RB Rotary— Meeting Minutes Dec 14, 2023
Bell was rung and the meeting began with recitation of the Four-Way test and Pledge of Allegiance.
Volunteers for this meeting:
Greeter: John Goodrich
Pledge: Jim Reid
Scribe: Katie Hunter
A/V: Dave Brooks
Front Desk: Pat Chaffee and Joel Doss
Sgt at Arms: Bill Brehm (photographer) with Joel Doss, Bob Vaughn and crew.
Attendees:
No visiting Rotarians were in attendance. Gary Saks introduced invited guests Kaylee Bosse, Corporate Community Philanthropy Coordinator, and Mindy Collins, Chief Philanthropy Officer, from the San Diego Ronald McDonald House.
Paul Harris Fellowship:
Bob Vaughn presented Paul Harris Fellowship Awards to: Terry Heck (3rd award); Athenea Luciano (5th award) and Diane Remick (7th award). Bob Vaughn reminded fellow Rotarians that the expected donation to the Rotary Foundation (not to be confused with the Rancho Bernardo Rotary Foundation) is $100 per person per fiscal year (July-June).
Rancho Bernardo Rotary Foundation:
Athenea Luciano presented a $1000 check to Kaylee Bosse, Corporate Community Philanthropy Coordinator and Mindy Collins, Chief Philanthropy Officer, from San Diego Ronald McDonald House. Gary Saks led the fundraising endeavor and deferred his speech to Kaylee Bosse. Ms Bosse thanked the Rancho Bernardo Rotary Club for their generous donation and continuing support of Ronald McDonald house through monthly meal preparations and purchasing items on their Amazon Wishlist. The donation will be matched by JMS Fund, thus doubling the contribution. Our contribution will be applied to their meal program which has already served over 150,000 meals this year. Ms Bosse identified other ways to support Ronald McDonald house such as donating unused gift cards in January and participating in Red Shoe day on May 22nd.
2024-25 RB Rotary Board NOMINEES:
Incoming President Terry Heck announced nominations for the 2024-25 Ballot and stated that Alan Turner is actively working on identifying 2025-26 presidential candidates. Ballots were distributed to each Rancho Bernardo Rotary member in attendance.
2024-25 Nominees:
Vice President: Ken Heinz
Secretary: Barb Alberts
Treasurer: Patrick Chaffee
Sergeant at Arms: Joel Doss
Directors (4 positions open)
Mark Alberts
Bill Brehm
Jim Hyldahl
Emily Paup
Diane Remick
Karen Stelman
Family of Rotary:
Sandie Dewane announced that John O’Neil sends holiday wishes to everyone. Jim Hyldahl is recovering from COVID and wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Gary Saks reports that he called and left a message for Dick Norfolk and Pat got back to him saying that Dick is not yet ready to attend meetings.
Fine Master/Happy Bucks:
Fines: Although Athenea was given a pardon by President Reid to negate any fines, there were still some done in fun; including Cathy Glover and Gary Saks who were in the newspaper.
Happy Bucks: President Reid thanked Mike Stelman and Tom Kapocius for the successful poinsettia fundraiser. Mike and Tom then thanked those who helped them on distribution day including Joel Doss, Dave Brooks and Don Glover. Mike thanked those who delivered to Wounded Warriors.
Sandie Dewane thanked Dave Brooks and John Goodrich for delivering poinsettias to her home.
Shirley Napierala was pleased to report that over $2,000 was raised to help two PUSD families in need.
Cheryl Roop wished her “Rotary family” a very Happy Holiday season.
Bill Brehm was “$100 Happy” that Joel Doss is taking over as Sgt at Arms next year.
John Mullen contributed to the Camel Hair Challenge.
Steve LaPointe will be getting a caregiver and is happy to be able to continue to attend Rotary meetings.
Pat thanked John Goodrich for donating his wood crafts for last week’s auction.
Dan Barrios said he recently had check up on his heart and is happy to report that “it’s working” and jokingly said this is further proof that “he has a heart” to those who questioned its existence.
Speaker
Jim Sommer introduced Poway Mayor Steve Vaus. Jim wasn’t sure what to focus on—Mr Vaus’s illustrious music career or equally illustrious political career. A combo of both was highlighted with Mr Vaus’s “Carols by Candlelight” annual event that has raised over 2 Million dollars for Rady Children’s Hospital.
Mr Vaus took the podium and talked about Poway’s pride in their “City in the Country”. He invited people to attend the Lake Poway Playground celebration on Dec 21 at 1:00pm. This will dedicate a new, fully accessible, playground. Poway has a 70 million dollar water treatment facility capital improvement project underway which is their largest CIP to date. Poway re-paves roads every 8 years. The Poway Performing Arts Center has improvements pending. The City Council passed an anti-hate ordinance. Poway is the safest city in San Diego County and the 4th safest in the state. Mr Vaus discussed how state legislation, such as Prop 47, affects their city and encouraged voters to pay attention to candidate’s views on crime and housing before casting their votes.
Questions were asked about the community recreation center at The Farm, affordable retail space for non-profit thrift stores and what was going on with the Amazon Fresh store. Mr Vaus said Amazon is revisiting their Amazon Fresh business model and teased that “a store everyone wants” will be moving into the Stein Mart property, but did not divulge its identity.
Cheryl Roop presented Mr Vaus with a book on the US Congress which he signed. The book will be added to the Bernardo Heights Middle School library.
Terry Heck announced the 2024-25 Election RESULTS:
Vice President: Ken Heinz
Secretary: Barb Alberts
Treasurer: Patrick Chaffee
Sergeant at Arms: Joel Doss
Directors:
Mark Alberts
Bill Brehm
Jim Hyldahl
Emily Paup
As noted above, Alan Turner is actively working on identifying 2025-26 presidential candidates.
Madrigal Fundraiser:
Athenea reminded attendees about the RB Rotary Foundation’s $500 donation to the Rancho Bernardo Madrigals. She will be sending an email on how Rotarians can submit matching donations.
Next Meeting:
Bob Lutticken from Abraxas High School will be speaker at our next meeting on January 4, 2024.
Meeting adjourned.
