Pledge: Laura Buhrer
Inspiration: Daniel Myers, King Solomon “Fools error is
Warmup: John LeCave, hug your neighbors, at least 3
Visiting Rotarians: none
Guests:
- Jerry Schaeffer (Past member of Windsor Rotary, coming back to say hello)
- Che Casul, guest speaker
- Kevin Donyo, Windsor resident
Announcements:
- Ed Turner thanked Windsor Rotarians for contributing $305 to new grandson, Jacob Edward Turner, with Ed’s match, Jacob has a new account of $650.
- Bev Graham is very proud to announce her 6th Great Grand-Child
- Glenn Sudgen sent a note and pictures from his home recuperation studio
- Allison Huber was presented with her new Blue Badge. Congratulations
- Rug Readers for 1st graders at Cali. Looking for a couple of volunteers for March 26. Let Wally Krutz know if you are interested.
- World Rotaract Week – Our district has 3 Rotaract Clubs at Sonoma State University, Humboldt State University, and the Lost Coast region.
- The next day to help plant trees for the Rotary re-Forestation project in Middletown is Saturday, March 30. President Sandie Krutz has volunteer information.
- Windsor Rotary is hosting the March 28, SCARC dinner at Mary Agatha Furth Center. President Sandie would love to see a big welcoming presence by the Windsor Rotarians.
- District Conference will be May 17-19, in Reno. President Sandie and President-Elect Maureen Merrill have information to attend this great Rotary opportunity.
Lobster Fest – Saturday, April 6. Event Chair Michael Juric thanked the Club and his Committee for the great progress we have made preparing for our Lobster Fest, and highlighted what’s remaining on the “Things we need to do” list:
- 40 of 100 Silent Auction items in possession. Please turn in yours to Jack Hyde
- Sign up for Clean Up!
- Make your reservations online.
- Need just a few more bottles of fine wine for our collection, check with Sue Nelson if you have something to contribute.
- Last call for anything to contribute to the Live Auction.
Rotary Foundation – Past President Bill Arnone gave a brief presentation on contributing to the Foundation, particularly in your Estate Planning and being a Benefactor. Signing up is easy and has tax benefits to your ultimate estate settlement. As an example, a $25,000 endowment will generate a $1,000/yr in perpetuity to benefit all the service projects that Rotary Foundation invests in.
Guest Speaker: Che Casul, Executive Director of the Center for Social and Environmental Stewardship.
The Center for Social and Environmental Stewardship, formally Circuit Rider Productions, has been in Windsor (9619 Old Redwood Hwy) since 1976. Che was appointed Executive Director a year ago. The Center has implemented numerous programs over the years, primarily serving at-risk youth. At one point in time, the Center had the largest native plant nursery in Northern California.
Under Che’s guidance, the Center has created and transitioned into a new Board of Directors and Leadership Team. While maintaining their long-term objectives of helping at-risk teens and other identified community segments in need, the Center is working on the following programs:
- Free Rides for Seniors – Provides free transportation to seniors in need by using the Center’s vehicles by driver’s that are in need of employment support and have passed required testing to drive the vehicles in a responsibly accepted manner.
- Asset Sharing – The Center will allow their vehicles and conference center to be used by other non-profit organizations that support the efforts made by the Center.
- Landscaping Tradition – The Center continues its tradition of landscape support by supplying plants and labor for maintenance and enhancement to qualifying areas. Also giving employment training and support to at-risk youth.
- Housing – Has allowable zoning and started the process to build a dozen small homes on its ORH site for youth in the transitional ages of 18-25. The North Bay Construction Youth Corps which is a construction training program by the North Coast Builders Exchange, Career Technical Education Foundation, and various other construction organizations, will be assisting in the building of these homes.
- SAY – With consistent objectives, the Center works in partnership with Social Advocates for Youth, in most of their programs.
- Disaster Clean-Up Support – Workers in their various programs have been temporarily reassigned to assist with fire and flood cleanup during our recent county-wide disaster response.
President’s Closing – No message other than go out and have a great day and maybe hug another friend or neighbor like we did this morning.