President Maureen Merrill rang the virtual bell at 7:30 and 27 of our club members were signed in.
The four way test is it, is it, will it, will it. The recital of the actual test was rather harmonious
Alison Huber shared some thoughts by Tennyson to inspire us: “Hope Smiles from the threshold of the year to come, Whispering ‘it will be happier’…” ― Alfred Lord
Your scribe for the day was Tom Boylan
Guests of Rotarians:
We had both Vittoria, our exchange student daughter, and Kate Smith, out outgoing exchange student in attendance.
Announcements:
Jim Ruppert is planning a shelter in place celebration for his birthday, including multiple room of his home with various bottles. Happy Birthday from the club and thank you for your donation to the WRCF.
Renee Hyde has great plans for golfing on the weekend with Paul.
John How is always willing to join in a golf game and he has every excuse to get to it in celebrating his birthday. Joe Deacon gave us a report on John’s travels to Southern California in expectation of a new grandson to be arriving any day.
Diane Brabitz shared that she has been ranting on her Facebook page calling out people who are failing to keep their social distancing while demonstrating for open business and social events. Diane believes the potential is there for another huge wave of the virus.
On the good news, Playa del Carmen president Dr. Mario of her other adopted club called and asked if she could ask around for a donation to help his quest to improve medical care. Her appreciation for Dr. Mario’s efforts to save her husband, Les, when he was ill in Mexico is shown in her $5000 donation to help the efforts. The club is planning to add to the amount with a global grant.
The May powerhouse of the month is Diane Brabitz. Pres Maureen ran off a long list of Rotary accomplishments over two decades.
Renee Hyde took the pleasure and the lead to introduce our newest member, a seasoned Rotarian who has been a beacon of support for Rotarians throughout the District and the World. Mike Merrill is coming closer to home after his years with Santa Rosa West. In addition to his being a past president, he is also a past District Governor and has too many accolades to mention. Make it a point to spend some time talking Rotary, or cycling.
Ken Moulton offered a boast to our club having four past district governors, possibly the only club in the world that can claim that.
This is Teacher Appreciation Week, so socially distance a hug or two.
Tom Hassur shared a report on the new scholarship program. We are currently sitting at five applications, but the cut off isn’t until May 9th, so possibly a few more to come.
Heather Cullen and Barbara McChesney gave a report on our now month long food drive. Although the donations seemed to be down, the food that was collected was greatly appreciated. We are asked to print out the flyer and make it available to the people in our community. Bill Bolster suggested that every week when he does the shopping he buys an additional case of whatever is on his list. We found out he is still using SPAM in the Wine Country.
Bill asked Alison Huber to share the story of her son’s broken arm, which meant she had to self quarantine because she had gone to the hospital with her son. Her workplace has a policy that if you go somewhere where the virus might be, you are asked to self quarantine. She shared the experience offered by Healdsburg District Hospital’s emergency room. It was eye opening to see the precautions the hospital has in place for the COVID-19 concerns.
Pres Maureen gave an appeal to try harder when it comes to supporting the community. She also reported that there was a Rotary International telethon this past weekend that raised millions to help with the current crisis. Check out the program on Youtube.
Note from President Maureen:
Here’s an example of the lasting, life-altering good that Rotarians do in our international projects. Our member Sandie Krutz led a Rotary study group to Brazil, then brought this project back to our club . . . and now, years later, we hear of the greater health and happiness of a whole community of moms and children! The magic of Rotary occurs through people like José who has graciously written to us, Sandie who brought the project, members everywhere who see “community” wherever they look, and Rotarians like you who support our Rotary Foundation. Fantástico!
The letter:
Dear Sandie
I’m José Luiz, from the Rotary Club of Itabira-Cauê, Minas Gerais Estate, Brazil. It’s been years since we’ve spoken. I hope you and your family are well, isolated at home from the New Coronavirus pandemic. Iris and I are fine, as are our three daughters and three grandchildren. I continue with my work (not now) and also in Rotary (virtual meetings).
I am writing at the request of the president of my club, Mr. Marco Antonio, to say that the Matching Grant 75811 we made in partnership with Districts 4100, 5130 / the RC of San Felipe, of Eagle River and of Windsor is steady.
As you know, we have in our hospital in Itabira a Human Milk Collect Service that stimulates, support and promotes the maternal breast-feeding guiding the mothers how much the importance to sucker its baby and helping those that will be with difficulties in suckling for reason of mammary events or doubts.
As a result of the partnership obtained through matching grant 75811, that you helped us, we got a car intended to collect breast milk in the homes of mothers with difficulties to go to the hospital to make donations.
During 2019, the Collect Service obtained 383 liters of milk from 188 donors and supported 1542 mothers with problems breastfeeding.
At last, thank you very much again. I ask you to give our partners news and thanks.
Hugs
José Luiz Scaglioni Filho
Rotary Club of Itabira-Cauê
District 4520 (now 4521) Governor 2010-11
Program:
JB Leep introduced our international projects team, Ken Moulton and John Hackenburg. PDG Ken Moulton started the presentation thanked his committee including John Hackenburg and Susan Cole. We heard of Ken’s travels across the globe to see the world through Rotary’s eyes, which allows us to see the Rotary world through his eyes.
We got a good look at the ways we raise money, and why we do the International projects we do. According to Ken, we do it to advance the mission of Rotary to the world population. The benefit for individuals is the ability to travel and meet others with a common bond and an appreciation for helping make the world a better place.
In a message to all, but especially the newer members, he shared the Festival of Brotherhood which gave many in the club an opportunity to offer help to rural areas in Mexico in need of medical help, housing for orphans, and other projects. A series of images gave a heart tugging emotion to why we do what we do internationally and the appreciation of people in faraway lands.
John Hackenburg took over the presentation and we all realized that many of us are equally challenged in this new technical arena. Once we had the slide show going John offered his reason to become a Rotarian, which included his trips to Mexico in search of projects that he could make a difference in.
According to John, the value of Rotary’s dollars are much greater in countries that are economically challenged. His journey to Jalisco, and Nayarit, Mexico gave him a good look at one of the poorest areas in Mexico. His discovery of the level of poverty and the lack of services, including schools. We took a tour of a series of classrooms that reflected what he found when he first went to the region. This became his motivation to continue to pursue international work through Rotary.
John shared the financial picture of how the dollars are raised initially by a local club and then added to by Rotary International. The value of a dollar is magnified and the effects of what that dollar can do is also dramatically increased.
A perfect ending to the presentation was a series of images showing Faces of Gratitude.