John Jones & Rafael - Nicaragua: Up Close and Personal
Rafael Praslyn and his wife Ninoska will be our guest speakers this Thursday April 19, along with John Jones. Rafael has been our mission organizer and guide for all of our work down the Rio San Juan.
They will give us an in-depth look at the economy, health care and life in general for the people of Nicaragua and the region of Sabalos where we have focused much of our club’s International energies this past decade.
Ben Taylor proudly presented a history of the Santa Rosa Youth Symphony and it's parent, the 90 year running Santa Rosa Symphony.
Our youthful, aspiring musicians are preparing for a summer three European city tour: Salzburg, Vienna and concluding in Budapest. Their exceptional talent affords them audience with adult artists here and abroad. The symphony has a huge outreach within Sonoma County schools, seeing up to 80,000 students annually, inspiring many to learn an instrument. Warren Talcroft, an 18 year old, 4 year clarinetist in the orchestra is excited about this summer's tour. He credits his experiences traveling and performing with an optimistic view of the future. Playing since 4th grade, he has played in Japan. He also treated us to a flawless, melodious classical solo. He will represent Santa Rosa exceptionally well!
Emphasizing the symphony's equal access policy, Ben thanked Rotary for partnering in their student support. One third of the students receive scholarships. Youth come from all backgrounds and all benefit from the well documented advantages of orchestral musical: Improved executive functioning and decision making. Ben quoted the French Author Victor Hugo in summing up the value of music: "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and which cannot be silenced."
Amidst a fan fare of feathers, gangsters, jazz and gentlemen, accompanied by vintage cars and cabaret singers, Sunrisers and their guests examined and bid for a variety of treasures and experiences arrayed on three silent auction tables.
The afternoon event, titled "Putting on the Ritz" based on 1930's theme, brought a standing room only crowd to the Saturday Afternoon Club on Saturday Afternoon, April 14, 2018.
Created as a new and exciting take on the Sunrise Rotary's annual fundraiser, "Ritz" was shorter, less expensive and featured the singing and dancing of Transcendence Theater as well as the able auctioneering chatter of Senator Mike McGuire.
Raphael -- a man who's name is well known for support of the surgery center project -- and his wife journeyed all the way from Nicaragua to bring first-hand news of the incredible progress made in building and furnishing the Center through Rotary club contributions and a grant from Rotary International.
Flashing green rings decorated the generous hands of donors who contributed $50 to purchase a special card from a that entitled them to a raffle prize. A lucky card was drawn for a delightful vacation package of Two Nights at the Farmhouse Inn, complete with gift cards for dinning and/or spa amenities.
The highlight of the afternoon came when "Ritz" bidders opened their hearts and wallets to "Fund a Need" to support and ensure surgery center staff -- a full time ob-gyn, a half time anesthesiologist and a half time surgeon. Raising $1,800 a month for a period of 18 months would ensure that the surgery center could get up and running. Scores of bidders gave individual amounts ranging from $2,500, $1,000 and so one down to $50, a low bid that was often doubled or raised.
Donors retrieved their auction purchases and left knowing that the afternoon was well spent raising needed funds for local and International projects that serve communities, families and individuals in need.
On a regular basis, our resident photo pros Warren Smith and Jack Strange submit pictures of what is going on at the weekly meetings. You can always find the most recent pictures at the websites photo journal called "Meeting Sighting" Please note that all the meeting photos for the entire Rotary year are at this location with the most recent on the last page.
Thanks for all the great pictures Warren and Ross!Link to Meeting Sightings. The most recent are on the last page!
Warren Smith, Sunrise Charter President continues to blaze a trail. At Women's Recovery Services Sunrise House, Warren's skill at selectively sorting weed from what matters is clearly visible. He is effective clearing by hand or weed-whacker, which he used to reduce unwanted growth in another area. Rich Randolph took a break to document the progress.
This is a before shot of Warren's territory. Inside, Leroy,Golden Hammer Carlenzoli and Don "Flo" Floriani replaced the antique microwave and a thermostat.
Don (L) and Leroy (R) had interior assignments. Leroy's property management expertise keeps his skills sharp and schedule full as he recruits and supervises Sunrise volunteers at four non-for-profit properties.
If you would like to add some sweat equity, call Leroy for an interview!
Across East Africa, Rotaractors are transcending borders. Since 2013, young people from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda have come together for annual gatherings as part of Rotaract East Africa Impact, commonly known as REACT. Each year, they focus on a particular need related to one of Rotary’s areas of focus, such as disease prevention, maternal health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Rotaractors from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda work together on projects in East Africa.
The inaugural project involved planting trees, teaching hygiene, and providing career guidance to students at two primary schools in Masaka, Uganda. In 2014, young leaders converged on Buterere, an impoverished area near the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, to carry out a project in cooperation with UNICEF and other partners and donors. “We showed households how to use modern water purification methods, and we donated jerry cans and pails to assist with water collection,” says Sarah Maingi, a participant from Kenya.
In 2015, teams met in Kenya, where they contributed mosquito nets and helped do cleanup in a slum area. In 2016, in Rwanda, they planted gardens and distributed clothing at a settlement of genocide survivors. In 2017, in Tanzania, the Rotaractors distributed medications and folic acid tablets to expectant mothers, along with delivery kits and diapers for newborns, at a hospital in Dar es Salaam.
Fundraising is a challenge, but working with scant resources hasn’t dampened the Rotaractors’ spirits. The convocations include time for fun and camaraderie, with cultural nights that celebrate members’ homelands. The overarching theme, however, is cooperation. “REACT is drawing together young leaders from diverse backgrounds,” says Maingi, “and empowering them to better serve their communities.”
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