Rotary Club of Eureka, California

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

August 10, 2015

Aloha Lunch Menu:  Salad bar, teriyaki chicken, sweet and sour pork, rice, vegetables, rolls, dessert.

Called to order by President Jay Bahner at 12:30pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jack MacDonald.  The Invocation was led by Craig Hansen.

Dennis Reinholtsen was our visitor from Fortuna Rotary.

Nancy Dean introduced Winship Middle School Interact Club visitors… Sheila- Principal, Leah- Advisor, Linley – Interact President (granddaughter of Jim Davis), and VP and Treasurer of the  Interact club were also there. 

Joan Davies introduced her daughter, Elizabeth Harper and Matthew Owen introduced Christina Giovanni.  President Jay introduced his guests, Roger and Bridget McCourt (today’s speakers).

Keith Crossley gave the Rotary Minute and noted that our Rotary International President sent an email out that for 1 year Nigeria has had no polio.  Tomorrow there will have been no polio in Africa.  Keith urged all Rotarians to step up and donate to end this disease.  $306 million is needed to reach the outlying areas of Pakistan, the last country at this time to have cases of polio.  The Bill and Linda Gates Foundation matches all Rotary donations 2 to 1.

This week’s birthdays include Past President and Past District Governor, Dave Dillon, Rick Littlefield, Gary Todoroff, Keith Crossley’s wife, Carole Crossley.  Anniversaries include Virginia Bass and Matthew Owen – 9 years, fined $15; Dave & Carol Dillon, Ken and Kay Stodder - 42 years, $42 fine; Greg and Laura Williston - 30 years, $30.

Gregg Gardiner presented President Jay with a Hanalei Bay T-shirt from the current President of the Hanalei Bay club in Kauai.  This is the club Past President Gardiner founded and was President of.

Bruce Emad and Hank Pierson took a backpacking trip with their mules to the top of a mountain.  In recognition of this momentous event they were asked to spin the wheel.  They both spun $15 which doubled to $30 if they didn’t answer the question correctly.  The Cartel’s question posed by Ken Stodder… What did Sir Isaac Newton invent? (The Cat Door.)  The mule-packing duo was unable to answer the question and somehow, due to the mathematical prowess of our President, ended up paying $60 each as a fine.

The Winship Interact Club was asked to step to the front of the room and were enthusiastically welcomed into the club, receiving their official banner.  Nancy Dean noted that this Interact club was made possible by Gregg and Kathy Gardiner who started the process.  She also noted that this club has already completed a number of projects.

Will Kay won a Rotary coin, $10 by Ray Wickle and Suzette from the Interact club drew from the deck of cards for a pot of $230 but received a Rotary paperweight.  Ken Stodder won a Happy Camper mug, which he claimed would make a great anniversary gift for his wife.

Roger and Bridget McCourt, our guest speakers, are the head of the Salvation Army in Eureka. They arrived in Eureka 4.5 weeks ago.  The Salvation Army was founded by itinerant pastor, William Booth in 1865.  He was known for working with the poor in East London.  He saw the original Salvation Army as a training ground to introduce people to God and how to attend church.  Today the Salvation Army is in 27 countries.  They preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and help people without discrimination.  They’ve been in Eureka since 1888.  They provide multiple services adult rehabilitation, veterans affairs, prison ministries, elderly services, combating human trafficking, missing persons, services for children, housing for homeless, helping when needed as with the fires that are currently happening here.  Roger served 400 – 500 meals last week at the Hayfork evacuation center.  

The Salvation Army in Eureka has a canteen truck (currently under repair) that was originally founded by the Eureka Rotary Clubs 20 years ago.  They provide 3,500 families with assistance each year, last year they provided 300 Thanksgiving boxes and 500 meals at Christmas, in addition to toys.  Bridget said that if you are looking for ways to support, they need volunteers to ring the bells at the red kettles at the holidays- that’s where 75% of their budget comes from.  About 20% of their clients are homeless locally.  They try to find ways to help people out of their situation, not just provide services.  The Salvation officers are all ordained pastors.  Bridget first joined the Salvation Army in 2000. A co-worker invited them to church and, after a little prodding, they finally went.  That night Roger went into a diabetic coronary and the pastor of the church showed up and stayed with he and his wife through the entire scary time.  When Roger’s job as an IT person ended due to a merger, the Salvation Army asked him to come work with their youth and then he gradually ended up where he is today.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:30pm.

Respectfully submitted, Alicia Cox