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Program Notes
President Maureen Merrill started the meeting a little after 7:30 because people were chatting and enjoying a little social time.
We shared a pledge together.
Alison Huber offered a message originally from Eleanor Roosevelt, “Well behaved women rarely make history.”
We gave recognition to JB Leep and sang a Willie Nelson song, “On the road again.”
Photos by the talented Sue Nelson and words pieced together by the struggling scribe Tom Boylan.
Rotarian Guests:
Alison Huber introduced Catherine Handron who is relocating from her Nantasket-Hull Rotary Club in Massachusetts and eyeing ours as her new home is in Windsor.
Pres. Maureen introduced Mike Merrill and asked what he had in common with Catherine. The answer is they are both transferring into Windsor Rotary.
Guests of Rotarians:
Daniel Myers introduced our student of the month/year for Windsor High School’s Arte program, Jared Bednarz. His instructor Ms. Racier was also introduced.
Your scribe Tom Boylan took a break to introduce Town of Windsor Mayor, Dominic Foppoli and our featured speaker Amy Holter.
Renee Hyde introduced Vittoria Castellani, our amazing exchange student from Italy who happens to be temporarily locked out of Italy.
Beth Smith was introduced by a gracious Rotarian and it was suggested she is curious about where our next outbound student Kate Smith, her daughter, will be going to for her Rotary adventure.
Daniel Meyers introduced our student of the month who Daniel actually considers the student of the year since we only select one student from each of the school’s core programs. Jared was then introduced by his English teacher Miss Racer, his media arts teacher. She let us know that Jared went through a transformation from a shy person to an outgoing leader in service to others. He nearly brought her to tears.
Jared let us know a few things he wanted to pass along. His Orkin within the Corp has given him an identity. He didn’t initially ask for Arete Media Academy at Windsor High School, but he adapted well and especially enjoyed the way the core opened his world to social interaction. History and Economics have surprisingly become his favorite subjects. The future looks bright for this student and the rest of the world. He will interact within days to come.
Announcements:
Maureen reminded Bill Bolster that he is the powerhouse of the month.
Windsor High mentor program with Sue Nelson hedging our club efforts. Ask her how you can get involved.
Steve Klick let us know that his newest adventure in Rotary is coming soon as he heads to Jalisco Mexico to clean rivers. His professional work as a geologist is going to be analyzing the water problems that are currently looking to take more than a decade to clean. This is a coordinated effort with Rotary Districts in Mexico. He heads to Guadalajara next week and the adventure begins. We look forward to hearing his report on the efforts that he is a key part of.
To help his cause he is auctioning one of his famous paella feeds, or you can just make a donation to defray his costs which are his own cost.
Kurt Micheler let us know he has been moving into a new home since he lost his in the Tubbs Fire. He also shared that he is participating in St. Baldrick’s hair raising opportunity. His current look of long locks is not trying to join a remake of the Quicksilver Messenger Service, but growing locks to have them cut off and given away to a child with cancer.
Program:
President Maureen introduced our speaker, Amy Holter, a past president of the Healdsburg 20-30 Club. According to Amy, there are several 20-30 Clubs in Sonoma County. Some clubs are male, or female-only, but hers is a coed club of around 24 people. They are looking to add a few good men.
In comparing the membership of Rotary to 20-30 shows that there are real similarities that tie the two programs together. The benefit of the 20-30 for younger people is that it allows younger people to take on a leadership role and be a part of making the decisions that they make to build a better community.
It turns out that those who age out of the 20-30 are sometimes saddened by the aging process, but they are allowed to attend functions and keep the interaction alive, they just can’t vote.
The meetings are similar to Rotary, the formalities include the pledge and speakers and fines.
Dominic Foppolli shared what the Santa Rosa men’s 20-30 Club meetings are like, which he feels are more like a fraternity of men. Their club does a lot of international work and members develop a bond with others in the world. He shared some stories about a recent trip to Nicaragua.
Amy suggested that our international work for developing peace in the world is a common bond between Rotary and 20-30 Clubs.
Professionally Amy is a recent hire for Catholic Charities. Her past work included working on projects in Africa for clean water and peace. Dominic shared that he was waiting tables when he started in 20-30 at the suggestion of Brian Ling, the old guy. Dominic is not only the Mayor of the Town of Windsor, but he is heavily involved with his brewery, and the family wine business, which includes an operation in the currently closed country of Italy.
We found out that 20-30 was born in Sacramento by a group of young professionals who were rejected by Rotary for being too young. That was 90 years ago and it is apparent that the full circle is closing since Rotary now looks for 20-30 members’ to continue their dedication to service by transitioning into the senior Rotary. Program.
Healdsburg 20-30 is heavily involved with the Windsor Education and Heather Cullen was quick to point out that they also promote scholarships for thee Windsor Summer Arts program. Dominic shared that his club has multiple projects that are local, including the Kids Spree, which gives underprivileged children an opportunity to go shopping. He also shared that many of the young people who had never fished before getting an opportunity to fish during an annual pilgrimage to Bodega Bay’s trout farm.
Dominic believes we need to get more involved as volunteers with the KaBoom program, which he credits to 20-30’s efforts. This is a great opportunity to share the love.