–> Redwood Empire Food Bank – 2nd Wednesday of the month.  The next one is March 13th – 5 PM – 7 PM

SRJC Rotaract Fundraiser – You can make your donations here: Click here to donate

SRJC and Sonoma State Rotaract members support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. If you would like to donate, you can make a donation here.

For pictures and descriptions of previous socials and other events click here.

For more details and additional events, see the Announcements section below.

More socials, projects, & events coming soon!

Rotary Announcements

See the Announcements section below.

Opening Ceremonies:

“Welcome to the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa where we do good in our world and have fun doing it!”

Rich Rossi led us in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test. As for his reflection, “National Sticky Bun Day.” Should a sticky bun have nuts or no nuts? Is it breakfast or a dessert? It makes me ponder… But he also presented some of the benefits of helping others: Lowers blood pressure, helps us live longer, makes us happy and gives us a sense of purpose. He ended with a quote from Reese Whitherspoon’s mom, “If you think you are too small to make a difference, then you haven’t been in a dark room with a mosquito!”

Visiting Rotarians:

Marilyn Lira – Rotary Club of Santa Rosa East/West, Len Geraldi – Sonoma Mountain Twilight Rotary Club, David Mark-Raymond – Sebastopol Sunrise, Mikal Cook – Sebastopol Sunrise

Guests:

Lisa Trepel – She has turned in her application for membership!

Sunshine Report:

Kris Anderson checked in with Rose Frances.  She has been getting out of bed at Apple Valley Rehab since Friday, February 16! At issue is the wound on her back.  She expects to be on antibiotics for another three weeks. She thinks she will be able to go home before March 10.  It just depends on the healing process. She should be walking very well by the time she goes home.

Raffle:

Big bucks today! $333.00 and, I believe, only seven marbles.  Dan Balfe had the right ticket, but he pulled out a yellow marble.  The pot rolls over with one less marble next week!

Announcements:

1. Saturday, February 24 is the two-year anniversary since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We have a lot to be proud of in our support for Ukraine.  Jeff Gospe says that we are sending another $23,000 for batteries and generators.  This money has come from so many clubs in the area.  Mikal Cook brought in a check for $1000 from his club. Interesting note about telemedicine.  Mikal says they cannot do telemedicine there because the enemy would be able to track the devices and know where they are being used.  Not a good idea to attract the Russians!
2. The Valentine’s Brunch was outstanding. Jeff Kolin hinted that this was the “first annual” brunch.  Oh boy!
3. Did you see the Non-Profit section in Sunday’s Press Democrat? Rotary District 5130 put in a full-page ad on page G6.
4. Isidora’s Chilean dinner has room for another couple of people and that is it. If you want to go, make a reservation.
5. Paul Hamilton announced that the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Foundation will have an election of officers in 60 days. If you have an interest in serving on the Foundation Board, please contact Paul or Casey D’Angelo. Sam McMillan is the current president, so you could talk to him too.
6. Karen Ball announced that we are dropping DACdb for the financial reporting. It has turned out to NOT be easier and less expensive than QuickBooks.  So, be patient as she gets invoices out.
7. Marilyn Lira was here to announce the District Assembly on Saturday, April 6 in Ukiah. This is a fun and very informative day on all things Rotary.  The upfront cost is $60.00, but you will be reimbursed if you sign up and go.  We will be carpooling, so you do not have to go by yourself.
8. Casey D’Angelo has ordered the books for the 31 area schools for the third graders. Once the books arrive, he will need help.  We will have sign-ups for delivery.
9. Sam McMillian says the last of the lamb and pork from the Junior Livestock Auction has been purchased. He is happy to have this freezer empty!

Rotarian of the Month:

That would be Nona Lucas! Nona is one of those quiet Rotarians that does so much for us. She is always working at the front desk as we check in for lunch.  She is the head of the social committee and serves on the Foundation Board, just to name a few things she does for our club.  Congratulations Nona!

Paul Harris Fellows:

Len Giraldi and Marilyn Lira helped President Ann Gospe hand out Paul Harris awards today. Diane Moresi has joined the “Paul Harris Society.” To become a member, you agree to donate $1000 to the Rotary International Foundation on an annual basis (if you miss a year, they don’t kick you out). These funds help Rotary to fulfill their promise to make this a better world in our Seven Areas of Focus.  Karen Ball received her fifth Paul Harris award pin and Jeff Kolin got his ninth!  He will soon be a major donor!

Guest Speaker today is David Mark-Raymond: The Rotary Foundation Endowment and Gifting

David has been a Rotarian since 1997.  In his role as major gifts and endowment chair for our District 5130, he was here to talk about making major gifts and ways to give that are easier and more tax effective.

We encourage our Rotary members to donate $100.00 a year to Rotary. But if you can give more…..There are many strategic ways to do it to get the most bang for your buck.

The Paul Harris Society was started in 1957 to show appreciation to those who support the Annual Fund, Polio Plus or an approved Foundation grant. The Paul Harris Society recognizes Rotary members and friends of The Rotary Foundation who elect to contribute $1000 or more each year to one of these funds.  But for those who can give more, that is where David steps in to help you direct your contributions now or how to set up your will for funds to be donated upon your death. They money donated is how Rotary does so much good in the world whether it is fighting Polio, building water systems, helping the Ukraine and so much more.  Last year Rotary distributed $20,000,000. As stated above recognition starts with the first $1000.  You become a major donor at $10,000. At $250,000 you become a member of the Arch Klumph Society and at $1,000,000 you belong to the Legacy Society.   If you have any questions on giving, you can also talk to Past President Jeanne Levin.  She is an estate attorney and has helped many Rotarians, and friends of Rotarians, with their gifts to Rotary. There are so many ways to give.

Program Slides

Here are a few slides from this week.

Click on above picture to view a few slides from this week’s program about the foundation