2/24/2026 Rotary Lunch Meeting (Mar. 02, 2026)

February 24, 2026

Rotary Club of Arden Arcade

Lunch Meeting

President Matt Ross Presiding

President Matt Ross rang the bell and welcomed everyone to

the best damn Rotary club in all the world.

Pledge: Mike Grace

The President asked Mike Grace to lead the pledge to our flag, and he remembered how.

He then asked Al Cady to provide the thought of the day... which he did in true Al Cady fashion.

Thought: Al Cady

President Ross lead the recitation of the Four-Way test.

... and Guests!

Visiting Rotarian - Sue Hayes

Sue is a member of the Rotary Club of American River and is their Youth Chair and is an active participant in RYE. She was also last year's District 5180 Rookie of the Year.

Guest (sort of) - Paula James

Paula James is back, sometimes. Linda Bigler explained that Teichert Construction was not allowing her adequate lunchtime to allow her to attend the meetings, so she needed to cease being a member. Things have changed and now she is easing back into attending. This time she did not come alone. She brought with her the 2016 Speech Contest winner, Akilan Saami.

Guest of a Guest/Member? - Akilan Saami

Paula James was very excited to introduce the 2016 Speech Contest Winner, Akilan Saami. She and Akilan have stayed in touch over the 10 years since he won the speech contest. Paula thought it would be fun and fitting to have him attend this year's speech contest.

Guest - Michelle Pakula

Linda Bigler was pleased to once again introduce Michelle to the club. Michelle is over halfway through her Youth Exchange year and almost needs no introduction. Michelle is from Denmark.

Guest - Ellie Zanin

Linda Bigler was also very pleased to once again introduce Ellie to the club. Ellie, like Michelle, is also over halfway through her Youth Exchange year. She and Michelle are like salt and pepper, where you find one you find the other. Ellie is from Italy.

Guest - Natalie Diaz

Natalie is a Rotaract member of the Rotary Interact Club at the Aspire Alexander Twilight Secondary Academy Charter School in Sacramento. She is here to root on her fellow Rotaract members in today's speech contest.

Guest - Micah Shanklin

Micah is also a Rotaract member and is the treasurer for the Rotary Interact Club at the Aspire Alexander Twilight Secondary Academy Charter School in Sacramento. He is here to root on his fellow Rotaract members in today's speech contest.

Guest - Natalie Diaz

Natalie is also a Rotaract member and is here to participate in today's speech contest.

Guest - Alexa Solorio

Alexa is also a Rotaract member and is here to participate in today's speech contest.

Guest - Tasae Donald

Tasae is also a Rotaract member and is here to participate in today's speech contest.

Show Me the Money!

Bell Ringer X 2 - President, Matt Ross

Matt is ringing the bell to help correct a major oversight of his made during Charter Night last Friday. He accidently skipped Al Frumkin's name while going down the list of major doners. In an effort to rectify the error, he is bringing it to the club's attention and ringing the bell. Additionally, he is ringing the bell because it was such a good event with a great guest speaker.

Bell Ringer X 1 - PDG Steve Turner

Steve is ringing the bell because his little girl, Audrey, is turning 16 tomorrow. He said he would be a double bell ringer except that he will soon be paying car insurance for her, and he can't spare the bucks.

Bell Ringer - Bruce Stimson

Bruce was happy to ring the bell once in honor of the five Rotaract students from Aspire, three of which are speech contestants.

Bell Ringer - Debbie Hudson

Debbie is ringing the bell due to the fact that her taxes were done this last weekend, and she found out that she did very well... and can afford to ring the bell.

Al Frumkin - Happy & Sad Bucks

Al is happy to give Happy, and not so happy to give Sad, Bucks. His original reason for sad bucks has been muted somewhat as the Prez very graciously atoned for his oversight, eliminating him from the roles of being a 5 Diamond level Major Doner, by being a Bell Ringer. Al believes that Rotary was significantly changed when the RI Foundation was created with an initial donation of $23 from the RI President at that time, Arch Klump. Rotary changed from being International, with clubs all over the world, to being an international force for good by funding life changing projects throughout the world. Rotarians should support RI Foundation to the fullest extent possible. He was, however, very happy that he and his lovely bride have a hot date tonight with Elvis at the IMAX theater.

Bruce Stimson - Happy Bucks

Bruce is happy that both of the RYE students are here today. The Prez matched his donation.

Sue Hayes - Happy Bucks

Sue shared that this is her second year in Rotary, and she feels that this is her second home. The Prez offered to make it her first home but she declined. She thanked Bruce for helping her get through her first year with Youth Exchange. She thanked Linda and two students that came by to see her student, Benicia, off at her house. They walked all the way from Panda Express to being food to share, just as a way of saying goodbye. They also brought flags and signed them. It was very touching.

Paula James - Happy Bucks

Paula split her bucks in half. First she was appreciative for the winter Olympics, especially for the two USA Hocky teams. There were a couple of young men that were very gracious in their acceptance speeches, acknowledging their differences and that they could celebrate as athletes and not be political. She loved seeing this on the world stage. Secondly, she was very happy that Akilan was able to show up today for the speech contest.

Bill Hambrick - Happy Bucks

Bill noted that he spent the last two weeks glued to his TV, watching the Olympics. Italy did a great job and Ellie should be proud. The Dane's were skating like crazy. He thanked both RYE students for their country's participation in the games.

Lisa Asperger

Sneaker

Was the Secret Word...

Lisa has her pantry full

of beer and wine and

declined to take the prize.

15th Annual Poker Tournament

This is an all-hands-on-deck event for our annual Poker Tournament, March 21st. We need more sponsors and butts in the seats. We have never maxed out the players. We have sold more tickets than seats and even then, due to no-shows, we did not fill every seat. We have 78 spots sold with only 12 registered to play. The website is up and running so you can log in and register and see all the sponsors that we already have. Even if you have never played, you stand a good chance of winning as a first-time player won the tournament a few years back. It is a great time... you can even win prizes if you make it to the final table. We have Blackjack for those interested in playing for drink tickets. Blackjack is the secret word. The food is good, the players are great, and the cause is wonderful.

District Conference

This year's District conference is being held May 1 through May 3. Please plan on attending and mark your calendar. More information to follow.

15th Annual Poker Tournament

Fireside Chats

This year the Fireside Chats will be held in the month of April. Every member is require4d to attend at least one of the three meetings. These meetings help the incoming president to plan their year. More information to follow.

Aspire's Annual College Fair

Christine Jensen shared that Aspire will be holding their annual College Carrer Fair on April 24th. They are looking for individuals willing to share aspects of their profession with impressionable minds looking for future careers. For more information contact Marisol or Rachel.

Al Cady pins Chris Figueroa

Al announced that Chris isn't going to be at the meetings in March to back him up when he is not going to be here, so he is giving him a new Sergeant at Arms pin today.

The Annual Speech Contest

took the place of the Guest Speaker

Three students from Aspire Alexander Twilight Secondary Academy Charter School participated in this year's speech contest. The topic for their speech was "Unite for Good." Each student successfully completed their speech within then stated time period and were all congratulated for their participation. The results were as follows:

Tasae Donald

12th Grade

1st Place

$150

Natalie Diaz

11th Grade

2nd Place

$100

Alexa Solo

11th Grade

3rd Place

$50

Tasae will move on to the regional speech contest.

President Matt thanked everyone for coming and adjourned the meeting by ringing the bell and closing the meeting at 1:01 P.M.

Respectfully (more or less) submitted by,

Mike Grace

Reporter, Photographer and Editor

Hellen Weight

Ombudsman and Content Supervisor

DISCLAIMER - Some of the information provided in some of the articles and possibly included in some of the "quotes" from club members, may have been a fabrication of a demented mind. It is up to you to determine fact from fiction. Individuals objecting to all or any parts herein, are encouraged to go to Hellen Weight to lodge a formal complaint.