Stories
The Pulse for the Week of July 25th, 2023
Rotary Club of Sacramento Banner
The Pulse
Recap by PP Kevin Smith-Fagan
What time is it? Maritime!
So proclaimed guest speaker Admiral Thomas Cropper, president emeritus of CSU Maritime Academy.
New Member Alert
two people shaking hands
It was also time to welcome new member MAJOR RIO RAY of the Salvation Army, who was introduced by his co-sponsor CHRIS ANN BACHTEL (retired). A 20-year veteran, Major Ray now serves as its Sacramento County Commander.
Meeting Sponsor
Meeting sponsor PP WALTER DAHL (Dahl Law) donated his three minutes of propaganda time to club member BRYAN MURREY of USI Insurance Services. Bryan thoroughly terrified the group with statistics on catastrophic events, hammering home why we all need good property insurance, preferably from him.
Club Announcements
  • Sacramento Century needs some key volunteers – one to oversee the route signage placement and pickup; one to coordinate the rest stops staffing; and volunteers to do community outreach along local bike trails and elsewhere, reported RUTH TESAR (retired).
  • Membership committee member DAVID BRANDENBERGER (Newmark) appealed for club members to invite guests to upcoming meetings so prospects can understand the benefits of club membership.
Golf for Kids Recap. President-elect BOBBY REED (Capitol Tech Solutions) presented the wonderful results of our annual Golf for Kids fundraiser, held on May 12 at William Land Golf Course with a reception at Fairytale Town. Thanks to scores of volunteers, the sellout event enabled the club to make $13,000 donations to three worthy non-profits serving youth with physical disabilities – – the Sacramento State Transitions program, Luther Burbank High School, and the Ralph Richardson Center.
Todd’s Levels of Giving: “Let’s Go Skiing!”
todd's levels of giving
President TODD KOOLAKIAN (Sacramento Children’s Home) invited Rotarians to go skiing, and sergeant-at-arms PAUL KEEFER (Pacific Charter Institute) responded with a donation toward Rio Ray’s first Eddie Mulligan. ROBYN DELONG (Coldwell Banker) made an intermediate skier donation in honor of her late son Michael. PETER COYL (Sacramento Public Library) also donated at the intermediate level in recognition of the library’s smash new library cards with Sacramento Kings branding.
Guest Speaker
Introduced by PP WALTER DAHL, Admiral Thomas Cropper shared the mission and achievements of CSU Maritime Academy in Vallejo, an underappreciated jewel of the state university system. While its thousand students earn degrees in logistics, oceanography, security, engineering, and more, the common thread at CSU Maritime Academy is leadership development. Graduates excel in military service and in merchant shipping, but also across professional fields. He underscored the importance of nautical shipping, noting that 90 percent of global trade is via the seas.
Thank you for your help!
Person holding a bottle while crowd looks at camera
President Todd thanked the cast and crew for the meeting, saluting setup organizers JUSTINO SANTANA (Capitol Tech Solutions), PE BOBBY REED, ELFRENA FOORD (Sacramento Impact Partners), PP DIANE WOODRUFF (retired), and KATHE NATHAN (retired). Greeters were JOHN SWENTOWSKY (Swentowsky Photography), PP WES YEE  (Yee Dental Care), and Kathe Nathan. Photo duties were handled by John Swentowsky, and the Pulse reporter was PP KEVIN SMITH-FAGAN (Fairytale Town). ED WRIGHT (Martensen Wright) sponsored the wine reception, and the thought for the day was presented by DAVID BRANDENBERGER.
three people smiling
Next Week’s Speaker
California Senator Roger Niello
California Senator Roger Niello
Senator Roger Niello has been a leader in Sacramento County in industry, local, and statewide politics. Senator Niello will provide impressions on the state of California and how the state government is affecting Sacramento County and the region.
Photos Courtesy of JOHN SWENTOWSKY.
three people smilingTwo people smilingthree people smiling and one holding up a whiteboardPerson speaking into microphone Person speaking into microphone Person speaking into microphone and holding a papertwo people with a microphone and certificate three people smilingthree people smilingthree people smiling