Rancho Bernardo Rotary October 19, 2017 Meeting Minutes & Images by James Kaspar

Posted by Sandie Dewane on Oct 23, 2017
THANK YOU to ALL our Ronald McDonald House Volunteers for 2017!!!
 
The schedule for 2018 dinner service will be published later this year!
 
Please check out our volunteer page where you can find out information on all upcoming service projects.

Please join us this Rotary Year 2017-18 in 'Making A Difference'!
 
 
 
 
Rotary Meeting Notes October 19, 2017
  By Sandie Dewane, Scribe
President Mike Fuqua called the meeting, celebrating 54 years of Service Above Self, to order.  He welcomed us to Rotary and we joined in reciting our motto as we do every week.
Jon Harris led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and John Goodrich gave today’s inspirational message based on information in the recent Rotarian magazine.
Before Greeter Dan Barrios introduced today’ guests and Visiting Rotarians, he asked if everyone received a hug from him as we entered.  This scribe was overwhelmed with the genial welcome and seemingly sincere hug from Dan until he handed me a donation envelope.  Talk about softening the blow – he is a master at it!  When the time came to lead the Welcome Song, he asked “Jim” to come forward and both Jim Sommer and Jim Hlydahl made their way to the front of the room and the enthusiastic singing duo led us in song. 
 
President Mike thanked today’s volunteers:  Front Desk - Bob Barr, Joel Doss, Shirley  Napierala, Dick Norfolk;  Set Up Crew-  Paul Donick and Judy Lutticken; Photographer -  James Kaspar and Scribe- Sandie Dewane.
 
Announcements:
The Rotary Foundation grants are due today.
 
The Community Safety Fair is scheduled for Sunday, October 22nd from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Webb Park.  We will have a booth there focusing on the Healing Fields and commemorating the 10th anniversary of the fires that devastated Rancho Bernardo and other areas.  Karen Stelman was thanked for coordinating the exhibit and recruiting volunteers to staff the display.  It was also noted that our Club received a special award from Rotary for the Healing Fields project, spearheaded by Karen.
 
Larry Saunders was recognized for scheduling volunteers for the Ronald McDonald House five times this past year. Larry and his wife April worked the last date and he asked everyone to stand who also helped.  President Mike read a heartfelt thank you note from an out-of-town family member who appreciated our food service.  Scott Robertson was thanked for volunteering his time with the youth projects sponsored by our Club.
 
We are donating 14 orchard trees to the Abraxas Tree Project.  The tree planting ceremony is set for November 16th at 9:00 a.m.  President Mike assures us that we will not have to plant anything as the students will do it for us. 
 
Next week’s meeting, October 26th, is our Halloween party.  We are encouraged to wear costumes, masks, etc. to make the meeting fun and festive.
Foundation President Dan Barrios gave the Paul Harris Fellow Presentation to Karen and Mike Stelman for their continued generosity in supporting Rotary.  Mike thanked his surprised wife, Karen, for the many hours and support she gives to Rotary.  Congratulations and thank you to Mike and Karen!
Arilla St. Laurent gave the Family of Rotary report.  She informed us that long-time member Cliff Frey passed away.  She is circulating a card for our signatures and it will be sent to Cliff’s wife, Ann.
 
Putting on her auctioneer’s hat, Arilla then dazzled us all with her “auctioneer speak” as she extracted bids for a bouquet of flowers donated by Branches located at the Bernardo Winery.  After some active bidding, Dick Norfolk gave the highest bid and presented the bouquet to Judy Lutticken.   
Rick Bramble, filling in for Finemaster John O’Neill today, started off by fining a table of 4 guys who were unable to attract a female to sit with them.  Vern Cooke tried to give an excuse about being sick, but Rick decided to fine him double the amount as his table mates.  After that, many members volunteered happy bucks.  Great job, Rick!
Bob Vaughn had the pleasure of introducing Past District Governor Dr. Janice Kurth as our speaker today.  She gave a wonderful presentation about the Foundation’s six focus items:
Fight Disease, Provide Clean Water, Support Mothers & Children, Promote Education, Grow Local Economies and Build Peace. 
She introduced her special guest Jane Kinyua who spoke on the Children Peace Initiative Kenya. The amazing Jim Hyldahl presented a book for signature to be donated to the Bernardo Heights Middle School library.  Once again, he successfully correlated the book title to the presentation topic. 
 
Upcoming programs are October 26th – Jack Hughes, San Diego River Valley Conservancy and November 2nd – Kim Searcy, Senior Docent, Palomar Observatory.
 
The meeting was adjourned.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Sandie Dewane, Scribe