On August 30th we were visited by Barb Spangler, the District Governor of District 5130. Barb is a member of Valley of the Moon Rotary Club and an admirer of our club. She has visited us before, most notably shortly after The Fire, at one or our early meetings at Franchetti’s. Barb was introduced by Doug Johnson of the downtown club, current Assistant Governor and District Governor Designate for 2020-2021. Doug told us that Barb is a big fan of teamwork, is absolutely committed to her position, and is truly a ‘genuine’ person.
Barb described the theme for 2018-2019: “Be the Inspiration” and interpreted the new logo. The new RI President, Barry Rassin, is from the Rotary Club of East Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas. The logo is centered around water, a powerful force in the Bahamas. The elements are water and waves. The underlying symbolism is based on the power of water and waves: We are powerful and everywhere. The logo also contains a heart, meaning that these concepts are at the heart of Rotary, and a spinnaker, signifying that we can pick up a light wind and lead the way, much like Rotary and Rotarians everywhere.
Barb also asked us to fill out a card and identify a person who inspired us, what that person did and what that person did to give us a lasting impression. She asked us to keep the card and reflect upon it from time to time. Maybe we can make them into a program?
She also discussed District 5130’s theme: “Do what matters.” She gave a great example of what this means, an example that comes directly from Sunrise. At a meeting after The Fire at Franchetti’s, Past President Harry Coffey told Barb that he was devastated by the loss of his Paul Harris Award (As we all know, Harry lost his home and everything in it in The Fire). The idea caught on and she and others passed it up the line, ending up with Rotary International President Ian Riseley. This ultimately led directly to Ian Riseley visiting Santa Rosa and giving out the “lost” awards to fire survivors, including the Sunrisers whose homes and awards were lost in The Fire. And, President Riseley mentioned this at the RI International conference in Toronto to thousands of Rotarians, listing it as one of the most inspirational events of his presidency. In other words, “Do what matters.” It may be a small thing but it matters greatly to someone, and that’s how we do it in Rotary!
Thank you to Barb Spangler for the visit and the warm thoughts. Her visits are always memorable and she has a way of making us feel like an important part of the District!
