Next meeting
Wednesday, March 22, 2023

To be held at Bennett Valley Golf – in-person only.
Wednesday March 29: Paradise Ridge Sculpture Garden
Wednesday April 5: Past Presidents Celebration
Wednesday April 12: Epoch Times

Click here for the current calendar (Subject to updates).

UPCOMING SOCIALS & PROJECTS & EVENTS  

USEFUL LINKS

NOTE: USEFUL LINKS has moved to the bottom of the bulletin, above the Board of Directors

“Welcome to the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa where we imagine a world that deserves our best, where we get up each day knowing that we can make a difference.”

Opening

Past President Ray led the Opening. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and 4-Way Test, Ray’s reflection honors the poet Emily Dickinson, who died on this day in 1886. She wrote the following poem in 1861. Ray stated that if you listen and think about the concept, it will apply today.

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I’ve heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

Visiting Rotarians

Lindsay Frey, a red-badge member of the East-West Rotary Club, was in attendance.

Guests

Karen Ball introduced Lincoln Miller. He is from Sonic and works in sales with phone and internet services for businesses.

Casey D’Angelo introduced Jeff Harding, retired superintendent, and former Rotarian.

President Kris introduced Heather Thumber. Heather has taken an application to join our club.

Past President Ray re-introduced Doug Landin. He is retired and dappled in insurance and technology. The Board has approved his application to the club. Doug’s induction will be next week.

Mary Graves introduced Rotary Youth Exchange student Will Folkesson.

Susan Nowacki introduced speaker Susan Gorin.

Sunshine

Ginny Cannon announced the passing of Peter Magrini, a former member of the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa.

Cathy Vicini’s husband, John, recently passed away. There are two services that club members are invited to attend. There is a Celebration of Life on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at 1 PM at the Freidman Center, and a Mass at St. Rose Church on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 10 AM. We are invited to attend the burial following the Mass. Instead of flowers, Cathy has asked that donations go to the Vicini Family Scholarship fund Held by the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Foundation.

President-elect Ann Gospe shared that Craig Meltzner’s wife, Elaine, was home in Hospice Care. He asked that we not call at this time.

Raffle

Nonah Lucas conducted the raffle this week. She asked guest speaker Susan Gorin to select a ticket. Scott Bartley held the lucky ticket. President Kris offered him a choice of  $50 to not pull a marble, but Scott decided to try his luck and went on to win the pot! President-elect Ann Gospe held the Second Chance ticket, but the Scratcher was not a winner.

Auction

Past President Ray assisted Exchange Student Will Folkesson in auctioning off two boxes of two dozen chocolate chip cookies and six Swedish chocolate chip brownie cookies. The auction proceeds will help pay for his trip to the western states. Matthew Henry and Karen Ball were the recipients.

Craft Talk

Wes Daniels is hoping to complete his requirements for his Blue Badge soon. He gave a brief and entertaining craft talk. Several years ago, his goal was to become the longest-red badge member in club history. Wes re-joined Rotary just before the pandemic. However, the pandemic was very difficult in his business, and he lacked the time for Rotary. Wes and his wife own and operate Daniels Chapel of the Roses Funeral Home and Crematory. He and his wife Carol have been married for 32 years and have two children. Their son William is a fourth-generation family member in their mortuary business. Katlyn lives in San Jose. The one thing Scott Barkley learned today is that Wes is a punk rock fan. He was once a hockey player, but following several injuries, he is now a hockey fan. Scott and Wes are friends and cruised the Mediterranean a few years ago.

Announcements

Ukraine – The East-West Club donated $1000 to the Ukraine generator project.

Fundraiser – There may still be openings in the Sebastopol Golf Tournament on April 7, 2023. See President Kris for contact information.

District 5130 Assembly – The district assembly will be held on April 1, 2023. The cost is $50. You can sign up for your session in advance. Sam McMillian reminded everyone there is a party the evening before the assembly. Rooms are available at local hotels at reduced rates. Contact Ann Gospe if you have not received a personal email inviting you to the event. The purpose of the assembly is training and education.

District Conference – It is being held at the Konocti Harbor Resort in Lake County on May 4-7, 2023. You should have received an email with the information. There will be a “Battle of the Bands” and a “Lip Sync” competition. The purpose of the District Conference is to celebrate the Rotary year and have fun with members across the district.

Youth Exchange – Rotary Youth Exchange Golf Tournament is on April 22nd, benefiting the youth exchange program.

Bennett Valley Meetings – Casey D’Angelo thanked everyone for attending at our new location. Attendance has increased. He will no longer be sending out an email in advance. We can RSVP when we attend for the following week. If you forget to RSVP and decide to come at the last minute, please come regardless of whether you have RSVP’d.  There will be enough food to cover additional meals. Cash or check payments are still appreciated, so the club isn’t paying a credit card service fee. President Kris thanked Casey and Karen Ball for facilitating the change to Bennett Valley and the RSVP/payment process transition.

“New” Members – Fred Levin, Steve Marburger and Doug Landin have been  approved by the board of directors for membership in the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa. Fellow rotarians Please welcome them to our club.

Recognition

Paul Hamilton donated a check to the Vicini Family Scholarship Fund in memory of John Vicini.

In addition, Paul donated $100 to the Jack LaVar Scholarship Fund in memory of Pete Magrini, a close friend of Jack’s and former Rotary Club of Santa Rosa member.

Giro Bello Ride – June 24, 2023

Robert Pierce announced that we currently have 126 riders registered. We still need a volunteer to lead the road marking and a SAG lead since it doesn’t appear that Craig will be participating this year. A volunteer is needed for the Expo. It involves contacting businesses to participate and ensuring it is organized on the day of the ride.

Program Information

Susan Nowacki announced that she is still seeking participants for the first “Cats and Dogs” program on March 22, 2023. If you have a good story about a pet, please contact Susan.

Program

Susan Nowacki introduced the guest speaker, Supervisor Susan Gorin. A native of Massachusetts, Susan Gorin grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After high school graduation, she married Joe Gorin. The couple moved to Boston, where Susan became the family’s sole support while working for the telephone company as Joe attended M.I.T. Ms. Gorin and her family moved to Sonoma County in 1982 when Joe transferred within Hewlett Packard.

Ms. Gorin attended Santa Rosa Junior College and continued her education at Sonoma State University, graduating in 1991 cum laude with a degree in political science and economics. She became involved in local government, and in 1996 Ms. Gorin was elected to the Santa Rosa School Board. She then successfully ran for the Santa Rosa City Council, where she served for six years. In addition to serving as a six-year city council member, she served two years as Mayor. In 2012, Ms. Gorin was elected to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, representing the First District. Ms. Gorin is now serving the last year and a half before retiring after her three terms as Supervisor.

Ms. Gorin’s presentation highlighted Sonoma County road repair updates, the vacation rental ordinance, and homelessness. However, most of the presentation focused on the Sonoma County Developmental Center plan. The slides from her presentation are attached.

Program Slides

Click on image to view presenter’s slides:

Club Job Openings:

Still need a few bulletin writers. Need a person on the board for Vocational Service Recognition

Additional Pictures:

(Click on image below to view many great pictures from this meeting)

President Kris:

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

Governor, District 5130

Secretary

Debi Zaft P.O. Box 505 Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Board of Directors

Kris Anderson – President
Ann Gospe – President Elect
Casey D’Angelo – President Elect Nominee
Ray Giampaoli – Past President
Debi Zaft – Secretary
Karen Ball – Treasurer
Robert Pierce – Sergeant At Arms
Julia Parranto – Club Service- Membership
Andrea Geary – Club Service – Club Meetings
Matthew Henry – Club Service – Fund Raising
Charlie Howard-Gibbon – Club Services – Member Activities
Pete Lescure – Club Service – Records and Outreach
Casey Carter – Member Involvement
Mary Graves Community – Service – Youth
Tim Fawcett – Vocational Service
Scott Bartley – International Service
Paul Hamilton – Foundation Representative

DIGITAL EDITION No. 494 March 15, 2023  EDITOR: Diane Moresi PHOTOGRAPHER: Jeff Gospe PUBLISHER: Richard Lazovick