Rotary Club of Eureka, California

Meeting of the Rotary Club of Eureka
October 31, 2011
 

Happy Halloween!  

Rhinestone Cowgirl, Sally Arnot.

Eric Bergel....need I say more?

The Wizard of Oz, aka, Dennis Hunter.

After a stunning introduction by our kilt-wearing Sgt-At-Arms, Anthony Antonville, President Pierson, or should I say Sir Pierson, made his grand entrance through the crowd of cheering onlookers to take his post behind the royal podium and start the meeting.

Pledge and Invocation

Jay Reed led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, while Pastor Dan Price said the invocation.

Visiting Rotarians

Visiting Rotarians today included Liana Simpson from Old Town Rotary, Lee Cunningham from Cupertino Rotary and Jim Mayer from Arcata Sunrise Rotary.

Guests of Rotarians

Charlie Bussman brought his lovely daughter Mindy, who works alongside him at George Petersen Insurance in Eureka.  Craig Hansen brought Rob McLaughlin of Eureka Ready Mix.

EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Tonya and Marina were our student guests today, this being their first American Halloween celebration.  Tonya said they celebrate a similar holiday in Norway, but only when they are very young.  She said she hadn’t dressed up since she was six or so.  Marina said they don’t celebrate how we do, but was reminded by an audience member that she does celebrate a little festival the Brazilians like to call Carnival!  They attended a Halloween party at the host-home of the German exchange student on Saturday night and had a great time.  Marina celebrated her birthday recently and Tonya was wearing a knitted hat she recently received from the Bergel family. 

Birthday and Anniversary Celebrations

Birthdays this week include Dick Nash, Sue Bosch, Al Crnich and Ray Wickle.  Upcoming anniversary celebrations include the Deans, the Captain and his bride and the Littlefields. 

Announcements

Sir Greg started the announcements by asking everyone in costume to stand up.  Then he asked everyone who was wearing their Rotary lapel pin to stand up.  Those who remained seated were then asked to reach under the front of their chair and pull out the colored post-it note.  Those who pulled orange were asked to pay $5….those who pulled green were asked to pay $10.  An IOU with your name on it was acceptable if you don’t have cash.  The next time we have a meeting on Halloween….wear a costume!

Sir Greg then asked Mike Martin to come to the podium to share his story on his recent trip to the UK.  Mike is an avid hunter of anything that can be found via metal detector.  This most recent trip to the UK provided a cache of very unique and rare items, including a Roman brooch from 100BC, a 1272 Edward I (aka Edward Longshanks) penny and a plethora of Roman bronze coins from approximately 100-300 AD.  A recent trip to Alaska produced a remarkably large gold nugget, which Mike was wearing on a chain around his neck.  Thanks for sharing your great adventures, Mike…we look forward to hearing stories from your next trip!

Next, two small grants were given to Amy Chase from Alice Birney School for new library books ($500) and to Susan Seaman for the Children’s Author Festival ($1,000).  Literacy is incredibly important; let’s keep our kids interested in reading and books!

John Bartholomew is taking on the formation of a Vocational Services Committee – one of the five Rotary Service Areas.  The 4-way test adopted in 1934 is from this service area. He also reviewed the Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions.  One of the projects being considered is youth mentoring in conjunction with and existing Eureka High programs

Recognitions

George Peterson Insurance, aka Charlie Bussman or his apparition, recently completed an acquisition of the Northwest Insurance Agency, based in Santa Rosa, with offices throughout Northern California and Oregon.  $145 to you

Our own Ron Pierre used his connections for a free flight to Europe with his wife on a C17 to Venice, via Germany.  Ron, I know the price was right, but how were the seats?  Ron also mentioned that he met a bomb sniffing dog from the 4^th Infantry who had just completed a 13 month tour of duty.  What a neat experience!  Although Ron was fined $75 by Sir Pierson, he did present Greg with an Operation Iraqi Freedom coin, passing along a unique military tradition.  Very cool, Ron!

Mike Martin, thanks for the great slide show on your trip to the UK and the playful measuring of your Alaskan gold nugget.  That will cost you $145, but on the upside, you are now the owner of a new blue measuring tape!

Raffle

Today’s winners were Tom Schallert and Gary Todoroff.  Mary Johnson, boy was Gary lucky you left early and we had to draw a third ticket! 

Presentation

Today’s guest speaker was Heidi Moore of the Decade of Difference initiative through the Humboldt County Office of Education.  Before joining the Decade of Difference, Heidi served as a counselor and Vice Principal at Eureka High School, and most recently, as the Principal of Zane Junior High School.  The Decade of Difference 2020 Initiative has goals of:

• 100% of 4^th grade students will demonstrate grade level mastery in Reading and Math;
• 95% of entering high school freshman will graduate with a high school diploma; and,
• 90% of high school graduates will continue their education and enroll in a post-secondary educational program.

Impact Areas/Strategies include:

• Kindergarten Readiness/Early Literacy
• Middle and High School Intervention
• Youth Entrepreneurship
• Financial Literacy, Planning and Savings
• Career Awareness and College Planning
• Workforce Preparation/Career Mentorship
• Parent and Community Engagement
• Professional Development

Heidi’s presentation focused primarily on the Workforce Preparation/Career Mentorship Program of the Initiative, and how, in conjunction with Rotary International Vocation Service Month, student mentorship through the program dovetails with the ideals of Rotary.  The overarching goal of this strategy is to have local youth recognize that there are current and future opportunities to successfully work and live in Humboldt County.  Objectives of the Mentorship Program include providing 475 quality mentorships over the next 5 years and developing an E-Mentoring Program.  Identified targets of opportunity include:

• Diversified Health Care
• Building, Systems Construction and Maintenance
• Specialty Agriculture, Food and Beverages
• Investment Support Services
• Management and Innovation Services
• Niche Manufacturing

Particular interest is in providing mentors in the Diversified Health Care and Niche Manufacturing industries.  With time drawing to a close, Heidi asked the group to consider participating as a student mentor.  If you are interested in participating in the program as a mentor, please feel free to contact Heidi directly at 707-445-4502 or hmoore@humboldt.k12.ca.us.  Further information ca be found on the Humboldt County Office of Education website at http://www.humboldt.k12.ca.us. 

Sir Pierson reminded the Board that there would be a quick meeting in the corner after the final bell.  With that, the book was signed and the meeting was adjourned at 1:26pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Stacy Lane