“Be a person of action, and spread the magic of Rotary.”
With that quote, newly seated President Bobby Reed encapsulated his plans for the club year. Building on the Rotary International 2024-25 theme “The Magic of Rotary,” Bobby outlined the priorities for his term:
- increasing service opportunities
- adding 35 new members
- fostering professional relationships, and
- maximizing our community impact.
Bobby had to pry the gavel from PP Todd Koolakian, who presumably from habit opened the meeting and proceeded to introduce the 2024-25 club foundation trustees, club board and officers – then presented his successor with a ceremonial president’s pin.
Setting a dignified tone for the meeting which didn’t last (the dignity, not the meeting), Emily Carper’s excellent Thought for the Day quoted Rotary founder Paul Harris: “The world needs more kindness, compassion and understanding.”
Sports-loving President Bobby announced his giving levels for the term – I Love This Game ($1,000), New Personal Record ($500), Become a Starter ($250), Scorer ($100), and Make the Team ($25-50).
Club announcements:
- “Jersey Boys” is the show for our upcoming Theater Night on August 22, announced PP Todd
- the next Fireside gathering, at the home of PP John Frisch, is maxed out, reported Mik Miklaus, so move fast when registration opens for the next five Firesides this club year
- recruiting Sac Century riders is a big priority right now, and Ruth Tesar appealed for volunteers to spread the word by passing out postcards at biking hotspots on weekends
- our beloved Kiefie Breuer took a spill and is rehabbing right now, so club compassion chair Steve Huffman encouraged club members to send along thoughts of encouragement.
- update on Kiefie Breuer since the July 16th club meeting. Kiefie is recovering at the Roseville Care Center, where she will get treatment for a few weeks. You may text her. Please do not phone her. She would welcome visitors, but please first contact her daughter, Mary Boies. Contact the Rotary office for Mary's phone number. She got CareGrams from our July 16 meeting, delivered by Past President Diane Woodruff. They were a big hit!
- DisneyLand is hosting our district conference next April 10-12 or thereabouts, announced President Bobby, so get your FastPass strategy figured out.
ISC (International Service Committee) chair Clayton Lee announced that our club’s work bringing clean water and sanitation to distressed communities around the world had surpassed more than 500,000 people served. An inspired PP Jon Snyder issued a challenge to the room which resulted in $22,000 donated on the spot.
UFOs? Aliens? Lunch speaker Dr. W.E. Chatog laid out the case for extraterrestrial encounters throughout American history. Her presentation, which strained credulity from the outset, grew increasingly outlandish until, in spasms of demonic possession, she confessed to be inhabited by aliens – as the bemused club grasped this address was fabulous fabulism. Alas, the speaker was an actress, and W.E. Chatog is an anagram for We Gotcha.
Wine reception co-hosts David and Stephen Brandenburger got kudos from President Bobby, as did greeters Rachel Minyard, Rio Ray and Rhonda Poppen. The Pulse reporter was PP Kevin Smith-Fagan, and the meeting photographer was PP Diane Woodruff.
Chip Maxson, general manager of the Sacramento Rivercats, will be our guest speaker next week, and we anticipate an update on plans for the Oakland Athletics to spend the next few seasons playing in Sacramento.
Photos Courtesy of PP Diane Woodruff
