Meeting Recap for Sept. 16, 2013

A Special Announcement was made by President Thom regarding the successor to our Executive Director, Hal Shipley. Katrina Salazar was introduced by member Julie Adams, CEO of Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, where Katrina is the CFO. Katrina will be changing her classification to ASSOCIATIONS – Rotary Club of Sacramento - Executive Director.

Julie contributed $200 to her next Eddie Mulligan to Roast Pres. Thom for stealing her CFO. Pres. Thom as restitution, pledged $200 towards his next Eddie Mulligan. A fine day for our EM Fund all around!

Who says “you can’t go home again”? Former member of our club, David Hosley - our keynote speaker for September 16th – proves you can do it, and do it in style. Hosley seems to have lived several lives. David has worked as a broadcaster, a think tank CEO, and a top university administrator. Before moving to Sacramento in 1998, Hosley worked for several decades in broadcasting at KCBS, KPIX, KGO and KQED in San Francisco, and WCBS in New York. Hosley moved to Sacramento in 1998 to take charge at KVIE Public Television and from 1998 to 2008, was a member of the Rotary Club of Sacramento. In 2008, Hosley took the helm of the Great Valley Center in Modesto, and later served as the Interim Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Executive Director of the Sierra Nevada Research Institute at UC Merced.

But wait…he’s back. David and his wife Gayle are returning to Davis, where they are partners in a senior community that is the first certified “platinum” Sustainable Green Energy building in Davis. Hosley was the Meeting Speaker for the August 16th meeting last Monday, drawing on his experience at UC Merced to share some good news about the Central Valley. Hosley argued that the Central Valley has numerous challenges including significant poverty, rapid expansion of farmland especially on the Westside of the Valley, and tremendous demands on key infrastructure items such as water. In fact, Hosley argues, 20 percent of all energy in the Valley is spent simply moving water around within the Valley. Hosley also argued that the Bullet Train is not likely to be a “magic bullet” for the Valley since he estimates that at best the Bullet Train when built will account for less than one percent of all vehicle miles travelled in the Valley.

Now for the good news. Hosley argued that the Central Valley has four strong strategic assets: First, if properly managed, the Valley has more than enough water to meet its needs. Second, population growth in the Valley is very strong, in fact, three times faster than the rest of the state. Third, there is plenty of available land for cities and businesses to expand. Fourth, the Valley has strong higher ed partners in our Community Colleges, UC (Davis &Merced) and CSU (Sacramento, Fresno and Bakersfield). Hosley argued that these four strategic assets will insure that the Central Valley will emerge as an even stronger political and economic force in California in the years ahead.
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President Thom Gilbert introduced Chair of the Day Kevin Smith-Fagan who introduced Hosley. During the Roast, Boast and Toast session, Wes Yee Boasted about his election to the Merchant’s National Bank Board and his career best round of 70 at the Olympic Club with a $150 contribution to the Eddie Mulligan fund. Steve Meyers of Merchant’s National Bank rang the bell to Toast  Yee’s election to the Board. Walter Dahl and Jim Leet each made $200 contributions ($100 to Rotary International Foundation, and $100 to Rotary Sacramento Foundation) to Boast about their selection as Best of the Bar. Judy Payne contributed $200 (Paul Harris) to Toast Walter Dahl’s Best of Bar, and $100 (Eddie Mulligan) to Boast about the graduation of her daughter from the Public Policy School at UC Berkeley. Bob Rosenberg contributed $529 to complete his 3rd Eddie Mulligan and his 2nd Paul Harris, to Boast the 30th Anniversary of he and his wife Shirley. Allison Otto Boasted about her photo and feature story in Comstock’s Magazine with a $100 contribution (Eddie Mulligan).
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Becki Roberts introduced Rotary Youth Exchange students Laura from Spain, and Milton from France. Ron Crane & John Wood were the meeting sponsors, giving their 3 minutes over to Bill Coibion from Shoulder to Shoulder, a non-profit that prepares urban fatherless young men from (Grant High School in Del Paso Heights), for life.
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Committee announcements included:
President Thom announced the Yosemite Hike (9/28), the Brown Bag (9/30), and the centennial Dinner (5/17).
Steve Huffman donned a bicycle helmet to update the Club on the Bike Ride (10/5).
Tom Chase announced Theater Night (10/5) plans
Lorcan Barnes gave a testomony on BloodSource and Blood Drive efforts.
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Tom Engel sponsored the pre-meeting wine reception, during which Randy Friedman provided piano music. Dick Osen led the club in singing “God Bless America” to help open the meeting and PP Rob Scherer provided the final thought.