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, while we are under the Shelter In Place order, we are meeting online.
Please visit the RCAS Website for the meeting links.
The Calendar …
RISE: “Rotary Involvement Strengthens Everyone“
Watch here for events as they return to our Calendar …
RCAS continues to meet in cyberspace, with sadness and joy.
Au Revoir …
We were saddened that our Exchange Student from France, Thomas Spengler, flew back home a few months early (on Monday, April 20th). But at our meeting, he offered thanks to his host parents – Steve & Patty McHaney, Andreas & Jen Krause, and Chris & Lisa Hemphill. (As a Club, we thank them also!) Thomas shared many of his memories of his time in Humboldt, and we Sunrisers got a chance to say au revoir. That’s a perfect sentiment, as it translates to “goodbye until we meet again”.
Welcome, Stephanie!!
Turning on a cyberdime, we then welcomed “The Newest Rotarian in the World” – Stephanie Lane. Stephanie is the Outreach Lead for the Alumni & Engagement division of HSU’s University Advancement program. We’re very happy she joined our Club, and many thanks to Romi Hitchcock Tinseth for sponsoring Stephanie!
Recognitions & Announcements
President AJ then asked us to identify some of our “co-workers” who are helping us endure the shelter-in-place era. He also revisited “Who’s Behind the Mask?”, and “When They Were Young…”
Susan Jansson encouraged us to stay in shape with the HealthSPORT Web Club, which promises safe distancing and quality results.
Past President Ray Noogle/Noggle told us that he has been “working on an empty building”, bringing the Bigfoot Taproom to primo condition for its eventual reopening.
We were reminded of the Stimulus Check Challenge – if you can afford to donate part or all of the funds you receive from the IRS, please consider a contribution to the RCAS Foundation, so we can continue our good work, especially the Backpacks for Kids program. You may also want to help Food For People with a direct donation. They were in need of funds prior to the COVID-19 crisis, due to a flood in their main building. If you make a donation, check to see whether your business provides matching donations.
Maggie Kraft told us that her organization (the Area 1 Agency on Aging) is supporting access to food for senior citizens locally. If you would like to volunteer to shop for seniors, please contact her.
Maggie’s other “hat” is that of the RCAS President-Elect. In that role, she asked us to be sure to sign up for one of the three online Fireside Meetings that will take place on April 21, 22, and 23. Each meeting will have its own theme – “Aloha”, “Off to the Races”, and “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”. Please dress accordingly, whichever theme you choose.
Helping Us Understand the CARES Act
Our Featured Speaker was Patrick Cleary, the Director of Community Prosperity and Investments for the Humboldt Area Foundation. He spoke with us about the CARES Act and what it means for local businesses (especially nonprofits). His topics included the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans, Employee Retention Tax Credits, and the Unemployment Work Sharing Program. Patrick also discussed local financing options to assist small business owners.
Don’t miss a minute!
(Click here to view the video of the full meeting.)