The reporter was somewhat tardy and confused this misty Friday morning, entering past Zoltar, with MacBook in hand and expecting to descend, remembering that Student-of-the-Month was too recent for today to be another.  But clearly, the commotion was upstairs, so up we went.  And soon after the mood-setting music from Dave Morse the Senior, and renderings of Smile and America the Beautiful, President Chuck Cunningham opened with the announcement that we are “upstairs for good!” because of our proudly-swelling ranks.  (Isn’t the downstairs, without stage, at least as big as upstairs, or is it about that bigger-than stage kitchen in the back?)

 

     Soon Chuck was calling for guests and visiting Rotarians; there was mention of some new members (later on this) and then Michael Lairmore introduced his vet school associate Bob Poppenga (to be inducted this morning).  Chuck also welcomed Rotaract guests Anthony Leung, Forrest McKenzie, and Sean Ng, here to encourage our participation in their mentorship program; we will hear more about this opportunity at future meetings.

 

     Moving to announcements, heads turned to the back corner where Momma (Gretchen Peralta) and Baby (Vanessa Errecarte) Elf were collecting our assigned holiday gifts. Too late for readers of this rag, but those who forgot could have dropped off at either elf abode, or taken them to the (w)rapping party on Tuesday (12/9).  Carolyn Stiver gushed about our good fortune to be assigned another Meals on Wheels day, with signup sheets being filled on the tables in real time.  Thanks to all new volunteers!

 

     Right there in the middle of announcements came club election ballots for the ’15-’16 Rotary year, with a notably uncontested slate, announced by incoming president Gary Johns:  Manny Carbahal for President, Mark Pratt and Tom Read as repeats for Secretary and Treasurer, and John Youmans, Aaron Phillips, Suzanne Rockwell, and Nikki Grey Rutamu as new board members.   And just as suddenly, we were back to announcements, with Nathalie Minya-Mukome inviting all to yogurt tonight (rats, too late now) at YoloBerry, and urging an RSVP on “Rotary facebook.”  Who knew?  And then the floor went back to Gary Johns, hosting (and its not too late for this one) our Sunrise Holiday Party at his place on Saturday 12/13; bring appetizers, desserts, and drinks.

 

     For emphasis that we need to be upstairs, John Youmans came forward to introduce and induct new members Kelly Wilkerson (a teacher at DHS nominated by Suzanne Rockwell), Meaghan Likes (a tax accountant recruited by Tom Read) and Bob Poppenga (a Veterinarian at UCD sponsored by Michael Lairmore).  Meaghan was wearing a fully-decorated Rotary jacket from her exchange student year in France, where she became the Rotary club mascot.   John, claiming nervousness, failed to deliver the expected windy welcome to Rotary, but President Chuck came to the rescue by distributing Foundation coins to all three inductees.  John, fully recovered and flushed with confidence, then led a rousing swearing-in that included a pledge of allegiance to the Four-Way Test.  The new threesome then became a veritable receiving line as all attending members filed by for the traditional handshake greeting of new members.   And as a quick followup, again snuck in between regular agenda items, Gary Johns announced the surprising election results- the entire slate won big!

 

     With dual responsibilities for the morning, Momma Elf Gretchen strode forward as Sergeant, and after some banter incomprehensible at the rear of the boisterous room, called for happy bucks.  First up as usual was Dick Berry, likely to win the “Happiest Sunrise Rotarian” award for 2014; Dick pitched a fundraising project whose particulars were lost on this scribe.   Nancy Storm contributed with an acknowledgement and thanks to new member Kelly for housing one of our past exchange students.  Jim Smith was happy for a 3–week trip in Europe, and thanked Bob Agee for taking over his book deal (??); Vanessa was happy to have two helpful grandmas in town, and to be starting a new fitness business with Jamima Wolk as her partner.  Winfred Roberson was happy to recognize both outgoing and incoming DJUSD Boards.  Carolyn Stiver was happy that Nikki G-R was helping with Meals on Wheels; and Gary Johns was happy for special dog care at the Vet Hospital ICU…

 

     So much happiness!  Clearly Getchen’s target list was eroded by the clock.  She asked who joined Dick Berry’s alternate meeting after Thanksgiving, and only two hands arose- it appeared that no fines were levied.  Her next holiday-linked query was “Who left California?  Folks were as far away as Florida, North Carolina, Colorado, and (not furthest, but most impressive), Mack Walker went to Mexico; again, no apparent fines.  Gretchen retired with a demand for extended Sergeant’s time next week, and Manny Carbahal introduced our speaker (and cycling friend) Jim Gross, a Sacramento lobbyist.

 

     Jim has lived in Davis for more than 30 years and has represented many interest groups including (with sidelong look toward Manny) CPA’s and (same look to Chuck Snipes) pharmacists.  Lobbying is a big business; Jim, clearly knowing his audience, asked Bruce Wolk not to tell Lois that California lobbyists are paid about $280 million annually; but that of course, these expenditures all serve our best interests!  Jim proceeded to distinguish between in-house (on the payroll, employed only by one organization) and independent lobbyists, available for hire.  He then categorized lobbyist roles, including at least the following:

 

     Jim noted that each of these lobbyist types contributes something to the process and to efficiency.  Lobbyists play a key role and sometimes come up with the ideas for the bills.  Side notes about legislative efficiency:  Governor Brown vetoed 33% of bills last year- so he is much more fiscally conservative than in his youth.  Of the 200 bills signed each year, about 20% will actually have impact- but this is a better result than the US Congress.  Jim thinks our state legislature works relatively well and will keep getting better.

 

     Jim approached the real nitty-gritty when he posed the provocative question “Where does money fit in?”  Point #1 was that the biggest source is public sector labor.  In a sense, he noted, it’s “not their money”; and they have the most success with their election investments.  Jim commented that legislators spend lots of time fundraising, often not because they need it to win, but to have more clout among their peers.  He followed with two real-life stories about legislators who wind up with big funds and no office; they keep the money they raised, and can use it in a next election- or not.  Mary the Legislator Shoplifter from San Francisco is sitting on her $900,000 fund.

 

     Nancy Storm asked about disclosure.  Jim: “We have to disclose all income sources and amounts.”  Nancy: “And Frank Fats used to be the place lobbyist frequented- where is it now?”  Jim:  “It’s spread out now- there are so many more options now in midtown.  Democrats won’t go to the Hyatt.”

 

     Chuck Snipes asked why an attorney would want to be a lobbyist.  Jim:  “I didn’t do well in Bruce’s Wolk’s tax class.” Jim had to do real work for a while to gain experience necessary to be a successful lobbyist; they really don’t want the inexperienced!

 

     Dick Berry asked the likelihood of 100% state and federal funding of campaigns.  Jim: “Never!”  And on the subject of election fund-raising, the $280M figure offered earlier doesn’t include money raised by lobbyists in the campaigns- this is just what they are paid for services.

 

     With time running out, Dave Heard offered up the draw-of-the-day, and #310 gave President Chuck his second free breakfast in a row.  At more than $630, with only 26 cards left, look for more action next week…