President Jim Leet (Boutin Jones, Inc.) called our meeting to order by giving special thanks to the following members who served during the meeting: Elfrena Foord (Foord, Van Bruggen, & Pajak) for greeting us with the piano and introducing the handsome, erudite speaker. Also, thanks to the greeters including Maggie Hopkins (Capital Premier Lending & Premier Realty), Steve Horton, and Winston Eddy. Thanks also to Paul Keefer (Pacific Charter Institute) for his continued lowbrow reporting. Thank you, Gerry Dabi (Golden Pacific Bank), for teeing up Factfulness with your "Thought for the Day". Gerry reminded us that a mistake is an opportunity to learn and improve. Much gratitude to John Swentowsky (Swentowsky Photography) for memorializing the event with pictures. Thank you to Don Fenocchio (Cunningham Engineering) and Bob McLean (McLean & Tillotson Construction) for handling the rowdy full bar at the wine reception!
Our own Professor Bruce Hester mesmerized the Rotarians with Factfulness - factoids packed with facts and fact graphs! Bruce is a prolific reader running his book club for over 18 years and staying current through his 16 hobbies including oratory design and speeches. His 9th speech focused on the ideas presented in the book Factfulness by Dr. Hans Rosling. Bruce was also influenced by Steven Pinker (Enlightenment Now) and the world’s state of affairs. Out of the gate we were caught flat footed as only one person successfully answered the 3-question quiz 100% correct (and it was because he read the book Factfulness)! The quiz focused on the global quality of life referencing three key factors. The rest of us suffered in the darkness of half facts!
The foundational data for Bruce’s speech includes the World Bank, JP Morgan, UNESCO among many others. Bruce successfully wove the current condition of the people in the world and how much better we are today than 200 years ago as recognized through a variety of metrics including literacy, food production, child mortality, income, and safe water. Bruce also addressed the global population as a whole and the good news going forward. We look forward to future speeches from Bruce as he continues to build his library of science and history books!
“And that’s the fact Jack!” – Bill Murray in Stripes
Announcements
Becki Roberts, the Magic Snow Princess, announced the great Rotary Club of Sacramento dinner on February 22 at 5 PM at the Elks Building Downtown. Expect magicians, Rotary Rockers, and dancing.
Kathe Nathan (Merchants Bank of Commerce) alerted everyone that Rotarians should continue giving blood even though the tracking system is on the fritz both for the continued need for blood and to BEAT PONT WEST! Giving blood is habit for LIFE!
John Swentowsky (Swentowsky Photography) reminded everyone that volunteers at Loaves and Fishes are needed! - Thursday, January 30th beginning at 7:30am -10:30am and at 10:45am -2:00pm. Please look for a separate email.
Meeting Sponsor
Linda Geery (Gilbert CPAs) reminded us of the unique expertise that Gilbert CPAs offers the Sacramento area through their accounting and advisory business services. Linda also noted the philanthropic backbone of the organization as Gilbert CPAs was recognized by the Sacramento Business Journal as a top 25 philanthropic company in Sacramento. In addition, Gilbert CPAs received an award from CalCPA for its public service.
Our New Member
We welcomed our new member Lonnie Martin, who currently works with the CEO Peer Group / Vistage. Lonnie comes with fantastic credentials educated on both the left and right coasts and has lived around the world. Currently Lonnie splits time between his East Sacramento home and his home in Foresthill. We look forward to some Rotary guidance for our Rotarian leaders Lonnie!