Welcome: The meeting started pretty close to 7:30 and was the club’s first virtual meeting using Zoom. Since the Coronavirus impacted all of us we have not met since March 12th. 21 Members participated. Damian welcomed all with a “is good to see your happy faces!” There was a PPT prepared but Damian had operator issues. (sorry...can't imbed).
Greeter: Sara was the Greeter today. She led us in the pledge and 4 Way test. Rob had the banner and 4 Way test plaque and Mark had the American flag. It all worked. Her thought of the day was “In a time of uncertainty, there is a fundamental hope that we can do extraordinary things when we accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be!” No raffle or visiting Rotarians. Our guests included: Louise the Youth Exchange student from Belgium, Jennifer Perry from the Community Foundation, and Penny Blazj (Sp) from Sedona RC and President Elect.
Happy Bucks: Harry led the virtual session and asked that donations be sent to the Charitable Fund. The process will be clarified. Happy news from attendees included (I hope I caught most of the comments):
Harry: Rotary inspired face mask…donate $ thru club website $5
Rob: grant panel doing their work almost finished
Damian: Thanks to Jennette we have a new president Elect
Peg: Book delivery almost complete
Penny: Host for Louise which has been wonderful
Jack: thanking 1st responders
Chuck: Thanks for donating pizzas to Sedona Winds, and help from Mark, Miki and Damian
Mark: Thanking all the health care workers who take care of the elderly…his Mom is 97
Jennette: Thankful for family all safe and healthy
Louise: Happy to be in Sedona and healthy
Geri: Salute to local businesses…use them
Ken: Happy to learn the Zoom process and techniques.
Holly: Happy to keep hiking, and healthy family in Illinois
John: Happy to help his Univ raise funds
Russ: Happy to be home and elevating his family relationships
Lori, Miki and sorry I missed your comments
Youth Exchange: Louise brought us up to date on what she has/has not been doing. She has had limited travel but keeps in contact with her fellow YE students. The Pandemic issues are about the same in Belgium as it is here. Her graduation from RRHS will be virtual and will happen in a car on wide screen. Should occur near May 15th. Update coming.
President Elect: Jennette reported that she is busy forming her administration. She has some committee Chairs set, but here are openings. She will be recruiting for Chairs and committee members. She wants all involved in their passion for Rotary. She is also focused on organizing our signature fundraiser for the Fall…pending closure of COVID-19. She will send an email out soon.
Penny Blazj (gowns and masks): She and the Sedona RC have been making masks and gowns for 1st responders. They need help. Masks are pretty well taken care of, gowns are the issue. Penny’s cell #: 760-685-3403. She can be reached via email at:
pennyblazj@gmail.com. These items are going to medical centers and 1
st responders all over the USA.
Community Foundation: Jennette introduced the Community Foundation and the work they are doing in the Verde Valley. Jennifer Perry is the Executive Director and provided the following update: This foundation helps the whole of The Verde Valley regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Raised $138K in last 4 weeks. Grants are being given every 14 days and range from $1000-25,000. Food banks have been hit very hard from 400 contacts weekly to 7000 weekly.
Contact info and process for club members will be emailed soon. The Charitable Fund has put $1400 aside for donation matches. Donations can be made thru the Club website as soon as it is set up. Damian will email the process.
Adjournment: The meeting ended just short of 8:30 and by all of the comments our first virtual meeting was very successful! Next meeting 5-14 and will be virtual as well. Dates for future club meetings and Board meeting are listed on the attached PPT.
Club Zoom Happy Hour: We didn’t have time to discuss this at the meeting. This will be a ½-1 hour get together to replace the “Coffee Chat” meetings held every other Thursday opposite our regular club meeting. It’s meant to be social….no business. It will be virtual…in other words in your home, you provide your own food and libations. It will be held Thursday evening at 5pm. There will be a theme to kick start the conversation. The first theme is “What did you do as a teenager your parents didn’t know about? 60 words or less. This should be a good way to meet your fellow Rotarians on a different level. If you are interested please let make know. First Happy Hour is scheduled for: Thursday April 30th, 5pm. Mark will send out the Zoom mtg ID etc.
Rotary International Involvement in the Pandemic: Again not enough time to report out on this at the meeting. The Rotary Volunteer Surge program has put together with ADP, Amazon, Salesforce. Yale Univ. and the Red Cross to give free training to people who will earn a Certified Nursing Asst. Certification. That will allow them to support the understaffed health care system. You can learn more at the District website rotary5495.org.
A second change of course illustrates the importance TRF is doing at this critical timeframe. Polio immunizations have been suspended for the safety of the recipients, staff and teams. Instead the Polio infrastructure has been redirected towards stopping the Pandemic. Labs, staff, resources, education are all redirected. Your funds given to TRF are being used in this worldwide effort to stop the virus. Working with our close partners, WHO and CDC, this effort is seen as a significant push to control and rid mankind of this tragedy.
Scribe: Mark
