Meeting Recap from June 23, 2015

Posted by Kevin Smith-Fagan 
on Jun 25, 2015
 
President Susan Sheridan called the meeting to order and promptly thanked Forrest Junod for sponsoring the wine reception, and Randy Friedman for the reception’s dulcet piano accompaniment; she also saluted greeters Linda Geery and Robyn DeLong.
 
Sikh clergyman Gurdip Rehal offered invocation comments, and Dick Osen led the group in singing America the Beautiful.
 
In her final meeting as president, President Susan offered a report on club accomplishments during her impressive term. Among the club’s accomplishments:
 
  • In World Community Service, over $40,000 contributed to international works;
  • In Rotary Youth Exchange, club support over $6,000 for RYE students from Argentina and Japan;
  • In Projects and Priorities, over $30,000 in grants made to local organizations serving those in need in various ways;
  • In dictionary distribution, over $8,000 in dictionaries given to third-grade students in a dozen area schools serving at-risk families;
  • Sponsoring club for out-going Rotary scholar Jessica Salomon to study at Cambridge on District 5180 grant of $30,000;
  • Sponsoring club for in-coming Rotary scholar Abreham Seyoum  from Ethiopia to study at Sacramento State on District 5180 grant of $50,000 for two years;
  • A new Rotaract club  at McGeorge School of Law;
  • Seven scholarships to graduating high schoolers exceeding $16,000;
  • $14,000 for shelter boxes funded for people in need in Nepal;
  • The engagement of a social media consultant to advance the club’s capacity in that key area;
  • The relocation of the club office to a space, saving the club $1,500 monthly;
  • The launch of the Sacramento Century bike ride fundraiser, with almost 400 riders already registered for the second ride on October 10;
  • The ceremonial opening of the club’s Habitat for Humanity home on August 18;
  • A Golf for Kids event which raised $32,000;
  • Eddie Mulligan donations exceeding $40,000;
  • Paul Harris donations exceeding $25,000;
  • Meeting sponsor revenue over $6,000;
  • Rotary Rooters revenue of $3,500;
  • A club holiday toy drive which exceeded $1,000 in support;
  • Three high school students benefitting from club investment in RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards);
  • $15,000 in YIP funding for five area college students…..
  • And after all that generosity, under President Susan’s leadership the club will finish her term $13,000 in the black!
The club saluted President Susan with a standing ovation.
 
Meeting sponsor Chuck Brasfeild of the regional Boy Scouts organization talked about the community impact of his organization.
 
Eduardo Rodriguez, an RYE student from Argentina, thanked the club for making possible his experience.
 
In club announcements, Ken Cross provided an update on the Habitat for Humanity build and encouraged club members to come work on the house on Friday July 3, Saturday July 11 and Friday July 17. Elfrena Foord invited club members to join the fun of the Kick Out (demotion) Party to close out President Susan’s term, a $45 dinner on June 30 at Plates Café ($24 to club members). John Swentowsky called upon club members to serve the needy at Loaves & Fishes on Tuesday, June 30 – either on the morning shift or the midday shift. (John also acknowledged, painfully, that our vaunted softball team did not win its most recent game.) Past Presidents Hal Bartholomew and Beverly Brautigam invited the club to their annual swim party on Saturday, July 25 at 3pm. Bob Miller appealed to the club for support of the Golf for Kids event slated for August 10 at North Ridge Country Club, in particular with raffle prizes and sponsorships; president-elect Dave Cohen and past president Rob Scherer both stepped up on the spot with $500 commitments. John Lemmon announced that president-elect Dave Cohen’s installation will be July 7 and the meeting will be held at Sacramento State.
 
The last “Levels of Risk” were made to finish off President Susan’s year by Jim Phillips, PP Peter Dannenfelser II, Don Turner, Chris Ann Bachtel, Judy Payne, Jim Craig, Mike Bullington, Dick Ryder & Dan Guth.  Jeff Stone made another contribution from the Rotary Rooters & Tom Bacon contributed to Golf 4 Kids.
 
Past president John Frisch introduced guest speaker Michael Shanahan of the Wells Fargo Museum. Michael entertained the crowd with fascinating tidbits about the bank’s long history in the region. 
 
President Susan closed the meeting by saluting John Lemmon for his exemplary service as Sergeant-at-Arms during her term. And with that, she closed the book on her outstanding year!