With 27 people in attendance, we heard the bell ring at 7:30. President Bill Bolster took over the chat-fest and asked us how many exercised moderation in their Thanksgiving feast. He let us know it is his favorite holiday.
Carol Martin led us in a pledge of allegiance.
We were offered inspiration by Barbara McChesney who shared a quote from, “The heart of a volunteer is never measured in size but in the depth of commitment to the lives of others.”
After warning Michael Juric to mute everyone we were allowed to sing along with Heather Cullen who reminded us it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Somehow everyone didn’t quite get muted, but it was an enthusiastic try.
Heather Cullen had a guest, Laurel Green from Windsor Middle School. JB Leep introduced our guest and speaker Ruben Scott.
Sue Nelson gave us an introduction to an old Rotary friend Jo Timmsen, who has a history that included 10 years with our club. Welcome back!
The Rotarian of the month is energetic and committed Barbara McChesney, who has jumped into our club and the organization. Nice call president Bill.
Glenn Sugden shared that Kiwanis has been knocking on the door to ask for our assistance in gathering toys for their annual toy drive. Donate toys, or food, or both. We were reminded that we can hold onto our toys until our Holiday social. You were assigned a name and your challenge is to find a toy that matches the personality of the name you drew.
There will be wrapping toys and sorting food need for volunteers. The volunteers can help pre wrapping, or you can get in on the event for the December 19th hand out. Two-hour time slots are offered and the environment requires a safe COVID environment and all volunteers need to sign up.
Our Board is planning to donate $1000 toward the program and Glenn is planning to match that amount, which then caught Diane Brabitz to offer $1000, which brought another offer of $1000 from Renee Hyde and multiple whistles from Brian Ling. Applauded by all in attendance, which has grown to 37 present.
President Bill shared Ken Moulton’s efforts to continue to promote our support for the teacher of Windsor. Ken asked Pam Moulton to read a wonderful letter that will be going out to each of the teachers in the community for their service to all the children in Windsor. Doug Williams was recognized for his efforts to lead the effort to get a gift card prepared by Tom Boylan to accompany the letter. Pam Moulton recited the letter to the club. Every teacher will receive a $5 gift card to Cafe Noto.
We are reminded by Diane Brabitz that today is giving Tuesday and there are many ways you can open your hearts and wallets to the Rotary Foundation, the Windsor Rotary Fund, the John Lewis Community fund. To keep it easy Carol Martin let us know there is a new feature on the Windsorrotary.org website that will allow you to make a donation online. You can ask to direct your donation to a specific need.
See Diane Brabitz’s COVID report at the bottom of the bulletin
The Dick Bishop Memorial Bell Ringing campaign is in need to have more ringers. If you can offer your hand wringing… ringing… please get a hold of Mike Merrill, or president Bill. Remember that Santa’s helpers wear masks these days.
The Rotary Holiday Social requires you to have some fun prior to the event by shopping for a toy that you think best represents the character of the person whose name you have been sent by Rene Hyde. Know that she and Paul Peloso will have a Santa Mobile ready to roll and pick up the toys from your home.
There is a clipboard with a few opportunities to be active in the club. The following has been promoted by Pres. Bill.
- Dick Bishop Salvation Army Bell Ringing needs a few ding a lings. Contact Mike Merrill at [email protected], or call 707-484-0310
- Fundraisers – Need volunteers
- Santa Tim Gift Wrapping – Contact Glenn Sugden at [email protected] / 707-696-9906
- February Valentine’s Day Tri Tip – Contact Carol Martin at [email protected] / 707-403-8200
- “Ladies on Line” on Wednesday, December 16th at 5:30 contact Pam Moulton at [email protected] / 707-328-0026
Rotary District 5130 Disaster Relief Fund – Fires.
They will work hard to make sure every dollar donated will make a difference in someone’s life!
www.rotary5130.org/district-disaster-response-plan
Mail your donation to: Ashliegh Diehl, District 5130 Treasurer, 1315 Fourth Street, Eureka, Ca 95501
Program:
JB introduced our speaker, Ruben Scott, president of the Sonoma Chapter of the NAACP. Ruben moved to Sonoma County as a youngster attending Santa Rosa schools including SRJC and eventually went on to graduate from Penn State. He took on the role of the President of Sonoma NAACP a little over a year ago.
According to Ruben, the association has been growing dramatically over the past two years more than doubling. He pointed out that their work includes working for all people and not just those who are people of color.
He shared a list of demands that align with the efforts of Rotary in so many ways including demanding that the city and state recognize the elements of our community that can assist people, all people, benefit from a robust and open community which includes schools, and community facilities and services.
An interesting perspective was shared how he grew up in Sonoma County and didn’t easily recognize a difference, but his work with NAACP has shown a home that there are problems that need to be addressed to have equality and fair treatment for all people and that complaints received from the community can be addressed, by his organization. He found an agreement between the police and city officials that there is a need for addressing inherent problems in the treatment of people of color.
We learned that we need to walk in our life as role models and Ruben found out that we walk a little earlier than some. He suggested that we need to step out of our norm to have an opportunity to learn more about our communities and the problems, along with the good in our communities.
Through all the difficulties our Sonoma County residents have been through, we have an opportunity to focus on the elements that we all share. In order to live together, we need to recognize we need each other to survive and that we need to open a dialogue.
COVID update:
Here is the latest COVID update from your Rotary Club nurse:
ONE AMERICAN /MINUTE IS DYING OF COVID IN THE USA CURRENTLY!
Total Cases: 12,319 (last week 11,608)
New Cases: Fri 80 THIS IS 319 (last week 292) NEW CASES OVER THE WEEKEND (within only 3 days, not 4) AND THE LARGEST SURGE TO DATE! Sat stats not avail. Sun 118 Mon 121
Deaths: 157 (last week 155)
Hospitalized: 31 confirmed and 3 suspected (last week 30 confirmed and 2 suspected) Statewide, the number of hospitalizations has doubled since last month!
We continue with 19% of our cases in the 25-34-year-olds and 17% in the 35-44-year-olds
We have tested a Total of 297,943 and 10,010 recovered (last week 283,276 in our county with 9625 people recovered)
Still seeing the largest number of cases in the Latinos (70% and whites are only 23%); cases are coming from close community spread or close contact and largest industry testing positive is services and sales. (this is not health care workers) 2nd largest group of cases are still in people not working and are probably cases caught from a family member! 10% are healthcare workers.
Governor Newsom has issued a curfew from 10 pm to 5 am and also a one-month limited STAY AT HOME for non-essential personnel. It has been recommended by Governor and the CDC that all travel be halted and that we not leave the Bay Area. (they were previously saying Sonoma County but so many travels for work) The issue with travel is not being on a plane but the time being in airports which is a closed, contained space. The CDC has issued a NO Travel warning into Mexico and some states here in the US have implemented a 2 week quarantine period.
Public Health and most infectious disease Physicians are worried about the increase in cases we will see because people did not stay at home and did travel; as well as had dinners locally with more than their own household bubble. We also have Christmas coming and again it is being stressed to not travel, stay at home and limit your contact as much as possible. If you traveled at all and got together with others, the experts are advising you to get tested. The experts are also seeing it is taking up to 4 weeks, not just 2 weeks to see new cases or new positives because of symptoms not being reported, not seeking MD visits, and then getting test results back. By the time a Case Worker or Contact Tracer gets involved, it could be weeks.
Signs and Symptoms to report are fever, runny nose, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, nausea and or diarrhea, and loss of taste or smell. All of these could also be indicative of a cold or the flu. Have you gotten your flu shot?????
Please each and everyone does your part in controlling this disease and keep your guard up until the vaccine is available to the general public. We are probably looking at 6 months and summer before we have enough immunity to see normal life again. It is up to each of us!
Let’s really become SONOMA COUNTY STRONG AGAIN and on this Giving Tuesday, show kindness. The life you save could be someone you love!
Thanks, Di
Diane Brabetz
Administrator – Owner
At Home Nursing