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

Rotary Club of Santa Rosa
April 15, 2026

Opening The Meeting:

“Welcome to the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa where we do good in our world, for the kids!” said President Julia Parranto. Matthew Henry led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four/Five Way Test. His Reflection was all about TODAY…last day to file your taxes without an extension. Here goes…

There are only a few things in life that can make otherwise calm, successful adults suddenly start digging through drawers looking for that hand-written Goodwill receipt from last May…April 15th is one of them.

Tax Day has a special way of humbling all of us. It does not matter how competent you are in the rest of your life – today, even the most confident among us can be reduced to muttering, “Maybe I wasn’t as charitable as I thought I was?”

It reminds me of Will Rogers who said, “The only difference between death and taxes is death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets.” Will had no idea how true that would be in 2026.

Of course, there’s something about filing taxes that makes all of us suddenly more interested in planning our charitable giving for the rest of the year.

And if anyone is wondering where to make that tax-deductible gift, besides the Rotary Foundation of course, I happen to know a wonderful community organization in Sonoma County that turns generosity into swim lessons, childcare, youth programs and healthier lives. I won’t name names, but it rhymes with, “Why hem these drapes?”

So, if taxes are on your mind today, maybe the silver lining is that one good tax deduction equals a whole lot of good for someone else.

(I do believe Matthew fined himself for self-promotion!).

Visiting Rotarians:

Dave Delmonte from New York City, Julie Montgomery from East/West and Marilyn Lira from East/West.

Guest:

Lynn Dooley and Debbie McKay from the League of Women Voters

Sunshine Report:

Judy Glenn’s memorial service will be Friday, April 17 at 1:00 at Resurrection Church on Stony Point Road.

50/50 Drawing:

Nate Zaft ran the drawing today. There were 10 marbles in the bag and $57.00 in the pot. Guest Julie Montgomery had the right ticket, but she did not pull out the blue marble. Her table mates made sure she knew what to do with the $10.00 consolation prize.

Michael Moore and the Joke of the Week:

A trucker came into a truck stop and placed his order. He said, “I want three flat tires, a pair of headlights, and a pair of running boards. “The brand-new waitress, not wanting to appear stupid, went into the kitchen and said to the cook, “this guy just ordered three flat tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running boards. What, does he think this place is, an auto parts store?”

“No,” the cook said. “Three flat tires mean three pancakes, a pair of headlights is two eggs sunny side up, and running boards are two slices of crisp bacon.”

“Oh, OK!” said the waitress. She thought about it for a moment and then spooned up a bowl of beans and gave it to the customer.

The trucker asked, “what are the beans for”

She replied, “I though while you were waiting or flat tires, headlights, and running boards, you might as well get gassed up!”

Change Our Meeting Location?

It has been suggested that we should look at the Chops Teen Center for our meetings. The Rotary Club of Santa Rosa East West has been very happy meeting there. They have it catered, and the location costs less. They meet on Tuesdays and some club members are going to go check it out on Tuesday April 21^st.   Just sayin’……

Our New Area Director:

Marilyn Lira is passing the baton to Julie Montgomery to be our area assistant governor.

Opening to be Hands on Chair for the Rest of President Julia’s Term:

Since Anne Gospe is now in line to be District Governor, she has been slammed with new duties! She is finding it hard to be the hands-on chairperson at this time.  Would any of you like to take over this position for the next 2.5 months?  Please see Julia. Remember, you need to be a committee chair to serve on the board! Hint! Hint!

Announcements:

1. Malia Nichols is our chairperson for A Simple Gesture. She is looking for Rotarians, and others who would like to be a donor or a driver.
2. Kris Anderson announced the Arundo Donax removal project in Healdsburg on May 9^th from 9:00 to 11:30 am. Please see Kris or read the April 8^th bulletin for sign up information. They can only have 40 workers that day.
3. Debi Zaft announced that all the Paul Harris Rotary Squares have been sold. The drawing will be on May 13^th. Besides the grand prize of an instant Paul Harris Award, there will be other prizes.
4. 

   Ray and Patty holding a beautiful tablecloth from Mexico

   Jeff & Patty Kolin brought back a beautiful table cloth from Mexico that Ray Giampoli auctioned  off. Pete Lescure had the winning bid of $500, to support Giro Bello.

Recognitions:

1. Rich’s wife just had her first knee replacement surgery.  She is home and doing her therapy.  He donated $50.00 to the club.
2. Jeff Kolin is just back from Laredo Mexico where he and 16 members of their family celebrated Patty’s 70th birthday on April 12. Jeff is donating $70.00 to the Giro Bello.

Today’s Program: Lynn Dooley from the League of Women Voters:

The League of Women Voters started at the time women finally got the right to vote. Their mission was to “Empower Voters and Defend Democracy.” Currently, there are 750 chapters in the 50 states.  All genders are welcome. They are non-partisan and have become a trusted source for information these last 105 years.

Voter Education registration, candidate forums, pros and cons of County Measures and State Propositions, election and voting info, community outreach to all (including youth) are part of what they do. They will spend as much as two and a half years studying an issue before they take action.

Civics, basic civics, are no longer given priority in schools. When most of us were growing up, three courses were often taught in our schools: Civics, The Problems of Democracy, and U.S. Government.  Now our students are lucky to get a short one semester class. Teachers say this is not enough. Just Google “Learn Civics” and you will find all kinds of educational material.

More than 70% of Americans fail a basic civics quiz. 50% cannot name the branch of government where bills become laws. 25% say they are very confident they could explain how our system of government works.

“Nothing is more important to democracy than a well-informed electorate.” Jeff Daniels character, Will McAvoy, says in “The Newsroom” paraphrasing Thomas Jefferson.

Today, the League of Women Voters has a campaign, “Stand Up for Democracy: Bring back the Constitution to Sonoma County.” This program is:

A non-partisan education campaign on civics

Based on the Constitution

Easy with one-click access

One basic and concise page

Relate to news of the day

Bilingual

It is a standard design: Know the Law, which describes the topic in 200 words and Why Does This Matter in 50 words.  Plus, additional links are available for more information.

There are many topics.  Here are a few: What is the First Amendment? What is due process? What is a shadow docket?  …and so much more!

You will see the ads on the back of Sonoma County buses.  They have signs that you can put up in your yard (or anyplace you want). They have fliers….

Lastly, please consider joining them.

A Few Fun Extra Pictures

Foundation Report:

The Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Foundation recently approved a contribution to the Redwood Gospel Mission in support of The Rose Women’s Shelter. “The Rose” provides emergency housing and support for women and children. The $4,300 grant is sufficient to cover over 300 nights of service including shelter, meals and needed supplies. The grant was made possible by the foundation’s Druquer Fund, which was established over 30 years ago.

The Drucquer Endowment Fund for the benefit of “Battered and Abused People” was established by the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Foundation in 1995 with the passing of Catherine Druquer and the designation in her estate plan to help battered and abused people. Catherine was not a member of Rotary but was friends with Rotarian George Thebolt. George informed Catherine about the Rotary Foundation and its mission of

supporting local non-profits with special projects. The Drucquer endowed Fund started with the initial contribution of $53,000 and which has grown to over $115,000. Each year the proceeds from the fund is awarded to a local non-profit serving the needs of battered and abused people.

USEFUL LINKS