Mountain View Rotary Club
Meeting Notes – March 15, 2022
President’s Greeting – Heather called the meeting to order at 12:34 and reminded everyone of Rotary International’s theme, Serve to Change Lives and our operating premise that “We’re More than a Club; We’re Family.”
Pledge of Allegiance - Tom led us in the pledge.
Thought for the Day: Anita talked about gratitude and some things that she was grateful for, especially in light of grim geo-political challenges, and asked everyone to share something that they too are grateful for.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests – Sanjay introduced Charlie from the Sunnyvale Club who invited the club membership to participate in the 2022 Sunnyvale Rotary Golf Tournament on April 18; register at https://tinyurl.com/3t27n3h6. District Governor Richard Flanders and Assistant Governor Sobha Ramesh were also at the meeting, as well as prospective member Margaret Abe-Koga.
Announcements etc.
-Six clubs, including Mountain View Rotary, are working together to support the solar project at Trinity Methodist Church. Hope’s Corner is among the nonprofit organizations at the church. Here is a video link of the solar project crew in action:
-Five Rotary members are attending this evening’s area speech contest to cheer on our winner at the club level.
-The club donated $1,600 for two slots at RYLA; a subcommittee is going through the applications from students at St. Francis High School.
-Heather presented District Governor Richard with a check for three wheelchairs as part of a district initiative this year.
-Some sad news that Nick Galiotto recently passed away. Nick was a retired Police Captain in Mountain View, also serving on the City Council and as Mayor. He was an active member of Mountain View Kiwanis for many years and was supported our community in many ways. He will be greatly missed.
District Governor’s Presentation: Richard shared with us that this is his 53rd club visit so far this year, with nine more to go. He called out his work over the years with Bert Raphael and Walt Joyce and noted that like guest Margaret Abe-Koga, he too was a Rotary scholarship recipient in high school.
Membership continues to be a challenge throughout the district, with 100 people dropping their membership since the pandemic. The District is working with small chapters to help them promote their public image. He encouraged our club to stay in touch with everyone, engaging with members who have missed meetings to see how they are doing.
Richard also touched on the Every Rotarian Every Year campaign, noting that $870K has been raised to date in the district. At the club level, 15 members (out of 29) have given so far, for a total of $5,300. He encouraged each member to make a gift, no matter how big or small.
He talked more about the wheelchair initiative; four containers of wheelchairs will be given to people in Mexico City; Serbia; Monterey, Mexico and also Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
He closed with a lovely story about how a Rotarian helped him bring his father’s remains to the United States, illustrating how Rotary helps people who need help at the personal, local and global level.