Rotary Club of Santa Barbara North October 14, 2026 Newsletter
Welcoming Our Guests
The club extended a warm welcome to several guests and visiting Rotarians:
Kendra Gaete: A realtor with Keller Williams, mother of two teenagers, and wife to a tax preparer.
Derek Swalford: A representative from Mechanics Bank, avid baseball and golf fan, and father of two teenagers.
Ally Meier and Rachel Brown: Financial advisors from Arlington, with congratulations in order for Rachel's recent marriage!
Club Announcements
Holiday Party: The annual Christmas party is scheduled for December 2nd at the University Club. The cost is $80 per person, and members are encouraged to sign up early. Members who do not bring a $50 auction item will be billed directly for the cost.
Member Updates: John Holhouse is currently in Tennessee dealing with a family situation. Jim’s father was reported to have recently finished a rehab stint and is doing well!
Featured Speaker: Scott Burns on Overdose Intervention
Scott Burns, a member of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise, delivered a critical presentation on the "Overdose Intervention" project.
The Fentanyl Crisis: Opioid overdoses are claiming lives daily, driven heavily by synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Naloxone Training: Scott provided hands-on training for administering Naloxone (brand names Narcan or Kloxxado), a safe rescue medication that reverses opioid overdoses by binding to opioid receptors in the brain.
Identifying an Overdose: Key signs include pinpoint pupils, unconsciousness, clammy skin, and dangerously slow or stopped breathing.
How to Administer: If an overdose is suspected, call 911 immediately, administer the nasal spray, and if the person does not respond, administer a second dose using a new device. If the person begins vomiting, roll them onto their side into the recovery position.
Good Samaritan Laws: Scott assured attendees that Good Samaritan laws protect individuals from lawsuits when acting in good faith to help someone experiencing an overdose.
Drug-Free Clubs of America: Scott also highlighted this prevention initiative, which aims to have at least 20% of high school students pledge to remain drug-free.
