Monday Noon, Los Robles Lodge
925 Edwards Ave., Santa Rosa, California

District Governor Harry
and First Lady Cheryl are guests!

President Chuck Stark called the meeting to order at 12:30 P. M. Stark! That's right, not sharp, Stark! First Monday of the month and we have plenty to get through.

Somebody led us in the flag salute. Forgive me I can't remember. And I can't even remember who gave the invocation. Wow, I must be getting senile or something.

Mr. Wonderful, Bob Miller, introduced our visiting Rotarians.

We had many visitors, including our distinguished District Governor, Harry Johnson and First Lady of the District, Cheryl Johnson.

He reminded us to mark our calendars for the District Conference at Knocti Harbor on May 17 through 20, 2001. Remember we have entered for the best hospitality suite. Have any wild ideas? Contact Janet Codding. She will make sure we win.

FINE of the Times: (No member recognition today.)

Reports & Announcements This being the first Monday of the month, Jim Hinton, our Director of International Service brought us up to date in what's going on internationally.

Did you know that April is Rotary magazine month? Have you read yours? A wealth of information is contained between the covers.

The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming! Yes folks the Group Study Exchange team will arrive on April 18th from Siberia and will visit our club on April 23. Please try to here so you can meet them.

Project Wheel Chair is off to a good start with $36,000 in matching grants. That is fantastic! John Grant of Foster City started this project some years ago.

We have a matching grant of $5000 for a sister club in Costa Rica. Also, $300 went to ROTOPLAST and $1000 to the Avoidable Blindness Foundation. The International Committee is also looking at the possibility of starting a sister club in the Ukraine. Thank you, Jim and your committee, for a job well done. We certainly have made a mark thanks to all of you.

Paula Wrenn, Chairperson of Membership, reported that we had three prospects with two already committed. Committed to us or to a looney farm?

There will be an Orientation meeting on April 5th at Brian Herndon's business at 4:00 pm. located at 601 Aviation Blvd. in Santa Rosa. Call for directions if you don't already know the way. And call Paula Wrenn to find out what categories are still available for possible members. For instance, we don't have anyone in antiques, chiropractic, music or art.

Terry Galazzo is working on Christmas in April. This event benefits the elderly and the disabled. She needs 30 more volunteers. Call her at 829-6859.

President Elect Brian Herndon, attended the District Assembly this past weekend and encourages all to attend because there is a wealth of knowledge to be had as well as the camaraderie.

Presenters from our Club were: PDG Mike Merrill, Chris Parr-Feldman, Janet Codding and Caroline Fox. That means 20% of the presenters were from Santa Rosa West. (KEWL!) Aren't you proud?

PDG Mike Merrill told of a great honor that was bestowed upon our district, "The Service Above Self Award". Only 150 are selected from around the world, and our very own Larry Connolly from the Rotary Cub of Arcata was one of the proud recipients. He didn't know anything about it and for once was speechless. Larry Connolly was left for dead in Vietnam. His entire troop was wiped out. He was shot and bayoneted. He has returned to Vietnam over the past several years to heal and to give back something to the people. He has started several well projects in the area where he was wounded. It gives me chills to think of what this man has gone through, but I relish in his strength to overcome his obstacles and meet his challenges. I am truly in awe and humbled.

(Editor's historical note: The Rotary International Service Above Self Award is given to individual Rotarians whose contributions to the RI movement embody Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self." The award recognizes outstanding efforts in the promotion of RI objectives in any avenue of Rotary service and constitutes Rotary's highest honor for a Rotarian. In 1989 The Rotary International Council on Legislation so deemed that the "Service Above Self" phrase should become Rotary's official motto. '" 'Service Above Self' is best exemplified through charitable and educational programs based on unselfish service to deserving persons who are not Rotarians or their relatives".)

Chuck Stark is putting a golf team together to play at the District Conference. Okay…who's going to play? Come on….we can't lose the trophy!

Shaun, Troop Master of Troop 125, received $1000 from the Crab Feed and then another $1000 for being our servers at the Crab Feed. The Troop has 45 Scouts with more coming. They camp at least one weekend per month and just finished snow camping. Or, is that the same as camping in the snow? They will be sending 6 to 8 Scouts to the national Jamboree. Thanks for the great work with our youth.

CRAFT TALK

Jerri Arnold gave us a lively talk about herself. She is the Bank of America Banking Center Manager in Coddingtown. She has been in banking for twenty years. Lived and worked in Calistoga until she was transferred to Coddingtown. "You're not in Kansas anymore Toto". Her branch has been robbed three times and the Branch is very busy. In the last quarter they had 3.5 M in consumer loans, $5M in business loans and opened 600 accounts. I can't even recall how many transactions were completed. Whew! I'm getting worn out just writing about it. Jeri is a volunteer for the Calistoga Education Foundation, the Calistoga Community Chest and is involved with the Calistoga Little League. Her daughter is doing very well in little league.

PROGRAM

Mark Hauser, Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, is as charming and entertaining as his predecessor, Keith Woods. Hauser has 30 years experience with chambers and comes from Fort Collins, Colorado. He described the similarities between that community and Santa Rosa. His personal insights: We need dramatic and new ways to handle old problems. We have taken our natural resources for granted as well as our economy. We must take risks as a society in order to move forward. Ask the "good questions". What we have taken for granted is in short supply. All service clubs should take the lead urging California to conserve.

Okay that's it….Remember to share your Rotary magazine with others and April16 is our charter day. Are we going to celebrate? Where's the cake and champagne? I think this is reason to have a social of some kind. What do you think?

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Bulletin Reporter.
Signing off,
Chris Parr-Feldman

"The long awaited Valentine's Day Celebration bulletin is available for viewing in our
Club Bulletin Archives"

Here are the Bulletin Writers through June 01:
Apr. 16 - Jeri Arnold
Apr. 23 - Lisa Greenfield
Apr. 30 - John Meislahn
May 07 - Bob Harris
May 14 - Chuck Baker
May 21 - Chris Parr
May 28 - DARK
Jun. 04 - Jim Hinton
Jun. 11 - Jeri Arnold
Jun. 18 - Lisa Greenfield
Jun. 25 - John Meislahn

STANDBY WRITERS ARE:
John PALMER & Tom LAENGLE

Changes or comments?

Contact Jim Valinoti at valinoti@sonic.net or (707) 829-2300.