At The Gong
Nathan Cobert, host for the day, rang the bell at 12:15 pm. Nathan asked Dan to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance. After the pledge, Dan shared a thought: “Doubts today should not limit tomorrow’s possibilities.”
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
We had one guest, Carolyn Moren, a friend of Millie’s. We also had three Rotarians visiting us: Roland Carr from Sunrise Rotary, Tabitha Sparks, who works for the Rotary Foundation in Sacramento, and Mitone Griffiths, DGEN.
Announcements & What’s going on in the Club
Ann presented John Zeiter with a special award, his Paul Harris #3 pin. This was given to John for his numerous financial and Rotary project efforts. Congratulations John.
Business and Upcoming Events Items:
1) April 6, 9 am (this Saturday) RCGA Speaker Series: Nacho Dean, an Explorer, Environmentalist, Naturalist, and Activist, will speak on global action. Ask Anne for the link to register for this Zoom event.
2) Homeward Bound of Marin Veteran Housing. We have donated $300 to this project.
3) April 6: District Grants Hybrid workshop: rotary 5150.org/calendar
3a) April 6, 3 pm Music: Marin Harmony
4) April 6: CHARTER PARTY: The NEW Novato Evening Rotary Club, McInnis Golf Club. Contact Jennifer Harwood: jharwood@braytonlaw.com
5) April 12, Rotary/Toastmasters Speech Craft, six weekly sessions. Register on rotary5150.org/calendar. Millie enjoyed the course.
6) April 18: The deadline for signing up for the District Conference
7) April 20: Masters PRLS 2: Planned Public Speaking
8) April 20: 8:00 - 11:30: Membership Action Plan Workshop (virtual: rotary 5150.org/calender
9) April 22: RC Ignacio Golf Tournament: contact stevehodgdon@gmail.com
10) April 23: 5:00 - 8:00 pm: Human Trafficking Walk: SFO International Terminal A Aviation Museum, $25 to walk, contact Lisa Kiesselbach at lisa@palcare.org
11) April 24: 5:30 7:30: Multiclub event: Marin Community Foundation update/social, MCF Headquarters in Novato, RSVP by April 17,
12) May 2, 11 - 2:45 pm: District 5150 Marin Blood Drive, Elks Lodge, make an appointment: donors.vitalant.org
13) May 5, 9 am -12 pm: Rotary Day of Service: Marin Civic Center Exhibit Hall and Showcase Theater. Rotary will partner with Marin County Parks and the Marin County Landscaping District to plant 70 flowering plants.
14) May 15 6pm: RC San Mateo Centennial, Special Guests RI Prez Gordon and Heather Mcinally, $200/person centennial@rotaryclubof sanmateo.org
15) May 17 -19 BetterTogether Multidistrict Conference Reno. April 18: deadline to register.
16) May 25 - 29: RI Convention Singapore
17) June: Rotary Gala TBA
18) June 30: SF Pride Parade - District 5150 will have a float
19) August 14 -21: The Rotary Foundation Cruise, A Fundraiser for the Eradication of Polio: Holland/Belgium. Contact Carlos Acre at 415 215 6442 for info.
Other news:
1) District grant applications are due June 1, and Joint Board meetings are May 15 and June 19. Millie decided to cancel the 1st July meeting, which would have taken place July 2, because it is close to July 4, and members will be out of town.
2) Rachel Kertz invited anyone to participate in Extra Food on the 4th Sunday of each month.
3) John Zeiter invited anyone to participate in Farm Food Day on April 10
4) John also invited anyone to participate in scholarship interviews. He has received 13 applications, and Rotary has $7,000 in scholarship ship to distribute.
5) Brian McLeran has Rotary dictionaries to distribute and would welcome help. Jeff and Dan Volunteered.
Celebrations:
1) Jeff Moss attended his 17th Baseball spring training season in Arizona earlier and donated $100 to Rotary and polio eradication.
Program:
1) Tabitha Sparks, a staff member at Rotary International in Sacramento, briefly talked about creating a meaningful legacy. One way is to establish a trust with Rotary International. Tabitha and Nathan discussed three benefits: minimize your capital gains tax, 2) a more significant amount of money goes to Rotary International, and 3) your overall taxes are lower. Contact Tabitha if you’d like more information.
2) Our main speaker was Vicki Masseria, from “Make it Home Bay Area.” Make it Home makes refurnished furniture and puts it into apartments for homeless people, which becomes their new home. Make it Home decorates these new homes beautifully, and such efforts show results. 5% of homeless people become homeless again after living in a beautifully appointed apartment. 20% of homeless people will become homeless again if they move into an empty apartment with no furniture or living utensils.
Nathan thanked Vicki for her inspirational talk and told her that 20 polio immunizations would be given in her honor.
Next meeting April 16. Host: Dan; Scribe: Jeff