JULY 12, 2016

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, July 19

Noon at Soda Center, SMC
Program: Dane Wostenberg, A Peace
Corp Water Project in Ghana
Greeter and Invocator Evie Michon
~~FUTURE CLUB MEETINGS~
* July 26th Bob Priebe, Town Manager The State of
Moraga Today.
*Aug. 2 -- To Be Announced
** Aug. 9 -- Gary Wegener Motorcycling Across
Russia. August evening meeting at 6:00 pm
*Aug.16 Ron Coccimiglio Cal Football Prospects
*Aug. 23 Jack Citrin Four Ps of the Presidential
Election In Wild 2016.
*Aug. 30 Joe Hester U.S. Coast Guard Narcotics
Enforcement.
*Sept 6 Chris Lardge Enigma Codebreaking Part 2
*Regular Noon Meeting

~~BUSINESS MEETING~~
President Kevin reported that, at a FAB 5
presidents meeting recently, the annual dues of
our five local clubs were discussed. Our dues of
$150 (with a suggested $100 donation to the
Rotary Foundation) are the lowest of the five
clubs. Kevin also said that with 29 members we
are the smallest of the clubs.
Kevin also reviewed the status of our all-access
playground project. We have general support of
the Parks and Recreation Department. The
project was discussed at Wednesdays Town
council meeting. There are some issues around
the location of the playground but the council is
also in support of the project.
The club has been contributing to the St. Marys
Scholarship fund for around thirty years. The
value of our donations over that time are more
than $87 thousand.

** Second Tuesday Evening

Herb Wehmeyer offered the invocation and led

the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Guests at our meeting this evening included

California Assembly Member, Catharine

Baker
Samantha Reneau, daughter of president
Kevin, and also an assistant to Catharine
Baker
Honorary Members Jodie Parker, Ann
Damaschino, Linda Campbell and Lou
Roessler
Debbie Koo a guest of Debbie Roessler
John Tomei, the newest member of
Moraga Rotary
Mary Caburi, friend of Herb Wehmeyer
Leslie Lynch, wife of Lad
Mary Volmer. Professor at St. Marys and
our speaker this evening

Catharine Baker Talking About the Sinkhole

Catharine Baker, our local California State

Assembly Representative, updated the club on
the state support of fixing the sinkhole. She
worked across the aisle with Representative
Glaser and Cal Trans to fund the effort. She will
also be monitoring the project it progresses.
Catharine also thanked the club for our
participation in the recent Heroes Care Package
Drive.

Sam Reneau Covering the Event for Catharine Baker

Brian South Describing the Arrest

Our Newest Member

OMPA Swim Meet
Cliff Dochterman, Frank May and Kevin
Reneau joined to welcome our newest
member.to Moraga Rotary, John Tomei. John
was born in San Francisco and graduated from
Stanford. He has been married to his wife, Carol,
for 44 years, His career revolved around banking
and retail technology. He is retiring on 12/31.
John was a soccer coach for both boys and girls
for 27 years. He currently volunteers on the Park
and Recreation Commission and the Moraga
Community Faire. Welcome to our Moraga
Rotary, John!!

Event chair, Roger Gregory, reminded us about

the OMPA Swim Meet that occurs on August the
5th through the 7th. He passed around a signup
sheet for the various shifts that need to be staffed.
Please sign up for one, two or three shifts! We
need all of the help we can get.
There will be a final organizational meeting next
Monday evening, July 18th at Moraga Royale
beginning at 5:30 PM. Come and join us in
planning this event.
Gary Irwin is collecting coolers to be used at the
meet. Bring them to our next meeting. They are
used to store various items during the event.
Happy Bucks and Other Club Happenings

Debbie Roessler offered a buck for her aunt

turning eighty years old.
John Tomei With Membership Chair, Frank May

Home Burglar Caught in Moraga

Brian South described his involvement in a
successful recent home burglary arrest in Moraga.
He also mentioned that the order for Moraga
Rotary polo shirts will be submitted soon. Get
hold of Brian if you would like to add your name to
the order.

Catharine Baker was happy about the recent

birthday of her twins.
Jim Campbell remembers Sam Haggerty, a San
Jose Rotarian and a friend of Moraga Rotary.
Linda May thanked her friends at Rotary for
messages, cards and flowers remembering her
mother Lena Sword who passed away two weeks
ago at the age of 96.

passages from Chapter 1 to describe two of the

main characters in the novel and give the
audience a feel for the book.

Dues are due: $150 for 1617

Paul Harris sustaining: $100,
which may be paid $50 now, &
$50 in January 2017.

The lucky raffle ticket was held by Tony

Schoemehl. His winnings were limited to $10,
however!!

Mary described how the themes of the story are

relevant in the America of today. She identified
two strong women, Gloria Steinem and Marjorie
Kemp who contributed to the characters and ideas
conveyed in the novel.
Many of those attending purchased a copy of
Reliance. Illinois.
The book is available on
Amazon and also locally at Orinda Books.

~~PROGRAM~~
Our speaker today, Mary Volmer, was introduced
by Debbie Roessler. Mary is on the faculty at St.
Marys College where she earned a MFA in
Creative Writing. She was an Ambassadorial
Scholar at the University of Wales where she
earned a Masters Degree. Mary has authored two
novels, Crown of Dust, and her latest work which
she discussed today, Reliance, Illinois.
Mary was the Faculty Advisor for our local Interact
Club on campus. She delivered a thank you note
from recent graduate and former Rotaract
President, Valerie Ettenhofer.

Mary Volmer Discussing Reliance, Illinois

Weekly Reminder

One of the finest gifts I can give a

friend is to invite them to become a
Rotarian!

CALENDAR OF FUTURE EVENTS

Thank You Note From Valerie Ettenhofer

Reliance, Illinois is a story, set on the banks of the

Mississippi in 1874. It is a story of womens rights
and the suffragette movement in the 19th century
in America. She spent a few minutes reading

Aug 5-7 OMPA swim meet food booth

Aug 27 -- District Installation at 6-Flags, Vallejo
Sep 21 Chamber of Commerce mixer (sponsor)
Mar 24-26, 2017 District Conference in Berkeley
June 10 -14, 2017 Rotary International Convention,
Atlanta, GA

Last Thoughts from The Guest Editor

There is no question that Moraga Rotary does a
lot of good supporting both local and worldwide
projects. We really accomplish quite a lot for a
smaller Rotary Club.
I also was thinking this week, after the passing of
Lindas mom, just how important Rotary friends
are to me. How many wonderful hours I have
spent just talking and socializing with my Rotary
friends. So the question is not only what can I do
for Rotary but also, what does Rotary do for me?

Greeter Schedule
7/19= Evie Michon
7/26= Frank May
8/02= Angelo Costanza
8/09= Dave Kruegel
8/16= Roger Gregory
8/23= John Erickson
8/30=Gary Irwin
9/06= Doug Damaschino

MORAGA ROTARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016-17

President... Kevin Reneau
President-elect ............Dianne Wilson
Past President..Roger Gregory
Secretary...........Roger Gregory
Treasurer.......... Lad Lynch
Community Service Chair......Barbara Bruner
Youth Service...........................................Rich Render
International Service Chair..Tony Schoemehl
Public Relations ...Gary Irwin
Membership...........Frank May
Director at Large...John Erickson
Director at Large...Marv Ellenberg
Director at Large.. Cliff Dochterman
Director at Large ..Linda May
Director at Large.Mike McCluer
Director at LargeDebbie Roessler
~~~
President, Rotary International John Germ
District Governor.Fred Collignon
Guest newsletter editorFrank May
July Newsletter Editor - Gary Irwin