July 18, 2024

Poor President Ricardo.  His big bell disappeared again.  And his little bell didn't tinkle very well.  But, undeterred, he fetched his standby gong and called the meeting to order.

Jan Grimes was up next leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Dan Libarle followed, leading God Bless America.

Michael Caruana gave the Thought for the Day, a quote from the stoic philosopher Seneca about living in peace and harmony.

Then it was time for handshakes, hugs, and conversation

There were no visiting Rotarians and no Rotarians with guests. 

President Ricardo noted that Kip Herzog, John Dado, and Ed Fullerton were under the weather and unable to attend meetings right now.  He suggested they would welcome phone calls.  More on Kip coming up later.

If you are reading this, it may be too late to sign up for the SCARC dinner Thursday, July 25 at Balletto Vineyards.  Contact Gail Cardaropoli immediately if you are interested.

The Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the Valley Rotary Club is Saturday, September 7.

President Ricardo noted that, as part of the Petaluma Service Alliance, our club was recently recognized by the City of Petaluma with an official proclamation.  Greg O’Brien accepted the award for the club at a Walnut Park ceremony.  And, speaking of such things, our mayor and city manager will be speaking at our August 1 meeting.

There will be a board meeting next Tuesday, July 23 at 5pm at Lace House Linen.  All are welcome.

Membership Chair Cary White was called on to explain why Pamela Valdes hadn’t received a miniature chicken badge.

Cary, who proudly wears both badges, invited Pamela up for a special, but miniature, presentation.

Unfortunately, Pamela ran away too quickly and we’d couldn’t grab a photo of her beaming over her new acquisition.

The first fine of the new club year was assessed to Michel Caruana who is back in Petaluma after spending some time horseback riding in the Sierra Nevada mountains of southern Spain.  Michael gladly paid $100.

Dan Libarle happily recounted a recent cruise which took him to such scenic delights as Toronto, Niagara Falls, Mackinac Island, and Detroit.  The bummer was cruisemate Kip Herzog’s injury from a fall.  Dan also paid a $100 fine.

Judy McReynolds was next up for a fine.  Acknowledging five relaxing weeks in Hawaii, she also forked over $100.

Rick Mossi held the winning raffle ticket and got $25 when he drew the blue rock.  Only then did President Ricardo discover that all the rocks, except for one brown one, are blue.  Too late!

Gail Cardaropoli proudly announced that her grandson, Clayton Andrews, had been signed by the San Francisco Giants as a left-handed reliever.  Way to go!

Demonstrating his newly acquired mastery of video presentation, President Ricardo showed two videos from the RI convention in Singapore.  In the first, Bill Gates discussed working with Rotary to end polio.  In the second, RI President Stephanie Urchick stresses that belonging is the Magic of Rotary.

Doug Cross discussed our September 9 Golf Tournament.  He thanked Lace House Linen for its role as the Gold sponsor for the tournament and noted that there are many other sponsorship opportunities available.

Cary White discussed this year’s new member project which gives new members an opportunity to socialize  while working together on a community project.

Shari Ranney reported on our International Service Committee.  In the past 10 years, our club has participated in 43 projects on four continents.  The next committee meeting is August 12.

President Elect Shari also suggested the establishment of an Environment Committee and is looking for a volunteer to chair it.  She suggested participation in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge as good way to launch the committee.

And here’s more from the International Service Committee:  Contact Jan Grimes about participating in a service week in Colima, Mexico December 8-15.

Joanne Ferris discussed the newer types of club membership that are now available.  In addition to our traditional individual membership, we offer family, young professional, corporate, and non-profit memberships. 

President Ricardo discussed Club finances and planned Club commitments.  The above slides should give you some insight into the numbers.

Rick Mossi, President of the Rotary Club of Petaluma Foundation, called to order the annual meeting of the foundation.  He reported that the foundation had accumulated assets of about $655,000 and had disbursed about $380,000 over the years.  This year the foundation issued five grants totaling over $28,000.  The foundation is governed by 14 directors, five of whom are ex officio club officers.  The other nine are elected by the club membership to staggered 3-year terms.  In voting today, the club members elected Royce Van Bebber as a new director and designated Brian Breen as CFO.  

We are dark next Thursday (July 25) and meet again on August 1.  See you then!

Today's Editor: Al Cattalini

July 12, 2024

                                                      AN ODE TO MIKE FERRIS

               "WE LIKE MIKE...YES IT'S MIKE WE LIKE...WE LIKE THE THINGS HE SAYS

                AND WE LIKE THE THINGS HE DOES....AND EVER SINCE HE ADDED 13

                MEMBERS TO OUR CLUB...WE'RE MORE THAN THE CLUB WE WERE

                             AND LO AND BEHOLD NOT A ....MIKE....AMONG 'EM 

              YET KNOW THIS...OUT OF LAST 32 PRESIDENTS 5 WERE NAMED MIKE

                                                     WE DO LIKE MIKES

It was a very warm Friday evening when Rotarians from the Petaluma Club and their friends gathered at the Polly Klaas Theater to join in the debunking of the 101st President, Mike Ferris. It didn't take long for the atmosphere to be charged with congeniality and laughter as folks gathered around the bar and hors d'oeuvres table. 

Incoming President Ricardo Marzo took to the microphone and called the evening's gathering to order with a Pledge of Allegiance and the Irving Berlin classic, God bless America. 

Thereafter the curtains opened to music and the Fabulous Technicians in white garb dancing to their own drums...if you will! All that talent in one club...how blessed are we.

And then club members came forward to offer testimonials of Mike...sometimes funny, sometimes fuzzy and mostly comical. Included among the presenters were Bano Cummings, who highlighted the patience of Mike Ferris, while Lori Matthews praised their friendship of 25 years and Chris Russo (Not to be confused with Mad Dog, for those of us familiar with MLB Network) a former co-worker, shared humorous anecdotal information about the "scientist" Ferris. 

The Ferris' daughter Lauren also came forward to share some little known tidbits about the paternal Mike.

Finally it was the wife's turn to take to the podium and Joanne Ferris did not disappoint. She took us through the early days of Mike's life, His early years in "Marin," his athletic prowess in Cross Country racing, when she first laid eyes on her man at Baskin Robbins, to their courtship, family life (and who would have thought Mike Ferris actually taught night classes for 8 years at the Santa Rosa JC to supplement income...Love it!)

Mike Ferris proudly and graciously singled out each of his Board Members with a gift. They include Elias Husary, Carolyn Buck, Maggie Radany, Gail Cardaropoli, Anne Gealta, Chris Ranney, Jamie Symons, Brett Shinn, Onita Pellegrini, Cindy Thomas, Joanne Ferris and Shari Ranney. (Doug Hecker and Tawny Tesconi were absent)

This year President Mike awarded three Rotarian of the Year awards to Cassie Pitkin, Lena Furlong and Kristen Myburgh...kudos to all!

Chris Ranney commended our outgoing President for a fantastic year of achievements and awarded him a special plaque that not only listed his name and year but also his wife Joanne's and her father as well. It's all in the family!

Not to be outdone, President Marzo presented Mike Ferris with a Paul Harris plus one as a special gift from one President to another. Hats off and Cheers.

And so with the end of an era we look forward to a new reign...Here we go Ricardo, here we go!!

Today's Editor: Mike Ambroslo

vvvvv

July 11, 2024

 What a start to the 2024-2025 Rotary Year!  Lively music by Otis Redding with adult lyrics opened the meeting.  President Ricardo Marzo circled the room before ascending to the podium.  Members joined him in signing his theme song for the year.

The club's bell was missing but our intrepid president was prepared and brought in a substitute gong.

The most relaxed member in attendance, immediate past president Mike Ferris led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Well known for his outstanding vocal leadership, past president Elias Husary kicked of everyone singing God Bless America.

The Thought For the Day was delivered by Jeremy Wroton.  He shared his thoughts about Robert Browning's quote: "The truth is within ourselves."

Everyone shared a little fellowship!

During the fellowship moments....the club bell miraculaously appeared!

Visiting Rotarians included:  District Governor Jim O'Grady, Petaluma Valley President Jennifer Carter and Petaluma Valley Member Bruce Schumikowski.

Guests of Rotarians included our first lady, Nicole Marzo.  Raine Howe introduced Wade Schleuter, treasurer of the Polly Klaas Foundation.  Lena Furlong introduced her business partner and dear friend Rachel Nixon.  Onita Pellegrini introduced her sister in law Diane visiting from Tennesee.

This year's Rotary International theme is "The Magic of Rotary."  District Governor Jim O'Grady's theme for District 5130 is "Building Better Friendships."

President Ricardo asked members of his board to please stand.  He then directed any concerns, complaints or problems should be addressed to any member of the board.

SAVE THE DATE:  July 25 is the first SCARC (Sonoma County Assoc. of Rotary Clubs) dinner at Balletto Winery.  As soon as the flyer is available we will share it with members.  Past President Michael Nistler inquired as to whether the club will pay for 50% of a member's dinner at SCARC events.  President Ricardo assured him he would continue that tradition.  

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:  Our club hosts SCARC on Thursday, Sept. 26.  

Lena Furlong announced the Social Media Committee needs a few more members to work on sharing the great work of our club, our community and Rotary International.  Please contact Lena or Ricardo if you are interested.

Dan Berry reported the Annual Members Golf Tournament is accepting golf registrations and sponsorships.  CLICK HERE to learn more.  The tournament will feature 44 players.  There are also sponsorship levels available for local businesses.

Special Shout out to Lace House Linen, Gold Sponsor and Exchange Bank, Putting Green Sponsor.  Several other members stepped up right then and there announcing they would sponsor holes at the tournament.  What a start!

President Ricardo encouraged all members who plan to golf to add non members to their foursomes.  There will be lots of volunteer opportunities as well for members who do not golf.

Bruce from the Petaluma Valley Club invited everyone to join in the 10th Annual Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, September 7 on the River.  Over 20 breweries will be pouring,  There will be lots of great food and three stages for music.  To purchase tickets and more information, visit www.petalumarivercraftbeerfest.org.

RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) Director, Cassie Pitkin thanked Past President Lee Reposa for all his help producing this year's RYLA camp in June.  She brought along certificates for Lee's son Grant and his friends who helped out at the camp this year.

President Ricardo decided, since its his first meeting, there would be no fines today.  But...he has his eye onseveral members to call on in the near future.

Past President Lee Reposa won the raffle and drew the brown, AKA "Money Rock" to win $25.  He gracisouly donated it back to the club.  Thank you Lee!

Long time Rotary member Phil Henry gave a compelling craft talk to those in attendance.

Membership committee member Cary White presented "Chicken Badges" to Cassie Pitkin, Phil Henry and Lori Matthews (not in attendance) for completing all the criteria required.

Our program was very informative and entertaining as President Ricardo shared his impressions from the Rotary International Convention in Thailand.  He met an amazing array of people and heard compelling stories from Rotarians around the world.  He shared one break out session by the World Toilet Organization.

President Elect Shari Ranney noted the the World Projects Committee just sent $5,000 to the Haiti/District 5130 grant effort.  This will help fund improved sanitation and clean water in one of five communities in Haiti.

Next week's program will be a first-time "State of the Club" Program.

This week's Editor: Joanne Ferris