Rotary Continues Fighting Against Polio!

Posted by Rick Davis, Photos By: John Swentowsky on Feb 10, 2017
 
If you were not present today, you missed a real Rotary meeting. We captured during our hour-plus together a little of what we as an organization do and the tangible, unquestionably positive effects of our efforts.
 
President Dan started us out with his familiar warmth and gentle humor, then introduced Luann Richardson (Re/Max Gold) as Invocator. She spoke of heroes and the quiet, confident certainty of doing the right thing, especially in the face of adversity.
 
And, speaking of heroism, nothing can better capture its sense than what we heard from our guest speaker. Ably introduced by PP Judge Brian Van Camp (ADR Services, Inc.), Mr. Craig Needham (Kepner & Fish LLP) at once commemorated and celebrated the memory of his mother, Jane Boyle Needham. Mrs. Needham was stricken with polio at age 29 and spent the next 13 years of her life in an iron lung. An Iron Man athlete and no less a hero himself, Mr. Needham shared a powerful, moving message of her courage, commitment and purpose. Neither he nor his audience could escape the feelings evoked by the story. She remained first and foremost a mother, despite her disability. “No matter how tight the cocoon,” Jane Needham said, “There is always a butterfly.”  She died 2 October 1962, age 42.
 
 
 
The message, of course, reminded us of what Rotary has done—and still does—to conquer polio worldwide. After Mr. Needham spoke, President Dan felt moved to offer a renewed pledge to Polio Plus. A lot of our members stood in response to join him.  

 
 
Other very important features of the meeting:
 
  • As Meeting Sponsors, President Dan and Dennis Cook (Cook Brown, LLP) gave their time to Marsha Spell, Executive Director, Sacramento Family Promise. The top two priorities of the organization are to procure permanent housing and to develop self-sufficiency for homeless families. The need is real in our community and since 2005 Family Promise, located at Loaves & Fishes, has served 220 families and facilitated the success of at least 15 college graduates.
  • Jim Culleton (Strong & Associates) shared our progress distributing this year’s dictionaries to third graders—one of the most rewarding things we can do locally as Rotarians. This writer then read extracts of thank you letters from several students, who enjoyed learning of Rotary and who “really, really, really” liked the dictionaries we give them.
  • RCOS Foundation, President Jim Leet (Boutin Jones Inc.) presented multiple Paul Harris and Eddie Mulligan pins as a way to recognize several members for their continuing contributions to either the RI Foundation or our own Club foundation.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Sponsored by PP Diane Mizell and PP Susan Sheridan, we welcomed new member Leigh White, VP and General Manager at KTXL Fox 40. Welcome, Leigh!
 
  • Elfrena Foord (Foord, Van Bruggen, & Pajak) gave us a preview of our 24 March 2017 Evening Event, which will harken back to the more formal tones of our original Bids-for Kids fundraisers (although not a fundraiser itself). Time to dust off your dancing shoes (and maybe re-tailor your tux)!
  • And, last but not least, Becki Roberts (Central Valley Community Bank) extolled the virtues of wedded bliss and encouraged all to send wedding photos and to attend … (wait for it) …!
                                                                                                       
… Our Valentine’s Day meeting next week (14 February) at the Dante Club! Bring your spouse or sweetheart! Or both!
 
See you then.