San Ramon Rotary Club

Crow’s Call

May 23, 2019

 

 

President John Milich showed no signs of slowing down in fulfilling his responsibilities, calling the meeting to order at 12:15p.  Despite the fact that John has missed several meetings this past month due to work commitments, he shared with the club that the remainder of the year attendance looked promising.  He did appear to have a bounce to his walk and positive attitude as he approaches his last month as commander in chief.  As usual, John shared that Barry Rassin was the R.I. President and the them this year was to Be an Inspiration. 

Dennis Garrison filled in as greeter for Ed Duarte and asked members to be thoughtful for the day by contacting Walt Trembley whose wife is suffering from dementia and he could use some cheering up from fellow Rotarians.  Dennis encouraged members to call Walt at 925-487-5291 or send a card to: 40 Canyon Hills Pl., San Ramon, CA 94582.

 

Steve Wilcox was selected to lead the club in America the Beautiful but the club ended up an octave too high despite its best efforts.

 

Aparna Madiredd was introduced as a visiting Rotarian from the Dougherty Valley Club.

 

Julia Oseland, a fellow San Ramon Leadership colleague of Colette Lay was introduced as well. Julie is a Business Consulting and Coach involved with the HOA at Canyon Lakes and local community leadership.

 

Dennis Garrison also announced that Green Escrow is celebrating its 10-year anniversary on June 6, 2019 at Crow Canyon Country Club from 4p-7p.  Rotarians are welcomed.

 

Guy Greco announced that Jay Tontz was in a long term care facility but his wife was seeking alternative care arrangements as Jay’s Medicare insurance limits have been reached.  Any assistance or suggestions please reach out.

 

Ray Giles indicated that Rotary International was instituting a Disaster Assistance Fund to enable Rotarians to designate funds for the specific purpose of assisting in a disaster.  This prompted Ray to remind Rotary members that the year was drawing to a close and that 1/3 of the members had not yet made a contribution.  Rotary members can support the Foundation through on-line contributions or providing a check to Ray.  However, after next week Ray will be going to Hawaii for the month of June so please make that contribution soon.

 

Vera shared that she had recently made a contribution and received a contribution receipt in English but a letter of appreciation in Portuguese harkening back to her initial home country of Brazil.  Ray emphasized that this reflects Rotary as an international club.

Steve Wilcox was on his way to his favorite Optometrist, Fletcher Thames, after the meeting. Fletcher is a charter member of the club but managed to miss most of our meetings this year.  So Steve produced a video to show Fletcher with member exhorting his to come and join us again with various degrees of encouragement and threats to nominate him for President in the coming years.

 

Our auction last year produced a winner for 24 people to participate in a kick ball game.  Our own Chris Gayler will be one of the referees and Ana Dominquez invited club members to attend as cheerleaders on June 15^th at San Ramon Central Park from 11a to 3p.  Hotdogs and Hamburgers will be served.

Garth and his wife Michelle attended a one week medical clinic project with Mountain Medics providing care in Internal Medicine, GYN, Pharmacy services and Dental support.  Garth described the oral care in this Peru village as atrocious resulting in very long days of providing medical support to this needy village.  Other trips are planned for October and 2020.

 

Thankfully, the Beer and Wine Booth is fully staffed and ready to go.  Norbert thanked all the members for their support.  He is receiving some assistance from his daughter and son-in-law who “volunteered” to do multiple shifts or risk their inheritance.  In the end, we have sufficient coverage for this major fund raising event.

Gary Sloan announced that the Interact Club members needed drivers on Monday from 1230p – 630p in two-hour shifts.  This involves being on call to deliver food to the booth when they run low.  Please contact Gary and he will sign you up.

Priya handed out some fliers to be distributed to various businesses reminding the public to drop by our booth for a refreshing drink.

 

Birthdays recognized this week included Fred Nevarez ($25), Don Bierman ($50), Garth Riopelle ($25) and Ray Giles who was previously recognized last week.   Brent Tucker insisted on being fined $100 in recognition of multiple birthdays that included his wife Terry, two daughters and his Anniversary.  Brent celebrated the occasions by visiting the Awani in Yosemite.

Colette shared that 6 San Ramon Rotarians ventured over the snow covered Donner Summit to arrive at the Reno Convention involving four Northern California and Nevada Districts.  Speakers were good, break-out presentations informative and good fellowship events.  Geoff Disch was fined $50 for his good fortune at the blackjack tables while Gary Sloan was fined $25 for winning $1000 in blackjack but losing $940 in craps.  Gary shared the best moment in Reno when a dealer asked if Geoff was his father.

 

Colette will be attending the International Conference in June that will be held in Hamburg, Germany.

 

The Dougherty Rotary Club will be hosting 24 visiting business people from Copenhagen.  While most of the visitors have accommodations through the Dougherty Club, they need eight more rooms in Rotarian homes for one week August 19-25. 

 

The Dougherty Valley Club had a very successful fund raising event involving Truck exhibits of all types with great participation from the local families.

 

 

In the month of June Chris Gallagher will be presenting the state of affairs regarding the San Ramon Rotary Foundation.  All members are encouraged to attend.

 

June 27 will be the Demotion Awards lunch.

 

July 20 will be the Inauguration Party of our new President, Colette Lay.  The party will be held at Gary Sloan’s residence 615 Stevens Court, Danville, CA from 5:30p-9:00p

Mark Hornstra will be giving his last daughter away in July following bridal showers in June.  Mark learned that as he is moving to El Dorado Hills in Sacramento, his daughter is moving to the Bay Area.  If you have any connections with East Bay Mud or Municipal Water business, Mark’s daughter is looking for a job.

 

Guy will be a great-grand father soon.

 

Continuing with their winning streak in Reno, Geoff Disch won the greeters gift (wine) and Gary Sloan won $10 having drawn the blue marble.

 

Chris Gallagher is the greeter next week.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 1:10p

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Gary Sloan, Scribe