Author Andrew Matthew Crider
Photos Patsy Inouye
Rotary Meeting
2020-10-02
President Vanessa E started the meeting by ringing the bell at 7:04 am. Caroline Stiver did acapella solo singing for Smile and America the Beautiful
The president called for Visiting Rotarians:
- Mark Roberts, Rotary District Governor, is a visitor and our speaker.
- Woody Fridae also was visiting. He is pleased with how well we are weathering pandemic.
There were no visiting guests
Vanessa called for announcements:
- Polio Plus: Rotary is taking on decades long effort to eliminate polio, and Rotary International is taking a long-term approach; Polio is eradicated in the wild in West Africa. Contact Larry Green for information, and you can join the Polio Plus Society. Tuesday at City Council meeting, the city will present Rotary with a proclamation regarding our Polio efforts
- Octoberfest announcements: Brodie said that Octoberfest is tomorrow, Oct. 3 (now in the past); Everything is in place! Super exciting; Things will be different this year. We have a drive through and have an order in advance pick up meal event with Sudwerk. Encouraging Octoberfest garb;
- Lori Ranieri had an announcement that if you have a question for last week’s speakers, send them to Lori and she will send them out.
- Don Winters talked about the Golf Tournament: He read a thank you note from Joe Hall’s surviving spouse Susan Hall.
Sergeants: Manny Carbahal was today’s Sergeant
- Don Winters was fined $5 for taking up Manny’s time
- David Coop had happy bucks for Susan Morenga because she is going home to Kenya; She is going home, which is good for her, but is sad for us because we are losing her. Someone played Happy Trails over Zoom.
- Manny noted that the smart sergeants have Kenyan flags as their Zoom backgrounds, and Manny gave Goyo to Susan as a going away present.
- Rose C. has happy bucks. Last Sunday it was super windy, and the dance studio next to Swim American had a tarp blown all over the place; She called on Brian Sway, John Yeomans, and Chuck Snipes to put tarps back on to protect the stage.
- Keith Watenpaugh was called out by Manny. Manny wished him an early happy birthday (10/8). Keith was happy for first day of class and using Zoom and Slack.
- Carolyn Stiver had happy bucks for visiting friend who cut her hair.
- Lucas F. was fined for cartoon postcard flyer that Lucas’ campaign mailed out. Then there was a long NSFW rant about the new Davis leaf blowing regs.
- Manny fined Vanessa and asked her the difference between trombone player and a frog walking down the street. The frog is going to a gig.
- As of 2035, Gov Newsome signed a proclamation banning new internal combustion engines. Manny took a poll of the club to see who has an electric vehicle. Chuck Snipes has 4 electric vehicles. Larry Green has a Nissan Leaf; Everyone who raised their hands was fined $5;
Finally, Manny graciously conceded the floor.
Speaker:
Mark Roberts; District Governor. His first encounter with Rotary was that he was founding member of Rotaract club at USF in late 70s, and then decided to join Lamorinda Rotary club. He was club’s president from 2012-2013. Most of his career was in non-profit management and fundraising. He likes wine and single malt scotch (who doesn’t?) and is a lifelong SF Giants fan.
Mark said that Contra Costa County went to red just like Yolo, and is happy to open some things up. Over 80% of 73 clubs in District 5160 are meeting via Zoom. He is loving every visit, even if it’s over Zoom, and views Zoom as his friend.
Mark talked about the theme for this year: Rotary Opens Opportunities; He had meeting in January with all the other district governors. Made a lot of friends and relationships. Rotary is an org that can open things up to people of all ages. Colors (Red, yellow and blue) were chosen to represent all different levels of clubs.
Mark said that things that have changed with respect to opportunities with Rotary. Things are different about how we are able to work together, and he is grateful for the way that presidents of clubs in District have worked hard to keep clubs going, keep people engaged, and keep communication going.
Mark’s cat Stan made an appearance during the Zoom call.
Mark said to remember that the club members are the most important customers. We enjoy serving community and others but have to start with our own members and recognize that we make things happen. Without members, there are no clubs, and without clubs there is no Rotary. We have to appreciate all the members and the efforts that everyone is making to keep the club together.
Mark also wants to find ways that the club can grow Rotary. Over the last 10 years, the number of Rotarians nationwide has been on a slow but steady decline. He would like to grow Rotary by maintaining connections with young people that have been involved with Interact and Rotaract, Camp Royale, and so on. Rotary clubs provide a lot of good opportunities for young people. We in Rotary need to find ways to maintain connections with young people if the young people have had an initial positive experience with Rotary.
Mark said that another way to look at growing Rotary is to look at growing clubs, not just adding new members. He is interested in opening Rotary in different geographic communities or ethnic communities that historically haven’t been involved in Rotary. We need to share with others what Rotary is. We’re not just old white guys anymore. Rotary will have its first Women International President in the future. As a club, we need to think about ways you can share your Rotary story to others so they can get involved.
We often share that we’re a humanitarian and philanthropic organization. The more important thing, however, is the personal story of what got you as an individual involved. What is your connection? Service? Friendships? Community? If you know someone who is a friend, business associate, neighbor, ask them to join you for a Rotary meeting. You have a great organization that allows people to satisfy a need to get more involved in the community and the organization.
Mark’s Rotary Story: he was involved with Rotaract Club at USF; got involved with Rotary club in SF. The club was interesting but didn’t tell him much about what Rotary did. He got more information from his Rotaract club. He met with club and decided to join.
Upcoming things:
- Rotary virtual seminar; On Zoom at 8:30; will be covering typical topics, such as membership and community outreach, and also Rotary in the new age of COVID and Zoom. Will also talk about how to use Zoom to bring in speakers that couldn’t ordinarily bring in in person. Also looking at Virtual fundraisers, such as Oktoberfest.
- There are great resources for Rotary ideas at zone2627.org
- He is also looking at ways to put information on Rotary5160.org to make ideas and resources available for club members.
- Also looking at ways to have hybrid meetings, where people meet in person with social distancing, but also use zoom to have other people engaged in the meeting.
- Looking ahead to 2021, will have the district conference in Sacramento if are able to have it. Dates will be April 30 to May 2; Theme will be “All Aboard” reflecting not just the train and railroad past of Sac, but also that we’re open to everyone.
Questions about how District could be more supportive of Davis Sunrise Club and what we are doing. The District is here for the clubs and to be a resource.
- Thanks to Woodie, who is a great resource.
- Thanks to Gretchen P who is great at taking care of facilities for the events; She is involved with planning the district conference.
- Lori’s question: Member engagement: What are some ideas to get members engaged? Mark: Have to look at ways that members can engage in in small groups because of limitations of COVID. A lot of people are getting involved in Meals on Wheels. Can also give blood; Can also get involved in distance tutoring for online students. Chico club had a program called R100; they are building a new park in Chico; process has been slowed because of COVID. So, focus on R1 projects: Projects that individual Rotarians can do. Such as picking up trash, cleaning up graffiti, etc.
- David Coop: Nuts and bolts question about the grant process; Have an online system for grant submission but can’t print a copy of the grant. Something small that will make a big difference.
Big round of applause for Mark and visit to the club:
Vanessa was appreciative to Mark and Woodie. She said that we as a club and individual club members often don’t see the behind the scenes of what goes on behind the district. Woodie and Mark have been incredibly accessible and have made a huge difference for Vanessa’s term as president.
Ella made an appearance!
Gloria Androa joined the meeting as a Visiting Rotarian from Africa via phone.
Vanessa next transitioned to 3 truths and a lie:
- Mark Roberts:
- I enjoy road trips
- I like to explore caves (this is the lie)
- In HS, he was active in Key Club
- Clara and Mark have 3 demanding cats
- Susan Morenga (3 lies and the truth)
- I have been arrested twice
- First husband was millionaire
- Travelled to 19 countries (this is the truth)
- Obama’s grandmother is a neighbor
Vanessa told the joke of the day from “Awesome jokes every 6-year-old should know”
Q: How did the frog feel when he broke his leg?
A: Very unhoppy
Vanessa rang the bell. Meeting was concluded.