July 25, 2019

Here are the photos from July 25.  The text has not yet arrived.

This week's Editor: Ricardo Marzo

July 18, 2019

This week’s photos are missing.  Sorry!

Appearing for his second consecutive week as your Rotary President, Elias Husary called the meeting to order.

Employing his powerful baritone voice, Joe Tambe led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Past President Kip Herzog was songmaster for "God Bless America."  

The Thought For The Day was delivered by Past President Leroy Bean.

Michael Avery introduced the visiting Rotarian, former member Jim Becker.

Ricardo Marzo introduced his wife Nicole.

Lee Reposa introduced his guest, Sam Grant

Onita Pellegrini introduced her guest, Samantha Mahan, the new owner of Baskin-Robbins of Petaluma.

Secretary Gail Cardaropoli announced the upcoming SCARC meeting is Thursday, July 25 at Balletto Winery.  Gail needs to send in our RSVP's by July 19.  This outdoor event is one of the largest Sonoma County Area Rotary Club gatherings each year.  SCARC meetings are held on the last Thursday of the month (except Nov & Dec) on a rotating basis.  Our Club's SCARC hosting date is Thursday April 30.

Everyone is encouraged to join in the fun at the Petaluma Oyster Fest on August 17 at Bodega Bay Oyster Company.  This is a fundraiser by the Petaluma Sunrise Rotary Club.

Here's a link to purchase your tickets.

President Elect Anne Gealta noticed that Doug Hecker had not yet received his official Chicken Badge.  It was disclosed that Doug's sponsor was none other than our current President Elias Husary. 

A penitent Elias fined himself $50 with another $25 for Polio Plus.

Ricardo Marzo missed President Elias' first meeting last week and paid a guilty fine of $50. 

Past President Larry Jonas' vacation to Orlando resulted in a $40 fine.

A $50 fine was levied on Chad Fillinger since the Petaluma Argus Courier recently featured a photo of Chad and his Dad Steve.  Chad replied that he and his dad simply pay more $$ to the Argus than other folks so they get a photo!

Past District Governor and Past President Ed Fullerton missed President Elias' first meeting because he was at a District 5130 meeting.  His fine was $10 since the year is young and he will be fined many times between now and June 30.  Ed also schooled Elias about the proper way to address past DG's.

Past President Kip Herzog was the lucky winner of the weekly raffle.  He selected a blue rock because Kip really likes wine!

Program Committee member Charlie Stuart introduced today's speaker.

Petaluma City Manager Peggy Flynn addressed the club and answered questions from members. 

This week's Editor: Joanne Ferris

July 11, 2019

New President ELIAS “His Honor” HUSARY opened his inaugural meeting on time at our regular Thursday luncheon meeting, whereupon he immediately led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and had STEVE POWELL lead us in song (God Bless America/Rambler-Gambler). 

RAINE HOWE then delivered the Thought for the Day.

The new Prez then implored us to “do some fellowship” (aka handshakes, hugs and busses among members). 

MIREILLE BROUSSARD introduced the visiting Rotarians who joined us for lunch, including Dan Powers, the incoming President of the Petaluma Rotary Sunrise Club.

Members of guests who joined us for lunch were then introduced, including LEE REPOSA’S (son Brant and friend Ty) and MICHAEL CARUANA’S (wife, Dianne).

MICHAEL CARUANA also tried to introduce Past-President GARY BRODIE as his guest, but the wily new Prez seemed to recall that Gary was still a Member! Immediate Past-President MICHAEL NISTLER then introduced his guest, Mizuki Takeuchi, our Japanese foreign exchange student, who presented her home Club Rotary flag to the new Prez!!

The new Prez then thanked Past-President MICHAEL NISTLER and Michael's Board for their service to the Club.

After a well deserved round of applause, the new Prez finally introduced his special guest,

his wife Gina!

She is definitely going to be a great addition to our Rotary family!

The new Prez then informed us that the first SCARC meeting of this year will be on September 25; BONO CUMMINGS followed-up with an explanation as to why she didn't do the Thought for the Day as scheduled (she fined herself!); SHARI RANNEY announced that the Rotary International tri-club annual fundraiser will be held on August 5 and they are looking for donations of gift basket and silent auction items - call SHARI if you can help out;

President-Elect ANNE GEALTA and RICK WARNER announced that the Club's annual golf tournament will be held on September 23 - call ANNE or RICK if you would like to help, and sign up now if you want to play;

and last but not least, MICHAEL CARUANA is recruiting bocce ball players for the yearly bocce ball tournament in September, and he's hoping to preserve the team's perfect record... they've never scored. Call MICHAEL if you want to help break the record!

Ticket #5311 proved to be a winner for CHAD FILLINGER, and good enough for a primo bottle of vino!

The new Prez then left the podium to work the floor like a CEO of a fortune 500 company to give us an insight to the man, the myth, the legend, and how he came to be our Rotary President... but not before fining 1) RICK WARNER $50.00 (for leaving not 1, but 3 pairs of glasses at the last meeting),

and 2) your humble editor $25.00 for allegedly never inviting the Prez to lunch... ever (hey, what can I say, I'm picky about my lunch dates!!).

Like the master marketer and polished executive he clearly is, the new Prez then proceeded to explain to us his main goals - ARM (Attendance, Retention, Membership), which was apparently so inspirational that SHERRY BURWEN spontaneously jumped to her feet to let the new Prez know she was all in! The new Prez went on to outline his proposed projects, including 1) a tri-club project with the Petaluma Valley Club (John Burns) and Sunrise Club (Dan Powers) to get a District Grant to fund new lockers for COTS, and 2) a year round holiday gift-giving project to fund teenagers in need.

The new Prez then summarily adjourned the meeting at precisely 1:30 pm and bid us all adieu! It was a great first meeting and by all measures a roaring success... unless you count not enough entrees for all your members/guests, then it came up just shy of a full salmon filet!

Good luck to Elias for a great year, and see you all at the next meeting!

Note: The first official Board of Directors meeting will be on Thursday, July 18, 2019, 9:30 am at Elias' house (31 Wallenberg Way, Petaluma).

P.S.  Rumor has it that the Prez is actively soliciting major corporate sponsors to fund our meetings, apparently commencing with a pitch to Geico.

This week's Editor: Mike Baddeley