The Weekly Meeting Summary of the Rotary Club of Livermore Valley
March 26, 2024
OPENING THE MEETING
President Sherri Simoni called the meeting to order at 8:18 AM
James Marasco led us in the Pledge of Allegiance
James used to race motor cycles... Zoom, Zoom!
Song of the Day - Deb's song of the day was Ain't Too Proud to Beg by the Temptations
Thought of the Day -Roy had many thoughts of the day but our favorite was: "The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others." Mahatma Gandhi
Joke of the Day - Farmer Charles: As a farmer, I've heard a lot of jokes about sheep. I'd tell them to my dog but he's "herd" just about everything. Ha ha
VISITING ROTARIANS & GUESTS
Visiting Rotarian: The marvelous Bob Tucknott was introduced by Dave Goulart
Guests: Dave Bedford finally remembered to pick up his neighbor, Doug Pavicich. Mony introduced James Marasco for the last time!
TODAY'S 10-SPOT
Sherri announced that the 10-spot can now be allocated for donation to the Kevin Drake scholarship fund. The club started the fund by donating $10,000. The Pedrozzi Foundation will administer the fund We plan to give away $4000 a year in scholarships. Congrats team!
ABOVE & BEYOND
Sherri gave a shout out to our fellow Rotarians who have gone above and beyond this week to represent our club in the community:
Dennis volunteered to be a member of RFL board
Suzanne for her great work on the coin wars
Rich and Sarah for saying yes to a last minute invite to speak today
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ambassadors Update:
Rollout has begun to all of District 5170 Clubs-website landing page launched-lots of good resources(sent you link in previous email)
Ambassadors presenting at District Conference 4/27
RFL has approved grant for $10,000-Will receive at awards program 4/24
Ambassadors presenting at District 5150 Brain Health Program 5/10th with Rotary Intl President Gordon McInally attending
District 5150 & Rotary District 5160 building interest to join in on our Fall event.
Gift of Reading kicks off this Thursday. There are still a few spots left to volunteer. School deliveries: April 10 to April 19. See 3/20 email from Philomena to sign up.
Congrats to Cheryl Bowers for earning her Blue Badge!
James was raised in Alamo. He played baseball and attended Monte Vista High School. He went to University of Nevada, Reno on a partial baseball scholarship but finished his education Chico State. He started in the mortgage industry right out of college in 2002. For the pasts 20 years, he has coached baseball at all levels from youth to college. James helped run a non profit for 7 years to raise money for "A Day Away from Cancer" a nonprofit that helps young kids battling terminal cancer. He has been married to his wife, Julia, for 19 years and has two amazing kids, Joey who is 16 and Sammy who is 9. James Rotary sponsor is Mony Nop.
Welcome James!
TODAY'S SPEAKERS:
SARAH PALMER
I was raised in Buffalo NY. I went to several colleges in my academic journey: The University of Miami, University of Maryland, followed by NYU! (I loved living in Manhattan.) I ended up at the University of Toronto to study biochemistry where I met my husband. After college we moved to California. My husband did his postdoc at LLNL and I did my postdoc at LBL. After my PhD, I worked in breast cancer research followed by teaching at several colleges around the Bay Area, including LPC. I am the proud mother of a 37-year-old daughter. Additionally, I used to be a divemaster and enjoy painting. I’m also a beekeeper! I'm am on too many water boards to list, in addition to Rotary of LV and LRF.
I like to be in Rotary because you can meet people with many points of view and I enjoy the inclusiveness of Rotarians.
RICHARD GOLDSTEIN
Rotary is a big part of my life. I grew up in Long Island, NY and went to college at the University of Vermont. One fun fact about me; my roommate in college and I started a business while living in the dorm. We bought submarine sandwiches and sold them in the dorm with my roommate Chico. After graduation I went back to visit my roommate who had opened a bar in downtown Burlington, VT and he ended up being one of the cofounders of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. After Vermont I moved to Southern California where I met my wife Kathy. Started my career in 1978 as investment advisor which has evolved over 4 decades. I moved to Livermore from S. California in 1988. My experience in Rotary has really been enriched from Ambassadors of Compassion as it has afforded me the opportunity to meet so many Rotarians from our District and throughout the Bay Area. I have been on the Rotary Foundation board and the Club Board for years and recommend others to get more involved to understand the full impact of Rotary.
50/50 RAFFLE
Last week's winner: Bennie
This week's winner: Jeannette
Sherri gave a shout out to our fellow Rotarians who have gone above and beyond this week to represent our club in the community:
