Due to the COVID-19 Threat we have shifted our club meetings to Zoom. To join us contact any of our officers or our membership chairman and we'll send you an invite and link.
ROTARY CLUB OF RANCHO BERNARDO * * * JULY 9, 2020 ZOOM MEETING
Alex Robertson called his first meeting as 2020-2021club president to order via Zoom using gavel created from wood from Paul Harris’ home garden followed by the Rotary Pledge. Terry Heck led us in the pledge of allegiance preceded by three very timely 4th of July quotes by John Kennedy, Albert Einstein and Abraham Lincoln. Inspirational message provided by Doug Dawson reminding us of the tough year so far reciting a poem by Leslie Dwight, “What If 2020 Isn’t Cancelled?” encouraging us all to grow and become the change needed worldwide.
President Alex welcomed Max Guerney from Torrey Pines Rotary Club who wished Alex a successful year as president. Don Glover introduced new member, Paul Heeter. Absent our songmaster, Joel, we decided to wait and serenade Paul with our beautiful welcome song at a later date.,
After thanking outgoing officers and displaying their new badges and pin which should arrive soon,President Alex installed 2020-2021 RanchoBernardoRotaryClub officers and directors as follows: Vice President John Goodrich President Elect Athenea Luciano Past President David King Secretary Jeanne Hawkins Treasurer Patrick Chaffee Directors Doug Dawson Mike Fuqua Don Glover.
Alex thanked meeting volunteers Mike Fuqua, set up, Diane Remick, Scribe, and Bill Barr, News Editor.
Pat Chaffee reminded us 5% of membership still needs to send in their fine and Happy Buck “donations” for the year that ended June 30. Many members indicated they would do so even some planning to include “interest.” Dues, in the amount of $125 are now due for the first half of the year. Joel handling credit card payments and Patrick, cash. Any questions, contact Patrick at 831-521-3569. He reported the 250 Rotary Masks previously ordered are scheduled to arrive next week.
Don Glover previously provided a congratulatory email to members regarding the many awards we were fortunate to earn and reminding members what a good showing we enjoyed at the District Governor’s Evening Celebration Awards event in June. Four members who passed this year, Maureen Rouleau, John Kasser, John Hawkins and Frances Blair remembered with a Celebration of Life and their pictures shared.
John and Jeanne Hawkins recognized for reaching major donor status. Athena recognized for leading the Rotary Leadership Class. The club enjoys 100% participation in Paul Harris Fellow program. Our $429 per capita contribution was the second highest in the District. Alex complimented for doing a fine job as Assistant District Governor last year and will continue in the position this year. Our club along with Poway-Scripps Rotary Club awarded President’s Citation Platinum level award, the highest level possible. For second year in a row, our club received the Mid Size Rotary Club of the Year Award. Mike Fuqua new Assistant Governor for our area.
Dan Barios provided Alex with a new pin with 3 stones and Russ Haskell a new pin with 3 sapphires indicating he reached the $8,000 Rotary International Foundation level. Congratulations to Alex and Russ!
Alex introduced a new segment to our meetings, “Ladies Laugh” with Arilla St. Laurent. Arilla related a humorous minister/farmer biscuit joke for the day. Arilla, wearing her other hat, introduced Athenea who informed us it looks like Felix is facing knee surgery but she will let us know for sure.
John O’Neill, our wonderful fine master received his usual chorus of boos upon introduction and was at his finest collecting approximately $726 for our coffers from Bill, Don, Toby, Dave, Jim, Dan, Gary, Athena and Mike Fuqua. Thank you all!
President Alex presented his plans for the upcoming year. A pleasure to take over a club in such good standing. Thanks to Dave and his team. Service, Membership, Covid-19 and Meetings form the nucleus of Alex’s priorities along with some fun! Rotary International theme for the year is, “Rotary Opens Opportunity.” A visionary year! There are 62 medium size clubs in the District and we are number one along with Poway-Scripps. We have over 40 groups in the club working on service projects in our community as well as international projects. Polio cases have reduced during the pandemic because of reduction in movement in countries. We are making an impact in what we do both locally and worldwide. People around the world won’t know us but they thank us. Regarding membership topic will expand this year looking at new avenues of potential membership with a formal mentor group leader. Please support membership team. We will have a strong emphasis on diversity. We must change and adapt. Alex provided his ideas how to proceed using Zoom as a potential new member vehicle. Alex asked that politics this year be avoided in the club in light of it being an election year. Covid-19 is a killer. No cure. Most don’t know they have it. A recent membership survey indicated 80% of members only want to attend face-to-face meetings when it is safe. Use the pandemic to think of others! Regarding meetings and Zoomability, Alex gave several ideas for opportunities to explore this year and asked members to think out of the box using the example of the music competition which could be held at Poway Center of the Arts viewed via Zoom along with parents and visitors as wells as a “Pines & Petals” fundraiser on Zoom asking local merchants to speak for 3 minutes after donating $250 to introduce their products that harmonize with each other. More to come on this.
Mike Fuqua thanked the club for nominating him for the North County Business Chamber Award he recently received via Zoom instead of the usual gala dinner. His contributions to the club and community organizations recognized. Congratulations, Mike!!
Mike Stelman reminded members of poinsettia sale this year and our support this year of the military with a $4,000 donation. He hopes we can put as much effort as we did for Vines & Vittles last year into the poinsettia program and hopefully raise our donation to $20,000 this year. He has a sale already for this year of 20 boxes. Mike suggested we begin working in August. Deliveries are the first Saturday in December. Athenea agreed to help Mike with sales, stressing to buyers how proceeds help local needs.
Alan happy to help anyone getting on Zoom and offers a service also for anyone who needs a translation of anything Alex says.
Doug Dawson agrees with Alex on a Zoom merchant program as a fundraiser and stressed anyone who has contacts to help. Jim Reid glad to help work with club on Zoom music competition possibility.
Our District Governor will join us for the August 13th meeting as his official visit.
Meeting adjourned by President Alex.
