Dec 12, 2017-Rotary Forum

Pres. Jeff King opened the meeting at 12:36 PM and after the usual guest introductions, he had Paul Holden come forward to discuss the number of ways we can contribute to the RI Foundation. One of them is to sign your name to the raffle list that he circulated, which will add a $50 donation on your monthly invoice.  And if your name is drawn from the hat, you will receive a $1000 Paul Harris Fellow.

Linda Osty gave a recap on last Saturday’s “White Christmas” movie, which was attended by 240 people. The donated food was distributed to St. Pat’s outreach and the gifts were distributed to Boys & Girls Club of South San Luis Obispo County. Pres. Jeff thanked those who worked the Saturday before last on the foster care mobile homes at Tar Springs Ranch. They're still looking for volunteers for next Saturday, although the specific work has yet to be determined. He also thanked Deenie Dotson for the wonderful holiday party at her house last week. He asked for a show of hands from those planning to attend this week’s board meeting at the Arroyo Grande Hospital board room at 6 PM. Finally he had Jim Lewis stand for being honored by receiving the National Eagle Scout Association's Outstanding Eagle Scout Award last week. Anya Stanley’s daughter gave birth to Daniel Ernie King in Dublin Ireland. A hat was circulated and she will be matching the $125 raised for her grandson’s savings account.

Fine master Mark Olson called upon Scott Astrosky who is celebrating his 25^th wedding anniversary with Tanya. His $50 fine will go to Pres. Jeff, because he had purchased Pinot for Polio. In the trivial quiz, Paul Holden and Shannon Bowdey were each fined $20. Anya Stanley celebrated her birthday without a fine since she had the fine- free badge. Joel Conn was fined a total $40 for not answering a question and for shoving during the meal queue. 

Connie O'Henley introduced Tom who resides in Shell Beach. He began by thanking Rotary for the gifts that will be distributed to the CASA children.  CASA takes the best interests of abused and neglected children that have become wards of the court. During the Christmas season abuse and neglect of children increases. Today there are about 500 children, ranging age from birth to 18, in the foster care system. CASA’s mission is to recruit, train and supervise volunteers who give up their time to advocate for these vulnerable children. The ratio of the 150-175 volunteers in the system is 9 to 1 women/men.  CASA’s goal is to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing, and permanent home. 70% of CMC prisoners come from foster care homes, but children from CASA for the most part do not wind up in prison. The reason is that foster care children outside of CASA are only seen by a social worker once a month whereas each CASA volunteer (that requires 30 hours of training) focuses on seeing one child once per week. Their budget has increased $450,000/ year from when they started in the 1970s to $790,000 today. This budget includes 1/3 from grants, 1/3 from fundraisers, and 1/3 from donations.

Pres. Jeff King opened the meeting at 12:36 PM and after the usual guest introductions, he had Paul Holden come forward to discuss the number of ways we can contribute to the RI Foundation. One of them is to sign your name to the raffle list that he circulated, which will add a $50 donation on your monthly invoice.  And if your name is drawn from the hat, you will receive a $1000 Paul Harris Fellow.

Linda Osty gave a recap on last Saturday’s “White Christmas” movie, which was attended by 240 people. The donated food was distributed to St. Pat’s outreach and the gifts were distributed to Boys & Girls Club of South San Luis Obispo County. Pres. Jeff thanked those who worked the Saturday before last on the foster care mobile homes at Tar Springs Ranch. They're still looking for volunteers for next Saturday, although the specific work has yet to be determined. He also thanked Deenie Dotson for the wonderful holiday party at her house last week. He asked for a show of hands from those planning to attend this week’s board meeting at the Arroyo Grande Hospital board room at 6 PM. Finally he had Jim Lewis stand for being honored by receiving the National Eagle Scout Association's Outstanding Eagle Scout Award last week. Anya Stanley’s daughter gave birth to Daniel Ernie King in Dublin Ireland. A hat was circulated and she will be matching the $125 raised for her grandson’s savings account.

Fine master Mark Olson called upon Scott Astrosky who is celebrating his 25^th wedding anniversary with Tanya. His $50 fine will go to Pres. Jeff, because he had purchased Pinot for Polio. In the trivial quiz, Paul Holden and Shannon Bowdey were each fined $20. Anya Stanley celebrated her birthday without a fine since she had the fine- free badge. Joel Conn was fined a total $40 for not answering a question and for shoving during the meal queue. 

Connie O'Henley introduced Tom who resides in Shell Beach. He began by thanking Rotary for the gifts that will be distributed to the CASA children.  CASA takes the best interests of abused and neglected children that have become wards of the court. During the Christmas season abuse and neglect of children increases. Today there are about 500 children, ranging age from birth to 18, in the foster care system. CASA’s mission is to recruit, train and supervise volunteers who give up their time to advocate for these vulnerable children. The ratio of the 150-175 volunteers in the system is 9 to 1 women/men.  CASA’s goal is to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing, and permanent home. 70% of CMC prisoners come from foster care homes, but children from CASA for the most part do not wind up in prison. The reason is that foster care children outside of CASA are only seen by a social worker once a month whereas each CASA volunteer (that requires 30 hours of training) focuses on seeing one child once per week. Their budget has increased $450,000/ year from when they started in the 1970s to $790,000 today. This budget includes 1/3 from grants, 1/3 from fundraisers, and 1/3 from donations.