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

After our music interlude, President Julia welcomed us to the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa where we do good in our world.  Pete Lescure was a little tongue tied as he led us in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test.  His reflection was a quote from Ghandi:

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it–always.”²

Visting Rotarians:

Karen Ball from the Rotary Club of Port Orchard and Katherine Turner from the Rotary Club of Basamar Mexico

Guests:

Tavo Guillen, Linda Balfe, Madelaine Keegan O’Connell, and Jennielynn Holmes

Sunshine Report:

Charlie Niles’s sister had passed away last year, but a memorial service is coming up. Former member, Joy Parker, has moved into Cogir in Rohnert Park with her husband Bob.

50/50 Drawing:

Matthew ran the raffle today. There were 10 marbles and $52.00 in the pot.  Kris Anderson had the lucky ticket today. Alas she did not pull out the blue marble.  The $10.00 went into the Polio Plus pail.

 

Joke of the Week:

Michael Moore had this one for us this week (and I paraphrase).  A man goes into the barbershop to get his hair cut before going on a vacation. “Where are you going” asked the barber.” “I am going to Rome, Italy.” said the customer. “Why would you ever want to go there?” asked the barber, “It is crowded with tourists. No one speaks English. They are rude to Americans.  What airline are you flying?”  “Jet Blue,” says the customer.  “Why would you take that airline? The planes are packed, the service is crap and they are never on time!”  said the barber and he asked, “Where are you going to stay in Rome?”

“I am staying at the Marriott International.”  “The Marriott! That place is old and smelly, and the staff is rude.” said he barber.  Then he asked, “What are you going to do in Rome?”

“I am going to the Vatican to meet the Pope.”   The barber replies, “You will never see the Pope at the Vatican”

A few weeks later the customer was back to get his hair cut. The barber asked, “How was your trip to Rome?” The customer replied, “It was fantastic!   Jet Blue bumped us up to first class! The hotel was being remodeled so they gave us the presidential suite! We went to the Vatican and the Pope care up to me to ask a question!”   “What did he ask?” asked the barber?  The customer replied, “Who gave you that awful hair cut?”

Rotarian of the Month:

That would be Ann Gospe.  She is very involved on many club projects and in June she hosted the debunking.  Thank you, Ann!

What is Happening in Mexico?

Katherine Turner talked to us about the project to send decommissioned fire trucks, ambulances and other equipment to Mexico.  Local Rotary member Salvador Rico raised money to send an ambulance to Mexico last year. Currently they are raising money to get an aerial ladder truck to Tijuana.  Donations are tax deductible.  Mail your donations

to Baja Bridges (501 C3: 85-1950324), PO Box 332 Burlington WA 98244.  For more information you can call Katherine at (916) 832-8965.

Katherine also said they need books.  The kids love our dictionaries, so if you have any, let her know. Any other books too.

A Present for Robert Pierce:

President julia had a souvenir from PETS that she cannot use, but thought Robert could wear every week as Sargent at Arms, a sheriff’s badge.

Rotary Convention in Calgary:

President Julia aske Ann Gospe  about her favorite things about going to convention.  Ann said, “There is so much to see and do. So many classes that you can attend. “But her favorite thing to do is to attend Host Hospitality Night. That is a night when the local Rotarians from various clubs “Host” us in their homes for dinner. It is a lot of fun.  Ask Steve Olson and Sam McMillan.  They have made friends for life.

Presentation of the Druquer Funds from the Foundation to the YMCA

Past President Jeanne, in her capacity as an estate attorney helped Mrs. Druquer set up this fund to help battered and abused women. The YWCA was established locally in 1976, To help women and children.  This year the $4000 was awarded the the YWCA. The YWCA is one of the premier organizations to help these people.  Madelaine Keegan O’Connell came to accept the check.  Our foundation has contributed to the YWCA many times.  One year they used the funds to build a therapy garden. (707) 546-1234 is their hotline number. They have a confidential safe house and today they have 22 kids staying there.

Announcements:

1. SCARC is on July 31 at Balletto Vineyards.  You need to make a reservation with Debi by July 28.  It is primarily a social with a Mexican barbeque…and wine!
2. Mark Burchill announced the Fifth Wednesday Social at this house on July 30. He has taken out the croquet court and put in a bocce court. 7 cars can park in the driveway; the rest will have to park on the street. Do not worry about the “No Parking” signs.  He has it cleared with the HOA for street parking.  Please bring a dish to share and something to drink.
3. Rich Rossi and Robert Pierce thank us all for pulling together for the Giro Bello. Those of you who worked the rest stops…you were the best, according to the riders. We ended up with 555 riders, down from 635 last year. All local bike rides have had fewer participants this year. Everyone had a good time.

Caritas Center with Jennielynn Holmes

Jennielynn is a local girl, born and raised in in Santa Rosa. She graduated from UC Davis and got a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of San Franciso. She has been with Catholic Charities for more than 16 years. She currently serves as the nonprofit’s Chief Executive Officer. She also serves as the Chair for the Sonoma County Continuum of Care Board and board president of the Santa Rosa Fire Foundation.

To say the least, “It is rough right now.” said Jennielynn, but also an opportunity.  Please see her attached slides below, to get the full picture of the housing issues that Santa Rosa and Sonoma County are facing.

There is about 200+ staff and 300+ volunteers working in the areas of homelessness and housing solutions, immigration and naturalization, community connections, senior services, food access and homelessness prevention. The cover Sonoma, Napa, Lake Humboldt, Mendocino and Del Norte Counties. Approximately 2522 persons are experiencing homelessness; 945 sheltered and 1577 unsheltered.  There are four catagories of special populations: chronic homelessness, veterans, families and unaccompanied children/aging out youth.

So, what is working? Caritas Center is working. They have a drop-in center where people can get the mail, take a shower, do their laundry and get connected with other services for homelessness. They have the Nightingale Shelter with 38 beds that offer recuperative care for individuals dsicharged from a hospital.  There is the Santa Rosa Community Health Clinic that offers comprehensive medical, mental health, and substance abuse care along with pediatric services for women and families needing specialized care.  They have the Family Center with 192 beds, the largest of its kind from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border.  They are seeing people get housed in half the time it used to take. The cost saving in this area is about half as much as other states in the United States.

Jennielynn’s Presentation Slides:

Additional Pictures – Having Fun The Rotary Way

CREDITS