To be a great leader, speaker Andy McKay stressed, first “you need to understand who you are.”

One fine example of leadership, club president Kerry Wood, presided over a colorful, generous and service-filled meeting of the Rotary Club of Sacramento

Seizing on the speaker’s baseball theme, Bryan Murray’s Thought for the Day recounted plate umpires’ trust in the judgment of legendary hitter Ted Williams, because he had earned their respect over the years. Bryan made the connection that we Rotary volunteers are at our best when we focus on the results and on those served, versus listening to external judgments from naysayers (like griping pitchers).

International Service Committee member Clayton Lee reported on the committee’s progress. In the last three years alone, we participated and/or helped sponsor projects valued at almost $6 million to help bring clean water to 78,000 people in needy communities. We will join other Rotarians to support three clean water projects in Zimbabwe, Honduras, and Uganda, at a total of $11 million to serve almost 200,000 people.

Elfrena Foord announced a Service Above Self Hero Award to Kiefie Breuer, in honor of her 32-year Rotary service record as a general volunteer and then club member volunteer. Elfrena shared that Kiefie and her late husband Art were the first to arrive and the last to leave club meetings for many years, working tirelessly on meeting setup and takedown. A group of 10+ past presidents who benefited from Kiefie’s support stood by her for the honorary presentation.

Several club members gave upcoming announcements:

• Youth speech contest – club chair Sharna Braucks is seeking two judges for the youth speech contest, in partnership with Rotary District 5180.

• Community Grants program – organizer Jackie Kirkwood announced the grants application process is closing soon, with grants in the $2k to $5k range.

• Speaker next week – Tim Comstock encouraged us not to miss Adan Romo’s presentation next week. An artist, Adan is creator of the outdoor Johnny Cash Trail near Folsom, was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, and will share with us how design and purpose-driven work elevate communities.

• Rotary After Dark – nightlife maven Megan Laurie encouraged us to save the date for the upcoming Rotary After Dark gathering at Bike Dog on February 24.

• Loaves & Fishes volunteer opportunity is this Thursday, January 29. We can sign up for one of two shifts on the club website, said coordinator John Swentowsky.

• Jean Runyon Award nominations are open, announced chair Maggie Hopkins. The annual award honors a member who demonstrates outstanding community service, leadership, and a commitment to mentoring, particularly empowering women in business.

President Kerry opened the floor for Levels of Giving and got an overwhelming response, with more than 15 club members honoring Kiefie Breuer with $100 donations toward her Eddie Mulligan. PP Dan McVeigh gave two gifts of $200 each in recognition of our club’s water project efforts. PP Kevin Smith-Fagan gave $150 toward his Eddie Mulligan in recognition of his late grandfather and memories of sharing Cleveland baseball together.

Chair of the Day PP Kevin introduced speaker Andy McKay, Major League Field Coordinator of the Cleveland Guardians. A local product, Andy graduated from Sacramento State and coached 20 seasons at Sacramento City College before jumping into major league roles with the Rockies, Mariners, and now Guardians. Andy called out Sacramento’s great heritage for producing baseball talent and leaders that go on to the national stage. 

Andy eloquently tackled the broad topic of great leadership and began by saying that many folks have great ideas. Leaders bring those ideas to reality by engaging several key strategies, the first being one’s dedication of time to defining who they are as a leader and not trying to mold to another’s style. Once they define who they are, consistency in their approach is key to building trust. He wrapped up by saying a number one determinant of the best leaders is learning how to handle the hard conversations, which connects back to consistency in approach and building trust. 

President Kerry Wood thanked wine reception sponsor Megan Wygant and the full slate of meeting volunteers. These included greeters Rick Davis, Craig Alpha and Steve Brandenburger; photographer John Swentowsky; and Pulse reporter Rhonda Poppen.

Adan Romo, an artist and founder of Romo Art Studios, will be our lunch speaker next week, announced Sergeant-at-Arms Sarah Hodge. NOTE the revised time for the February 3 meeting: we will start at 12pm and conclude at 1pm!