The last meeting in January and no snow or rain; just beautiful skies and warm temperatures for winter!  It must be the reason so many were absent.  You were missed!!!! 

 

It was great to have Frank Luporini back amongst us.  We have missed you.  And we were so pleased to have Betty Cook as your guest.  Betty brought a “lovely” 11x14 baking pan with her so that its rightful owner might claim it.  Seems it got left behind at her home after the Christmas party.  I am not sure if I should leverage a fine for a Rotarian claiming it or for “denying” their ownership (hush money).   Expect to see it out and about!  As you all know, we encourage each Rotarian to contribute $100 annually to Rotary International Foundation towards their Paul Harris.  That seems like a reasonable “pay-off” and I will “for-getta-bout-it.”

 

There were incredibly favorable reports of the Rotary Leadership Institute attended January 24 by Mark Fleming, Mike Dobbins, Luis Vazquez, and Eric Trygg.  They all sang Doug McDonald’s praises for the quality of materials covered and the manner in which they were presented.  Great job, Doug!  By the way, it sounds as though Eric Trygg stirred up a bit of intrigue indicating he was representing Penn Valley instead of Grass Valley Rotary!

 

Doug brought Larry Clark as his guest.  Larry has helped us with the Distinguished Citizen Dinner’s audio/video and technical support.  Larry is a former Rotarian and retired teacher.

 

We were privileged to honor Don Fultz for his service to Rotary and being a “Champion” of the Rotary Foundation as we presented the Rotary District 5190 Service Award to his widow, Georgann Russell Fultz.   Thank you, Greg Fultz, for accompanying Georgann as we recognized your dad. 

 

Teresa Langness treated us to a very interesting message about Full Circle Learning.  There are some real similarities with Rotary as “Full Circle Learning helps young people embrace their role as the change agents and humanitarians of their generation.”  Their educational programs link the coursework with service minded ideas or ideals working to improve the world in which they live using their gifts, talents and interests.  We were all pleased to learn of her daughter’s connection with Rotary and her daughter’s year abroad thanks to Rotary “Family,” as she called them.  Her daughter is still being impacted and impacting others due to that experience.   

 

We look forward to hearing from Ken DeHart this Tuesday about his transition from working in Saudi Arabia to raising Llamas locally.  

 

The 5 local Club presidents met with DG Joe Z and DGE Virus Ellingwood last Wednesday evening. We had a super-productive meeting talking about membership and Foundation goals, finishing our year strong, and planning for next year. We have an incredible set of Presidents (Pictured: Steve Spiller-GV, Your Pres, Robin Milam-NC, Andrew Twidwell-49er, Tyson Trevethick-NCS) this year, and a strong set of Presidents-elect (Pictured: Brian Bisnett-49er, DGE Gail, Bob Long-GV, Ed Scofield-NCS, Dave Bunje-NC, Mark Fleming-PV). We should be proud that our own Area 4 is as strong and vibrant as any in District 5190. Congratulations and thanks to our leaders for such great cooperative efforts among our clubs!