Meeting Recap for May 2, 2011
Invocation
Susan Sheridan offered thoughts on our many blessings and our privilege and responsibility as Rotarians to make the world a better place.
Recognition
President Scot announced with great regret that member Amy Dean is gravely ill and that she would benefit from kind thoughts and prayers. She’s not currently able to accept visitors. President Scot also introduced and welcomed new member Jason Koenders.
Tim Pinkney was recognized by District Governor Jo Ann Lemmon for his making a bequest to the Rotary Foundation. Tim and Leesa Fons are the first two members to take this easy but meaningful step!
Norm Marshall offered $100 in honor of the US Seals, which yesterday took down the FBI’s ‘public enemy #1’, Osama bin Laden.
Susan Sheridan made two investments – first honoring her daughter who just graduated from Seattle Pacific U. and is now headed off to serve in the Peace Corps, and also to honor Elfrena Foord who agreed to chair the Girl Scouts Campaign.
Amin Elmallah honored his son Sharif, who was accepted into six prestigious universities (and must now decide between them).
Ed Grebitus expressed his delight that the Kings are staying in Sacramento for (at least) one more season and further at his having successfully reached 85 years of age!
Lev Kaganovich honored members of his family – and those of every family – who were senselessly taken during the Holocaust.
Sponsor of the Day
Steve Johansen used his sponsor time to speak about the “5-Star Restaurant” event that is produced by 4th grade entrepreneurs at Oak Ridge Elementary, which teaches the kids about every aspect of running a business, including how to apply themselves. While the event occurred last month, the group could still use charitable support – and there’s always next year!
Announcements and Events
- President’s Breakfast on May 11th.
- Bids for Kids on May 14th – seats still need filling and auction items are now up online!
- Yosemite trip with Jim Phillips on May 20th.
- Wine Dinner at Matteo’s on June 5th.
Introduction of Speaker(s)
Leslie Botos shared her enthusiasm for today’s speakers, as well as subtly betraying her personal drive to ensure that our club brings in more pints of blood than another local club, which she chose not to name in a moment of unanticipated discretion…
Speakers Mike Fuller, CEO, and Dr. Chris Gresens of Blood Source
Mike Fuller started with history and thanks. He noted that Blood Source was stated in 1948, at which time polio was still a huge threat. He mentioned that his wife’s best friend contracted polio in Panama and still suffers from its effects and he thanked Rotary for nearly eradicating polio from the face of the planet. Fuller then made the presentation even more personal by sharing that he’d taken his granddaughter to Disneyland during the Christmas holidays and reveled in the moment, noting that it almost didn’t happen. His granddaughter was born with a heart defect that easily could have taken her life, yet great care and donated blood helped save her so he could perform his grandfatherly duties. He concluded his portion by quoting Walt Disney, “If you can dream it, you can do it!”
Dr. Chris Gresens shared that Blood Source has been active in 14 countries, including several in Africa. Their current initiative, Safe Blood Africa, will focus for the next few years in one region of Nigeria. He gave some stats on Nigeria – 149 million people, 2.6 million living with AIDS, and a childhood mortality rate of nearly one in ten. He compared and contrasted the facilities we take for granted here and the creative-yet-wretched circumstances that exist for blood care and medical treatment in Nigeria. He noted that the people working there are industrious and committed, but that they simply don’t have the facilities and working equipment to win their current uphill battle – yet Rotary and Safe Blood Africa are helping to make a dent.
Conclusion
President Scot ended the meeting at 1:30pm with encouragement to each of us to be good Rotarians.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting is on Monday, May 9th and will feature Bill Tobin from Shelter Box USA.