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:

President Julia came in hot with the Black Eyed Peas blasting through the speaker like we were pre-gaming a Rotarian rave. A bold choice for a Wednesday morning, but who among us didn’t feel like tonight’s gonna be a good night?

Pledge, 4-Way Test, & Thought for the Day

Dan Balfe led the pledge and the 4-Way Test… and then totally forgot he was also the reflection guy. He tried to weasel out of it until President Julia told him to just wing it. He rolled with it and shared a genuinely heartfelt thought: he’s grateful for Rotary and said it’s “how he wants to go out.” This may have raised some eyebrows, but the sentiment was strong. Here’s to many more Rotary years before “going out.”

Visiting Rotarians & Guests

• Assistant District Governor Marilyn Lira introduced herself… because no one else would. I mean, she’s the woman who needs no introduction, so…
• Doug Simon (Santa Rosa Cycling Club + Giro Bello partner + warehouse whisperer)
• Kerry Bennefield, journalist from the Press Democrat who really knows how to tell a good story.
• Then it was this author’s turn to introduce Michael Tonjum, a retired psychologist and prospective member, who seemed kind despite me introducing him after just meeting him ten minutes earlier.

Sunshine Report

Ginny Cannon had nothing to report. That’s either good news… or everyone’s just keeping their ailments to themselves. Regardless, the sun shone metaphorically and literally.

Opportunity Drawing

Fred Levin ran the numbers. The pot was $36, which seems suspiciously low given we had a recent winner. (Fred—where’s the audit trail?)

11 marbles in the bag. Marilyn Lira pulled a yellow one, won $10, and tossed it in the Polio Bucket because that’s how we roll. I mean, no one leaves Rotary with money.

Joke of the Week

Joke of the week, Michael Moore, teed up a joke. I mean, Michael Moore teed up the Joke of the Week.

John sliced into a ravine, went in to retrieve his ball, and found an 8-iron attached to a skeleton.

Concerned, John yelled to Mike for help… “Mike, Toss me my 7-iron! You can’t get out of here with an 8-iron!”

We’re not sure what was funnier – the punchline or the fact that Michael told it like it had just happened to him.

Announcements

Jeff Kolin called half the club up front to help with Paul Harris recognitions. Okay, maybe it was four people, but still – solid turnout:

• Diane Moresi
• Rich Rossi
• Ray Giampaoli
• Robert Pierce

With everyone staring at him, Doug Simon (of the Santa Rosa Cycling Club) received a Paul Harris award as a non-Rotarian for his crucial behind-the-scenes work on Giro Bello. Doug rebuilt the cycling club’s cycling warehouse after the fire and continues to support us in many generous ways. A well-deserved honor!

Rick Allen was named Rotarian of the Month, and moments later his phone went off, proving even award-winners can’t escape the wrath of modern tech. A fineable offense? You decide.

Upcoming Events

• Meat Auction – September 27th. Julia encouraged us to bring friends who enjoy meat, auctions, or chaotic energy.
• German Rotary Club Storytime – Julia recounted a trip to Germany where she evangelized about Rotary to a former member. He may have rejoined. Or he just nodded politely. TBD.
• River Clean-Up with Windsor & Healdsburg Clubs. Ann Gospe said we’re teaming up to “get rid of donuts” from the Russian River watershed. It is possible that I misheard her or it really was a call to arms against rogue breakfast foods. Stay tuned.
• Jeff Gospe then got up and said something but I was still thinking about donuts in the Russian River watershed so I have no idea what he said.
• Veterans Tribute Luncheon – Friday, November 14th. We’ll be “dark” that week, so come shine at this tribute. You can buy a ticket for yourself and a veteran. See Ray G.
• Giro Bello 2026 planning is underway. Goal: 700 riders. Date: June 27, 2026. Ray is seeking a Ride Director and Sponsorship Director. He wasn’t panicking yet but the early start on recruiting these key positions shows this isn’t his first rodeo.

Recognitions

• Matthew Henry sold his house! He’s debt-free and $100 lighter thanks to his donation to the club.
• Pete Lescure sold his surveying business to a group of mysterious drone-flying millennials. I’m guessing he sold it for 5x the amount Matthew sold his house for because he donated $500 to the club. Pete now has a two-year “employment contract” (i.e., he’s allowed to hang around while the new kids teach him how to fly the company drone).

Rotary Disco Moment

Julia queued up “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk, which, I believe, is the first song she’s played that was created in the 21^st century. While some of us faked phone calls to avoid dancing, others leaned into it. It was fun, funky, and possibly a security camera violation.

Guest Speaker: 

Lucas Oshun – Sustainable Agriculture in Ecuador

Susan Nowacki introduced Lucas Oshun, a Sebastopol-raised Banana Slug turned agroforester and sustainable agriculture entrepreneur in Ecuador.

Lucas is:

• An environmental activist
• A co-founder of an agroforestry organization
• A champion for sustainable food systems, reforestation, and local empowerment

He spoke about:

• The transformation of food production systems
• The benefits of agroforestry
• How Ecuador is a hotbed for climate solutions—and amazing bananas

He inspired us to think globally, act sustainably, and be thankful for Ecuador if you’re a chocolate lover.

Final Thought

This meeting had it all: meat auctions, dancing, donuts in rivers, skeletons with golf clubs, and sustainable bananas. We honored volunteers, welcomed newcomers, and continued our crusade to eradicate polio—one marble at a time.

Until next week, Rotarians:

Keep showing up. Keep giving back. And if you’re in a ravine with an 8-iron… ask for help.