Weekly News & Views by: Matt Crider
Photographs by: Patsy Inouye
President Tim started the meeting promptly at 7:10 am, calling for visiting Rotarians. We had Pancho Padilla and Aidan from Winters Club.
El Presidente then asked for visitors. Matt Docini brought his 3 daughters, Ali, Bella, Katie. With 3 daughters, Matt better be saving for college and weddings. There were also 2 Rotaract visitors.
Next up: Announcements:
Next Week, Wed, August 21, there is a Club Social at Pacific Nomad Brewing starting at 5:30 pm. Beer may be involved.
Also, on 9/7, there is a swim party for everyone to meet our Bolivian exchange student.
We then heard from the President of UCD Rotaract Club: Megan Do and also VP Ray: They sponsor the Rotaract Institute for the District. They reported meeting a lot of people to network with, both Rotarians and Rotaract members. Megan and Ray also reported learning a lot about leadership and club management. The UCD Rotaract club has approximately 40 active members, and they hope to expand in September when school starts.
There was a postcard from Andrew Yang (who is still running for president) from another presidential home: Monticello.
Dennis Lindsay was up as Sergeant.
Patsy Inouye was happy because it's her 39th birthday. Again.
David Foos was happy to be back from a 3 week trip to China, where he had a fantastic time.
David Kopp was happy because of the work done by the International Committee in Western Kenya. We are applying for global grant, and a roadblock to receiving it in just got lifted.
Don Winters was happy because he is going to Amsterdam, but will miss next week's meeting.
Nancy Storm was happy to celebrate her daughter's 33rd birthday.
Manny Carbahal was happy because last Friday his youngest child got married in San Francisco. Debbie and Manny are really happy, even though they lose a tax exemption.
Rose C is back from trip with her daughter to horse show She reports having a very nice trip to Woodside.
Lucas Freirichs was called out and fined for having voting districts in Davis, and other political issues.
Ken Firestein talked about Woodstock where he saw Ritchie Havens. Ken hitchhiked and had to push a bus. Hey, Ken, if you can remember Woodstock, were you really there? Dennis complimented Ken's excellent letter to the editor about ethnic studies, and fined him.
Sergeant Dennis called out and fined Tom McHale because Tom's vacation is officially over: School starts on August 28, although work for the administration has already started. DJUSD is expecting 1900 students this year.
Dave Morris received applause for more great music at the start of Rotary. Dave was playing Elvis to commemorate Elvis' death. A few people who were late and therefore we unaware of Dave's Elvis tribute were fined a couple of bucks.
Carolyn Stiver and Jim Belenis were asked about the market. Carolyn believes in a 28,000 on the Dow. Jim didn't have an opinion, and was fined $5.
Andrew Yang was fined because Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper dropped out of the presidential race, so Andrew's odds of winning just increased.
Patsy Inouye and Jeff Adamski mentioned going on vacation together (presumably with their significant others), and bought products with a a lot of bacon for Manny: bacon mints, bacon bandaids, and other items.
After Sergeant's, President Tim announced that we would have a General Assembly, because the speaker was ill.
First, Tim introduced the club's board members: Rose C., Vanessa, John, Brodie, Tom Reed, Chuck Snipes, Mark Pratt and Meaghan Likes.
Everyone is invited to the club board meetings, with the dates and times to be posted on the website.
Tim introduced Pancho Padilla, who talked about Polio. Pancho is the district representative for polio eradication. Pancho said that Rotary has been focusing on eradicating polio, and that it has been eliminated throughout the world in all countries but 3. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has also taken up the cause. Polio has decreased to just 23 cases in Pakistan and Afghanistan in 2018. This year, however, we're at 71 cases, so a bit of a backslide. Rotary was in Afghanistan 10 months ago to immunize 1 million kids, but violence prevented the vaccinations from happening. The problem is that the populations are mobile. Rotary has been doing this work for 33 years. It's challenging now because the supply for vaccine has decreased as the demand has decreased. There are only 3 companies making the vaccines today. The next target date to end polio is 2023. The Gates Foundation is matching 2 to 1 donations, so $100 will become $300. Tim pledged $100.
International Committee: David Kopp said that the committee has a number of projects, including a water project in western Kenya; Another is to help girls stay in school by helping them to learn how to make their own reusable sanitary pads. Also considering helping to build a maternity ward in Uganda. The committee's first meeting of the year is in September. Last year the committee's budget was $25K; The money that the club raises through various fundraisers (Oktoberfest, Ribs & Rotary, etc.) goes towards the various projects.
Community Services Committee Chairs (Mitch M. and Tyson Hubbard) were not present, so Vanessa Errecarte talked about the committee. The committees does a lot of projects, and gives grants. The committee is funded by Octoberfest and Yolo County Fair, among others. There are a number of projects around town, such as Progress Ranch, play structures, the fence in Central Park, and things that aren't as visible, such as Yolo County Food Bank, and a school for migrant workers in Knights Landing. Last year the Community Service Committee helped on a project in conjunction with Make It Happen Yolo (with help from John McNamara). Announcements to come in the future regarding committee meeting dates.
Don Winters talked about the Youth Services Committee. The committee's main projects are bringing international exchange students here, and sending kids to Camp Royal and another camp. The committee is also trying to revitalize Rotaract Clubs at the high school level. Nancy Storm reminded Don that the committee also is responsible for Student of the Month.
Dave Heard chairs the House Committee. If you like waking up extra early to help set up the room for our meetings, this committee is for you.
Patsy Inouye chairs the Communication Committee. She claims that she doesn't do anything and that everyone else does all the heavy lifting, but we know Patsy does a tremendous amount. Dick Bourne is in charge of reporting, and sends out emails and keeps everyone on their toes. Vanessa Errecarte has been writing newspaper articles and press releases that highlight the club and what we do. Chuck Snipes is in charge of the website.
John Youmans chairs the Membership Committee. John said that Rotary is about building and growing membership. The committee is great because you get to meet new members and integrate them into the Club.
Larry Green is chair of the Rotary International Foundation Committee. Larry says that the money for international projects comes from us, Rotary members, and the International Foundation. Approximately $350 million is spent by the Rotary International Foundation throughout the world. The money can be used internationally as well as locally. Larry reports that our club is very generous, giving 2 or 3 times the amounts that other clubs do, on a per member basis.
Lori Raineri chairs the Program Committee. This committee is responsible for finding and scheduling speakers to present on interesting topics at club meetings.
Fundraising: Chair: Meaghan Likes: Octoberfest, Ribs and Rotary, Trivia Night (March 7), and Beer Booth at the Yolo County Fair.
Marc Thompson chairs the Meals on Wheels Committee, and is looking for 4 or 5 people for the committee to coordinate deliveries.
Chuck Snipes chairs the Social Committee. Chuck's view is that everyone is on the Social Committee, since one of the goals of Rotary is fellowship.
Tim gave everyone 5 minutes to sign up to a committee (or 2 or 3) of interest.
Dave Heard announced Draw of the Day: $789 in the pot; John McNamara's daughter Casey drew. Clay Brandow won a free breakfast.
Next week's speaker is Professor Michael Carter from the Department of Agriculture, who will talk about the role of hope in tackling global poverty.
With that, Tim rang the bell, concluding the meeting.