DIGITAL EDITION   No. 66    March 5, 2014     EDITOR: Matt Everson     PHOTOGRAPHER: Kris Anderson

Our Program For March 12th

MICROCREDIT PROJECT IN ECUADOR

The Rotary Club of Santa Rosa is co-sponsoring an exciting new Rotary microcredit project in Ecuador. Through this project, small loans will be provided to very poor people to help them establish their own small businesses. This will be a Rotary Foundation Global Grant project, and is being organized in conjunction with other Rotary clubs in District 5130 and the District 5150 Microcredit Committee.

Our speakers will be Keith Axtell, Chair of the District 5150 Microcredit Committee, and Past District Governor Holly Axtell. They will highlight their District visit to Bogota, Colombia reviewing their District’s recent microcredit project serving 200 displaced people in Colombia. The new project in Ecuador will also be explained, with photos of recent loan recipients.

The target for the new project is to provide 320 loans to promising needy people in the Esmeraldas Province of Ecuador. The project will also provide a Rotary training center where clients will receive business skills and vocational training. Loans and training will be starting soon, as the application for this project is now in review by The Rotary Foundation.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

March 19: Bella Rosa Coffee Company
March 26: U.S. Coast Guard
March 30: Open Space District

USEFUL LINKS

Visit our district at: http://www.rotary5130.org
Check out Rotary International at: http://www.rotary.org
Come see us at: http://rotarymeansbusiness.com

OPENING CEREMONIES

President Peggy opened the meeting of the finest club in District 5130 with her usual graceful and calm style. She invited Rich de Lambert to lead the Club in the Pledge and then Ray Foreaker came up to lead the club in prayer.

VISITING ROTARIANS

Karen Ball presented Mary Graves of Rancho Cotati, who graced our Club today and brought along an impressive SSU Rotaractor, Suroj Marajan.

GUESTS

Many of our members brought along guests today.  Keep it up folks! And please, start looking for prospective members from sectors outside of law, real estate, financial advice and mortgage. Ken Kelly (Yale Abrahms), Doug Strabeck (Ray Giampoli), Michael Flitner (Doug Johnson), Suroj Marajan (Rotaract of Sonoma State), Bart Eddy (Karen Ball) and Richard Pratt (Judy Glenn)…

TODAY’S RAFFLE

The raffle had over $120 on the line. It was suspect from the start as there seemed to be tickets in the bucket that had no owner.  Then, Ryan Thomas pulled a Joker and almost bought a new pair of shoes for his daughter before Tim DeLaney said “It ain’t the Joker no more! It’s the Queen of Diamonds!”

Poor Ryan.  He almost had it! And now has only $10! Tim should give Ryan another $10 just for giving  and then taking away…..

ROTARIAN MAGAZINE QUIZ

What is the message to all Rotarians from RI President Ron Burton from the March 2014 issue of The Rotarian?

RED BADGE TO BLUE BADGE

Ray Giampaoli – has completed all the 101 requirements of Red Badgers and now receives his Blue Badge.  Congratulations, Ray!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The SRPD corporate members have had to resign. What a shame! We had four quality members there but work pressures prevented them from meeting our requirements.

Rich de Lambert promoted the new Evening Club’s fund raiser that will be May 24 at the Vets bldg from 6p.m. to 11 p.m.  It will be like a cook-off only it will be a cocktail war.  Who can mix the best cocktail?  Appetizers are available, and a BBQ will be outside.  It’s the club’s first big fund raiser, so put it on your calendar.

Bill Rousseau passed the hat for the Sonoma County High School Scholar Athletes Awards and $268 was raised! Thanks to all who donated!

Mark Burchill mentioned the District Assembly upcoming in Ukiah on April 5^th. All Rotarians are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Lastly, Carolyn Ivanovich stepped up like a big-time Rotarian in hosting our foreign exchange student! Way to be Carolyn!

STUDENT RECOGNITIONS

by Bill Hatcher

Alba Diaz was joined by her parents Jose and Rosa to be honored with a plaque and a $100 check. Here to introduce Alba was her Roseland University Prep High School principal Michelle Leisen. What a bright star is Alba and what amazing things are happening over there at RUPHS!

POLIO PLUS

Suroj Marajan of the Rotaract group from SSU is the International chair of their club.  He presented a very well made video called No Mo Po for no more polio.

For a little background, October 24th was World Polio Day and the SSU Rotaract students, in conjunction with  organizations all over the world,  displayed a large ” End Polio Now” Illumination on the outside Wall of Darwin Hall on campus. There  were similar displays all over the world on that same day : Sydney Opera house, Paris Eiffel Tower, Darwin Hall at SSU, etc.  SSU Rotaract received a community service award from the City of Rohnert Park for their World Polio day illumination.

The video was fantastic. Somewhat disturbing was an interview of a young mother of three from Sebastopol who had decided that there was no good reason for immunizing her children against this dreaded disease.  Her opinion is similar to many in this area. Many young parents are beginning to believe that immunizations are either dangerous or simply a way for pharmaceutical companies to make money. Sonoma County, specifically West County, has the HIGHEST rate of non-immunized children in California. Sadly, people who think this way can be likened to those in certain parts of the 3^rd world who believe that immunization against polio is simply a western plot to sterilize their children. Unfortunately, young parents who have never had firsthand experience with polio do not understand that the disease is only a “plane ride away”.  They also do not seem to understand that the “herd” needs to be immunized to protect everyone, not just from polio but many other childhood diseases that those of us who grew up in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s know only too well. Those diseases include: chicken pox, mumps, measles and several others. Hopefully, this brilliant SSU Rotaract film will be shown all over Sonoma County to educate those who have chosen not to immunize their children.

ROTARIAN OF THE MONTH

This honor goes to a relatively new member who had an idea and wasn’t afraid to try it out.  He took an idea, developed it and ran with it.  He persevered when we were slow to respond and he made it work. He has been patient with us and he’s stayed even when he saw our flaws. The Board wanted to recognize and honor his initiative, his creativity, and his perseverance. Please help me recognize and congratulate Darren Elliott as our Rotarian of the Month.

PROGRAM

Today’s speaker was Steve Freitas, a 29 year veteran of law enforcement.  He was elected Sheriff in Jan 2011 and came to speak in front of our club today about his office as not just sheriff but coroner.

Steve spoke of the cost being imposed on our county by the state for redistricted prisoners, people with mental health issues and more.  His office is being proactive with youngsters to try and avoid the $133 daily cost to taxpayers of having that kid end up in jail!  $48,000 per year, times 475 prisoners means $23 million annually!  Wow!

He took many respectful and thoughtful questions from the Club and also stuck around after to talk to members.  Thanks for your time today, Sheriff!

 

OFFICERS

Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Officers

President: Peggy Soberanis, President Elect: Mark Burchill, President Elect Nominee: Jose Guillen, Past President: Bill Rousseau, Secretary: Jack Abercrombie, Treasurer: Cecil G. Humes, Sergeant at Arms: Jack Geary

President Rotary International

Ron D. Burton, member of the Rotary Club of Norman, Oklahoma, USA

Governor, District 5130

Helaine Campbell, Rotary Club of Sebastopol Sunrise

Attendance Secretary

Jack Abercrombie P.O. Box 505 Santa Rosa, CA 95402 707-538-4770

Board of Directors

Debra Dorfman, Matt Fannin, Jose Guillen, Doug Johnson, Nicole Le, Robert Pierce, Jack Tolin, Creed Wood, Cathy Vicini