The Meeting Opening TThis meeting, arranged by Steve Heithecker, was held at the Patrick Ranch in the Master Gardener facility.  The meeting was called to order by President Glenn Pulliam.     Glenn asked Steve Plume to lead the pledge, which he did (to a flag on a cap).  Jim Patterson then presented the invocation.   Following the invocation Larry Bradley led us in singing.

Tonight’s Meeting Program

Following the opening, we walked over to the Blacksmith Shop for our program for the night.

See below:

The kiln to the right of center was hot.

The Blacksmith talked about and demonstrated Blacksmithing.  He made a metal flower and his helper made a decorative hook.

The Blacksmith spent a lot of time talking about the finer points of Blacksmithing.

After the Blacksmithing program we returned to the Master Gardner facility and had dinner, which included some very good sandwiches and salad, followed by a very good piece of cake.

Announcements

Larry Bradley announced that he had purchased a lamb for the Club at the Silver Dollar Fair.  However, there were complications.  The price had gotten too high so he stopped bidding, or he thought he had.  But it was announced that the final bid was his at $22 a pound for a total of $3,300,much higher than he intended to pay.  Anyway, he made a deal with the Club that the Club would pay $2,500 (thebudgeted amount) and he would contribute the additional amount.

Recognitions

President Glenn decided that he was going to get everyone to Bell Ringer status.  He began with Larry Bradley who was the Grand Marshall of the Durham Parade on May 11^th.  He ended up contributing $50 in addition to the amount he contributed to our lamb, which made him a Bell Ringer.

Next President Glenn himself, who had spent 4 weeks in France on a bike ride to Amsterdam.  He contributed $100 be become a Bell Ringer.

He then recognized your editor because he had a birthday on May 10^th.  But he was in Mexico, where May 10^th is Mother’s Day.  He contributed $50 to cover his birthday and his annual trip to Cabo San  Lucas.

President Glenn then moved on to Tom Knowles for his birthday, who thought the fact thathe had the Grinder would protect him.  He learned that the Grinder does not protect from birthdays or anniversaries and he became a Bell Ringer.

Peggi Kohler then contributed $50 for her anniversary to also become a Bell Ringer.

Steve Heithecker then contributed $40 to become a Bell Ringer.

President Glenn then wanted to make Eric Hoiland a Bell Ringer, but Eric had anotherproposition.  He is planning a trip beginning in June but ending in July so he wanted his contribution to coverboth years, but Peggi said she would think about it but would not agree to it tonight.  In the end, he contributed $150 to become a double Bell Ringer, with the hope that Peggi would take hiscontribution into consideration when recognizing him next year.

Our Next Meeting

June 11^th we will have our Club Demotion at the Butte Creek Country Club.  Glenn will be demoted from being president and Peggi will be installed.

Membership

Bring guests who you think you can interest in becoming a member.  Your dinner and your guest’s dinner will be paid for by the Club.  Also, bring a guest to one of our occasional social gatherings.

Go to the following Rotary International web site for information on membership development:  https://my.rotary.org/en/learning-reference/learn-topic/membership .  From this website there is access to membership development and other related information.

The Rotary Foundation Donations

You can make a difference in this world by helping people in need. Your gift can do some greatthings, from supplying filters that clean people’s drinking water to empowering local entrepreneurs to grow through business development training.

The Rotary Foundation will use your gift to fund the life-changing work of Rotary memberswho provide sustainable solutions to their communities’ most pressing needs. But we need help from people like you who will take action and give the gift ofRotary to make these projects possible.

When every Rotarian gives every year, no challenge is too great for us to make adifference. The minimum gift to The Rotary Foundation is $25.00.   An annual $100.00 gift is a sustaining member.  Once your donationsaccumulate to $1,000 you become a Paul Harris Fellow.

If you have any questions ask Steve Heithecker.

It is possible to learn more about The Rotary Foundation on the Rotary web site. 

Your gift can be made online or by sending Jessica Thorpe a check made out to The RotaryFoundation to Durham Rotary, P.O. Box 383, Durham, California 95958.

Presentation to  Patrick Ranch

Before the meeting ended Steve Heithecker present a check for our annual contribution to Patrick Ranch.

Must Be Present to Win Drawing:

None tonight.

Glenn then closed the meeting.

________________________________________________________________

From District 5160

CELEBRATE 5160!

2024 Awards & Installation Event    

DATE: Saturday, July 13, 2024

TIME: 5:30pm to 8:30pm

LOCATION: Davis Veterans Memorial Center

                    203 E 14th St, Davis

COST: $60.00 per person (includes one drink ticket for beer or wine)

ATTIRE: Cocktail casual 

Bar: Beer and wine will be $5.00 and non-alcoholic drinks will be included. We willsell drink tickets at registration. (No host cocktails at 5:30; buffet dinner will be served at 6:15PM)

Register NOW for CELEBRATE 5160! 2024 Awards & Installation Event.

Registration will close July 7th.

A limited number of blocked rooms are available at the University Park Inn &Suites.

1111 Richards Blvd., Davis, CA

$139.00 per night.  MUST BOOK BY JULY 1st

Questions, contact Rene Matsumoto at crmmats@gmail.com.

World Peace Conference – January 24-26, 2025, Rohnert Park (Sonoma Wine Country)

_______________________________________________________________ri

From Rotary International

Ecological conservation and corporate responsibility are the focus on day 3 in Singapore

By Etelka Lehoczky and Rose Shilling

Environmental protection was a central theme on the third day of the 2024 Rotary International Convention in Singapore, which featured an appearance by a globetrotting activist and environment-focused breakout sessions. At the convention’s second general session, a naturalist and an entrepreneur called for greater social and corporate responsibility in addressing environmental problems.

Nacho Dean, who has walked 33,000 kilometers (about 20,000 miles) around the world and has swum between five continents, spoke about the urgency of the environmental crisis.

“During my expeditions, I have seen both sides of the coin: a planet of spectacular beauty... punished by human action [such as] global warming, biodiversity loss, [and] plastic pollution,” said Dean, who walked through four continents and in 31countries to raise awareness of climate change. “There is a direct relationship between the health of the environment and the health of humanity.”

Dean outlined numerous ways that environmental problems make people’s daily lives more difficult andmore painful.

“The consequences of climate change, noise pollution, and the harmful effects of air and chemicalpollution not only affect us physically but also have an impact on our mental health,” he said. “If we want healthier societies, it is imperative to also carefor the health of our planet.”

Claire Chiang (shown above), co-founder of the international hospitality company Banyan Group and amember of the Rotary Club of Suntec City, Singapore, spoke about the importance of corporate responsibility.

“We do not need a better world. We need to know how to live and work better,” she said. “Business cannot survive in societies that fail. We have to purposefully pull together ... to focus on our interdependence, not the tensions between business and society.”

Attendees chat at the Rotary International Convention in Singapore.

At the Rotary International Convention in Singapore, Rotary International President-elect Stephanie A. Urchick speaks at the Peace Park in the House of Friendship.

At the Rotary International Convention in Singapore, hosts Haresh L. Ramchandani (left) and Louisa Lee address the second general session.

The convention also hosted several breakout sessions on environmental topics, including Creating Hope to End Plastic Soupin the World, Net Zero Now, and Community Action for Fresh Water.

At Saving Endangered Species, From Mountains to Marine, members asked how they could connect their passion for protecting animals and the environment with their commitment to increasing Rotary membership. Some attendees noted that conservation is an important issue for many young people and said that focusing on it would attract potential members and appeal to Rotaractors’ interest in service.

Audience members and panelists from the Rotary Action Group for Endangered Species suggested offering conservation-related tours and volunteer opportunities for Rotaractors. That way, Rotaractors could get involved in making a difference in places that are experiencing (or successfully reversing) ecosystem damage and the loss of species.

The idea echoes participant Thomas L. Tochterman’s belief that his generation should help build“environmental patriotism” in young people. Tochterman’s nonprofit organization, Rhino Mercy, works to prevent poaching of rhinos in Africa.

“The long-term solution to wildlife crime in general is not with the current generation. It’s with the next generation,” said Tochterman, a member of the Rotary Club of Chelan, Washington, USA.

Mina Venkataraman, a member of the Rotary Club of Nilgiris West, Tamil Nadu, India, spoke about the importance of protecting vultures in southern India. The birds she calls “the cleaning crew of the forest” are dying because they eat the remains of big cat sand elephants poisoned by farmers who are trying to protect crops and livestock.

Panelists noted that the Rotary Action Group for Endangered Species includes more than a thousand people who have vast expertise and are ready to help Rotary members save animals and plants. They encouraged attendees to contact the action group about projects they’re working on and issues they want to address