Rotary Club of Eureka, California

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka
September 10, 2012

The tenth meeting of the current Rotary Year was graveled to order by President Nancy.  The Flag Salute was lead by Tim Gallagher, Past President 1978-79 and a Paul Harris Fellow.  Eric Bergel gave the invocation.

Visiting Rotarians

Liana Simpson of Old Town

Guests of Rotarians

Nathan Nielson, guest of Scott Guild.  Craig Harter, guest of Rick Littlefield.

Student Guests

Our Exchange students, Larrisa Toelke from Germany and Franco Calleja from Chile, attended the meeting and President Nancy showed a video clip of a News Channel 3 news story on the Cruzin’ Eureka car show in which Franco was interviewed – a star is born!

Welcome to Larrisa & Franco!

Birthdays

Jesse Klair on the 14^th and Brian Papstein’s was today (9/10) – President Nancy spotted Brian in the audience and not at the head table and doubled his fine to $20 since it was actually his birthday today, how’s that for a present, Brian?

Anniversaries

Corky and Ann Cornwell (11^th) and Greg and Jenny Bowen (13^th) celebrate wedding anniversaries this week and Art Nielsen has now been in the Club for a year Sept. 12^th.

Announcements

Don Leonard reminded us the deadline for submitting a Sign Smith Grant application is Sept. 30.  Don says we have approximately $30,000 to award to local non-profits this year.  Grant applications will be reviewed in October by the past presidents and the awards announced at a later date.

October is Vocational Awareness Month and we need nominations for our new Vocational Service Award, which will be given to a Club Member who has made a contribution to vocational development in our community.  Nominations can be made to President Nancy or any Board Member . . . and speaking of Board Members, we need 4 new ones to replace members whose board terms are expiring.  Nomination sheets were on the table.

The Lost Coast Rotaract Softball Tournament has been rescheduled for Sunday Sept. 30th.  The Rotary Foundation Dinner in Fortuna is Saturday October 13, tickets available now.

John Bradley encouraged us all to think and act on membership, having us take Post-It notes as reminders of our continuing need for new members.

Recognitions

President Nancy donned her Sunshine Hat and Steve Allen and Craig Hansen were recognized for their overseas travels.   

Steve to Panama (saw the Canal) and Venezuela (saw Angel Falls), Craig to England, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands.  Each received the coveted Rotary weather stick.

Raffle

Our Exchange students (with perhaps an assist from generous members) won the Spengler raffle

Program

Don Ehnebuske, Executive Director of the Redwood Regional Economic Development Commission (RREDC) was our guest speaker and outlined the case for why Humboldt County needs a second airline and why public monies should be used to recruit that airline here.   

Don told the Club that the County has received a $750,000 Federal Grant which will be matched by a $125,000 Headwaters Fund Grant and another $125,000 raised from the community to make up a one million dollar MRG or minimum revenue guarantee to entice another airline to come to our airport.  Says Don, “we’re buying a service, not giving away money.”