Current Meeting Bulletin
Meeting Bulletin - April 23, 2024
Lime Foundation
Today’s speaker was Letitia Hanke, a dynamic and inspiring business owner who has used her self-made success to create jobs and opportunities for young people. She is the CEO of ARS Roofing & Gutters and the founder and leader of the Lime Foundation, which operates the NextGen Trades Academy offering hands-on job preparation courses in the skilled trades and life skills. The motivation for the Lime Foundation was Hanke’s, and her son Emil’s, experiences with racial discrimination and bullying in their youth (“Lime” is Emil spelled backwards.).
Call to Order. President Doug Williams and called the meeting to order at 7:30 am.
Pledge of Allegiance. Chris Landwehr led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Inspiration. Mitch Granhi inspired us with lyrics from the Beatles:
There's nothin' you can know that isn't known
Nothin' you can see that isn't shown
There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be
It's easy
All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
and “Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.”
Our President’s Thought. Did I make a difference in somebody’s life? What Wrongs did I Right, What Hurts did I Heal?
Song. Maureen Merrill, with the assistance of Heather Cullen, led us in singing “This Land is Your Land, this Land is my Land” with a reminder of the indigenous residents of the land we now occupy.
Visiting Rotarians. District Governor Tom Boylan, a member in good standing of our Club, visited our meeting today.
Guests. There were many visitors today, including Grace Curtin, Vice Principal of Windsor High School; Maya Bowen, an 11th grader at Windsor High School; Ava Gonzales, a senior at Windsor High School, and her parents, Jennifer Wall and Mike Gonzales; Pete Stefanisko, a teacher at Windsor High School; Lilian Padilla, a senior at Windsor High School, and several of her family members; and Connie Joseph, a neighbor of Maureen Merrill.
Thank you from Sandi and Wally Krutz. President Doug read a heartfelt thank you message from Sandi and Wally Krutz for meals, cards, calls, and even plants from Club members as they deal with Sandi’s recent health issues. We all value the Rotary support system.
Windsor History Fact. The median home price in Windsor increased 12.7% from 2013 to 2014, and continues to rise.
Club Calendar.
April 27 Tour of Windsor Water Treatment Plant
(JB requested sign-ups)
April 30 Fifth Tuesday; No Meeting
May 4 Club Retreat
May 7 Club Meeting:Teacher Appreciation Day
May 11 Arundo Donax Removal
May 14 Club Meeting: Transcendence Theater
May 20 Board Meeting
June 4 Club Meeting: Law Enforcement Appreciation
June 17 Board Meeting
Student of the Year Vineyard Academy. Daniel Myers introduced Windsor High School teacher Chris Mitts, who introduced Ava Gonzales, the Student of the Year of the Vineyard Academy. Ava is a senior at Windsor High School. She has been actively involved in public service and has earned 6 Presidential Volunteer Service Awards, each representing over 100 hours of community service Ava spoke highly of her father, Michael Gonzales, a retired firefighter, who inspired her with his mantra “Be smart, Be kind, and Be a Leader.” The Club congratulated Ava on her honor, presented her with an award, and wished her well.
Student of the Year Arete Media. Daniel then introduced 30-year Windsor High School Teacher Pete Stefanisko, who introduced Lilian Padilla, the Student of the Year of the Arete Media Core. Lilian reported on her digital media projects including editing videos and working in photoshop. She plans to continue her education by studying early childhood education and she is excited about her future. The Club congratulated Lilian on her honor, presented her with an award, and wished her well.
Presentation to the Wellness Center. Monica McCabe presented Grace Curtin and Maya Bowen with a large check symbolizing the Club’s contribution of $10,000 for the development of the Wellness Center at Windsor High School. The funds were raised by the Club’s An Evening in Seville fundraiser.
Club Projects and Activities. President Elect Barbara McChesney briefly reported progress on Club projects including the Environmental Challenge to reduce use of one-way plastics, the upcoming retreat and Arundo Donax removal project, and the Interact Club’s installation of a Peace Pole and garden.
Scholarships Committee. Michael Juric reported we have received 18 “regular” and 9 “alternative” applications for Rotary scholarships. The scholarships committee will review the applications and interview applicants.
Speaker. Maureen Merrill introduced our speaker, Letitia Hanke, the CEO of ARS Roofing & Gutters and the founder and leader of the Lime Foundation. Letitia grew up in Lake County where she was one of the few black children in her school. She experienced isolation, bullying, and shame. A teacher met with her during lunch time and taught her to play the trumpet. Letitia enjoyed music and played trumpet in the high school band when she was 8 years old! She later took up piano and was active in performing arts, gaining self-confidence. She attended Sonoma State University and studied music. At age 20, she went to work for a roofing company as the receptionist and worked her way up over a period of 8 years to be office manager. In 2004, she got her contractor’s license and started her own roofing business, which currently has 24 full-time, year-round employees. In 2014, her business received from Governor Gavin Newsom the Small Business of the Year Award in California.
Letitia created and runs the Lime Foundation, which now has 3 programs:
Involving 24 different trades for at risk youth and life skills courses in stress management, financial literacy, and job placement.
She is also active in seeking more females to enter the trades.
On the completion of the 18-month trades program, graduates receive tools, many of which are donated by the 198 construction trade mentors in the program. Next Gen Trades classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and on Saturday mornings and are open to persons between 16 and 24 years of age. Next Gen coordinates job placements with CTE for high school seniors. The cost of the 18-month program is $3150 for Zoom sessions and $3850 for in-person sessions. Donors or sponsors frequently sponsor a student in the program or donate tools. There are many success stories of graduates of the program who have gone on to form their own businesses and hire recent graduates of the program.
Club members’ questions signaled a desire to support the Lime Foundation in some manner. Stay tuned.
Following Letitia Hanke’s presentation, Maureen Merrill presented her with a memento notebook and the Club’s thanks for her inspiring presentation.
District 5130 Conference. District Governor Tom Boylan popped up to remind us of the District 5130 Social on May 17th followed by the all-day District Conference on May 18th. More information will be forthcoming.
Thank You. President Doug thanked by name our speaker, guests, set-up crew, and administrative folks.
Next Week. WE ARE DARK! There is no meeting on April 30th.
Meeting Bulletin - April 16, 2024
Craft Talk: Jose Louis Diego
Good Day fellow Rotarians and friends and family who are reading our weekly bulletin. Today’s
minutes are from TUESDAY, April 16, 2024
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Larry McCabe
INSPIRATION: President Doug Williams offered a quote by Mahatma Gandhi “The Best way to
find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”
Did I Make a Difference in Somebody’s Life?
What Wrongs did I Right, What Hurts did I Heal?
SONG: Heather Cullen did a great job in attempting to lead the members in “Singing in the
Rain” members without the words, not so great, but we gave it a good try.
No Visiting Rotarians
GUESTS OF ROTARIANS: Cara Morrison, Project Coordinator of Project Graduation, Chloe
Ballard, sustainability coordinator for the Town of Windsor, and Dennis Wilkinson a past
Rotarian, we hope will return as a Rotarian
Calendar:
April 20 Windsor Repair Fair 10am-1pm Huerta Gym Windsor weactfair.com
April 21 Earth Day Climate Fest – Healdsburg
April 23 Speaker: Letitia Hanke, roofing contractor & philanthropist
April 27 “5th Tuesday” on SATURDAY Windsor Water Treatment Plant 10am
8400 Windsor Rd. Across from Windsor High School
April 30 No meeting
May 7 Club Meeting: Teacher Appreciation Day
May 11 Arundo Donax Removal
May 14 Club Meeting: Transcendence Theater
May 20 Board Meeting
June 4 Club Meeting: Law Enforcement Appreciation
June 17 Board Meeting
Windsor History Fact
The Flourishing Wine Industry of Windsor
Windsor's history is also deeply intertwined with the wine industry. The region's Mediterranean-
like climate and fertile soil provided the perfect conditions for growing grapes. By the late 19th
century, Windsor was home to several flourishing vineyards and wineries. However, the
Prohibition era in the 1920s dealt a severe blow to this thriving industry. Windsor's indomitable
spirit shone through as the town reinvented itself, shifting its focus to prune and apple farming
Board Meeting Report: Larry McCabe shard treasures Ed Turner & Carol Martin submitted
financials displaying both the club and foundation are in good solid standings.
Thursday March 25 th , 5:15pm there will be a meeting with Exchange Bank at their 4 th St location
to discuss investment fund management. Please contact Sue Nelson if interested in attending.
Barbara McChesney requested and received approval for $280.00 for the Interact club to
purchase the peace pole that will be erected in the peace garden they are creating at Windsor
High School.
Funding was also requested and approved from the community fund to sponsor 3 additional
students to attend RYLA this year.
Foundation Chair, Brian Ling shard the club and several individuals have a good amount of
points available; he is open to discussing use of these points and welcomes questions and
suggestions from the club.
Larry commented he attended SCARC (Sonoma county area rotary clubs) this month, the focus
of the meeting was on local clubs working together to make the most impact in the community.
Project Graduation: June8, 2024 9pm-3:30am
Monica McCabe presented Beth Smith & Carla Morrison a check for $2000.00 for this year’s
Project Grad. Rotary’s funding will support professional security for the event.
Volunteers are needed the day before the event, night of the event and clean up the day after,
volunteer sign up: www.windsorhighprojectgrad.org
Environmental: 5130 District Challenge: Barbara McChesney
Earth Day Monday April 22, 2024 Planet Vs Plastic This year’s theme
Barbara showed a short film of how much plastic is polluting not only our planet but our bodies
every day, and the urgent need to eliminate plastic as much as possible.
District 5130 Plastic Challenge Barbara will be emailing additional information,
Compost Giveaway Windsor April 20 th 9am-12pm Keiser Park 700 Windsor Rd
Bring your own shovels and buckets as the compost will be loose. Compost is certified organic &
CDFA approved. For more information: https://zerowastesonoma.gov/compost-giveaways
Craft Talk: Jose Louis Diego
Jose first joined Rotary in 2019, the pandemic happened and as so many others he lost his job,
He worked a few various jobs when he took a job in a management position at the Pizza Guy in
Windsor. Jose stated he had not worked at Pizza Guy that long when the owner offered to sell
Jose the business. Jose did not feel he had the knowledge to run the business but was told he
would teach him. A year and half later, Jose bought Pizza Guy.
Jose has engaged with the community and provides pizza for various nonprofits. Pizza Guy has
11 employees.
Jose felt he was at a place he could return to Rotary, and we are happy to have him back with
us.
President Doug announced Michael Juric is hoping for some feedback on our fundraiser event,
please email: michaelrjuric@gmail.com
Closing remark
Thank you:
David Doht, Boyd Morrison, & JB Leep: Set-up
Michael Raasch: Greeter
Heather Cullen: Song
Pegi Ball: Scribe
Barbara McChesney: Photographer
President Doug enco:urages us all to go out and make a difference in someone’s life
Meeting adjourned: 8:30am
(NOT SO) FUN FACTS ABOUT PLASTICS
? Americans use over 100 BILLION plastic bags every year. These bags clog
the ocean and sit in landfills for up to a thousand years before decomposing.
? Plastic production has grown to more than 380 million tons per year. More
plastic has been produced in the last 10 years than in the entire 20 th century.
? We recycle less than 9% of the plastic we consume. Most of the plastic we
put into our blue bins goes into the landfill because it isn’t really recyclable.
? By 2050 (the same timeframe as from 1998 to today), the weight of plastics
in the ocean will outweigh all sea life in the ocean.
? What can we do? (1) Refuse, Reduce, Repurpose or Recycle plastics,
(2) Support initiatives to ban or levy deposits on single use plastic, plastic
bags, and (3) Use a metal bottle and refill at a water station.
We can do it- we HAVE to do it!
The Mission of Windsor Rotary
The mission of the Rotary Club of Windsor is to serve our community and the world. We strive to better communicate with our members and with the community to inspire and mobilize both our local and global community in health, education, and peace to create transformative change.
The Windsor Rotary Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit, Fed EIN #68-0185065.
WEEKLY MEETINGS
Tuesday at 7:15 a.m.
Charlie’s Restaurant
Windsor Golf Course
1320 19th Hole Dr.
Windsor, CA 95492
Map it
Rotary Club of Windsor
P.O. Box 819
Windsor, CA 95492
Phone: 707-892-0492
Email: info1@windsorrotary.org