For those who thought sourdough was just for the pandemic, Rachel Dee Minyard set us straight in this week's Thought of the Day. Sharing how, much like the wise Cephalopod in the eponymous film “My Octopus Teacher”, we can learn a lot from something that is not human! Rachel learned that shortcuts don’t always save time and that spending time with intention and preparing well always gives better results, both in baking sourdough and in life. Before the meeting, members were greeted enthusiastically by Aaron Provencal, Joe Quilici, and John Phair.
New member Ken Barnes of the Greater Sacramento Urban League was inducted into the club. A Sacramento native, he was named interim CEO of that organization earlier this year and made permanent in April. Read more about Ken in The Observer.
Foundation Update Shirlee Tully shared an update on club members who have earned an Eddie Mulligan or Paul Harris this quarter. This included Joe Quilici with his first Eddie Mulligan. PP Todd Koolakian and Tom Bacon each earned a Paul Harris.
Tully also shared some tips philanthropists have for getting the most bang for your donated-buck—cash is not always king! IRA distributions and other avenues may provide more tax advantages. Please check with your financial advisor or attorney.
Club updates The club heard about Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening (RYLA) from this year's participant Johanna, daughter of club member Aaron Provencal. The camp offered hiking, kayaking, and other traditional summer activities, but also leadership development and team building. She said it was a life changing experience.
We also learned more about this year's Sac Century ride (October 3). Volunteer sign ups are happening now, so save the date!
Our Know your Rotarian Network presentation featured Aaron Provencal, owner of OsteoStrong Rancho Cordova, where he helps people build stronger bones, improve strength, and regain confidence without spending hours in a gym.
District Governor Dave Veden Our club was honored to hear from District Governor Dave Veden and the impact Rotary’s water projects make in the world. He highlighted the great work done in Honduras and recognized Clayton Lee for an invitation years ago which set him on this path. DG Veden shared the process villagers take to create a water supply, from using hand tools to scrape away the mountainside, and the physical labor of hauling the materials and supplies, and then the craftsmanship that it takes to build something by hand. Without running water, villagers have to carry water by hand. Two gallons of water is about 16 pounds and the villagers must collect and transport it manually.
One of the reasons Rotary is so involved in clean water (over 65% of projects are related to this topic) is to prevent polio, as it can be a waterborne illness. Without clean drinking water, disease runs rampant, people get sick and miss work and school. Rotary’s involvement lifts everyone in a mountainside village or wherever Rotary helps to dig a well.
DG Veden talked about the need for our “elevator pitch” but not about “what Rotary is” but “why”. Our discussion of Rotary should be about its impact in the world, like the water project and Polio Plus. It is not about the size of the organization or how much money we raise, but about the impact we make. In the history of Rotary only one district has had 100% participation in a district project and that was ours. The hope is we will gain that distinction again this year.
Next week (August 18) there will be no lunch meeting, but Rotary After Dark will be at the SacYard Community Tap House starting at 5:30pm. Come enjoy the company of fellow Rotarians and some jamming tunes by our Rotary Roadies!
