Call to Order: President Eric Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. Chris Baxter led the flag salute, Judith gave the invocation and Chris Baxter provided the raffle prize that was won by Michelle Seagraves.
Guests: Angelique Davis, a friend of Scott Burns.
Announcements: Scott let members know that Emily Nabakooza, a Rotary scholar from Uganda who stayed with him a few years ago, who went to graduate school in Australia and founded a non-profit in Uganda, is talking about her non-profit helping women and children at the RC of Santa Barbara North at noon today. We are invited to attend.
Eric reminded club members that there is a work day at Camp Whittier on April 10th. Approximately 25 people are signed up. Let Kim Fly know by April 2nd if you plan to attend. Masks are required; social distancing. Attend 8:00 a.m. to noon or 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. or all day. Only youth 16+.
Committee Reports
International Service: Oscar mentioned the regional meetings. Luz Maria introduced Interactors in Mexico raising funds for backpacks. The RC of SLO de Tolusa is building a classroom onto a schoolhouse. Gil Garcia from SB North is raising cash for food in Los Volcanes.
Club Service: Judith announced the upcoming walk on March 20 at the Greenwell Preserve in Summerland. There are a few spaces left. Diana W. informed about the Happy Hour on March 25th – Order Out Dinner or Appetizer and tell the group about where you like to order out during the pandemic.
Community Service: Luz Maria said we will be providing computers for La Casa de la Raza through the District Grant; member Scott Johnson has provided a plan for the system. She reported that the Global Grant for a camp at Camp Whittier, under the Peacebuilding Area of Focus, has been approved by The Rotary Foundation. Dennis has ordered 600 dictionaries but putting labels on them will be a challenge. Perhaps volunteers will take a box load to label them.
Fundraising: There won’t be a Dolphin Dive this year. If you have any fundraising ideas, give them to Dennis.
Finance: A couple of members have not yet paid their third quarter (January – March) dues.
Foundation: Jody reported that pledges are trickling in.
Public Image: Karen reported that the Spark notice has been done, with better coverage this time.
Vocational: There are currently 54 reservations for the Spark event. Sylvia Whitlock will be the presenter at the April 20th Spark event. She will talk on multicultural education.
Youth: No update on RYLA. We need to reach out to La Cuesta for a nominee to attend the digital event. We have two slots reserved and are holding two for next year – all already paid.
Program: A craft talk was given by new member, Christine Holland. She is from the East Coast and went to Grinnell College in Iowa. She applied to grad school and law school but decided on law at USC. She spent 25 years working for law firms on civil litigation. She got divorced, then saw an ad in the paper for a law firm here in Santa Barbara and got it. She joined Newcomers where she met Diana W.
Christine giving her craft talk
Christine met her husband, Michael, and gave up being a lawyer. She likes the arts; went to UCSB to audit art classes and joined the docent program at the Art Museum. She leads tours, does her own research and puts her own talks together; it is challenging but fun. She has been on the Docent Board for a long time including being President and Vice President. She has also been on the boards of the Art Museum, Ensemble Theatre and Opera Santa Barbara.
Christine is a member of the Santa Barbara Master Chorale and she belongs to book groups and a French conversation group. She lives on the Upper Mesa with Michael and three Labradors.
Michael Holland is an electrical engineer/inventor. He had a business in Ventura selling electronics for cable TV but recently retired. He has a boat, enjoys bicycling and playing the guitar. He was a member of the Goleta Rotary for a while. He is an entrepreneurship mentor at UCSB.
They have recently purchased an RV to travel around the U.S.
Other Announcements: Steve Boehm has purchased a house near his son Jeffrey and family in Colorado. He is currently living there in a rental. He will be back in Santa Barbara in September for his niece’s wedding. Joanne mentioned that Kirk Greene is bringing a program on April 7: Lighthouse for the Blind. Diana W. joined a Rotary meeting in Kenai, Alaska. She wondered if we are sending our banners to other clubs.
Adjournment: Eric adjourned the meeting at 8:31 a.m.
