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.
We meet (almost) every Friday at 7 am in the Plaza View Room
of Arcata’s historic Jacoby Storehouse,
Please note:
We have returned to hybrid meetings.
Please join us, either on-site or online!
For more information and for the meeting links, please visit the RCAS Website.
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 RCAS Calendar
RISE: “Rotary Involvement Strengthens Everyone“
- February 25 – March 5 – Arcata High School Safe & Sober Virtual Auction
- March 1 – World Community Service Committee Meeting
- April 1 & 2 – District 5130 Training Assembly in Ukiah
- May 20 & 21 – District 5130 Conference at the River Lodge in Fortuna
- June 4-8 – The 2022 Rotary International Convention in Houston, Texas.
Click Here to access the current period’s sign up for Backpacks for Kids!
For Openers …
We were back in the Plaza View Room for our meeting, and we had quite a few Sunrisers and other friends Zooming in online. President Ian reminded us that you never know where you will meet a fellow Rotarian, as he showed a photo of Tami Camper and Tomas Chavez who were skiing the same slopes! We welcomed Dylan Berman of the Arcata High School Interact Club, and Ian spoke with him about his group’s ongoing work painting murals on the AHS restroom stalls and walls.
Ian also reminded us that the time is getting short – we need to identify two more host families for our Inbound Youth Exchange Student, or we will need to pull the plug for this year. Please consider hosting and talk with your non-Rotarian friends who may be willing to host. In addition to Ian, we heard Stephanie Lane and Craig Newman speak to the benefits of sharing your home for a few months with a young ambassador from another country.
Randy Mendosa chairs the Financial Assistance Committee, and he provided a quick report. Our Board of Directors recently increased the Committee’s budget by $2,000, which was quickly committed. The group opted to contribute $1,300 to the James Washington Track & Field program. Randy noted that our donation will be matched dollar for dollar by one of James’s friends – twice the bang for the buck! The remaining $700 will provide a scholarship for an at-risk child (between 8 and 12) to attend this summer’s Cool Kids Camp at Cloverleaf Ranch in Santa Rosa.
A Foundation Minute
Foundation Chair Terri Clark pointed out that the eradication of polio has been a goal of Rotary for over 30 years. The idea was that this would be only the second disease to be vanquished (after smallpox), and that it would be a relatively easy task to accomplish. However, the execution has proven to be more complicated than expected. Still, there are only two countries remaining, and we are >>THIS CLOSE<< And our efforts continue to bear fruit – in many of our target areas, children have additional health needs that are being addressed.
President Ian reminded us that “Polio is everywhere until it is nowhere!” He told us not to be discouraged.
The Fabulous Foundation Final Friday Auction!!
RCAS Tradition demands that we hold an Auction on Final Friday, with the prizes donated by Sunrisers (and sometimes – like this day – by other generous souls. All of the proceeds are transferred intact to the Rotary Foundation, which is one of the most efficient charities on the planet. So … here is the list of items, donors, and winning bidders:
- The first item was a “gently used” Celestron Spotting Scope, suitable for viewing wildlife or gazing at the stars, donated by Carol Vander Meer. Our purchaser was Amanda Nelson.
- Karen Burgesser’s contribution was a Bee Tea Basket, which contained mugs for tea (or coffee), tea, honey, a honey jar, candles, bowl cozys, seed packets, a bee balm plant, and treats made from chocolate and honey. That was one sweet deal that was picked up via Maggie Kraft’s winning bid.
- Dick Johnson donated an online meeting package, which consisted of a USB-powered second monitor, a gentle light to make you glow, and a “Buttsaver” gel pillow for your sit-upon. Our winner was Barbara Browning, who needs no help to look great online or off.
- A number of succulent arrangements were our next item(s), courtesy of Rebecca Crow, with names like Be You, Prove Them Wrong, and Mister Turtle. Among the winners were Romi Hitchcock Tinseth, Jessica McKnight, and President Ian. I believe Janice Newman was in the mix, also …
- Janice was definitely there, winning the next item – a plate of chocolate cupcakes that provided by Maggie Kraft.
- The final item was an original watercolor donated by artist Dana Ballard (not a Rotarian). Jeff Stebbins offered the top bid for the lovely piece.
Once again, thanks to the donors and the purchasers – your efforts and funds are going to a worthy cause – the Rotary Foundation!
President Ian’s Closing Haiku
It’s great to see you
Ready and willing to serve
There’s still so much to do