By: Tom Port

Please Stand: Gary Sloan was pinch hitting for our “Can Do” President. “Ian Riseley is Rotary International President this year and his theme is: ‘Rotary Making a Difference’”.

 

Greeter: Fred Nevarez advised, paraphrasing,  “Remember when you get stopped for speeding, that officer is there to protect you as well as the entire community.” Fred has been a jeweler in the Valley for nigh on 25 years. Before that he was a fireman.

 

Visiting Rotarian: Kathenne Richardson of The San Ramon Valley Club. She says she is thinking of throwing her lot in with us.

 

Patriotic Song: Don Jones led us in “My Country …‘Tis of Thee ”

 

Student of the Month: Christina Monis Hernandez was honored for her kindness, her positive attitude, her work at “Youth Spaces”, and for being a great student and all around good person.

Fires in Wine Country: Ana advised that all her friends are OK and their homes survived, but many of those close by, including the house where she once lived were not so fortunate. Ray Giles said Rotary has created a “Donor Advised Fund” in support of fire victims. The Weaverville Club also has set up a fund. Otherwise, you can donate to the Red Cross. Monetary donations are preferred.

 

Auction and Run for Education: Jeff Disch says nearly $45,000 was raised from bids and it will likely reach to $50,000. About another $50,000 was raised through sponsorships.

 

Christmas Tree Lot: Get ready.  We will be hearing more soon.

Dictionary Distribution: Guy Greco says a lot of third graders and their teachers were very happy to get a dictionary. They enjoyed looking up things such as the longest work in the English Language and etc.

 

Golf Awards: Naim Katiby won the award for the most strokes and was honored with the golf club bent around at tree branch. Not surprisingly, Dennis Harvey won as the top player.

 

Program: District Governor Gary Vilhauer opened his talk with anecdotes from his Rotary Family Health Days trip to Lagos, Nigeria. After 24 hours of travel time he arrived at the very chaotic Lagos airport to find himself greeted by soldiers armed with assault rifles. “Your are very important” he was told. Although this was most disconcerting at first he soon realized it was only the beginning of what was actually red carpet treatment for the many Rotary volunteers. They were shepherded around in vans and with the assistance of the 70 Rotary Clubs in the country they were able to provide health screenings to some 80,000 Nigerians.  Funds to support that effort began with his local club, with matching grants, and ultimately with support from the Nigerian Health Ministry, the U.S.A.I.D., the Center for disease Control and local media organizations.

Gary’s point was that we need to talk more about our projects as this is what Rotary is really about and it is also what young potential members are attracted to. That is, giving back, caring  and “Service Above Self’.

Gary showed two videos. One was a public service announcement and the other was titled: What is Leadership?”

Gary also recognized Jeff Disch was recognized for his longstanding service to Rotary.

Gary ended with a plug for District conference 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe. Gary said there are still hotel rooms available at blocked out prices and they are trying to line up additional rooms. However, you should act quickly to make your reservations. See the website: www.nolimitrotary5160.org/ 

Raffle: Priya won both the Greeter’s Gift and the Progressive, but drew a blue ball.