Prez Gary opened with the Pledge, and Kathleen led us in a song. Nice!

Thought for the day: Life is like a trumpet, if you don’t put anything into it, you don’t get anything out of it.

Guests Matt Drewno, who is on the Board of Directors for Ecology Action in Willits, and works at Stanford Inn’s biointensive demonstration farm; and Sheri Maier, here for her 3rd visit and looking to join our club, and works at front desk at Stanford Inn. Sheri is a past Rotarian from Novato.

Today’s Program:

Prez Gary presented today’s program. First, he gave a big thank you to Donna for organizing a wonderful Charter Night! It was a memorable event, celebrating our club’s 50th anniversary.

Gary talked about Casino Night on February 25. Everyone at today’s meeting will be in town that day, and is expected to work at Casino Night! A sign -up sheet was sent around for jobs. We have 19 table sponsors so far — this is pure profit, so let’s get some more sponsors! Raffle prizes are coming in, and the list is looking good. Pete and Jeffrey will be running the wine table.

Gary reminded us that the reason we do these fundraisers is to give scholarships ($6000) to high school seniors, dictionaries to 3rd graders, community service grants, and more — it all goes back to the community.

Our annual Golf Tournament is August 26. Jimmie will chair the event, and needs help.

Jim Gay presented an idea to raise funds to help the homeless. This idea will be brought to the Community Service Committee.

Harold Hauck announced that the Bishoff grant via the Community Foundation has been approved, and the club will receive $5000 which will be passed through to the Mendocino Rotary Foundation for Rotary Park. This is great news! Next year’s grant application will be easier, since all our information is now in their system.

Happy Dollars:

– Donna is happy that husband Chris’s birthday is coming up this month.

Donna announced that Eula has requested a break from leading the Interact club — another sponsor is needed to go the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month to the high school promptly at 12:15, where meeting may last as few as 10-15 minutes. Let Donna know if you are able to take on this role!

John Porter is holding a Community Service Committee meeting today, right after this meeting.

Raffle ticket drawing: Jim Gay was today’s winner.