March 21, 2024
President Mike called the meeting to order.
Jan Grimes led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by President Mike's prompt for all to sing God Bless America.
Suzanne Tucker delivered a number of Irish thoughts for the day and reminded us that there are two kinds of people in the world... those who are Irish and those who wish they were Irish.
A five-minute fellowship session was enjoyed by all.
Membership
Chair Kristen Myburgh announced a new look for the Club's
introductory brochure which should be ready for distribution soon.
Shari Ranney gave us an update on the upcoming Miracle League Wiffle Ball Tournament which is being held on April 13th. Volunteers are still needed... any questions should be directed to Cassie Pitkin at cassiepitkin@gmail.com or 707-217-6082.
Dan
Berry announced an upcoming field trip for club members only to
Oracle Stadium in San Francisco for a Giants vs Phillies game on May 29th,
first pitch is at 12:45 PM. Tickets for entry are $40 each. Dan has
secured 30 seats in the Club Section 204, Rows K, L, M which are almost sold
out. Club members can sign up themselves now, knowing that there will
likely be ten extra seats available for family/friends, to
be released in the next week for secondary sign up through Gail
Cardiropoli. Please let Gail know if you'll be going and
if you prefer to pay by check or by your credit card on file. Coming soon will
be more info on the parking and G.G.Ferry options.
Dan also announced a Petaluma Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event this evening at the Petaluma Elks Club.
Sherry Burwen is selling her table decorations from the crab feed if anyone is interested. She is still looking for a rental home if anyone knows of a local one-story unit.
President Elect Ricardo Marzo tells us all about his President Elect Training he recently completed in San Jose. He said it was not only amazing but inspiring and he feels even more confident about his upcoming presidency.
Gail
Cardaropoli gave us an update on Past President Ed Fullerton's
recovery. Gail delivered the get-well card we all signed at
a previous meeting and Ed was delighted to receive
it. Ed recently took a fall but he fortunately he didn't break
anything.
Jan Grimes announced two workshops to be held this week on Friday and Saturday mornings at 9:30 AM to assemble planter boxes for the Petaluma People Services Center site. The workshops will be held at the home of Past President Royce Van Bebber.
President Mike announced the Club's Board meeting will be held on Tuesday March 26 at 6:00 PM at his and Past President Joanne's home, for any of those who are working towards earning their Chicken Badge.
Past President Onita Pelligrini announced 6 recipients who have earned a Paul Harris Award: Judy McReynolds, Cary White, and Kristen Myburgh received their first Paul Harris Award; Past President Tawny Tesconi received her third Paul Harris Award; Shari Ranney received her fourth Paul Harris Award; Past President Ed Fullerton received his sixth Paul Harris Award. As a reminder to all, the club is currently matching any $100 contributions towards your Paul Harris Award... act now! Contact Onita for details.
Congratulations to the Paul Harris Awardees who were present at today's meeting.
Shari
Ranney shared a story about her ancient Mazda Miata which
succumbed after a collision and was totaled by her insurance company. Shari decided
to donate her much adored vehicle to the Polly Klaas Foundation. The
foundation restored the vehicle and sold it for a whopping $10,700 for a rather
hefty donation to the organization.
President Mike called on Past President (Queen) Anne to question the number of raffle tickets she sold during the recent club fundraiser - the answer being ZERO. As a result, Anne was fined $60, the equivalent of the cost of two raffle tickets. Perhaps Anne will up her game for the fundraiser in 2025? Time will tell...
Sherry
Burwen was the winner of this week's raffle. Sherry pulled
the brown rock and received a cash winning of
$25.
Jan Grimes introduced today's speaker, Tatiana Mora Liautaud, Senior Project Manager for the Petaluma Downtown Streets Team.
Tatiana started her presentation by reminding us that homelessness is an experience, not an identity. She gave us an overview of the Petaluma Downtown Streets Team program and provided data to show the positive results the program has made. The Petaluma Team was launched in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic with support from the Petaluma Business Improvement District along with the City of Petaluma. With additional support from private donors and the City of Petaluma, the Team launched a mobile shower program in early September 2022. Tatiana can be reached at tatiana@streetsteam.org and the website is https://www.streetsteam.org/petaluma
** Update on our Club member, Tom Baker:
Tom is currently residing at a board-and-care facility while recovering from a massive stroke he suffered on January 30th. Tom loves having visitors so those wishing to do so may visit him at 6084 Country Club Drive in Rohnert Park. Tom has his dialysis treatments on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings and returns to his home around 2:00 PM on those days.
Today's Editor: Cindy Thomas; Photos by Michael Nistler
March 14, 2024
Club Social at Crooked Goat Brewing
A few days before St. Paddy's Day, members gathered for some hoppy refreshments and potato-centered munchies at Crooked Goat Brewery. It was a beautiful afternoon enjoyed by all. We even met a visiting Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Boise ID who is moving to the area in May.
We'll see everyone at our next lunch meeting at the County Club on Thursday, March 21!
Today's Editor: Joanne Ferris
March 7, 2024
With a tap of the bell, President Mike opened the meeting with a cheery welcome from “the 101st President of the Petaluma Rotary Club.”
Anne Gealta led the Pledge of Allegiance.
We all joined President Mike in a spirited singed of God Bless America.
Chad Fillinger gave his Thoughts for the Day: The importance of having a great attitude and bringing your own sunshine.
Other than our guest speaker, there were no visiting Rotarians. Kristen Myburgh and Shari Ranney introduced guests who were potential members. Mike Baddeley introduced a familiar, but rarely seen (at meetings), face — Kathy O’Connor.
President Mike welcomed Phil Henry back after an absence recovering from ankle surgery. Good to see you, Phil!
President Mike reported that the Crab Feed was a big success and promised more (information, not crab) later in the meeting.
Shari Ranney reminded everyone of the upcoming Wiffle Ball tournament on Saturday April 13. She thanked Lace House Linen and Exchange Bank for being “Grand Slam” sponsors for the third year in a row. We need members for our Club team which is being coached by Lee Reposa. Since this is a double elimination tournament, teams will play a minimum of two games.
Jan Grimes is organizing and staffing a community resource table at the tournament which will provide information about local nonprofits serving the community. Contact Jan for more information.
Membership chair Kristen Myburgh announced great progress in recruiting new members. How does seven new members sound? She announced that Cary White will be serving as a Chicken Badge mentor to assist new members progress to full membership status. Shari Ranney suggested that a better title for Cary might be “chick magnet”.
Dan Berry reported that next Thursday’s meeting is being replaced by a late afternoon social at Crooked Goat Brewing. It starts at 4:30pm and the Club will spring for your first drink as well as appetizers. Hope you can make it!
Royce Van Bebber, speaking for himself and Crab Feed co-chair Chris Ranney, thanked all the members who helped make this year’s Crab Feed a social, gastronomic, and financial success. The event netted over $17,000. Chris can expect a fine when he returns from his trip to the Tahoe slopes. Or maybe not.
Rick Gorman and Brian Breen reported on the Super Raffle which set all time records. They thanked our members for selling almost 2,000 tickets and netting over $45,000 for Club projects. The top ten ticket sellers (in reverse order) were identified as Lori Matthews (45), Gail Cardaropoli (51), Royce Van Bebber (50), Elias Husary (67), Mike Ferris (88), Henry Hansel (108), Rick Gorman (109), Shari Ranney (126) Brian Breen (137) and (of course) Tom Baker (210). Rick and Brian are looking for understudies to replace them as future co-chairs.
President Mike reported that total fundraising for the night, from the Crab Feed, Super Raffle, Petaluma River Park auction, and the Girl Scout cookie sales, netted over $110,000. What a great way to help our community!
Lots of applause greeted the announcement of Brian Breen as Rotarian of the Month. Congratulations, Brian!
here was a reason that Kathy O’Connor came to today’s meeting. She pulled the brown rock and left with the $50 prize.
Past District Governor, and a member of the Lakeport Rotary Club, Jennifer Strong reported on HANWASH (the Haiti National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Initiative).
Our District 5130 is partnering with the Rotary Club of Léogâne, Haiti to bring safe, sustainable, and affordable water and sanitation to the entire population of Léogâne. Jennifer is hoping that our Club will step up to be part of this exciting project.
Our International Committee chairs, Shari Ranney and Jaime Symons, seemed quite interested. I think we will be hearing more from them.
Remember we are dark for lunch next week. Plan to attend the social at Crooked Goat Brewing.
Today's Editor: Al Cattalini