Meeting Recap for March 10, 2014
It was a dry topic at Rotary this week, as our guest speaker, Mark Sogge (pronounced “sōggy”, as in what California is not), Regional Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), gave us a sobering update on drought conditions in our arid State.
One place that was not dry, however, was the pre-gavel wine reception, with the vino flowing courtesy of Steve Huffman, before President Thom rang in the meeting, then transitioned the mike to the ever-witty, Jim Craig, who introduced our invocator of the day, Monsignor Robert Walton of Sacred Heart Church.
After the pledge, Sergeant-at-Arms, Susan Drack, took care of the introduction chores, which included recognizing our greeters of the day, Chris Bohannon and Paul Cantelli. Then it was on to John Kelly and Becki (people mistake me for Julia) Roberts, Co-Chairs of the club’s Projects & Priorities Committee.
For our newer members, the P&P committee is where the Rotary rubber meets the road – where the Eddie Mulligan contributions from our members are deployed into the community to make a difference – with the committee making the hard choices of which of the many eligible petitioners are granted up to $5,000 in funding.
The Committee disbursed $28,000 to several deserving charities this year – many of whom provide literacy and nutritional assistance to some of the poorest communities in our city. If you know of a deserving 501(c)(3) organization that is doing good work for the less fortunate and could use Rotary’s help, you’ll find a P&P grant application on the website.
After Amelia Earhart (who looked a lot like Susan [I’m staying at the] Sheridan) stopped by the club to chat with Daisy Gatsby (who looked even more like Elfrena [I make Bruce drive the] Foord) about the upcoming Centennial Celebration (more about that in a minute), President Thom regained control of the meeting and introduced our Sponsor of the Day, Leesa Fons, who not only donated her $300 to fund our confab, but spent her 3 minutes advising how to save money under the new (Un)Affordable Care Act. If you’re in need of a health insurance expert, you’d do well to ring Leesa up.
After “The Fons”, we celebrated the addition of three new members to the club – Kathe Nathan (sponsored by Bob Daly and Jeannie Reaves), Clarence Lee (sponsored by Dave Stewart and Katrina Salazar), and Jerry Haley (sponsored by Dick Ryder and Brooks Erickson). Among this trio we have an army surgeon, a bicyclist who has ridden all over Europe and a 40-year Rotarian with 20 Paul Harris Fellows – introduce yourself to our newest members and find out which fact belongs to who.
On the announcement front, plan to attend dinner with the President of Rotary International (THE big Kahuna of Rotary), Ron Burton on March 30th (contact the Rotary office for tickets), and this Saturday, March 15th, 9 a.m. to noon, Diane Schachterle needs your help big time at Senior Gleaners. This is our quarterly “Rotarians at Work” event at Senior Gleaners, but we have a problem, as only two Rotarians have signed up to work! Help lower Diane’s blood pressure by contacting her and telling her you’ll be there on Saturday (the whole family is welcome!). Also make sure to get signed up for one of our Brown Bag meetings on March 24th. You can sign-up online or call the Rotary office to RSVP. For a list of locations, check the “Event” section on our website at rotarysacramento.com. Last, but not least "Yosemite" Jim Phillips has lined up our annual RCOS Snowshoe Walk on March 15th. You can RSVP online or to the Rotary office for this event. Saturday should be just beautiful in the high country.
Ok, gang, we’re in crunch time. The club’s May 17th Centennial Celebration is fast approaching, and we need all hands on deck to make this an event befitting our accomplishment of 100 years of service to Sacramento and the world (if you want some perspective on this, consider that, at 100, we’re only 9 years younger than all of Rotary itself).
So how can you help the club and make this a win-win for your business or organization? Easy – become a Gala Table Sponsor for $1,500, which buys you 10 tickets to the event and a table reserved in your name. Then, tell your best clients (or donors) that you’re having a client appreciation night on May 17th, and you’d like to treat them to a once-in-a-century party involving dinner, dancing (to the nationally known Dick Bright Orchestra), a 1920’s-era “speak easy” bar (complete with flappers and bartenders in costume), an interactive 100-year “history walk” that captures memorable events of the past century (featuring some “big toys”, like autos from every era, war tanks and planes, and a flying car), and a chance to put on the fine jewelry and get all gussied up.
You buy the table and invite the guests, Dave Cohen and his gang of Centennial party planners will provide the experience (where else can you have a client appreciation event like this for $1,500 and not have to do any work?). Your clients will be impressed with the company you keep, and the club will be the better for it. To become a Gala Table Sponsor, contact that human dynamo, Oleta Lambert, for details (find her, before she finds you).
Now back to our speaker, Mark Sogge, who was introduced by that quintessential gentleman – and the dean of water law, in his working days – George (watch me play piano like Count) Basye. Mark’s talk was interesting, if not more than a little alarming, with slides showing 200 year (Mega) droughts in California’s history, the drastic decline in the Sierra snow pack, and the appreciable depletion of the underground aquifer. Forget Spahn and Sain, just pray for rain.
Next week’s meeting will feature special Centennial Series Speaker, Kim Lorenz, so be sure to RSVP to the office if you’re bringing a guest. JBW