August 27, 2021 – Final Friday!

Welcome to the Sunrise Spirit –
the Weekly Newsletter of The Rotary Club of Arcata Sunrise

 


We hope that you will attend one of our lively Friday meetings,
whether or not you are interested in joining Rotary.
Usually, we meet on most Fridays at 7 am in the Plaza View Room
at Arcata’s historic Jacoby Storehouse,
however, due to the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are again meeting online.
Please visit the RCAS Website for the meeting links.


Rotary Vision

Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change
across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.


The Calendar …

RISE: “Rotary Involvement Strengthens Everyone

  • September 12 – Out of the Darkness Community Walk to raise Suicide Awareness
  • September 25 – The District 5130 Youth Exchange Golf Tournament at Baywood Golf & Country Club
  • November 11-14 – The Zone Institute, tentatively scheduled for Tuscon, Arizona
  • October 8, 2021 – The North Coast Ethics in Business Awards
  • October 8-9, 2021 – The District 5130 Conference, celebrating the 2020-2021 Rotary Year
  • November 11-14 – The Zone Institute, tentatively scheduled for Tuscon, Arizona
  • June 4-8, 2022 – The 2022 Rotary International Convention in Houston, Texas.

For Openers …

Our meeting opened with the induction of our newest member – Kenneth Pocasangre! Ken works for the Sun Valley Group as their Human Resources and Safety Specialist. He is an HSU graduate, and he was a member (and later coach) of their Cross Country and Track Teams. He has worked with the Lost Coast Rotaract Club for the past five years. Welcome, Ken!!

Visiting Rotarian Haider Ajina (from the Arcata Noon Club) was on hand to drum up business for the Rotary Youth Exchange Golf Tournament, which will take place at Baywood on Saturday, September 25th. Whether you play in the tournament, sponsor a hole, buy raffle tickets, or volunteer to help, you’ll be helping the Youth Exchange program throughout our District. Haider said that we hope to restart the flow of student ambassadors in the summer of 2022.

President Ian shared photos from the weekend’s Kevin Ebbert Memorial Run, featuring Charlie Jordan (Kevin’s mother), Susan Jansson, and Kenneth Pocasangre. Another photo showed Romi Hitchcock Tinseth with her daughter Sky and Sky’s girlfriend Daisy.

And AJ Gonzales and Nick Torres were “caught in the act” of performing Service Above Self recently. The dynamic duo were framing and roofing the greenhouse at Peninsula School, in preparation for hands-on event, scheduled for September 11th from 10 am to noon. Later in the meeting, AJ announced the approval of our District Grant, which will help fund a rain catchment system at the school.

Howard Stauffer is another Sunriser who provides a lot of service – this time, he pledged to personally provide a triple match of all funds we donate to support the schools in Pakistan’s Swat Valley. He noted that each of the schools serves several hundred students, including girls. What a generous offer – thank you, Howard!!

And President Ian announced that Nick Torres is our newest board member, coming on as the Youth Activities Director. This is an expansion of his already considerable commitment to our Club. Thanks, Nick!!

President Ian announced that several Sunrisers have taken another lap around the track – that is, they have again become multiple Paul Harris Fellows. These generous Rotarians are Jessica McKnight (PHF +3), Brandi Easter (+3), Tom Tellez (+3), Howard Stauffer (+4), and Matt Babich (+8). Thank you all for continuing to support the important work of the Rotary Foundation!!

The Foundation Final Friday Auction

Since it was the last Friday of the month, it was time for the Fantastic Foundation Final Friday Auction. If you’re not familiar with this event, here’s how it works: Several Club members bring in items to be offered at auction. When the dust settles, the amount of the winning bid is donated to the Rotary Foundation. The ite$#1m donor and the winning bidder split the value of the donation between their Paul Harris Fellowship accounts. It’s a win – win – win situation! So who won – won – won at our last meeting?

  • Michael Pazeian donated four lovely photos mounted on 11×14 canvases. Sarah James was the winner of that grouping.
  • Michael also provided a basket from Blue Lake Casino, which was won by Claire Ajina.
  • Wait – he’s not done! Mike also put up copies of his three books about veterans, along with a set of grilling tools. That went to Jeff Stebbins.
  • A “Shop Local” basket, featuring goods from 6 Rivers Brewery was offered by Tomas Chavez, and purchased by Lori Breyer.
  • Ed Christians put together a “Margaritaville” package, and Bob Johnson snapped it up.
  • Brandi Easter offered an assortment of jams and jellies made from local fruits. Actually, she ended up donating two sets, which were happily purchased by JOYC (the Justice Of Your Club) and Dick Johnson.
  • ¿Más margaritas? ¡Sí … Sí! Jamie Anderson donated a “Margarita Basket of Wonders” that was purchased by Jeff Stebbins.
  • Speaking of Jeff, he donated an inflatable stand-up paddle board plus credit for an HSU Extended Education Class. This item was held over to next month’s auction, so be ready to make a bid!
  • Our final auction item came from Nick Torres. It was a one-year membership in Flaviar – an online spirits club that entitles the winning bidder to a tasting box of fine spirits and one premium bottle each quarter. AJ Gonzales won the bidding, but Maggie Kraft chipped in a little extra to encourage AJ to deal her in on one of the tastings.

Thanks to all of these generous Rotarians, the Rotary Foundation has an additional $1,755 to support its charitable efforts around the world! Thank you!!


President Ian’s Closing Haiku (vis-à-vis Rotary Youth Exchange) …

Invite strangers home
They become your family
All over the world


Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save