Program- Auburn Rotary's Own, Steve Galyardt of Vitas Insurance-
Steve opened with a quote from Winston Churchill. “The truth is indisputable, Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.”
Here in the foothills, where we live, wild fires are a truth we have to live with. They are a normal part of our environment.
The cost of fighting wild fires in California has steadily risen over the years. The cost in 2017-2018 was $947 million dollars.
Seven of the 20 deadliest wildfires in California history have occurred since 2017.
In California over two million homes are in high-risk fire areas. In 2018 18 billion in claims were paid out. The insurance industry pays out about 95% of the premiums it collects from customers on claims.
We can expect homeowners insurance premiums will increase. If you paid $800 per year for a policy you can now expect to pay up to $5000
Vitas insurance is currently working on over 600 non-renewals for 2019.
Insurance will remain available, but we will be affected. Insurance companies are leaving the state and competition is becoming less.
Instead of the traditional companies we will be forced to surplus companies such as Lloyd’s of London and to the California Fair Plan, da state pool alternative. To obtain complete coverage you will need a wrap around plan, which is a combination of the California Fair Plan for natural disasters and insurance from other sources to cover water damage, theft, liability and medical.
Homeowners need to work with their local fire departments to prepare their homes for the wildfire season.
Homeowners need an evacuation plan should wildfire occur. You need more than one way out and knowledge of the priority items you want to take with you.
Steve ended with another quote from Churchill. “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.”
Bruce and Sheryl Stewart - Who brought a flag to exchange with us.
Kay Whitaker
Lisa Russo
Terri Bryant
Guests of Rotarians
Mary Lombardo
Rex Heim
President Kahl reminded us that it is the time of the Super Snow Moon—Werewolf time, so all should be careful.
Birthdays
Bob Dunstan who spun the wheel to the tune of $10.
Weekly Trivia Question-
Who was the only President to serve two nonconsecutive terms? The table missed the question, but President Kahl called on Bart O’Brien who knew the answer was...
The correct answer is...see below!
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Announcements
Thank You Notes
We received thank you notes from the Salvation Army, Festival of Lights, and API for our work with them.
Board Meeting
We are now up to 102 members with an 85% attendance rate.
President Kahl noted that Ron, Bart and Cindy all chose to be attired in lumberjack red and black plaid shirts today. How did that happen?
Announcements
Harold Weaver nominations are due by next week see additional information below.
Casino night to benefit our tree planting project has been set for March 23.
Stu Jann announced that after three years of chemo his Dr. has told him no more chemo. He is in remission!
Five Minutes of Fame
Sam Frazier gave his five-minute introductory speech to the club. Sam’s sponsor is Cindy Eklund. He is returning to our club after leaving to help found Sunset Rotary where he served as their first President. He is a Paul Harris plus 4 Sam has led a multi-faceted life. He originally trained as an aircraft mechanic and eventually retired as a trial attorney. Sam and his wife, Pam, are pilots. They have been burned out by wildfires twice while living in the San Diego Area. Some of his interests are: martial arts (10th degree black belt), clowning (graduate of Ringling Clown School), sailing, golf, bicycling, and reading the bible. Sam currently serves as a trustee on the Elks board.
Finance Committee
Mike Wilson gave a brief up date from the Finance Committee. Fund C, our scholarship fund, contains 36% non-stock market and 66% stock market instruments. We use 6% of this fund each year to fund our scholarships. It currently is valued at approx.. 365,000 dollars. Fund D, our endowment fund, is made up of 19% non-stock market items and 81% stock market items. It is currently valued at approx.. $148,000. When the fund reaches $200,000 we can begin using it to fund local projects.
Previous Announcements
Scott Christensen announced the Rotary Music Contest, scheduled in about five weeks. Applications are now available. See Scott for details and to obtain an application for any qualifying musician you may know.
Fireside Chat - Bridget Powers has very kindly offered her house for the next Fireside Chat on March 14 at 5:30pm. Our Fireside Chats have evolved into a great social time as well as learning about Rotary. Everyone is welcome!! Come and meet our new members. Each person brings a dish to share and something to drink. Thanks again Bridget for volunteering your home. 198 Rio Camino Street, Auburn
Rotary Campout – Contact Steve Galyardt to register. Twenty RV spots have been reserved and ten are already committed for the July 12, 13 adventure.
Cookie Contest – One additional judge is needed for the “Let’s Have Some Tasty Fun” chocolate chip and sugar cookie contest scheduled for March 5, 2019. Contact Linda Maeding for details.
Harold Weaver Award - Attached is the application for the upcoming Harold Weaver Award. Please complete and forward to forrest@eklundinsurance.com or fax to 530-820-1930.
Al Lombardo was presented with a Paul Harris from the Club. Ron Martinez handled the presentation.
Our next Paul Harris recipient will be Betty Bennett.
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One Book One Community
March 13 and March 27 - Placer Adult School Class 6:30-7:30 Call 885-8585 to register. March 20 - 7:00 film at the State Theater: “Which Way Home” April 3 Panel Discussion: Immigration in Our Community April 7 - Dinner at the Flower Farm in Loomis Catered by former Latitudes owners Pat and Pete Enoch 5 p.m. Check the website, https://www.auburnoboc.org to secure $35 tickets for the classic El Salvadorean cuisine dinner. April 10 - An Evening with Author Lauren Markham, interviewed by Beth Ruyak.
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New Member
The Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Auburn has approved the following individual for membership. If no objections are received by the Board, within 10 days of this publication, he is, upon payment of the proper fees, considered to be a member of the Rotary Club of Auburn:
Bob Richardson - Classification: City Manager
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Past...Chloe News
Auburn Rotary’s RYE student, Chloe Godfrind, from
Belgium, was conscripted to attend a RYE conference in Reno, NV on February 9th. With hesitation because of severely inclimate weather in the Sierra Nevada, Betty Bennett, drove Chloe to Reno in the Bennett family’s trusty all-wheel-drive Subaru. The conference was a fantastic experience for Chloe, Betty and 16 other District 5190 RYE students, but the return home was a challenge. With I-80 closed due to blizzard conditions, Chloe and Betty found refuge Saturday evening at a friend’s apartment in Truckee – or was it Squaw Valley? Sunday was an equal challenge. When the Interstate finally reopened to traffic, it took three hours to drive from Truckee to Serene Lakes where they stayed with Dr. Dan Gustavson’s family. Dr. Dan’s family is the current host family for Chloe. It also happens that Dan is a weekend ski instructor at Sugar Bowl, so on Monday, Chloe received very personal ski lessons. While she had seen snow in Belgium, donning skis for the very first time in her life was a great experience. Within 90 minutes, Chloe was navigating beginner slopes and transitioning to intermediate slopes while skiing with Dr. Dan’s daughter. Chloe is quite the athlete!
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Black Marble
No winner this week...let the pot grow.
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District News
Dear District 5190 Rotarians;
Call for Sergeant at Arms Volunteers - 2019
We need volunteers to assist the great Rotarians of District 5190---
Please volunteer to be a Sergeant-at-Arms for Club Leadership Assembly. We’ll work around anyone’s schedule! The assigned duty could be as short as 2 hours or all day. We like to say, “Try it, you’ll like it!”
Club Leadership Assembly is Saturday, April 6th at the Nugget in Sparks.
Please contact Don or Anita Daniels, and we will provide all the information a Rotarian would need.