Virtual Meeting Notes – April 21, 2020

President Announcements

  • Pledge: Richard Hall

  • Zoom Meeting Host: Richard Hall

  • Photographer: Randy Mealhow

  • Notetaker: Nancy Nittler

  • Thought of the Day: Peter Konrad: We hear that a lot of people are anxious right now, even in despair. They are concerned that there are a lot of unknowns regarding Covid-19. So many people are scrambling to try and find out more information. Yet as one tries to find answers there is a lot of conflicting information. This is an example (tip of the iceberg) of all things unknown to us. We are not designed to get comfort and peace from knowing. We are designed to have peace of mind and confidence of comfort from knowing who we are and being grounded in that! John 3:8 says "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from or where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the spirit".  One of my favorite sayings from Steven Covey is "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience". I encourage you to be mindful of who you are and what your purpose in all this is.

  • Prez Steve's opening remarks: Gratefulness. How shall we practice gratefulness? There is a simple kind of methodology to gratefulness: Stop, look, go. Most of us get caught up in schedules and deadlines and rushing around, and so the first thing is that we have to stop, because otherwise we are not really coming into this present moment at all, and we can’t even appreciate the opportunity that is given to us, because we rush by, and it rushes by. So stopping is the first thing. But that doesn’t have to be long. When you are in practice, a split second is enough—“stop.” And then you look: What is now the opportunity this moment gives? And that is where this beholding comes in. And if we really see what the opportunity is, we must, of course, not stop there, but we must do something with it: Go. Avail yourself of that opportunity. And if you try practicing gratefulness, we will be happier people, because it has an immediate feedback of joy. Gratitude is more than a feeling, a virtue, or an experience; gratitude emerges as an attitude we can freely choose in order to create a better life for ourselves and for others. The Nigerian Hausa put it this way: Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot.— David Steindl-Rast.

  • Brandee Ambrosia introduced her guest, long-term friend and colleague Rachel Kanowsky.  
  • Over 57 attendees this week. We will meet again via Zoom next week. Look for the email meeting link from Richard Hall.

  • In addition to the email President Steve sent regarding the loss of Bill Kirby, there were stories remembering the many facets of Bill including the tremendous impact he has had on our community, club and individuals. Gary Ransom spoke of their hours hiking together and getting to know what Bill stood for, what he valued (family, friends and Rotary) and his unique sense of humor.  

  • Gary's understanding is that Bill's family is planning a memorial in the fall.  The City is also planning to recognize Bill, according to Al Lombardo.

  • Bart Ruud told of relying on Bill as a physician, of countless hours working with Bill in the Traynor Community Garden, of Bill calling every two hours when Bart was sick in Vietnam, of watching Bill carve the turkeys every year at the Salvation Army Thanksgiving Dinner before heading to family dinner with grandkids and many BBQ events.

  • Fred Merriam shared a story of Bill's surgical intervention "essentially saving the life" of his wife and Bill's sense of humor.

  • Those who spoke reminded us of Bill's heart of gold, life of service and love of his family.

  • Larry Rolufs gave us an update of the diligent efforts of the Scholarship Committee resulting in interviews next week with awards to follow.

  • Our program speaker was Vicki Puliz, RI Director Nominee who gave us an update on Zones 26 and 27, the impact of COVID-19 on RI activities, meetings, Polio eradication, RYE and the $3 million already given by RI in response to the global pandemic. More information about a fund raiser will follow. 

Member Announcement/Happy & Sad Bucks

  • Kathryn G: Happy because she was behind Jeff Ambrosia in the Taco Tree drive through and he bought her lunch!

  • Peter: Don't forget the Friday food donations for the Presbyterian Church and the Boys & Girls Club (see Prez Steve email for details).

  • Tara: Placer HS looking for donations for graduation yard signs to celebrate every graduate this year. See our website for details.

  • Richard H: Suggested that the call team reach out to those who have not been able to join by Zoom to offer support/assistance for the call in or referral to Nancy or Richard for Zoom support.

Club Business

  • New Member Self-Introduction: Diane Ryles-Hartka

  • Birthdays:  Catherine McGregor, Jane Grundmeier, Scott Christensen

  • Anniversaries: Russ & Kim Sato, Catherine & Jim McGregor, Bill & Nancie Radakovitz

  • Correction from Bart O'Brien: Board member Cathy Bianchi will be resigning from the Club, effective July 1, 2020. At last year’s Club Leadership Selection Meeting (held in September), Gary Ransom was selected as an alternate board member. In lieu of the vacancy and in accordance with our Club Bylaws, Gary was approached to see if he could fill the one year balance in Cathy’s term. He agreed. We need a vote of the membership to make this official. I propose we do this next week on April 28th during our meeting. In the meantime, any member may nominate another individual to fill the vacancy.

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