UPCOMING SOCIALS & PROJECTS & EVENTS  

More socials, projects, & events coming soon!

Rotaract Fund Raiser
If anyone would like to donate money to GRA (Global Rotaract Alumni Club) they can donate the money on the GOSC site and include a note that it is for GRA. This would help us tremendously to continue growing as a club and be able to conduct larger scale projects. Here is the donation link: Donate Now – Global Offsite Care

Opening The Meeting

Rotary Recap – August 20, 2025

Despite the morning haze and the faint smell of pumpkin spice prematurely creeping in, President Julia started our meeting a full four minutes early. That’s right—early. Some of us hadn’t even gotten to our first spoonful of tiramisu, but leadership waits for no one (and neither does ABBA, apparently).

Pledge, 4-Way Test & Opening Thought

Heather Thurber led us with the Pledge and 4-Way Test, throwing in a side order of optimism: “Let’s all have a miracle!” Which felt like a big ask before caffeine, but we’ll allow it.

Guests & Visiting Rotarians

• Visiting Rotarians: None. We’re starting to wonder if word got out about the music.
• Guests: Just one, but what a one!

Gary Saperstein from Face to Face was introduced by Susan. More on him below…

Sunshine Report

Ginny Cannon brought us some actual sunshine this time, though it came with a jolt:

Jeff Gospe announced that Ann Gospe had a minor heart attack last week and spent 28 hours in the ER. Fortunately, she recuperated fast enough to attend our meeting (like a total boss), and we gave her a standing ovation.

She was slightly confused about whether we were applauding her survival or our shock that she showed up. Either way, we’re just glad she’s okay. [Editor’s note: Ann insists it wasn’t a heart attack but Jeff’s version sounds better so we’re going with that]

Joke of the Day

Michael Moore delivered another crowd-splitting joke, this time sports-themed:

Bob gets a nosebleed seat to the Super Bowl, but sees an empty seat on the 50-yard line.

Bob makes his way down to the seat and asks the man next to it: “Why would anyone give up this seat?”

“It was my wife’s,” the man says. “She passed.”

Bob then asked, “Well didn’t you have any friends or family to bring instead?”

Man: “They’re all at the funeral.”

Rimshot. Groans. A few laughs. A moment of silence for the man’s priorities.

Opportunity Drawing

Patty Kolin announced a $136 pot and brought up Gary to draw a number. It wasn’t mine (again), but Fred Levin won. As someone said, “Finally, someone who needs the money!” Lucky for the rest of us, he pulled the wrong marble, snagged $10, and then promptly dumped it into the Polio Pail.

Announcements & Miscellanea

• Julia reminded us it’s Rotary Membership Month and we’re still doing the 3×3 Challenge—3 ways to connect with 3 Rotarians this month. Don’t just wave at them from across the buffet table. Make eye contact. Use names. Be weirdly friendly.
• Exchange Student Social last Saturday! We won the club attendance award (a very prestigious category) and then 8 more people showed up for the Monday social. You know we love a good turnout.
• Mark Burchill, resident Rat Pack historian, brought out Rotary collectibles from the deep archives (read: his basement). Items include:
  • Denim & Diamonds CDs
  • 100th Anniversary lapel pins
  • Rotary-branded reusable shopping bags
  • Possibly a time capsule or an old pager?

Mark will be hawking these treasures at the exit. Help him clean out the man cave.

• Ray Giampaoli gave a protein pep talk: one week left to donate to the Canned Protein Drive. So far we’ve collected 14 shopping bags of tuna, chicken, and possibly Spam. Just a few more sardines and we’ll hit critical mass.
• Ann Gospe thanked Matthew Henry for donating a YMCA membership to our exchange student. It was a sweet, generous moment and reminded us that Rotary is more than just marbles and meat raffles.
• Patty Kolin announced a Chili Cook-Off showdown hosted by the Sonoma Sunrise Rotary Club (or some other club, possibly. I can’t keep them all straight)

Deadline to enter: September 2nd

Patty has been voluntold to chair the event. We expect fire in the chili and fire in the competition.

Recognitions

• Jeff Gospe celebrated his 18th anniversary with Ann. They vacationed up the coast, then popped over to New York. At the M&M Store, they made custom M&Ms for President Julia and Rose’s anniversary. One M&M had “Julia” on it. The other had the Rotary logo. Jeff donated $100 to the Jamison Fund and $100 to a Paul Harris for Ann’s sister. Jeff, you’re sweet, sentimental, and possibly made of sugar-coated chocolate. Also, we’re all grateful Ann didn’t have a heart attack on the trip.
• Steve Olsen ambushed Sam McMillan with public praise, causing Sam to visibly flinch. Steve lauded Sam’s community dedication and dropped $100 to the Jamison Fund in Sam’s honor. We assume Sam forgave him eventually.

Song of the Day

Julia hit us with “Mamma Mia” by ABBA, and though the lyrics were spirited, Publisher Richard looked like he was reliving the disco era against his will. Others swayed. Some panicked. At least one person shouted “Dancing Queen!” even though that’s a different song.

Speaker: 

Gary Saperstein, Face to Face

Susan Nowacki introduced Gary Saperstein from Face to Face, a longtime leader in Sonoma County’s LGBTQ+ community and a passionate advocate for ending HIV.

Gary’s story included:

• 20+ years of work in Sonoma County tourism and public events.
• Leadership at Face to Face, where the goal is zero new HIV infections in Sonoma County.
• Personal stories of love, loss, and hope during the early days of the AIDS epidemic.
• Ways we can support the work—education, testing, compassion, and community building.

Gary’s message was clear: human connection saves lives. His presentation was heartfelt, important, and a reminder that even when faced with hardship, Sonoma County knows how to rise.

Final Thoughts

Between ABBA karaoke, M&M tributes, chili battles, and cardiac comebacks, this week’s meeting had everything. Maybe guests will start coming again. [Publisher’s note: Unless news of Richard’s disco era dancing scares them away.]

We celebrated miracles, mourned Super Bowl priorities, and applauded Ann Gospe like she just climbed Mount Everest (which, given the circumstances, she kind of did).

Until next time, Rotarians—keep your hearts healthy, your chili spicy, and your ABBA playlists queued.

Additional Pictures

Gospe’s present President Julia with personalized Rotary M&M’s, with her picture on them:

 

CREDITS