–> 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 for our world and have fun doing it!”

Steve Olson led us in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test. His Reflection was on Agriculture.  March is Agriculture Month and March 19 is Agriculture Day.  168 people are served by the average farm, up from 25 many years ago. There are over 400 specialty crops in California. 50% of the nation’s fruits, nuts and other crops are grown in California.  Only 2% of the nation’s population are farmers and half of those are small farms. The average American spends 10% of their budget on food. As a nation we export more food than we import.  So, thank the farmer!

Guests:

Bill Adams (former member 1995-2005?), Norm Sheehan (Insurance Agency Owner), Joel Butler (resident manager at the Bohemian Grove), Lisa Trepel (soon to be a member), and Leslie Barnes (turned in her application today!).

Sunshine Report:

Julia Parranto says Rose Frances will be out of the hospital next Monday March 11.  I think that it has been about 63 days since she went in for knee surgery.  Keven Brown says his dad was in the hospital this last week, but he is home now. Rich Rossi has been sidelined with back issues. Kim Murphy is having some health issues too.

Raffle:

The numbers are getting serious!  $393.00 in the pot and only 5 marbles left! Craig Meltzner had the ticket, but he pulled a yellow marble.  So next week, 4 marbles and a bigger pot!

Birthdays:

We celebrated both February and March today.  Jeanne Levin and Rick Allen were the only people here today, so too bad for those not here! They got a $25.00 gift certificate to Corrick’s. Other birthdays who were not here are: Doug Johnson, Mark Burchill, and Robby Fouts.  My apologies if I missed anyone.

Rotarian of the Month:

That would be Andrea Geary.  She is another one of those quiet Rotarians who does lots of important work for us behind the scenes. Right now, she is our finance person for the Giro Bello.  She has quite the job of keeping the Giro Bello running smoothly.  Thank you, Andrea!

Announcements:

1. Casey has the sign-up list for the 30 schools where we will be delivering the book for the third graders later this month.  We need 2 Rotarians per school.  For our newer members, please sign up with someone who is experienced so you can learn the ropes (it is pretty easy to do).
2. Ray Giampaoli reminded us to each get at least one non-Rotarian as a sponsor. Those in BNI Groups, ask your members.
3. Next week, Wednesday March 13, is our monthly work day at the Redwood Empire Food Bank, 5:00 – 7:00pm
4. District Assembly in Saturday, April 6 in Ukiah. If you sign up and go, the club will reimburse  the $60.00 to attend. There are about 12 people signed up thus far.  We will be carpooling to Ukiah, so you do not have to drive by yourself.  This is a really fun day of all things Rotary.
5. District Conference will be on May 17 and 18. Sounds like there is a reception on Friday and not quite a full day of Rotary on Saturday. It will be held at Sally Tomatoes in Rohnert Park.  More information to follow.
6. Past President’s Luncheon will be April 3. If you have contact with any past presidents that are no longer in the club, invite them.  Invitations have been sent.  Keith Woods is our guest speaker.

Ryan Thomas presents our Outstanding Seniors

We have been doing the Student Leadership Awards since, forever.  In the past we had one school every other month.  At least 10 years ago we decided to make it a program with all the schools on the same day.  The students and the teachers like meeting the other students.  It has more impact done on one day. The cool thing about this award is that the schools decide on who that person is.  It is not just about GPA.  Academics, philanthropy, sports, leadership andother talents go into their decision.

First up was Ricardo Bolanos Lopez from Maria Carillo High School.  He was introduced by Principal Monique Luke. This is a student well on his way to a career in the medical field. Well spoken, he talked about a book he read by Jocko Willink, “Leadership Strategies and Tactics” and how it has helped him as he has grown in leadership (I checked. You can buy it on Amazon). He has served in several leadership rolls and is presently president of the medical careers club. (More pictures of Ricardo)

Alisia Marques from Santa Rosa High School was introduced by Principal Mark Ryan.  Dr.Ryan says Alisia is all about love. She treats others fairly. She is a peer counselor.  She will always do the right thing and do her part to make the world a better place.  She is a talented singer and wants to study music in college. (More pictures of Alisia)

 

Jenelle San Juan from Roseland Collegiate Prep was introduced by Casey Thornhill, assistant principal.  She has run the Enviornmental Stewartship Academy’s Green Team. She has taken a lot of advance placement classes.  Her compassion and leaderhip make her a standout. Jenelle thanked her college counselor, Emily White. She spoke of going through the school trash to make sure it is properly reduced, reused and recyled. She is passionate about the enviornment. Kristen Danley was introduced by princiapl Nicolas Reynolds from Cardinal Newman High School. He says she is kindness personified. She is grateful.  She tutors in both Spanish and Math. She is a St Rose school volunteer. She was a winner at Boys and Girls State for a city design.  There are many forms of leadership. She is one who inspires and uses power for good. (More pictures of Janella)

Javier Perez Lopez of Piner High School could not be here, but John Kennedy, vice principal Says he is a kind person. He reflects love, hope and the future. He wants to become a nurse. (More pictures of Javier)

Bertha Saucedo from Roseland University Prep was intrduced by counselor Claudia Comacho. Bertha decides on what she wants to do and makes it happen.  At their school you have to petition to take more than 11 units a semester. She does it all the time.  She has been taking classes at SRJC and when she graduates this spring  she will also have five degrees from SRJC. She will be attending Columbia University in New York this fall.(More pictures of Bertha)

Missing today, but will come for another meeting was Johnny Kuok from Elsie Allen High School.  Looks like Montgomery High School, Ridgway High School and Sonoma Academy were not able to participate today

Needless to say, Steve Olson was passing out scholarship applications to todays honorees!

Program Slides

No program slides this week.