Weekly News & Views by: John Munn
Photographs by: Jim Belenis
 
 
     All were greeted with fondly remembered piano music that included the Association’s “Never My Love” played by Sunrise Rotary member Dave Morse.  After much visiting and with most having served themselves breakfast, President Gary Johns rang the bell to start the meeting at 7:05 am.  This was followed by 
enthusiastic singing of “Smile” and “America the Beautiful” that was helped along and kept in tune by Dave’s piano accompaniment.
 
     There were no visiting Rotarians on this day, but many other visitors.  Michael Lewis & Joanne Bell were introduced by Rose Cholewinski; and Emma and Clare were with us to provide an update of Interact Club activities at Da Vinci High School, which has included helping at the Yolo Food Bank and Davis Community Meals. The campus Interact Club now has over 20 members and is still growing, all without school requirements for volunteer work.  Since the club is not allowed
 to fundraise at school, they are looking for ideas and advice about ways to raise money to support club activities, with more information available on their club website.
      President Gary went over greetings on cards from traveling Rotary Club members, summarized meetings of the club’s Community Services Committee and other committees, and noted the return of Dick Morrissey, which was greeted with a round of applause.  Chuck Snipes then took over with a reminder about Trivia Night, where tables of 8 are available at $50 per seat (or $400 per table) and the Davis City Council will proclaim the winning team as the “Smartest People in Davis.”  Chuck’s remarks were made with great enthusiasm, but left some doubt about how words are pronounced in Georgia.  Jay Brookman told us about the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Pancake Breakfast that is being held from 8 am to noon on Saturday, February 13.  And Larry Olsen announced that the Club’s Program Committee needs programs, but asked that this be coordinated with him and our meetings calendar.  President Gary jumped in to ask for programs and
 to give a plug for the upcoming Rotary District Conference, where greeters are needed each day from 5 to 6 pm for social events.  President Gary then asked
 
Mack Walker to remind
 us about a Golf Tournament that is being held on March 21 (31st?) at the Yolo Flyers Club.  And Chuck Snipes (again) remembered to tell us about a previously un-announced and un-approved Rotary Social at the Home Brew Contest being held at the Yolo Brewery at 6pm on February 5th.
     President Gary finally cut off the announcements by asking John Youmans to come forward for the induction of two new members.  John, however, could not keep himself from telling us how fortunate we are to have a growing club, with good friends and having fun at our meetings.  We then got a sermon about 
appreciating new members, jumping on board, and appreciating what we have.  Eventually, John got around to introducing our new members.  John Morgan is a retired professor from “back East” who has a wife and children (who must need swimming lessons from Rose?) and Alika Castillo, who heads up the University Retirement Community.  John concluded by swearing in the new members, who promised to abide by the 4-way test, followed by handshakes and well-wishes from the Club members.
     When people returned to their tables and order was finally restored, President Gary brought Tim Daleiden up for today’s Sergeant’s Report.  In response to Tim’s call for happy bucks, Mike Lairmore paid for his gratitude about the UCD Vet School being mentioned on Jeopardy (again?), for his chance to speak at the 
Capitol (without telling us which one), and for learning that he has a new granddaughter on the way.  Vanessa Errecarte was happy about getting 
the first Jay Gerber Award application and is expecting more.  Elma Gardner was glad to be back in town.  Dick Morrissey was happy just to be back to our 
meeting, and out of the hospital, along with celebrating his wife’s birthday and telling all present to cherish being in such a friendly club.  Lori Raineri was pleased to have testified in favor of a bill at the State Capitol that would stop pay-for-play by bond advisors – after the State’s Attorney General made a finding that this should be illegal.  And Dick Berry was celebrating the anniversary of the day he left Michigan on the way to finding a new bride.  Rose Cholewinski was pleased that so many of the volunteers with full time jobs could be here to help tell us about Citizens Who Care.  George Warner noted that he was a founding member of this club who remembers when John Youmans was its second President, and George then complained that he can’t keep up with all of our new members in contrast to the Clubs he attends in Sweden that haven’t had any new members for as long as he can remember, but then George had to be reminded about contributing to the Sergeants.  Nikki Grey Rutamu was happy despite travelling for the next few weeks.  Ted Puntillo thanked Dave Heard for the helping Ted’s daughter with getting her first house.  And, finally, Sergeant Tim put in some happy bucks for his mother, who was grateful for having lost about 50 years by being introduced as Tim’s daughter at a meeting earlier this month (Editor’s note:  I’m pretty sure Tim didn’t give happy bucks but rather the editor was fined, but on a positive note the magical anti-aging reporter has promised to take a couple more years of my age in exchange for paying his fine).  Getting down to business in the little remaining Sergeant’s time, Tim fined Rose Cholewinski $10 
for John Youmans’ extensive and expansive new member introductions.  He then noted that the Bank of Japan was collecting negative interest from its depositors and, therefore, fined all members with savings or checking accounts $2 for the privilege of not paying banks to keep their money.
     Next up was Rose Cholewinski (again) to introduce speakers for today’s presentation from Citizens Who Care (CWC).  First up was Joanne Bell, who attempted to show a video that refused to provide any sound.  Giving up on the video, Joanne stated that CWC provides valuable services for people with aging loved ones in all areas of Yolo County except West Sacramento where they don’t have any volunteers.  CWC trained volunteers visit elderly residents to give caregivers some 
respite, because everybody needs a break.  Volunteers also visit isolated seniors in convalescent homes.  In addition, CWC has a Senior Center weekend program that gives both a place for elderly residents to visit and a break to caregivers.  And CWC provides senior care counseling to train and match volunteers.  After a long list of prepared questions and answers covering many aspects of senior care, Joanne told us that CWC is a great 
organization that is always in need of more volunteers.  She also noted that their upcoming fundraising concert will be a great show, and offered tickets discounted from $35 to $25 each for Rotarians purchasing ten or more. 
      Joanne then asked CWC President Michael Lewis for a few comments.  He began with an apology for his voice that is recovering from throat surgery, and joked that he was one of the few recent survivors of having his throat cut.  Michael then stated that although CWC is now operated by volunteers, it needs funding for nine permanent staff members.  Present funding is about one-third from government agencies, one-third from private giving, and one-third from fundraisers (but the reporter could not be sure that this was heard correctly).  And CWC is always looking for people who need help to serve the needs of the community.
Meaghan Likes described her CWC volunteer work with an Alzheimer’s patient as being a very rewarding 2 hours per week.  Jack Latow asked about volunteer requirements or restrictions, and Joanne replied that there are nurse assessments to determine what needs a volunteer can meet.  In reply to a question from Andrew Newman about the CWC service area and tools available to help volunteers, Joanne explained that CWC covers all of Yolo County except West Sacramento, provides training, tries to match volunteers with needs, and has other staff participate in first-time visits. This includes matching languages for elderly people who may begin using the language from the country they grew up in.  In reply to questions from Don Saylor and John McNamara, Joanne stated that the CWC office is in Woodland and weekend gatherings are held in Davis at the Senior Center.  The frequency and length of volunteer work is about 2 hours per week for in-home care or a 5 hour commitment for helping with weekend social gatherings that occur twice a month.  CWC tries to maintain flexible schedules that match times when volunteers are available. In-home volunteers need to be at least 18 years old, while younger volunteers can work at the weekend socials. Dick Berry stated he had helped cover gaps in care for Steve Roche.  At the conclusion of Joanne and Michael’s presentation, Vanessa Errecarte announced that the Sunrise Rotary Club, based on a recommendation from the Community Services Committee, was contributing $1,000 to Citizens Who Care and that there are links here on our Club’s website to become a CWC volunteer.
     President Gary presented a children’s book to be signed by Joanne and Michael and then called for the draw-of-the-day.  In a bonus draw, Gretchen Peralta won tickets to the CWC concert, which she needs to give to someone else because of her work schedule.  On the next draw, John Munn (this week’s reporter) won a free breakfast, and the pot lives on!