaflin (she/her) | Director of Development
Broadway Sacramento | Broadway At Music Circus & Broadway On Tour
1510 J Street Ste 200, Sacramento, CA 95814 | P: 916-446-5880 x178 | C: 916-425-2777
PRESIDENT BOB shared his own Rotary membership moment by asking how many in the room had been invited to attend their first lunch by a Rotary member. Many hands went up. He then challenged each of us to invite someone we like and respect to an upcoming meeting.
In announcements, CLAYTON REED (Real Estate Investment) showed a video about how our international water projects have provided drinking water, sanitation and hygiene care to people around the world with help from contributions to the Rotary Foundation and our Eddie Mulligan fund. Every dollar contributed is multiplied by 2.6 with matching funds. The international work our club does is “so unique,” Lee said. Upcoming projects will be in Honduras and Guatemala. PRESIDENT BOB said our world clean water project has helped 300,000 people. Thank you CLAYTON and your team for the truly life changing work that you do on behalf of Rotary!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
BOBBY REED (Computer Database Development) announced the 2022 Golf For Kids Classic will be on May 6 at the William Land Golf Course. More volunteers are needed. The 97-year-old project raises money to benefit four children’s programs including Hiram Johnson Transition Class, the Ralph Richardson Center, the YMCA S.N.A.P. and the Luther Burbank High School transition program.
Staff and participants in the Luther Burbank program in cooperation with the California State University at Sacramento offers safety, job and life skills needed to join the work force. “We’ve been blessed by you guys,” said Ryan Stockton with the Adult Transition Program.
XAVIER THOMPKINS, 19, said he loves everyone at the school and enjoys birthday celebrations. “Without you, there is no me,” he said.
This very worthwhile project is a key fundraiser for our own club. Please contact BOBBY REED with any donations of time, talent, or money that you can give.
BOBBY, thank you for all your efforts and for bringing students that benefit from this program. Those students and your team members evidence the very positive real world impact that your program provides.
BOBBY also announced that there will be an American River Bike Trail clean-up from 9-11 a.m. this coming Saturday. Please contact BOBBY REED if you are available to help or just be at Discovery Park, 1600 Garden Hwy, Sacramento, CA 95833 at 9 a.m.
Sporting a flashing red light bike helmet, DAVID BRANDENBURGER (Real Estate Broker) asked members to donate money to buy more helmets for the first Breathe Bike Rodeo on April 23 in West Sacramento. The rodeo teaches bike safety and offers free helmet fittings.
LET’S GO FOR A RUN – Where PRESIDENT BOB seeks to separate you from your hard earned money!
KATHE NATHAN (Banking retired) ran a marathon donation in honor of her father who died earlier this month.
BRUCE HESTER (Multi-residential real estate) said he and ELFRENA FOORD (Financial Planning) both will give $500 to the Golf4Kids.
SURENDER SIGNAL donated $100 to the club.
PAST PRESIDENT FRED TEICHERT (Teichert Foundation) made a $100 donation in honor of past District Governor Brian Moore who recently passed away.
TOM BACON (Commercial Real Estate) ran a marathon donation in honor of his engagement. After 16 years, he proposed a toast to his girlfriend, knelt on one knee and asked her to marry him. He also donated $250 in honor of his two children who have graduated from college.
GUEST SPEAKER – A visit with Congressman Ami Bera
CONGRESSMAN AMI BERA took the podium and said it was so nice to see people’s smiles since most masks were removed. He said it’s so much nicer than having to repeat “You’re on Mute” on zoom calls.
CONGRESSMAN BERA is optimistic that Sacramento will show resilience in resuming more normal lives. “Come together and put service above self,” he said. Our community needs to focus on the things that bring us together in these divided times. Voters get their news from broadcasts that echo their already strongly held opinions. “How can we be in this together?” he asked.
CONGRESSMAN BERA, who serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, visited Ukraine in February with other members of Congress. “The world is different today because of this invasion,” he said. Like Russia, more countries around the world are become autocratic and Ukraine has no intention of surrendering to Russia. America needs to be assured of our role in today’s world.
Of Sacramento’s problem with homelessness and other issues such as the shootings on K Street Mall, he reminded us that we can be compassionate but our residents shouldn’t have to step over used needles. Our world class universities are a great advantage for our region’s growth. “I think our future is incredibly bright,” he said.
Maybe someday when someone says they are from San Francisco, they’ll have to explain that it’s about two hours away from Sacramento!
NEXT MEETING:
Our next meeting is on April 26 when we will have WILLIE WHITTLESEY giving a talk on wildfire prevention and forest management. WILLIE is the General Manager of the Yuba Water Agency, overseeing flood risk reduction, hydropower generation, water supply, and more.
UPCOMING MEETINGS AT A GLANCE:
- 4/26 – Willie Whittlesey – Forest Management
- 5/3 – DARK – No Meeting
- 5/10 – BROWN BAG DAY!
- 5/17 – Thien Ho – Running for Sacramento District Attorney
- 5/24 – Veterans Armed Forces Day – You don’t want to miss it! Click here for a preview of this very special meeting.