Rotary Meeting: October 12, 2021
WELCOME/GAVEL IN
PRESIDENT BOB MILLER (First US Community Credit Union) used microphone feedback and the power of Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” to draw Rotarians away from the wine bar and into the meeting at 12:11pm. He reminded all that the Vitalant bus was out front, ready to extract life-saving blood donations from willing Rotarians throughout the meeting.
THANK YOUS
PRESIDENT BOB thanked this meeting’s lone greeter PAST PRESIDENT JOHN LEMMON (Knox, Lemmon & Anapolsky, LLP), Pulse Reporter JOHN MCINTYRE (Mercy Foundation), Wine Receptionist DENNIS COOK (Cook Brown, LLP), and JOHN SWENTOWSKY (Swentowsky Photography) for capturing images of today’s meeting.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
ELFRENA FOORD (Foord, Van Bruggen & Pajak) focused her thought for the day on gratitude, as today’s meeting is focused on being grateful to those who led the success of this year’s Sac Century event, and particularly its guiding light since the inception of the annual event, PAST PRESIDENT SUSAN SHERIDAN. Among several trenchant quotes by luminaries was an anonymous one that struck the recorder: “If your only prayer is ‘Thank you,’ it would be enough.”
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRESIDENT BOB led the club in saluting the flag and our country.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
PRESIDENT BOB called on Sergeant-at-Arm GIULIANO KORNBERG (Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera) to introduce guests, visiting Rotarians, and prospective Rotarians, including:
- Will Carlton of Mt. St. Joseph Wine, (whose wine was poured at today’s reception), guest of DENNIS COOK.
- Susan Lamb Cook, co-wine-pourer and spouse of DENNIS COOK.
HEAD TABLE
PRESIDENT BOB announced those who graced the dais today, in celebration of the success of this year’s Sac Century:
- PAST PRESIDENT SUSAN SHERIDAN (Retired - Sheridan Law Corporation)
- BOB MILLER (First US Community Credit Union)
- PRESIDENT ELECT, LINDA GEERY (Gilbert CPAs)
- TOM BACON (Guitar wizard and BCRE-Bacon Commercial Real Estate)
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
- BOBBY REED (Capitol Tech Solutions) reminded all of the American River Parkway Cleanup in Discovery Park on October 16, from 9-11am. Come join the fun!
- KATHY HERRFELDT (Home Care Assistance Sacramento) encouraged members to consider nominating another member for the Jean Runyon Award to recognize their trailblazing leadership. Nominations due December 3rd.
- JOHN SWENTOWSKY thanked those who participated in serving at Loaves and Fishes at the end of September and reminded that we’ll again be serving on December 30th and will again need volunteers for morning and midday shifts.
- SARAH HODGE (NeighborWorks) – made everyone aware that our club meeting on 10/26 will be a ‘Brown Bag’ event – members can choose from any of four locations and an email will be forthcoming with details.
LET’S GO FOR A RUN
BOBBY REED– saluted his kids for their energetic efforts at this past weekend’s “Dirty Kids Obstacle Race,” again put on by Fairy Tale Town – he contributed $100 in their honor.
PAST PRESIDENT KEVIN SMITH-FAGAN (Fairy Tale Town) saluted two fellow Rotarians who played key roles in the Dirty Kids Obstacle Run -- Jamie Furlong and Kevin Williams – and he contributed $50 for each of their respective Eddie Mulligans.
SAC CENTURY REVIEW
- PRESIDENT BOB called TODD KOOLAKIAN (Sacramento Children’s Home) forward to begin the review of this year’s Sac Century and TODD shared several key facts – including the gross fundraising figure of $176,000 – with the entire net result to go to the benefit of the Sacramento Children’s Home Crisis Nursery.
- We achieved that figure with the following major components:
- Challenge Champions -- $47,000
- Club member gifts -- $21,750
- Corporate sponsors -- $30,000
- Registration -- $76,100
- TODD also saluted individual members who raised funds, led by TOM BACON’s $15,273! Also among the members who made major contributions LINDA GEERY of Gilbert CPAs ($3,600), JOHN GORALKA of Goralka Law Firm ($3,500), DAVID BRANDENBURGER of Newmark ($2,450), happily retired KATHE NATHAN ($1,500) and RUTH TESAR of Northern California PET Imaging ($1,160).
- And while he still commanded the microphone, TODD also took the opportunity to again thank PAST PRESIDENT SUSAN SHERIDAN for her remarkable vision and leadership of the Sac Century, which has become a major event in our region.
- Having been praised and saluted, PAST PRESIDENT SUSAN SHERIDAN could take no more and wrested the microphone from TODD, after which she thanked the club’s members for their participation in making this year’s success, showing a slideshow of proof that there was a lot of pitching in, as well as many indicators that the event was well-organized and well-loved by the participants.
- Some of the photos showed Rotarians at their best – PAUL KEEFER in an early morning act of enthusiasm, JAMIE FURLONG replacing rolls of TP (both urgent and important…), TIM MATTHEIS ensuring every detail of the setup was secured and approved, LARRY GILZEAN ensuring bikes would be safely corralled and cared for, and PAST PRESIDENT PETER DANNENFELSER inexplicably dancing with a ladder – heroes all! Additionally, PAST PRESIDENT SUSAN called out STEVE HEATH and DENNIS COOK in acknowledgment of their intrepidity in the face of last-minute hiccups, including a course change through West Sacramento and some food-station issues, both of which were resolved through Rotarian thought and action. She also recognized TODD KOOLAKIAN, who marshaled volunteer forces from the Sacramento Children’s Home.
- Finally, PAST PRESIDENT SUSAN noted that next year’s event begins today – urging us each to mark our calendars for October 1, 2022 and next year’s event. She also acknowledged that she’d be a “heat-seeking missile” in pursuit of those who can and should help in the planning and execution of next year’s event. It’s never too early to start – and you’ve been warned! [Editors comment: When Susan calls, just say yes; Susan’s going to win either way.]
If you’d like to see a recording recapping the Sac Century Challenge click HERE.
NEXT MEETING
After final thanks to PAST PRESIDENT SUSAN, PRESIDENT BOB called on Sergeant-at-arms GIULIANO KORNBERG, who shared that next week’s meeting will be at the same time and place, and will feature Dwight White, who will address Police Accountability.
Dwight White is an attorney who has a background as a lead homicide investigator. He investigated hundreds of cases as a former investigator for Chicago's Civilian Office of Police Accountability. He is Sacramento’s current Inspector General as of March of 2021. Working in the City's Office of Public Safety Accountability, White conducts independent investigations and makes recommendations for officer termination or discipline in cases where use-of-force results in death or serious injury, and in cases of sexual assault. Those recommendations are made public concurrently with the City Manager's decision on what action to take. Come hear him speak!
If you’re interested in seeing a recording of everything that transpired at Tuesday’s meeting, click HERE.
GAVEL OUT
President Bob concluded a busy meeting at 1:30pm.
Upcoming Rotary Meetings at a Glance!
- 10/19- The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 12:10-1:30 PM
Speaker: Dwight White - Police Brutality
- 10/26- Brown Bag Day!
- 11/2- The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 12:10-1:30 PM
Speaker: Amber Stott + Panel - Food Nonprofits
- 11/9- Dark
- 11/16- The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 12:10-1:30 PM
Speaker: Cassandra Jennings