Rotary Meeting: November 2nd, 2021
WELCOME/GAVEL IN
PRESIDENT BOB MILLER (First US Community Credit Union) called the meeting to order promising a very interesting topic. After which Rotarians gathered for the initiation of the meeting.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRESIDENT BOB MILLER led the club in saluting the flag and our country.
THANK YOUS
PRESIDENT BOB MILLER initiated the meeting by thanking the following individuals for their participation and commitment to the Rotary Club of Sacramento; BOB thanked this meeting’s greeters PAUL KEEFER (Executive Director/Pacific Charter Institute) greeter TODD KOOLAKIAN (Director of Philanthropy/Sacramento Children’s Home), lone greeter JAMES RHODES-DREYER (Scout Executive -CEO/Boy Scouts of America Golden Empire Council.) He thanked JOHN GORALKA (The Goralka Law firm) for being this week’s pulse reporter and a Brown Bag Day Sponsor. PRESIDENT BOB could not forget the always delightful wine reception provided by meeting sommelier PAST PRESIDENT KEVIN SMITH FAGAN (Executive Director/Fairytale Town). JOHN SWENTOWSY (Owner at Swentowsky Photography) provided the excellent photos that you see in this newsletter. BOB also honored the food system in crisis panel formed by AMBER SCOTT (Author of Food Anatomy Activities for Kids/ TED Talk Speaker) JOANY TITHERINGTON (Manager at Oak Park Farmers Market), RANGINEH AZIMZADEH TOSANG (Founder of Solh Resolutions International) and TRISH KELLY (Director at Valley Vision/ Food System Action Plan).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Spokesman STEVE HEATH (CEO of United Way/ Sacramento County Public Health Advisory Board.) focused the thought for the day on the importance that we as Sacramento residents make when donating food to different nonprofits. These organizations help provide families in need with food, nourishment, temporary shelter, and a sympathetic. STEVE reminded us all of the impact a food donation makes to families in need especially during this time where our country is facing a difficult pandemic. He also expressed his concerns on shelter. STEVE noted the cost of housing is increasing and fewer families in Sacramento qualify for housing assistance. There are several programs and agencies in Sacramento that can assist families in need especially those with younger children. “They are the future of our Country.”
Meeting Sponsor:
DAVID BAKER (CEO/ Sacramento Children Home) sponsored this week’s meeting with an eye-opening thought about shelter. He noted that it is almost impossible for middle class families to find affordable housing. DAVID said that the problem is not finding but qualifying for housing as the rules and  are increasingly challenging due to the Covid Pandemic. Below is a summary of the different programs offered by nonprofits to assist families in need.
GUEST SPEAKERS-The Rotary Food system in Crisis Committee
The Food Sysytem in Crisis committee is composed of AMBER SCOTT (Author of Food Anatomy Activities for Kids/ TED Talk Speaker), JOANY TITHERINGTON (Manager at Oak Park Farmers Market), RANGINEH AZIMZADEH TOSANG (Founder of Solh Resolutions International) and TRISH KELLY (Director at Valley Vision/ Food System Action Plan).  RANGINEH initiated the discussion by relating back to the previous speech given by STEVE HEATH (CEO of United Way/ Sacramento County Public Health Advisory Board) and DAVID BAKER (CEO/ Sacramento Children Home). The Committee informed the audience of its purpose and that the committee has the following mission “Our panel of experts collectively hold decades of experience building and enhancing our Local food systems from improving the health of kids to revitalizing food deserts with farmers markets.” They shared how the current global pandemic impacted our Local food system and the solutions being worked on. The committee also detailed what we all can do to help. AMBER STOTT (Author of Food Anatomy Activities for Kids/ TED Talk Speaker) cited statistics evidencing that mothers needed to leave their children in afterschool programs in order to provide 3 meals a day… something that could not be afforded at home. These families slipped into crisis mode as schools closed during the pandemic.

Food Should Not be a Privilege

But a Right!

HUNGERFREE AMERICA

THE HONORED MEMBERS AND GUESTS AT THE HEAD TABLE
PRESIDENT BOB MILLER announced those who graced the dais today.
  • BOB MILLER – (First US Community Credit Union) President
  • DAVID BAKER – (CEO of Sacramento Children’s Home) Meeting Sponsor
  • SARAH HODGE – (Director of Resource Development/NeighborWorks Sacramento) Member
  • KERRY WOOD- (Financial Advisor/ Financial Network Wealth Advisors) Member
ANNOUNCING OUR NEWEST ROTARIAN– MR. BRYAN MURRAY
The newest member of the Rotary Club of Sacramento was proudly sponsored by PAST PRESIDENT JOHN FRISCH (Senior Managing Director at Newmark Knight Frank) who welcomed new member BRYAN MURRAY (Bender Insurance Solutions). PAST PRESIDENT JOHN indicated that he has known BRYAN since birth and that BRYAN had named his son after him. BRYAN did not confirm where the inspiration of his son’s name. BRYAN is a perfect fit for the Rotary Club of Sacramento because his volunteer work as a soccer coach has enabled him to give back to his community. He is also a specialist in commercial insurance making sure that our community businesses are well protected and from the myriad of risks businesses face today.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
  • CHUCK THOMPSON invited all Rotarians to the upcoming fundraising event benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project and the Rotary Club of Folsom. Tickets are $40.00 per person. Click for a link to attend this fast-approaching excellent event.
  • ALLISON CAGLEY noted that the holidays are approaching, and here is what she said :

Join with your fellow Rotarians for the first annual Family Holiday Traditions Day on December 14.

 Families celebrate a variety of holiday traditions throughout the year.  In recognition of our shared joy in being with family and our diversity of cultures and traditions, we invite you to bring your family to the December 14th Rotary Club of Sacramento meeting.  As in the past, daughters as well as sons will help greet you and our guests and lead the program.  Together, we will celebrate and learn about many holiday traditions and cultures during the day’s program.  Multi-cultural entertainment will highlight the day along with a video slide show and special luncheon.

 Rotary Club members are asked to share their traditions and memories by:

 Email 1-2 holiday family photos to Kevin Williams at rotaryholiday@gmail.com by 12/1/2021. Preferred format: .jpg or .png, the higher the resolution the better.

  • Bring a holiday memento (ornament, candle, photo, card etc) to share on the holiday display tables
  • Invite your family and please rsvp as soon as possible before it sells out. 
  • Family photo opportunity with festive props will be available

 

THE ROTARY CLUB OF FOLSOM PRESENTS-An Evening with Brian Shul
PRESIDENT BOB announced an exciting event happening on November 27th.  SR-71 Black Bird pilot Brian Shul will be speaker at the event on November 27th at 7:30 PM in The Harris Center located at Folsom Lake College. This event will feature a live speech from the Vietnam Hero who is also a recognized author, photographer, and motivational speaker. An astounding story of triumph over tragedy, and spectacular photos/stories of the fastest flying aircraft ever built. Tickets are $40.00 and all funds will go to The Wounded Warrior Project and The Folsom Rotary Foundation. Mph  tragedy, and spectacular photos/stories of the fastest flying aircraft ever built.
If you’d like to see a recording recapping this week’s meeting, click HERE.
NEXT MEETING
PRESIDENT BOB called on Sergeant-at-arms GIULIANO KORNBERG, who shared that next week’s meeting will be on November 16th at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, as we are skipping a week for dark week. Our guest speaker will be Cassandra Jennings.
CAVEL OUT
President Bob concluded a busy meeting at 1:30pm.
Upcoming Rotary Meetings at a Glance!
  • 11/9- Dark
  • 11/16- The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church 12:10-1:30 PM
Speaker: Cassandra Jennings
  • 11/23 -Dark
  • 11/30 – Rotary Club Meeting
The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
Foundation Day