DIGITAL EDITION     No. 10     January 2, 2013     EDITOR: Jim Johnson     PHOTOGRAPHER: Nicole Le

Our Program For January 9th:

THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF SONOMA COUNTY

Another inspiring Sonoma County story of a dream, dedication and perseverance

museum

Collette Michaud should be a Rotarian. That was obvious when she drove up from Petaluma to The Flamingo years ago to speak to this Rotary Club about her dream for the young children of Sonoma County. Our program committee was impressed, mostly because Collette did not pitch the club for donations to her non-profit idea. She answered our questions, thanked us, and went back to Petaluma. And went to work to build her dream into reality. She convinced some mothers & a few business owners to serve on a board. They incorporated in 2005. Interviews appeared in the local newspapers, and she shared her dream, generated some contributions, and never stopped working. If you don’t know what happened next, do not miss next Wednesday’s Rotary presentation and see what perseverance and patience can accomplish.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS….

January 16, 2013: Meet SRJC President Frank Chong
January 23, 2013: Redwood Empire Food Bank
January 30, 2013: Rotary’s Public Safety Awards

OPENING CEREMONIES

All of us felt honored as President Bill Rousseau began the New Year and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. So far, so good, as Carmen Sinigiani stepped up to the podium with four suggested New Year’s Resolutions:

From James Agate, “To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.”

Benjamin Franklin, “How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them.”

Dave Beard, “Many years ago I resolved never to bother with New Year’s resolutions, and I’ve stuck with it ever since.”

Michael Josephson, “Whether we want them or not, the New Year will bring new challenges; whether we seize them or not, the New Year will bring on new opportunities.”

FELLOWSHIP

Thank you to the following members who fulfilled the Fellowship positions at today’s meeting:
Raffle: Creed Wood
Visiting Rotarians: Vinay Patel
Ticket Collector: Jackie McMillan
Ticket Sales: Mike Kallof
Greeters: Steve Reuter & President Bill Rousseau

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

President William announced that this club and our fellow members have been asked to support the Santa Rosa Sunrise club to help out the two injured Elsie Allen cheer leaders, in light of the Sunrise Club’s relationship with the school’s Interact Club. Christina Garcia and her cousin Alexis Vargas were critically injured in a traffic accident in Mexico two days before Christmas that took the life of Cristina’s mother, Maria Torres Garcia. Both girls and other injured family members were hospitalized and treated locally. Both Christina & Alexis, who are critically injured, have been transferred to trauma hospitals in southern Texas.

District Governor Mike Juric called on other Rotary Clubs to assist the families in their time of need. And in an emergency report to our board of directors, fellow Rotarian Jose Guillen wrote, “This tragedy has not only impacted the immediate two families of Alexis and Christina, but also all students at Elsie Allen.  Our financial assistance to defray their medical and transportation costs will also help the healing process for the Elsie Allen alumni and our community. I am touched by the way the students are eager to help these families.”

Past President and visiting Rotarian Barbara Beedon

Past President and visiting Rotarian Barbara Beedon

VISITING ROTARIAN

Today’s sole visiting Rotarian joined this Rotary Club in 1996 and served as president in 2003-04. Still active in Rotary in Sebastopol and in the district, Barbara Beedon was visiting to advise us of the new Rotary project to build a new school house in Uganda and invite our club to participate. Welcome, Barbara, to the most active Rotary Club in District 5130.

GUESTS OF ROTARIANS

Today’s guests were introduced by a collection of visiting geniuses recruited to give their specific Trivia Teams an unfair advantage in Ray Dorfman’s already-shady & suspect Family Trivia competition. First guest was Gerry, wife of Club Treasurer Cecil Humes. Guest #2 was Jessica Kozlowski, Kim Murphy’s business partner. The third guest was Past President Dave Brown’s all-grown-up son and guest #4 was our very own Kristin Fladseth, the District’s Ambassadorial Scholar for 2011-12. To all, a warm Rotary welcome to the first and largest Rotary Club in Sonoma County…still active after 91 very active years in Santa Rosa!

SUNSHINE REPORT

While Robert Pierce reported having a slight headache himself, he said that ailing Dick Jenkins was holding his own but in dire need of cheering up at his home on Grosse Avenue. He’s not contagious on the phone. Put his phone number—545-3641—on speed dial and take a few minutes to ask how he’s doing. Wish him a Happy New Year, tell him we miss him, wish him well, and hope to see him back at Rotary soon.

Gerry Humes tries her luck with Creed Wood

Gerry Humes tries her luck with Creed Wood

THE RAFFLE

This week’s Raffle was conducted by Creed Wood, who confirmed that the Jackpot had advanced to $207. Past President Ray Dorfman drew the lucky ticket held by Gerry Humes, the spousal guest of Cecil Humes. Unfortunately for the Humes’ financial status, Gerry failed to pull one of the jokers from deck and returned to her table to console her hubby with $10 in consolation money.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Giro Bello Committee meeting: Wednesday, January 23rd at 11 a.m. at the Flamingo, in one of the conference rooms. Chair Doug Johnson looks forward to seeing you there to become part of this great fundraiser. Many exciting details will be discussed. Everyone is welcome. We need your input. If you have any questions, please call Doug’s cell @849-6429.

Ted Wilmsen successfully garners three more volunteers for dictionary distribution

Ted Wilmsen successfully garners three more volunteers for dictionary distribution

Ted Wilmsen, chair of our annual 3rd Grade Dictionary project, reported that three of our club’s voluntary distribution teams needed three more partners to be complete. Within minutes, three more fellow Rotarians had signed up to help distribute dictionaries to every third grader in the Santa Rosa schools this month.

RECOGNITIONS ON HOLD

When President Bill could not find the first on his recognition list, Jock McNeill eagerly jumped to his feet and announced that he and Laura were expecting their second child, but too soon to know if it would be a brother or sister. Time will tell, Jock. Thanks for your generous contribution to the club in celebration of the McNeill population explosion.

Blaine Goodwin was relieved of all his ready cash left over from his daughter’s recent wedding on December 23rd in the snows of Lake Tahoe. His generous $100 contribution further enriches our club’s local foundation.

Jeff Gospe arrived in the usual rush, plowed through the assembled trivia teams, muttering the magic words “Stanford”, “Cal”, “football”, and took his seat at the foot of the podium. We then remembered that our last meeting in December, Jeff had indicated that he would donate money to the Club Foundation based the number of points that Stanford scored in the New Year’s day Rose Bowl game. So, Jeff anted up $20 and got Past President Fred Levin to join in with him for an equal amount.

Bob Sorenson was recognized, apparently for taking most of Oakmont (including son-in-law Doug Chase) to Kauai for New Year’s Eve. Bob admitted to 13 fellow travelers and donated $50 to our local foundation and a second $50 to the club’s scholarship fund. Dr. Chase contributed $50 to the Club Foundation.

ROTARIAN MAGAZINE QUESTION

What does R.I. President Sakuji Tanaka do every day to raise awareness of Rotary?

BULLETIN SPONSOR
R-Allen-Card

 

 

 

 

FAMILY TRIVIA

Past President (and heir apparent to legendary quizmaster Chuck Bartley) Marvin Ray Dorfman swung into action with a quick summary of the rules. After a slow start, all seven trivia teams proved that the imported ringers knew how to play the game until at last Team #5 was tricked into a wrong answer by our bargain-basement stand-in for Alex Trebek. Forced to accept banishment, Layne Bowen’s courageous players stoically sat through unending rounds of wild guesses and hotly-contested rounds until the contest was called on account of darkness. When this reporter escaped, the two winning teams were rapaciously arguing over the spoils of victory.
trivia-tables

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM SUSAN & TED

When we started Project Amigo more than 25 years ago, we had the dream that friendships would develop between our North American friends and the poor rural kids of Colima, Mexico.  The dream came true; and, as a result of these friendships, 33(!) kids have graduated from the University of Colima, found good employment and have pulled themselves and their families out of poverty. Many of our North American friends have reported that they, too, have benefited and grown as a result of their visits and friendships with these students. We’re pleased to add that twelve (12!) more students will graduate from the University in 2013!!

100 scholars a year are working their way through the Mexican educational system thanks to scholarships funded by our American and Canadian friends. Thanks to our homework clubs and support team that provide these students with more than help with their homework. Jorge and Lety mentor the students, help them resolve personal and family problems, and provide the tools the scholars need to face and overcome challenges. In doing so they help prepare them for the world they will face when they complete their education. We expect more than 80 percent of our scholars to graduate from college.

The staff in Colima is strong, effective and professional in every respect.  Visitors to Project Amigo inevitably and invariably give five-star reviews to our crew as an effective and happy team.  We are very proud of each staff member and the fine work they do – whether it’s looking after our students, or looking after our visitors’ well-being.

We are proud of you and your Rotary Club–our Amigos who help us provide the funds we need to pay school fees, to support the needs of the kids, and the project as well. Your love, and the kind notes you’ve sent to your students have inspired them to dream even bigger. We look forward to hearing from you by email, and to seeing you when you visit. 

With love, respect and appreciation,

Susan and Ted

Susan@ProjectAmigo.org & Ted@ProjectAmigo.org

 

OFFICERS

Rotary Club of Santa Rosa

President: Bill Rousseau, President Elect: Peggy Soberanis, Secretary: Jack Abercrombie, Treasurer: Cecil G. Humes, Sergeant at Arms: Jack Geary

President Rotary International

Sakuji Tanaka – Rotary Club of Yasjio, Japan

Governor, District 5130

Michael Juric – Rotary Club of Windsor

Attendance Secretary

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

Board of Directors

Matt Fannin, Jose Guillen, Paul Hamilton, Nicole Le, Diane Moresi, Vinay Patel, Robert Pierce, Carmen Sinigiani, Creed Wood, Marnie Goldschlag, Past President