Your Weekly Get Up & Go has been Updated!

     Members and guests arrived to classical tunes played by Andrew Yang on the piano - well done, but lost in the crowd.  After much conversation and 

Oktoberfest “volunteer” signups at the back table, Substitute President Chuck Cunningham began the meeting at 7:05 am by simply saying it was time to start – without any ringing of the bell to get people’s attention.  Somehow, it worked. Chuck informed us that he was in charge, but he didn’t even know where our real President, Gary Johns, was.  This caused the reporter and others to wonder if President Gary just didn’t feel like coming.

There were no visiting Rotarians, but the call for guests revealed many other visitors.  Bob Poppenga introduced Katie Burtrica from UCD, who he is mentoring.  Dick Berry welcomed James Cross.  Mark Pratt introduced his daughter, Lauren, who (according to Mark) wanted to come so badly that she had cried about it.  Keith Watenpaugh is back and came with his daughter.  Robin Dewey is here from UCD.  And, finally, Elma Gardner was introduced as a new and returning member! (Editor’s note: We can’t forget Kelly McDonald.)

     Substitute Chuck reminded us that the world changed 14 years ago, and asked how many had their travels interrupted, which jogged the memories of several members.  Then came announcements.  Dave Heard let us know that many jobs were still seeking Oktoberfest volunteers, and a phone call will be coming if we don’t sign up today.  Gretchen Peralta put it a little differently by instructing all members to “get off your ass and work.”  Dave followed this by calling on everyone to sign up and to distribute our tickets, John Youmans added that the “format” of ticket sales has changed, but the overall cost to those attending will be about the same.  This seemed to cause some confusion, so Dave explained that the tickets are not costing members as much this year because the meal is not included.  Susanne Rockwell wanted everyone to know that Oktoberfest is not child friendly because we are selling beer, so children and dogs should stay at home.

     Changing the subject, which was appreciated by members after being beat up about Oktoberfest, Carolyn Stiver announced that she will be looking for 4^th quarter Meals-On-Wheels signups next week, and then named some of the past helpers who she does not want to over-burden.  Roy Kroener reminded everyone about the Aggie game tailgate party at his house next Saturday.  Roy even has three additional tickets that he purchased to get a better price.  Vanessa Errecarte wrapped up the announcements by inviting us to a Community Services Committee meeting next week, where spending the money raised by Oktoberfest will be discussed along with an upcoming yard work project.

     Next up was Sergeant Rick Stromberg, who had many takers to his call for happy bucks.  Nikki Grey Rutamu was happy about a recent anniversary. (Editor’s note: And her husband’s upcoming naturalization ceremony.)  Dick Berry felt good about tomorrow’s football game between Michigan State and Oregon, no matter who wins, and was pleased to present carved signs to Meaghan Likes, which she revealed (to Dick’s dismay?) would be adorning her chicken coops.  Keith Watenpaugh was happy about his 23^rd wedding anniversary, for which his visiting daughter (who is much younger than 23 years) should also be grateful.  Larry Olsen was happy about spending the past week with his daughter, who is now looking for work in California.  Mack Walker also had a great reason to be happy following the arrival of his 3^rd grandchild.  And, finally, John Youmans was happy about tomorrow’s party at Roy’s house.  Then Sergeant Rick began to reveal what members were not so happy about.  Dave Heard was taken to task for harvesting gin and tonics at the Stromberg’s cabin and then running off with Rick’s ice chest, for which Dave was given the choice of paying $50 for a new ice chest or returning Rick’s plus a $5 fine.  Dave wisely chose the fine since he didn’t really want the ice chest anyway.  Sergeant Rick was then interrupted by Meaghan Likes, who still had happy bucks to give both for getting her chicken coop signs and for getting back to Davis (without mentioning where she has been).  Rose Cholewinski added to the list of happy people for her early morning swims with Larry Olsen and Chuck Snipes, both in speedo suits.  Then Jack Latow revealed a happy thought (coming through a gruff exterior) about his son’s return to California as part of a company takeover that led to a promotion to office manager in San Francisco.  Showing great poise following the lack of respect displayed by interrupting Rotarians, Sergeant Rick resumed his duties by asking last week’s recorder, Gretchen Peralta, if she had really been at the meeting, since she listed Larry Olsen as the Sergeant instead of Will Portello.  Gretchen apologized for the error, explained that she knew the difference between Larry and Will, and was really sure that the Sergeant was not George Clooney.  Rick concluded his Sergeant’s report by not fining Gretchen as a courtesy to a fellow Sergeant.

     Then John Monley introduced today’s Speaker, Robin Dewey, who updated us on the growth and new initiatives of Team Davis.  This organization started with a focus on Special Olympics, has added more sports, has grown from about 40 to more than 125 participants, and is now doing more than Special Olympics.  Current activities include art classes, singing classes, gardening for good food and good health, and dances.  Youth activities include art classes, bike camp, dancing, swimming, and gymnastics.

     The Team Davis mission includes an integrated connection with the community.  This is accomplished, in large part, with partnerships that include UCD-CRU, workability, sports, Best Buddies, and employment.  Other partners include the City of Davis and recently, the Davis Bike Club.  Several community activities are underway to promote involvement.  Team Davis is still looking for new partnerships and would like to work with Rotary.  Robin stated that Davis is the best place for people with disabilities to live for full inclusion and community support.  Employment, however, is still a challenge.

At this point, Robin asked for comments from her colleague, Kelly McDonald.  Kelly gave Robin credit for building Team Davis programs and providing a successful model to accommodate growth.  Now, there are too few people keeping up with the many activities.  Current staff is entirely voluntary, and Team Davis is reaching a point where an administrator is needed so that the organization can continue its huge contribution to children.  The presentation was then concluded to answer questions.

     Gretchen Peralta wondered about employment options, and was told that there are many possibilities, including simple work that frees up time of other employees.  In answer to a question from Susanne Rockwell, we learned that Team Davis works with people with both developmental and physical disabilities.  Meaghan Likes found out that Team Davis has collaborated with Futures Explored and other organizations.  The answer to Andrew Newman’s question about work time and wages was that work time is wide open, from 2 hours per week to whatever is needed, and pay is now required to be at the minimum wage.  In reply to Gretchen’s second question about mentoring, we learned that both facilitators and job coaches can be provided.  Manny Carbahal asked how many participants were involved with sports.  The answer is 125 to 150 depending on how many are on different teams, and these are now all Yolo County residents to control growth of the program.  Carolyn Stiver wanted to know how individuals can help other than sending a check.  Robin replied that volunteers need a good heart and willingness to work with different needs.  Kelly explained that the athletes will help each other.  What is needed most are eyes, cheerleaders, and safety monitors.  There is one-on-one interaction with runners and in some sports.  Motivational help is also needed, and the athletes will pull the volunteers in.  To this, Robin added that Kelly is often cheered at practice.  John Monley concluded the program by stating that volunteers get much more in return for their time, and Robin thanked the Club for the chance to speak. 

     Substitute President Chuck presented Robin with a book to sign, and reminded members that help was still needed with serving sausages at Oktoberfest.  Dave Heard used this as an opportunity to push for putting up downtown signs, and Meaghan Likes asked us to distribute Oktoberfest fliers.  At Substitute Chuck’s urging, Larry Olsen told us that next week’s presentation would be about work in Africa.

     The meeting was concluded with the Draw-of-the-Day, where Larry Greene won a free breakfast.  Then Chuck ended his trip down memory lane with a ring of the bell at 7:58 am.