Rotary Club of Eureka, California

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka

May 2, 2016

Lunch Menu: Fried cod, BBQ ribs, twice baked potatoes, mixed vegetables, dessert.

Called to order by President Jay Bahner at 12:30pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Gerry Reece. The Invocation was led by Mike Cunningham.

VISITING ROTARIANS:  Diana Henry, Old Town Rotary; Liana Simpson, Old Town Rotary, Ross Rowley, Fortuna Sunrise President-elect.

GUESTS OF ROTARIANS:  Steven Lafferty introduced Miguel Garcia from 960 Design, Carlton Nielsen introduced Carly Robbins.

STUDENT GUESTS: Andy Chinn.

BIRTHDAYS:  John Winzler May 5^th.

ANNIVERSARIES: Ted and Anne Loring will celebrate 29 years on May 2; Keith and Carole Crossley – 11 years on May 6^th; Dale and Jeannemarie – May 5^th.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Linda Wise was the recipient of a raffle prize at the annual fundraiser to be reporter for a day at KIEM TV.  GM Jay Hockaday and production manager Ross Rowley presented a video featuring Linda shadowing the reporter for a day.  Linda was so impressed by the experience she brought a gift for J, Ross and the reporter.  In turn J presented Linda with an official News Reporter T-Shirt and coffee cup.

President Jay announced that it was with deep regret that he received a letter from Walt Shimasaki resigning from Rotary. He is having health issues and moving out of the area to be close to his son.  The past presidents are working on a letter to thank Walt for his many years of service.

Carly Robbins announced that Lost Coast Rotaract is hosting their 3^rd annual softball tournament.  Join them on June 26^th. 

Jennifer Budwig announced that Backpack for Kids needs to raise $27,000 for the coming year.  The Times-Standard has offered to donate a page in the TS to help raise money.  Businesses and individuals can purchase a square that will feature their name/logo and it will run in the paper inviting the public to get involved.  Squares range in price from $600, $265, $100. Please contact Jennifer to sign up.

Neal  Carnam announced the Nepal fundraiser raised over $20,000 plus they raised another $600 at a Mad River Brewery event and there’s one more event planned at Six Rivers Brewery in McKinleyville on July 14^th.

RECOGNITIONS: Dave Dillon gave a Hawaiian shirt to Dale Warmuth who was sporting his new attire. Dave was fined $10 and Dale gladly paid the fine.

President Jay asked everyone who was not wearing their Rotary pin to stand up.  ½ the room got to their feet and were then told to put $10 each on the table. The room was filled with a lot of groans.

ROTARY MINUTE: Keith Crossley gave a Rotary Minute and said we are a little over $1,000 short of meeting our Polio Plus goal this year.  All donations are matched 2 to 1 by the Gates foundation, thus tripling your donation.  Please donate now to help end polio.  Only 2 countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan currently have any polio cases.  Just 12 cases in total this year.

SPENGLER-HOWARD RAFFLE:  Rotary Coin: Jay Hockaday $10: Bert Campton. Ted Loring drew a card for a pot of unknown quantities and received the consolation prize of a Rotary paperweight.

GUEST SPEAKER: Andy Chinn is our exchange student this year from Taiwan. He started off by explaining that he is not Chinese he is Taiwan and that is important to remember.  He is from Taichung City, population 2.7 million.  He showed us a slide show with images of his country and his family.  He said that he doesn’t miss his family, he misses the food.  His showed us a picture of two of his favorite items, Stinky Tofu and Bubble Tea. He said stinky Tofu smells really bad but it tastes really good.  

He is planning on staying in Humboldt County to attend college.  He is still working out the details on which school, etc.  

MEETING ADJOURNED: 1:30pm 

Respectfully submitted, Alicia Cox