Category: 2020 Jul-Dec

It was a morning of new Zoom sign in options, so the traffic was a little slower than normal, but by the time the bell rang out we had many more in attendance. The bell sounded a lot like the same one we used to see in person, and President Bill Bolster looked a lot like he used to when we saw him in person too. The bell rang at 7:31.

Pres Bill let us know that the Zoom etiquette poses problems for communal communication, so although he knows our voices are just this side of angelic, he asked us to mute during these moments.

We had Wally Krutz lead us in a recital of the four-way test. A solid performance.

Mike Merrill gave us some inspiration from a rather old Chinese proverb. “As scary as the current situation, remember that this too shall pass. There are opportunities galore to work with other both in and out of Rotary to help us find solutions.”

Dave Ruprecht was at the ballgame, while John How became the song leader and reminded us to root root root for the giants at the old ballgame.

Pres Bolster shared that he will be at the ballgame tonight in his poster boy pose. Probably should have been a posey boy pose. 

Scribe for the day was Tom Boylan. Photos provided by the talented Sue Nelson.

Job Listings:

If you would like to have a say in how we write about our club meetings, become a scribe. The pay is negotiable and the perks are that no one gets to edit your words. Seriously looking for a volunteer or two, or three. Let Tom know if you have a want to become a columnist for Rotary. 

The Rotary Club of Windsor needs a Social Media manager. We are looking for someone that can post to a new platform and have our notes appear in several social media. The platform allows you to create posts once a month and set a schedule to appear in Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. This is a guaranteed fun job and the pay will none. Contact Chris Landwher if you are interested, or just post it online. 

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Announcements:

President Bill let us know that Bev Graham is recovering from COVID. She attended the meeting and looked to be on the road to recovery. How inspirational to know it can be beat and appropriately enough Bev is the one to do it.

Michael Juric gave us some pointers on our new Zoom use. We learned that he is going to automatically mute all participants at the onset of the meeting. He suggested we pay a little attention to the lighting we are using to keep us looking young and fresh. For those who use the virtual background, be cautious, not every computer is capable of a solid image.

We found out the Chat box gives much more control to the facilitator by signaling a raised hand. That would allow people to ask a question of a speaker. Remember that if you choose to chat with someone, or everyone, go through the list of participants under the chat and reach out.

Barbara McChesney let us know there is a light available for those who wish to do a little light shopping to improve their visibility online.

Visiting Rotarians included PDG Igor Peniche from Merida, Mexico.

Guests of Rotarian’s included three of our Rotary scholarship recipients, including Aubrey Duke, Julia Sawyer, and Antonio Vargas.

JB Leep continues to be the Rotarian of the month…

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Announcements:

Leslie Lewis was not present and she will no doubt be fined… recognized for her absence as the Fine Master next week.

Catherine Hanron threw a birthday recognition donation to the Windsor Rotary Community Foundation, which she is mailing to PO Box 819, Windsor, CA 95492. Her choices are many.

Carol Martin let us know our Windsor Food Security Drive was recognized by the Windsor Service Alliance, and the Windsor First Presbyterian Church for our donations of money and food. A reminder, send people to our website to make a monetary donation.

Heather Cullen was called out for organizing a mulch spreading program at the Windsor Middle School. Heather, John LeCave and Catherine Hanron were displayed as workers for the project.

There are a variety of events coming up including a special Windsor Rotary meeting next week. The SCARC meeting is all about fundraising and starts Thursday evening at 5:30 PM. Look at the District website, rotary5130.org, for the info on how to attend.

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Program:

Tom Hassur and Maureen Merrill were recognized for their efforts to find the candidates for our scholarships by overcoming obstacles. Maureen let us know this is an ongoing connection with the selected students. We want to be sure they know we are wanting to be a part of their future.

We heard from the individual students to discuss their challenges.

Aubrey Duke was the lead off speaker and shared her appreciation to Rotary for her being selected. Her creed in life is to work with people in programs where she can share her caring for others. She was a member of the Pre-Med core at the High School. Tragedy gave her direction after her mother committed suicide. She is looking at a future in psychology to be able to help others who need help in coping. She will be attending University of Idaho to get her undergraduate degree in psychology.

Julia Sawyer introduced herself and shared she is off to Loyola Marymount University. Although she has to do the first semester online, she will have an opportunity to live with an aunt in Los Angeles. Julia shared that she had an opportunity to intern with the Windsor Times, because of her love of writing. Her time with the paper gave her an introduction to journalism. She had an opportunity to write several articles and felt a real connection for her passion. She is planning to study business management to allow her a broad understanding of options for the future.

Antonio Vargas Let us know he is off to a degree in kinesiology from San Jose State University. Maureen let Antonio that his English teacher at Windsor High felt he was extremely qualified at expressing his personality through his writing skills. Antonio let us know he had to overcome depression in his early high school years and felt an introduction to kinesiology in his sophomore year gave him a way out of depression. Lamar Collins shared his appreciation of Antonio’s ability to overcome depression and challenged him to keep the dialogue open in the future, because his experience and ability to speak to it is an inspiration for others.

President Bill made everyone feel good about participating in our meeting by highlighting the inspiration of the young people and the things they had to overcome.

In This Bulletin:

Meeting notes with Activities and Events including Multi-Club ZOOM event 

Notes on Member Survey

Remaining July birthdays

Notes on the presentation by  Jon Stout, Manager of Sonoma County Airport

Meeting photos by Sue Nelson; Bulletin edited by Maureen Merrill and published by Tom Boylan

Events and Activity Opportunities

Thursday, July 30, 5:30 PM. Monthly SCARC (Sonoma County Association of Rotary Clubs) meeting with a ZOOM dinner, 5:30 PM. Topic: Fundraising Ideas. A nice chance to ‘meet’ Rotarians from around the County.  To join:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87399952323?pwd=WlBIakRYT1F5U3g1OCtPekxnYVBkdz09 Meeting ID: 873 9995 2323   Password: 887288  More info:  https://www.rotary5130.org/calendar/

Wednesday, August 27 on ZOOM: Town of Windsor Candidates Forum on ZOOM sponsored by Windsor Rotary.  Format to be announced. 

In September: Doug Johnson / Annual Visit of District Governor;  Tuesday, 9/15:  Tri-Tip Tuesday

Upcoming Speaker

Tuesday, July 21:  Mark Scott, Executive Director, North Bay Animal Services

July Birthdays:   

7/20 Alison Huber 7/23 Tom Hassur

July 14 Meeting

President Bill opened the meeting and Doug Williams led The Pledge of Allegiance.

Alison provided the inspiration:  “I don’t believe in taking foolish chances, but nothing can be accomplished without taking any chance at all” – Charles Lindbergh

Musical David Ruprecht lead the song: “Summertime”

Announcements include the continuation of the Food Security Drive through December. Please see www.windsorrotary.org for drop-off and volunteer information!  Coordinator: Heather Cullen

Club Survey results:

Maureen Merrill presented a summary of our June Member Survey with a big THANK YOU to the 67% of members who participated.  Most members are satisfied and happy with their Rotary membership, comfortable with ZOOM meetings, and have many creative ideas and suggestions for our activities, fundraising, and future success.  Important:  while some activities vary in the amount of interest for participation by individual members, yet in Rotary, a few passionate people can start, sustain, and succeed with a project . . . often by enrolling others in the vision. One of the beauties of Rotary is the opportunity to choose from a big ‘menu’ of ways to engage.  

Survey Results are available for your review in two documents, one with the rating results and the other with comments roughly grouped by subject matter. Please see the results here.  

Club Survey June 2020 Summary Ratings 

Windsor Rotary June 2020 Survey WRITTEN COMMENTS

SPEAKER:  Jon Stout, Sonoma County Airport Manager.

Jon discussed the many impacts of COVID-19 on local air travel as well as the many development plans and work underway to improve the STS terminal and service.  A few points:

Many COVID-related cancelations, by both fliers and airlines – brought flights down to 3 per day at the lowest. 

Travel is slowly coming back now and expected to steady climb (pun intended?) during this month.

More club news, notes & reminders

Sympathy:  President Bill noted last week that member David Culley’s sister has passed away. Dave and Kathy’s mailing address:  9501 Duvander Lane, Windsor, CA 95492; cell 707.292.5315 and his email is culley707@gmail.com.  We extend our sympathy to David, Kathy, and the family.

Racial Awareness Resources:. On our club website, following last month’s frank talk on racism, we’ve started an information resource.  A list of films and books is posted on our “Community Service” menu, select “Diversity” and click on Racial Awareness.  Thank you again to Lamar Collins and his daughter Aliyah for their June 30 program “Let’s Get Uncomfortable”, a Q&A about race, privilege, and equity.  

Club Manual – available windsorrotary.org/my-club/clubmanual/   and windsorrotary.org/calendar  

Congratulations to Past President Ed Turner, our Rotarian of the Year, 2019-20. Recognized for many years of solid, constant, cheerful service, not only as long-time Treasurer but as a fine Rotarian and friend who shows up, helps out, and leans in, year after year. A Charter Member since 1987.

Member Notes:  

To invite someone to our weekly Club ZOOM meeting, simply share the Zoom Meeting Number, 5130513051, Password:  a4wayTest

Need a number or email?  Roster: Every member can and should access DacDB (stands for District and Club Data Base).  You may obtain any members’ preferred contact information by going to dacdb.com.  If you are not familiar with it and have trouble signing, in please contact Steve Klick for help:  sklick2020@gmail.com  

Use of Club Roster: Your roster/contact information is available to members for personal and fellowship reasons, and for Rotary activities-related use, according to Rotary policy and practice. The roster is not used for advertising or solicitation for other organizations, causes, or requests.

Your 2020-21 Board of Directors: 

Bill Bolster –President

Maureen Merrill –Past President

Pam Moulton –President-Elect

Leah Hansen –Secretary

Ed Turner -Treasurer

Glenn Sugden –Community; President-elect designate

Carol Martin –Community

Sandie Krutz –Youth

Doug Williams –Vocational

Ken Moulton (John Hackenburg) –International

Renee Hyde –Membership

Alison Huber –Director at large

In This Bulletin:

Meeting notes with Activities and Events

Notes for Members

Birthdays, Anniversaries, Rotarian of the Month

President Bill’s Presentation

MEETING NOTES:

Opening

President Bill Rang the bell for the first time at 7:30 AM with 31 participants in attendance; grew to 41. 

Bill Arnone led us in the Pledge of Allegiance

David Ruprecht led us in the song, “Yankee Doodle Dandy” 

Alison Huber provided the inspiration:  

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other times.  We are the change we have been waiting for. We are the ones that we seek.”  Barack Obama

Leslie Lewis was introduced as Fine master for 2020-21 . . . with a heads up about upcoming anniversaries.  

Sympathy:  President Bill noted that member David Culley’s sister has passed away. Dave and Kathy’s mailing address:  9501 Duvander Lane, Windsor, CA 95492; cell 707.292.5315 and his email is culley707@gmail.com.  We extend our sympathy to David, Kathy, and the family.

Visiting Rotarians: None today

Guest of Rotarian:

Joining us today, fresh from her shower: Shirley Mae Rickets, a retired educator, mother of Karen Ricketts, from her home where Karen is visiting.  

Activities and Events:

Food Security Drive continues; Heather Cullen is the leader. Watch for developments. 

This Sunday, July 12 . . . “BEST NIGHT EVER, ONLINE”

Don’t Stop Believing – wonderful music and dancing by Transcendence Theater Benefit for Polio Program of The Rotary Foundation this Sunday at 2 PM.  Tickets are free but your tax-deductible donation goes toward a polio-free world! https://www.rotary5130.org/1789-2/

Thursday, Aug 27 – Windsor Candidates Forum – Town Council and Mayor

Tuesday, Sept. 15  District Gov. Doug Johnson Official Visit

Tuesday, Sept 22, Tri-Tip Tuesday, a mini-fundraiser with WHS Vineyard Academy

Club Business

Racial Awareness Resources . . . On our club website, following last month’s frank talk on racism, we’ve started an information resource.  A list of films and books is posted on our “Community Service” menu, select “Diversity” and click on Racial Awareness.

Club Manual – available windsorrotary.org/my-club/clubmanual/   and windsorrotary.org/calendar  

Bill presented his 2020-21 Board of Directors: 

Bill Bolster –President

Maureen Merrill –Past President

Pam Moulton –President-Elect

Leah Hansen –Secretary

Ed Turner -Treasurer

Glenn Sugden –Community

Carol Martin –Community

Sandie Krutz –Youth

Doug Williams –Vocational

Ken Moulton (John Hackenburg) –International

Renee Hyde –Membership

Alison Huber –At Large

Club Goals were presented:

Bill presented his Goals for the Year:

The theme for the year –“Doing More” with Less and “Having Fun”.  

• Keep ZOOMing and making that work as long as we have to and evolve back to regular meetings.
• Fundraisers
• Focus Community effort on projects that engage us with the Windsor community as we work through the pandemic.
• International has about $15,000 to spend.  Our efforts will be to find ways to help less fortunate places in the world get through the COVID-19 pandemic with this.
• Get Interact going at Windsor High School.
• Membership -Continue to find and add new, engaged membership.
• Documentation. –Get the Club Processes and Procedures on-line for access for all: “Who Does What” “How Things Get Done”

Fundraiser for 2020-21

Upcoming Program:  

July 14: Jon Stout, Mgr, Sonoma County Airport

Today’s Program:

President Bill’s Program in the form of a Craft Talk:

When approached and asked if he wanted to be president of The Rotary Club of Windsor, Bill’s first thought was “Are you kidding? Why me?”  

Background and Youth

Bill’s mother and father are the ones who helped him become who he is. “They were people of the Depression and WWII. They only bought what they could afford and could pay cash for.”  In addition, they stood for many of the qualities of character and values that Rotary stands for.  Bill’s father grew up in Washington and became an electrical engineer educated at U Wash. His mom, from upstate New York, earned her degree in mathematics and became a businesswoman with MetLife, taking “a man’s job” during the depression.  

Bill grew up boating and loving sports, claiming to be not very good at the latter.  He grew up on Long Island for part of his life, going to many Brooklyn Dodgers games, sitting behind posts, and watching his mom’s favorite player, Jackie Robinson. 

When Dad’s job took them to Bristol, a small town straddling Virginia and Tennessee, the Bolster family experienced culture shock. The town Welcome Sign had, Bill says, an unseen but effective addition of “if you’re white”.  They encountered two sets of public drinking fountains and restrooms, labeled “white” and “colored” and the requirement that Black people sit at the back of the public buses.  “People were very gracious, and you learned to always say “Yes, Sir and Yes, Ma’am,” but the warm southern welcome was because we were white.” It was strange to the family, which never adapted to the racism displayed in their new town.

Bill was a Boy Scout and has a photo of himself and his dad at the Boy Scout’s National Jamboree at Valley Forge, Penn.  Sadly, Bill’s father died when Bill was a teenager.  

In high school, “I was a nerd — actually a closet nerd, because back then it wasn’t cool to be a nerd.  I did stuff like build a boat, and I took stuff apart. I was a difficult kid in High School, and the teachers would ask me, “Why can’t you be more like your sister?”  But, he said, “My grades were OK.”

University and the U.S. Navy

Bill’s mom told him that since he would have to serve in the military, he might as well choose how he would serve. She also advised him to go to a non-engineering school, so that he could get a well-rounded liberal education. He went to Vanderbilt (Ed. note: with his “OK” grades) and joined the Navy ROTC in honor of his dad, and got an ROTC scholarship from Uncle Sam for tuition and books  

Nashville was racially segregated in those days. “Students at Vanderbilt were mostly privileged, like me, and many were used to the old southern ways.  There was no big movement for civil rights on my campus, though most of these do come from college campuses.”  There were Black students in town, though, and along with others they held sit-ins in local coffee shops. Bill observed that this did not work until the students organized an economic boycott of the downtown businesses, encouraging antiracists to refuse their shopping dollars to the discriminators.  

“Another unique aspect of white privilege was that in the fall, professional basketball teams would come to town to play, but they couldn’t go downtown to the main arena.  I went over there myself and saw some great basketball players. But you couldn’t do that downtown.”  

Bill claims an “undistinguished career at Vanderbilt”, saying he did OK in technology courses and OK in liberal arts. He remembers his required 8 AM -each-Saturday engineering classes all 4 years.  

After graduation in 1965, Bill’s debt to Uncle Sam landed him in the uniform of an officer in the Navy.  He was sent to various places, including Pearl Harbor, the South Pacific, New Zealand, San Diego, and San Francisco – when, in his words, “I was a bachelor in San Francisco in the 60’s – it was fantastic!”

Family, Career, Business Ownership, and Home

Two events that year, 1969, were big stepping stones. He met Joan in San Francisco, and “I was hooked. Once I met her my life changed completely.” In ten months, Bill and Joan were married. Bill, just out of the Navy, became a sales engineer for industrial adhesives, sealant insulation, and the like for Dexter Corporation’s Hysol division. 

Bill claims that though he “cannot read or write” he was good at sales and engineering.  After buying their first home in San Francisco for $12,000 (now available for $2M), the Bolsters lived in the Sierra Madre, for a time before relocating to 6500 Faught Road, just south of Windsor, 43 years ago.  The house needed a LOT of work!

Bill and Joan adopted their two children, Bill Jr., and Tiffany. Eventually, Bill went to work at Electro-Optical and his mentor there, co-founder Victor Yen, encouraged him to eventually buy the business. Bill did that in 2007, signing the deal “scared to death, with a shaking hand” but became debt-free after 3 years.  

The 2017 fires burned at Bill and Joan’s Faught Road acreage and the entire barn burned. They lost several classic cars and two-story barnful of antiques and keepsakes.  The amazing firefighters were able to save the 170-year-old house that the Bolsters had remodeled and fixed up over the years.  

To celebrate, Bill and Joan held “Billy’s Burned Barn Bash”, inviting Windsor Rotarians.  Tom Boylan brought a package of marshmallows, expecting smoldering ashes perhaps? 

Rotary giving

Member Laura Buhrer invited Bill to visit Rotary in 2014.  At the time, he’d been trying to “figure out how to channel time and money into good things.  With Rotary, doors opened up.” His first involvements included holiday Bell Ringing and Youth Exchange. He has taken many YE kids to baseball and basketball games, and become a counselor to outbounds as well. He joined in the Lake County tree-planting (Ed. Note:  . . . and began showing up and pretty much every single Windsor Rotary activity ever.) 

“Giving back is what Rotary is about, and I am ready to help us all do that,” Bill concluded.

Closing thought:

From Pres. Bill, a quote from Katherine Hepburn:  “If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun!”

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Member Notes:  

To invite someone to our club Zoom meeting, simply share the Zoom Meeting Number, 5130513051, PW a4wayTest

Need a number or email?  Roster:  Every member can and should access DacDB (stands for District and Club Data Base).  You may obtain any members’ preferred contact information by going to dacdb.com.  If you are not familiar with it and have trouble signing, in please contact Steve Klick for help:  sklick2020@gmail.com

Use of Club Roster:  Your roster/contact information is available to members for personal and fellowship reasons, and for Rotary activities-related use, according to Rotary policy and practice. The roster is not used for advertising or solicitation for other organizations, causes, or requests.

Respectfully submitted by today’s scribe, 

Maureen 

A nice group of 28 gathered to hear the ring of the bell at 7:30… President Bill Bolster gave us a chance to reminisce on the past meetings and the number of attendees gained to 38

A pledge of allegiance was offered by Catherine Hanron.

Alison Huber offered a quote from Anne Frank, How wonderful it is that no one needs to wait a single moment to change the world.”

JB Leep let us know that he studies Karaoke and it inspired him to rewrite the lyrics to Foggy Day… I believe more were muted than turned on by the performance. But what the heck… the sun was shining by the end.

Tom Boylan was back to offering words for the day.

Michael Juric has offered his services as Zoom master, which means we are moving our address from Glenn Sugden’s Zoom to a dedicated Rotary Zoom. Keep an eye out on your emails for the new address.

Visiting Rotarians:

None to be seen.

Guests of Rotarians:

Our featured speaker for the meeting Mark Scott, Exe. Dir. of North Bay Animal Services.

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Announcements:

Rotarian of the month is JB Leep.

Leslie Lewis took on the role of recognition master (finemaster), and immediately offered Michael Juric an opportunity to share a picture of Alison May, his newest granddaughter.

Leslie found a doubleheader with Alison Huber who is celebrating her birthday and her anniversary.

We are reminded that there is an $80 charge for our annual membership and if you didn’t pay it on the annual bill, you can make it happen during the year.

Tom Hassur is vacationing in Eagle Lake and will wait until next year to be recognized for his birthday.

Maureen and Mike Merrill took a trip down the Russian River and opted to pay $32 toward their fines, to match the number of years they have been in wedded bliss, but Maureen offered that she and Mike would increase the dollars.

Sandie and Wally Krutz took a drive out to the coast and celebrated their 51 years of marriage. We found out they spent more time necking in the front seat, possibly the back seat was a little uncomfortable. They kept the fine evenly split down the middle.

Steve Klick celebrated 20 years married to the best cake maker in the West, Mapi Klick, and went on an adventure to Charlie’s for a getaway. He offered that he will be depositing dollars monthly into the John Lewis Fund.

Carol Martin offered a donation to the Windsor Rotary Community Project Fund, because she is celebrating a second retirement!

We heard there is a continuing effort to promote the food security drive. Pres. Bill let us know we have some exciting meetings coming up, including a candidates forum, a visit from James Gore, and District Governor Doug Johnson.

Alison Huber put out a call for volunteers for 2021. She would like us to keep the ball rolling as the committee prepares for another special night for 2021 graduates. The committee meets every third Thursday of the month and you can contact Alison to learn more of the contact.

Diane Brabetz brought us to Mexico and Playa del Carmen where the need for assistance with medical clinics is great.

Community Projects are underway and Heather Cullen had a chance to send money to the Food Pantry, along with food. Glenn Sugden filled us in on the Cali cal meca robotics team, by purchasing robotic kits, but he really wants to find volunteers ready to learn robotics. There is a need for up to 10 Rotarian volunteers. In addition there is a District Grant application in the works to work with our parks. Redwood Food Bank is looking for volunteers from Rotary as well.

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Participation Opportunities:

Robotics Mentoring

1. We plan to support the Robotics Club at Cali Calmecac again this year with our District Matching Grant.  We were so impressed with Mark Galli’s presentation about what the club accomplished this last year using virtual robots.  We’d like to help him expand the club to bring in more kids, but to do that he needs more adult mentors!
2. Our solution:
   1. We offer Rotarians the opportunity to learn about robotics and coding with Virtual Robotics Toolkit so they can be mentors.  Learn more here:  https://www.virtualroboticstoolkit.com/
   2. We offer any left-over licenses to Mark Galli for interested parents or to teachers at WHS/WMS for either parents or students – for the same purpose.
   3. Through their teachers, we encourage some WHS STEM students to do their senior projects utilizing some phase of helping younger kids in the Robotics Club.
   4. We turn our Rotarian mentors into an awesome, extremely talented coding cadre – and we help Mark however we can.
   5. Glenn provides technical support and encouragement to the group and all!
3. Here’s the plan:
   1. WRCF will purchase 10 Perpetual licenses for the Virtual Robotics Toolkit at a discounted group price of $40.00 each.
   2. Each person will need a computer to participate.
   3. We are asking members to pay $40 for their individual license so they will have skin in the game and be motivated to keep going.  District matching grants do NOT allow for ‘train the trainer’ funds, so we need to cover these costs separately from the grant.
   4. This will be a self-directed effort, meaning you will be learning on your own – in your own home, on your own computer.  Glenn will do a kickoff session to get us going, but he will NOT be doing classes.
   5. Given the COVID situation, we are not sure what the eventual mentoring will look like, but we are going to learn these new skills so we can be ready when the opportunity pops up.
4. How to get started:
   1. Send an email to Carol at cm@marleep.com – and say “Count me in for the Robotics Mentor Team”.  We will eventually come up with an appropriate name, but we can do that as a group.
   2. Write a check payable to “WRCF” for $40 and write “Robotics Mentor” in the memo section.  Send the check to Ed Turner at Airport Business Center, 414 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
   3. We are ordering the licenses and will send you a link and all the information you need to get started.
   4. We will plan to have a kickoff ZOOM meeting in the next few weeks.  Stay tuned for details.  We will arrange this for a time when everyone is available.

Volunteer with Redwood Empire Food Bank

REFB is in URGENT NEED of volunteers to help at their main location and also at distribution sites throughout the area.  To find out more, go to this link https://refb.org/ and click the “Volunteer” button at the top to see the opportunities available.

Windsor Middle School – Landscaping Support

Heather Cullen is organizing a group to help out at Windsor Middle School.  She says…

I need 8 people to help me with a service project at Windsor Middle School THIS SATURDAY (7/25/20) from 8am to 12pm.  We need a couple people to lay ground cloth on the dirt in the island on the parking lot under the solar panels, 2 people to shovel mulch into the wheelbarrows, 2 people to wheel the mulch to the island and dump onto the ground cloth and 2 people to rake it flat.

Please bring wheel barrows, rakes and shovels with you.  We’ll take more helpers if we can..but I think this will work too.

Project Grad – Seeking volunteers for committees & the Board

Alison Huber told us this morning that Project Grad was definitely cancelled for the 2020 grads.  But they are already planning for next year – and they are looking for volunteers.  Find out more information here https://www.windsorhighprojectgrad.org/ about how you could get involved.

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Program:

JB Leep introduced our speaker for the day, Mark Scott, Exe. Dir. of North Bay Animal Services. He is a senior animal control officer with experience around the county. He has been instrumental in the Tubbs fire animal rescue efforts.

Mark let us know that the facility is located in Petaluma 7622267. Their mission is to help people keep their animals in their homes versus surrendering the animals to the shelter. The goal is to help families understand the importance of keeping their pets, and keeping them healthy. The goal is compassion, community  and connection. North Bay animal; services works with a wide variety of cities, including Windsor, Calistoga, Petaluma, Cloverdale, and Healdsburg, where they provide animal control services, but no sheltering.

Paid staff is eleven people, but they rely heavily on the volunteers that become dedicated, especially during disasters. They also provide the “Cuddle Shuttle,” which is an adoption van that shows up around the county offering pets and if you are interested, you might be able to make arrangements to have it appear at your business.

The innovation of the program has helped them to continue their outreach to children through an online introduction via ZOOM. We were told that any teacher can ask to have the program introduced to their students. We got an opportunity to see firsthand Safe to Pet, or not Safe to Pet.

Safe to Pet, or not Safe to Pet takes the children on a visual tour that includes a variety of pets in daily activities and asks them the question about making contact. Understanding the various times when not to pet will minimize a traumatic event. The program looks to be a success with children and families.

For anyone interested in being spayed or neutered, the service is available through North Bay Animal Services. The cost is pretty affordable too. They stay pretty busy, so be sure to call ahead.

In addition to their animal control and services they also have been busy donating food to families in need. Mark shared that his team is sometimes affectionately referred to as the Door Dash team, especially during the COVID times.

We found out that the Town of Windsor has a dedicated animal control officer who is on hand to administer to the various problems that might occur, including bite reports and safety calls for both the animal and the community members.

President Bill says “Excellence is a habit,” according to an old friend named Aristotle. Then we heard the bell ring