Oct 10 2017-Rotary Forum

Pres. Jeff King is back and raring to go. His first order of business was to call upon Michael Boyer along with member sponsor Connie O’Henley to come forward to induct our newest member Shelby McLean of the Arroyo Grande Community Hospital Foundation. Shelby was born in San Joaquin Valley in 1984 and came to the Central Coast at the little girl and as been here ever since.

Pres. Jeff asked us to send our thoughts and prayers to Sandy Lubin who is undergoing cancer treatments and will be taking a 6-month leave of absence. He then asked for comments from those that attended the District Conference last week. The following commented: Michael Boyer stated that we are one of the few districts in the country that has a positive growth; we now have in 3309 members. Steve Curry said there was emphasis on joining projects that are outside of our weekly club meetings to get the word out. Ashlea said our club should be a “yes” and not “no” club. John Traversaro stated that we have not eliminated all aspects of polio around the world as we still have to deal with those recovering from polio across the world. See Connie O’Henley if you wish to donate to the Hurricane Harvey Fund. She also stated the Arroyo Grande High School Interact Club is now back in session with 60 kids.

Steve Curry reminded us of Grover Beach Rotary Club’s fundraiser: Bands, Burgers & Brews at ManRock Brewing Company this Saturday from 12 to 4 PM. Scott Astrosky announced that the Grover Beach Exploratory will hold its $70/ticket fundraiser “Chemistry of Cocktails Momma Mia's Cucina” on Sunday, November 5, 2017 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Our next social will be at 5:30 PM, Thursday, October 26 at the Cliff’s Restaurant in Shell Beach. Pres. Jeff asked for a show of hands for those coming to the next Rotary board meeting this Thursday. John Traversaro announced a special meeting is planned, subject to board approval, for November 13 featuring Past District Gov. Brenda Cressey on polio fund drive.

The goal of the new brand VISIT SLO CAL, is to increase awareness of the County around the world and to increase demand of SLO as a county of destination. Because were tucked in between two of the most famous cities in California, SLO County could be overlooked by tourists. There are 3 types of tourists that we are trying to attract: (1) the active adventurer interested in the outdoors that enjoys surfing, beer and wine; (2) mom to the max-the affluent connected people; (3) the cultural class, the educated risk-takers. She then showed a three minute video with a slogan “Life is too beautiful to rush!” The current projects are: (1) earned media/public relations; (2) constant marketing; (3) social media development; (4) a new website; and (5) new market development. We’ve increased staff, hired a new PR firm, and established a brand ambassador program. Since California Highway 1 has been closed there has been a noticeable drop in tourism along the coast from Carmel to Cambria, we’ve started a Crisis Response HWY 1 program to work with Caltrans to find alternate routes. We are working with the SLO airport to promote the new flight destinations to Seattle on Alaska Airlines and Denver on United. You can ship your wine free of charge on Alaska Airlines by becoming a Alaska Airline club member. The new terminal will have an open house this Sunday, October 15 and begin operations on November 1. We are also promoting establishing new flight  destination cities such as Dallas.  The latest nearly tourism figures show that we had a 12.1 increase over the previous year. She then showed a video called the Year in Review. Tourism in the county is $1.6 billion in revenue.

Pres. Jeff King is back and raring to go. His first order of business was to call upon Michael Boyer along with member sponsor Connie O’Henley to come forward to induct our newest member Shelby McLean of the Arroyo Grande Community Hospital Foundation. Shelby was born in San Joaquin Valley in 1984 and came to the Central Coast at the little girl and as been here ever since.

Pres. Jeff asked us to send our thoughts and prayers to Sandy Lubin who is undergoing cancer treatments and will be taking a 6-month leave of absence. He then asked for comments from those that attended the District Conference last week. The following commented: Michael Boyer stated that we are one of the few districts in the country that has a positive growth; we now have in 3309 members. Steve Curry said there was emphasis on joining projects that are outside of our weekly club meetings to get the word out. Ashlea said our club should be a “yes” and not “no” club. John Traversaro stated that we have not eliminated all aspects of polio around the world as we still have to deal with those recovering from polio across the world. See Connie O’Henley if you wish to donate to the Hurricane Harvey Fund. She also stated the Arroyo Grande High School Interact Club is now back in session with 60 kids.

Steve Curry reminded us of Grover Beach Rotary Club’s fundraiser: Bands, Burgers & Brews at ManRock Brewing Company this Saturday from 12 to 4 PM. Scott Astrosky announced that the Grover Beach Exploratory will hold its $70/ticket fundraiser “Chemistry of Cocktails Momma Mia's Cucina” on Sunday, November 5, 2017 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Our next social will be at 5:30 PM, Thursday, October 26 at the Cliff’s Restaurant in Shell Beach. Pres. Jeff asked for a show of hands for those coming to the next Rotary board meeting this Thursday. John Traversaro announced a special meeting is planned, subject to board approval, for November 13 featuring Past District Gov. Brenda Cressey on polio fund drive.

The goal of the new brand VISIT SLO CAL, is to increase awareness of the County around the world and to increase demand of SLO as a county of destination. Because were tucked in between two of the most famous cities in California, SLO County could be overlooked by tourists. There are 3 types of tourists that we are trying to attract: (1) the active adventurer interested in the outdoors that enjoys surfing, beer and wine; (2) mom to the max-the affluent connected people; (3) the cultural class, the educated risk-takers. She then showed a three minute video with a slogan “Life is too beautiful to rush!” The current projects are: (1) earned media/public relations; (2) constant marketing; (3) social media development; (4) a new website; and (5) new market development. We’ve increased staff, hired a new PR firm, and established a brand ambassador program. Since California Highway 1 has been closed there has been a noticeable drop in tourism along the coast from Carmel to Cambria, we’ve started a Crisis Response HWY 1 program to work with Caltrans to find alternate routes. We are working with the SLO airport to promote the new flight destinations to Seattle on Alaska Airlines and Denver on United. You can ship your wine free of charge on Alaska Airlines by becoming a Alaska Airline club member. The new terminal will have an open house this Sunday, October 15 and begin operations on November 1. We are also promoting establishing new flight  destination cities such as Dallas.  The latest nearly tourism figures show that we had a 12.1 increase over the previous year. She then showed a video called the Year in Review. Tourism in the county is $1.6 billion in revenue.