With Hardesty absent, Paul Cunha, made an attempt at the introduction of our president Desirée Wilson. Even Desirée opened the meeting with comment on "the rousing introduction." He had three obstacles to overcome: 1) The PA sound was miserable. How can it work one week and sound so bad the next? 2) Obtaining the attention of the membership. I guess we are accustomed to Gary's "knock us back" volume we didn't notice Paul was speaking? 3) Paul is no match for the new and improved Hardesty. It took some banging on glasses to quiet the rowdy bunch of us to hear Paul reminding us it is Cinco de Mayo and the introduction.

 

There was a change up in the breakfast: The eggs had spices added to them, reminiscent of Mexico; there was the usual bacon and sausage. It was the re-fried beans, and other "taco" making condiments that made for a nice change and helped us celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Bob Tilly was outed by Beth Schatz for eating Guacamole on his Oatmeal. 

 

Tom Slagle led the Pledge of Allegiance. Lee Holmes (I) gave my best impersonation of Elvis with a group pleasing "All Shook Up." It was noted to me by a few I had better moves than Elvis. I'm worried about them and I'll keep my day job, thank you. Tim Davidson stood at the podium for the Invocation. "It's been said that if you want to know a man's priorities in life, just look at his calendar and his check book. Because that's where he spends his time and his money." A prayer reminding us of the good work we do and to inspire and guide us to continue doing these good works.

 

Just DeWana, selected to read the Four Way Test, pleaded with the members to do it with her. I think she would have been better off on her own.

 

At the head table are the speaker of day Faith Galati from Breakthrough Sacramento, Speaker Chair Mark Albrecht, first female club member Carol Van Bruggen and first female club President Sandy Thompson. Carol and Sandy received the Point Rotary Rock Star award from Desirée.

 

Tom Knox announced that Drew Houghton had hip replacement surgery. The brain transplant failed again, so the same old Drew will be returning. A Get Well card was passed around for member signatures.

 

Desirée read a letter from Judee Daniels acknowledging and thanking the membership for the support and reaching out to them during their dealing with the loss of George's mother.

 

Desirée acknowledged the great turnout (35 people) for the Rotary At Work day. Next week Carl Naake will present  a re-cap with photos.

 

Dan Hall announced American River Parkway clean up is Saturday, May 6 BUT the Point West Rotary cleanup day has not been scheduled. An email from Dan with information is forthcoming.

 

Craig Evans, the softball coach, who needs no frick'n microphone, announced the opening day, Monday, June 5 for this year's softball games. Craig needs more sign-ups, otherwise he may need to find a few "ringers". Members were encouraged to attend the games as spectators if they aren't prepared to play. Pizza and beer after the game makes for a complete evening of softball and friendship. Craig will advise dates and time of games as they are scheduled.

 

Chair Maria O'Neil and co-chair Janet Meredith are looking for committee participation and volunteers. There will be a committee meeting Wednesday, 7:00 A.M. at Capital Public Radio.

 

Desirée presented a slide show of "Women in Rotary" history. It was a struggle with many failed attempts to allow female membership. The first was in 1950. An enactment proposal at the Rotary International convention by an India club to delete the word Male from the Rotary constitution was dismiss. Additional failed attempts to re-write the constitution to allow women membership occurred in: 1964, 1977, and 1980. 1978, Rotary club of Duarte, California loses their charter by allowing women membership. 1983 Duarte sues in California and lost. 1986 the California State Court of Appeals reverses the lower court decision. State of California Supreme Court refuses to hear the case. It was appealed to the United States Supreme Court. On May 4, 1987 the United States Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to exclude "Qualified" women on the basis of their gender. Upon this ruling Rotary International said any club in the U.S. can admit any "Qualified" women in to the club. On May 5, 1987, Rotary Club Marin Sunrise, Calif., was the first club chartered after the Supreme Court ruling.  And Sylvia Whitlock of the Rotary Club of Duarte becomes the first President of a Rotary Club. Two years later the Counsel of Legislation voted to eliminate the requirement of membership be limited only to men. On June 1, 1989 Carol Van Bruggen became the first female member of Rotary Club of Point West - Sacramento. On July 1, 2002 Sandy Thompson became the first female President of Rotary Club of Point West - Sacramento, “The Best Damn Rotary Club on the Planet.” Today 23% of our club (33) are women. We celebrate 30 years of women being members of Rotary!

 

Foundation President Kathy Copeland kicked off Point West Rotary Club Foundation Month of May. Not feeling well, she had sequestered herself so as not to spread her germs. She spoke about the purpose of the Foundation and how leaving a legacy is easy, meaningful, and the right thing to do. To start the giving, she presented two checks for the Foundation, for herself and her husband Mark. She then spoke about the Board of Trustees and the process by which they are selected.

 

Kathy introduced Tom Harvey, Foundation Liaison to the Grant Review Committee, who introduced Russ Fujii, Chairman of the Grant Review Committee. Tom acknowledged Russ's leadership of the Grant Review Committee for three years. Over $200,000 has been awarded to worthy causes during his time as Chairman. Russ review the position of the Grant Review Committee and the effort by the committee members: Jerry Avila, Lori Curry, Chris Taylor, Jim Hare, Mark Woollgar, Rich Graber, Dean Wilkie, Jerry Reguera, Walter Helm, Dorthe Wright. Acknowledgment for their efforts: Kathleen Wheeler and Sandy Thompson - both have served as the Committee Secretary. According to Russ, "Both have done a fantastic job." He also gave special thanks to Buzz Wiesenfeld, and Lou Fifer as liaisons to Encina and Thomas Edison for the Committee.

 

Gary Pevey spoke of Legacy Giving to the Foundation, the potential effect it has in the future for those in need and the growth strategy to make a difference after you leave. When you are gone, that little extra you leave for the foundation is your legacy.

 

Dave Christenson had good news and bad news. The Good News: "This is going to be short." The Better News is that what he is going to talk about does not require us to die. The Bad News is when a loved one or friend passes. When it is stated in an obituary to make your contributions to the charity of your choice, it is easy. Visit the Foundation website, or fill out the form and present it to a Foundation Board member and make a donation in the name of your friend or loved one that has passed. Dave rang the bell making a contribution to the Foundation for his fifth grandchild, a girl Georgia May. Rich Fathy had to leave early so Dave acknowledged his contribution to the Foundation.

 

Elections will be held at the June 2nd club meeting. Trustee candidates: Tom Harvey, Paul Adams, Glen Cheron, Lori Curry, Roger Gilleland, John Meissner, Jack Kasper, Cy Rickards, and Doug Yoakam.

 

Breakthrough Sacramento is a six-year-long, college-preparatory program that uses the power of education to radically change the lives of Sacramento’s youth in under-resourced schools, and inspire students who desire to become teachers. All Breakthrough Sacramento students come from public middle schools and high schools in Sacramento County. Breakthrough Sacramento has served Sacramento since 1994, is a nonprofit program fiscally sponsored by the Foundation of California Community Colleges, and is funded by tax-exempt donations. 

 

$10.00 - Rob Sowell

$10.00 and a chance at the Jackpot - Paul Snyder - No Joker