DIGITAL EDITION   No. 53     November 13, 2013     EDITORS:  Matt Everson & Layne Bowen     PHOTOGRAPHER: Nicole Le

Our Program For November 20th

YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING

Our District is making new requirements for Rotarians dealing with youth. We will need to train all Rotarians who intend to help in youth projects, such as Dictionaries, Christmas Party, etc. We can do this easily if we have one of our District Trainers come and do a program for us. Then everyone in attendance will be in compliance with the easiest part. Those members who will be in one-on-one contact with youth will need to do a more thorough training (Live Scan, references, etc.) This cannot be done at a meeting. Wulff Reinhardt from the District will do a 30 minute training at this week’s meeting. It will just make it safer for our members, our club, and the youth.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS….

November 27th: No meeting due to Thanksgiving holidays
December 4th: Christmas Wrapping Party
December 11th: Holiday Recipes with Chef Gerard Guidice
December 18th: Christmas Program

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
Visit the Sonoma County Superior Court at: http://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/

OPENING CEREMONIES

President Peggy opened the meeting of the finest club in District 5130 with her usual grace and calm style. She invited Doug Johnson to lead the Club in the Pledge and then Chip Rawson came up to read the Gettysburg Address as today’s invocation. (Thank the Lord that he didn’t read the two hour speech that preceded Lincoln’s address!)

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

PEGGY’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

1)    President Peggy asked all the veterans in the room to stand and be recognized for their service by our club.

2)    At this point, President Peggy shared the The Nominating Committee’s Report on the Slate for Officers and Board of Directors: She read off the names of the 5 new officers for the two year term  2014-2016, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the President Elect Nominee. Peggy announced that at next week’s meeting if there are any nominees from the floor, you must be sure that the nominees are present, and that they have agreed to be nominated for the position.  If there are no additional nominees we will just vote on the slate next week.  If there are nominees from the floor who meet the requirements (presence and agreement to run), we will prepare ballots and will do the voting at the December meeting.

Nominees for the Board of Directors for the term 2014-2016:

Karen Ball, Tim Delaney, Tim Fawcett, Bill Hatcher, John McHugh.

President Elect Nominee for 2016-2017, Doug Johnson.

RAFFLE

The raffle had $900 on the line. Julia Parranto purchased 50 tickets but her number wasn’t called. The lucky winner was Shannon McConnell but she wasn’t that lucky. She drew the two of spades and the pot will roll over for next week.

VISITING ROTARIANS

Julie Nation of Santa Rosa West, Larry Wasson and Dave Chappell of Kenwood also came along for the stories and good times.

GUESTS OF ROTARIANS

There were only a handful of guests today. Most of Chuck Bartley’s family were present. Dick Varone was the guest of Past President Ed Anderson. Mel Burchill joined husband Mark Burchill. Doug Chase brought along his wife Robbie and their son. We also had the presence of SRPD, represented by Chief Tom Schwedhelm, Lt. Lance Badger and “Husband” Eric Goldschlag. He has no rank other than spouse, Marnie???

ROTARIAN OF THE MONTH – BOB SORENSON

This Rotarian has the best sport coat in all of Rotary. A red, plaid number that is so classy, it defines cool.  He isn’t the type to shout out loud jokes or find himself on stage. He often works behind the scenes, helping out at every bike ride, fund raiser, and project that we do. He is the chair of the Fellowship Committee and lately, he has been pinch hitting for Nick Knickerbocker being sure the Club meeting is prepared and rolling smoothly. He has just celebrated his 90^th birthday with friends and family and he’s been in Rotary longer than this writer has been living. All of us youngsters could learn a thing or two from such a distinguished human being and solid Rotarian. Congrats, Bob!

PROSPECTIVE NEW MEMBERS

The following are prospective new members from the Santa Rosa Police Department Sponsored by Marnie Goldschlag:
[list style=”arrow” color=”blue” el_position=”first last”]

• Sgt. Eric Goldschlag
• Lt. Mike Tosti
• Lt. Lance Badger
• Chief Tom Schwedhelm

[/list]An adittional prospective new member is sponsored by Jack Abercrombie

[list style=”arrow” color=”blue” el_position=”first last”]

• Troy Ingold, Wallgreen’s Store Mgr and former member of the Fortuna Sunrise

[/list]

WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR THE PHILLIPINES?

The World Community Service Committee just voted to send a Shelter Box to the Philippines. If you are new to Rotary and do not know what this is, it’s a brilliant idea conceived by a Rotarian in Great Britain that has been adopted for use by Rotary worldwide to aid in disaster relief. The box provides a tent, cooking stoves and utensils, blankets and other essential items that can be delivered quickly to people in need around the globe. The purpose of the shelter box is to provide a quick temporary shelter (designed to be used up to 6 months) in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster when permanent shelter may be unavailable.  Each box is designed specifically for the geographic area in which it will be deployed. For example, mosquito nets would be included in locations in the tropics, where in colder climates, more blankets and heating equipment would be included.)

DA DA DA DA DA DA…… YOU SAY IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY!
Da da da da da da da da……It’s my birthday too, yeah!

(OK, rock n roll musicologists, which band and which album did this come from?)

As Mrs. Elizabeth Karbousky began calling off the November birthdays, it became apparent to your Editor that roses aren’t the only thing being exchanged in February…Kathleen Archer, Julia “Tickets” Parranto, Jim Johnson, Bob Sorenson, Cathy Vicini and Diane Moresi all passed another year on this globe. Those honored but not present: Yale Abrams, Mike Kallhoff, Fred Levin, Wally Lowry, Craig Meltzner, Brandon Uhrich & Dan Wright. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROTARIANS!

PROGRAM

President Peggy decided we’d handle some of the basic Club business later to be sure Chuck Bartley had enough time to regale us with tales of World War II and his involvement in the famed 10th Mountain Division. It was a nice twist on proceedings. Chuck has told this story to our Club before. But many of the Members weren’t in the Club the last time he did.

Chuck began with a brief history of what was happening in 1939 as he graduated from high school in Ohio and signed up to go to war like so many of his peers did back then. From Camp Carson, Co. to Camp Swift in Texas and onto the east coast after that to ship out for Italy, the training he endured was rigorous.

Upon his arrival in Europe, Chuck’s division landed in Pisa and traveled up to battle for Mt. Belvedere against a potent and resolute Nazi army. Chuck described the situation in Italy and the eventual capture and execution of Mussolini. He also described how his unit scaled a mountain wall similar to Yosemite’s Half Dome in order to attack the enemy from the rear. Eventually, Chuck’s unit ended up in Riva Del Garda in the beautiful northern lake region of Italy. .

We lose more and more WWII vets each year to the constant click forward of time. It was an honor to hear about his heroism and be reminded how easy our lives truly are these days because of the brave dedication and sacrifice of our military men and women.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Craig Meltzner announced that next week a safety training seminar required by law for those working with youth would be given to our club as a whole.  Doug Johnson made good on his pledge to give a car wash to Jack Tolin.  Mark Burchill announced exciting news to the Club that “Rotary Means Business” is now officially recognized as a Rotary International Fellowship and our Club is the anchor of the whole thing! Good work Mark! Your little group has put our club on the Rotary map! In the words of Ron Bergundy, we’re now “KIND OF A BIG DEAL!”

SUPPORT OUR MILITARY VETERANS

Steve Olsen updated the club on the John Brown Scholarship Fund:

“It is very appropriate for Rotarians to join with the rest of the community at this time of the year to thank, honor and respect the men and women who have or are currently serving in the military. The joint Rotary/Kiwanis luncheon on November 7th and the special Rotary program featuring Chuck Bartley’s recounting of his days in WW II provided all of us with an opportunity to learn about the sacrifices made to insure our freedom. I would like to offer another way to express appreciation to those who have made tremendous sacrifices on our behalf and that is by contributing to the John Brown Memorial Veterans Scholarship Fund administered by the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Foundation. The Foundation Board feels so strongly about this special fund that it established a matching grant program that will help the fund reach endowed status. Starting today, November 13, 2013, the Foundation will match contributions to the scholarship fund on a 1:1 basis with a cap of $3,000 The opportunity to contribute and take advantage of the match expires on December 31, 2013. Please join me in contributing to the “John’s Fund”. If you have contributed before, the Foundation Board greatly appreciates your support but we hope you will consider another contribution. We would like to grow the fund to at least $50,000. This would be enough to annually award a $2,000 college scholarship to a deserving military veteran. Let’s make John proud!”

Steve Olson
Scholarship Chair
Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Foundation

FINES AND RECOGNITIONS

Celebrating trips to various points around the globe with generous donations were: Ted Wilmsen, Sam McMillan, Steve Olson, Kim “Out of Africa” Murphy, and Eileen,“It’s Myanmar, not Burma” Carlisle.

PEGGY’S CLOSING STATEMENT:

“How important for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!”
Maya Angelou

President Peggy asked the club to stand for a moment of silence in respect and prayer for the deceased veterans, for the dead and suffering in the Philippines, and for a former Rotarian, Gloria Duncan who recently passed away.

THANK YOU TO TODAY’S HELPERS!

Pledge:  Doug Johnson
Raffle:  Dan Walker
Ticket Collector: Darren Elliott
Greeters:  Jack Atkin & Jack Tolin
Invocation:  Chip Rawson
Visiting Rotarians:  Jack Abercrombie
Ticket Sales:  Ann Gospe
Birthday Presentations:  Elizabeth Karbousky

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL FEATURE

 

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