How does Sacramento use AI to police bike lane violations? What are the restrictions on volunteering to drive a SAG? Which U.S. industries have the oldest workforces? And just how much will we all miss Barbara Clegg? Once again, Rotarians impressed with thoughtful answers, lively curiosity, and a genuine interest in the world around them.
Still enjoying his status as the "new guy," President Paul Keefer kept the July 28 meeting moving smoothly. PP Thom Gilbert shared the Thought for the Day, reflecting on what it means to be a lifelong learner. Thom highlighted five qualities that align with both lifelong learning and Rotary's Four-Way Test: Be Kind. Stay Positive. Keep Questioning. Believe in Yourself. Dream Big. He closed with a quote from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: “If tech makes lies cheap and plentiful, how hard will we have to work to seek the truth?”
Welcome to the Club, Laura!
The club welcomed new member Laura Cuthbert, sponsored by Kathy Herrfeldt and PP Walter Dahl. Laura's international upbringing and FBI career fueled a lifelong passion for travel, service, and cross-cultural connections. Recently retired from the FBI, Laura is now CEO of Monarca Investigation, providing private investigation and litigation support services.
Get to Know Your Network:What's Behind the Badge?
President Paul's new professional networking profile segment featured Jim Henderson introducing Josh Pelz of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Josh shared how Rotary's commitment to integrity mirrors his approach to helping clients build long-term financial security.
Meeting Sponsorship
Josh reminded members that meeting sponsorships are available for $350: a great opportunity to promote your business, nonprofit or young professional. As he noted, "Too many of us are too humble about the work we do.”
Cheers to Barbara!
The meeting included a tribute to retiring Staff Accountant Barbara Clegg, whose eight years of dedicated service have helped keep the club running smoothly. Kathy Herrfeldt, Nancy Smith-Fagan, and LaToya Wong thanked Barbara for her professionalism, friendship, and unwavering support, while many members honored her through gifts to her Eddie Mulligan and Paul Harris recognitions. The foundation and club boards also presented Barbara with a getaway to the Healdsburg Inn—and a celebratory bottle of bubbly—to thank her for everything she has done for our club over the years.
Club Announcements
. Wine Tasting social. PP Beverly Brautigam and PP Hal Bartholomew invite members to a wine tasting at their Christopher Cellars winery this Friday, July 31, in Elk Grove.
. Flag exchange – Sarah Hodge, Maggie Hopkins, and Megan Wygant recently returned from Greece, where they attended a meeting of the Rotary Club of Athens Armonia and presented them with a flag from our club. They presented President Paul with the Athens’ club's flag in exchange.
. Rotary After Dark - our August 18 meeting, rather than a luncheon, will be a postwork gathering at SacYard Community Tap House, 1725 33rd Street in Sacramento. Our own Rotary Roadies will be performing live during the evening.
. Wine Sponsor - Interested in serving as Wine Sponsor for a club meeting? Sign up using the link below.
Our speaker this week was Mary Kimball, CEO of the Center for Land-Based Learning (CLBL), a statewide nonprofit preparing the next generation of farmers, agricultural leaders, and natural resource stewards. She noted that California is the fifth-largest agricultural producer in the world and by far the nation's leading agricultural state, producing more than twice the output of the next-ranked state. Farming is one of the nation's fastest-aging professions, with the average farmer now 60 years old. Meantime, under 2 percent of Americans are farmers.
CLBL has spent nearly 40 years cultivating California's next generation of agricultural professionals. Today, they serve about 1,000 students annually across 20 counties through programs that include: California Farm Academy, which prepares aspiring farmers to launch agricultural businesses; a farm incubator program that provides beginning farmers with access to land, equipment, and capital; leadership training for Spanish-speaking frontline managers; and the nation's only registered apprenticeship program for farm managers.
CLBL participants help operate mobile farmers' markets and pop-up markets at low-income senior centers in Yolo and Sacramento counties, bringing fresh produce into urban food deserts. More than 67 percent of shoppers use EBT or CalFresh benefits.
As always, the club was grateful to members who staffed the meeting. Greeters were Ed Melia, Christine Nguyen, Mike Polis and Bill Proffit. Steve Shiflett was our meeting photographer. Bob Rosenberg sponsored the wine, and Megan Wygant served as Pulse reporter.
Kimball's presentation sparked thoughtful questions about food justice and partnership opportunities. The biggest laugh came at the very end, when Sergeant-at-Arms Maggie Hopkins introduced next week's speaker, MLB legend Dusty Baker. Kimball couldn't resist calling out, "You made me go before Dusty Baker?! Come on!"
The meeting included a tribute to retiring Staff Accountant Barbara Clegg, whose eight years of dedicated service have helped keep the club running smoothly. Kathy Herrfeldt, Nancy Smith-Fagan, and LaToya Wong thanked Barbara for her professionalism, friendship, and unwavering support, while many members honored her through gifts to her Eddie Mulligan and Paul Harris recognitions. The foundation and club boards also presented Barbara with a getaway to the Healdsburg Inn—and a celebratory bottle of bubbly—to thank her for everything she has done for our club over the years.
