Meeting Minutes
January 14, 2021
President Alex Robertson brought our evening Zoom meeting to order at 5:31 pm and led us in reciting the 4 Way Test.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Don Glover who read to us from the Gettysburg Address:
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Don had requested us to show our flags during the Pledge and many did; here are Charley and Barb Crew:
Russ Haskell inspired us with his thoughts about a vaccine against the failure of trust we see today. Its components include truth, openness, education and being considerate of others.
Run Hunt welcomed our guests and Joel Doss sang them our welcome song. It was almost a solo, as most other members’ microphones were muted.
Foundation President Mike Fuqua president presented a $2000 grant to the Assistance League of Inland North County. President-elect Carole Comeau and President Diana Chambers told us that their thrift shop was closed now due to COVID-19. This is their primary source of funding. Our grant will be very helpful in supporting their programs which include Hug-a Bear for children and seniors in traumatic situations, scholarships for high school students and Operation School Bell which provides clothing and school supplies for children in need. They were named the Nonprofit of the Year 2020 by California Assembly Member Marie Waldron.
Arilla St. Laurent will inform us of the services for Bob Barr when they are set. Joe Gandelman has contracted COVID-19 and has a heavy sinus infection. He is doing better now. Arilla also requested that if you have receipts from Major Market, please mail them to her so she can submit them for a contribution to the club foundation. Her address is 12595 Camino Vuelo, San Diego, CA 92128-1244.
Finemaster John O’Neill collected Happy Bucks from several folks, see the list in Treasurer Pat’s summary email.
President Alex thanked today’s volunteers: Zoom setup by Mike Fuqua, newsletter posting by Bill Angus and these words by your scribe, Dave Brooks.
Dave then introduced Service Dog in Training Elton, looking pensive here:
The ornament is plastic. The light bulbs are not.
He is thinking about how to get through the barrier around the Christmas tree so he could eat one of those light bulbs. He was successful the very next day and went to the ER. There he threw up all the pointy stuff and he was fine.
Dave then introduced Victoria Cavaliere of Tender Loving Canines / Guide Dogs of America (TLC/GDA). She is the manager of the Service Dog Program.
Victoria started with a video of what TLC/GDA does and showed interviews with both staff and clients.
She then switched to a PowerPoint to discuss the Service Dog Program in more detail. These dogs serve several types of clients:
She explained that the training of the service dogs involves 2 groups. First the puppy raisers take the dogs at about 8-weeks old and train them until their full physical size at about 1-year old. Then the dogs go to be trained by an inmate in one of 3 prisons: R.J. Donovan near Otay Mesa, the brig at Camp Pendleton and Mule Creek Prison near Ione.
The prison training program is “beneficial for all concerned”, and, most significantly, has reduced recidivism by the prison trainers to zero.
Terry Heck presented Victoria with a speaker’s gift; a book titled A Long Walk to Water. It will be donated to the Bernardo Heights Middle School Library in her name.
In keeping with this evening’s canine theme, President Alex made a few announcements punctuated by his dog barking in the background. He attended the D5340 membership seminar online. He and Mike Fuqua attended a meeting for assistant governors held by the district. Lastly he also participated in a Zoom session with Past RI President Barry Rassin. Barry said during 2020 Rotary grew worldwide by 2200 members, which is remarkable during a pandemic.
Alex then asked Cathy Glover to update us on the Sees Candy fundraiser. You can order online and have the candy shipped directly to you by Valentine’s Day. You must order by January 29th to insure delivery by then. The website for orders is: https://www.yumraising.com/secure/ranchobr_rb_rotary_sees_valentines1/candy?h=Cat_Glo9804
Cathy also donated $50 to the club foundation in memory of John Kasser who was a board member of Tender Loving Canines and initiated the relationship with RB Rotary.
President Alex adjourned the meeting at 6:45 pm.