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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 22, 2026

Opening The Meeting:

President Julia greeted us and our many guests today, “Welcome to the Rotary club of Santa Rosa where we are “United for Good” in or community and the world….”and for the kids!”  Especially today when we honor the best and brightest from our local Santa Rosa High Schools.

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Dan Balfe led us in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four/Five Way Test. His Reflection was on the origins of the Four Way Test…

The Four-Way Test is one of the most widely known ethical guidelines in the world, but it was not originally created by Rotary.  The Test was created in 1932 by Herbert J Taylor, a Chicago businessman and Rotarian. He was on the verge of bankruptcy during the Great Depression.  He created the ethical yardstick for his employees to follow. It ended up being so effective in turning his company around that the simple 24-word slogan spread widely.

In 1954 he transferred the copyrights to Rotary International.

Visiting Rotarians:

David Mark-Raymond from the Rotary Club of Sebastopol Sunrise and Shari Shamsavari from the Rotary Club of Guadalajara….and a former member of our club. Good to see you Shari!

Guests:

We had a lot of parents, teachers, and administrators today!  Also, Elliot and Miranda Sundvig.

Sunshine Report:

Wes Daniels’ 15-month-old grandson was struct by a car and did not survive this last Tuesday in San Jose. Our hearts are breaking for you and your family, Wes.

President Julia says that Rose is having a problem with her ankle. In fact, she was leaving the meeting early to take Rose to a doctor’s appointment. Tavo Guillen will finish the meeting today.

50/50 Drawing:

Patty Kolin said there were 8 marbles in the bag today. Debi Zaft’s ticket was pulled, but alas she pulled out a yellow marble.

Michael Moore and the Joke of the Week:

Michael says Julia emphasized there would be kids at our meeting today, so Michael had not only a clean joke (he always does) but a Student/Teacher joke:

Our teacher asked us what our favorite animal was, and I said, “Fried Chicken.” She said I wasn’t funny, but she couldn’t have been right, because everyone else in the class laughed. I told my dad what happened, and he said my teacher was probably a member of PETA. He said they love animals very much.

I do too. Especially chicken, pork and beef. Anyway, my teacher sent me to the principal’s office. I told him what happened, and he laughed too. Then he told me not to do it again. The next day in class my teacher asked me what my favorite live animal was. I told her it was chicken. She asked me why, just like she’d asked the other children. So, I told her it was because you could make them into fried chicken.

She sent me back to the principal’s office again. He laughed, and told me not to do it again, I don’t understand. My parents taught me to be honest, but my teacher doesn’t like it when I am. Today my teacher asked us to tell her what famous person we admired most.

I told her, “Colonel Sanders.” Guess where I am now.

New Hands-On Project Chair:

Last week there was a request for someone to take over the hands-on project committee.

Nate Zaft is taking over until Ann’s term ends in June.

A New location….Not!

Julia and a few others went to the East/West Club meeting last week to scope out their meeting space. Was the venue less expensive – NO. Was the food any better- NO. OK,

We checked it out and are staying at Iron and Vine.

Outstanding Student Awards 2026:

Unlike most student awards, this is not based on GPA. It is not the best athlete or the most popular. What makes them outstanding is unique to each school.

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Cardinal Newman: Graham Rutherford introduced us to Madeline Bugbee. She does have a high GPA, but she also loves playing golf. She works at a golf course and plays on the school team; she is a peer counselor.  She plans to attend UC Santa Barbara, get an MBA, and go into golf course management.

Sonoma Academy: Percy Abram introduced us to Ginger Leaver, a student athlete, performing arts student and a member of their choir. Her teachers say her love of literature is contagious. They say that spending time around her makes everyone’s day brighter. She attended RYLA last year and started an Interact Club this year. She loves psychology, public speaking neuroscience … and playing volleyball and lacrosse.

Santa Rosa High School: Dr Kimberly Clissold introduced us to Caden James Herring. She introduced him as no “diamond in the rough, but a diamond in a setting.” He really connects with people. He is willing to take the lead but also supports the lead person. He won the “Prom Poles” for the most original way to ask someone to the prom. He plans to attend UC Santa Barbara and major in economics. He would like to go into sports management or be a sports agent.

Montgomery High School: Sara Legesse introduced us to Samar Masouman. Samar arrived at MHS at 16 years old from Iran. She has excellent grades and works after school in a senior living facility.  She plays both the trumpet and guitar. Despite her background from Iran, she carries so much light and positivity. She looks for the good in people. Samar would like to become a dentist…after six years with braces!

Piner High School: Kristine Erken introduced us to Mikaela Flores. She says Mikaela is consistently pleasant, upbeat, helpful, and kind. She has already taken 10 classes at SRJC and when she goes to college she will be entering as a sophomore. She is active in the local Key Club, has been a camp counselor, and volunteers at summer vacation bible school. She would like to go into accounting.

Ridgeway High School: Donna Garibaldi introduced us to Karen Ramirez Solano. Karen actually graduated in March.  She is an artist, academic scholar, proactive, and resourceful.  She is caring and has a joy to be around. She did not tell us her plans for the future.

Roseland University Prep: Gabriel Albavera introduced us to Yamilette Esmerio. Although she can be very quiet and very studious, when it comes to service or her community, she is very loud. She volunteers at the Redwood Empire Food Bank; she is a teacher’s assistant at Sheppard Elementary and at St Rose School. She helps seniors at Creekside Nursing Home and takes time to talk with them. She is in their TALI program which fosters development, advocacy, leadership, and engagement. She plans to attend either UC Davis or UC Santa Barbara in biology and go into a nursing career.

Roseland Collegiate Prep: Angela Acosta introduced us to Natalia Luna Torres. She came to school with little English, but learned rapidly. She is always ready to help and learn. She was a lead designer o a new mult- cultural mural or the school. She works at the Redwood Empire Food Bank, welcomes newcomers to their school and tutors other students. She is a basketball and soccer athlete.  The Press Democrat recognized her as an outstanding local senior. Her plans are to go to college in Arizona and major in business and finance.

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