March 30, 2021 Meeting Notes

President-Elect Kathleen McNalty opened the meeting at 7 am. (President Earl had a work conflict.) The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and Invocation followed. Nine members were at Pybus and 7 members attended on the Zoom call.

Rotary Moment

Wayne gave a brief history of Marv Salisbury, former club president. While he was a Wenatchee Sunrise Rotarian, Marv was responsible for instituting the payment of $50 toward each member's $100 contribution to the Paul Harris Fellowship (The Rotary Foundation). He and his wife Fran were so committed to supporting the Challenge Scholarship fund, that they donated $50,000 to that fund to be matched by Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary. That fund is still managed today by the North Central Washington Community Foundation.

Announcements

Kathleen started the announcements with a joke about a book-reading, fisherwoman and a game warden. Ask her to re-tell it for you!

Breakfast is starting again on Tuesday, April 6th meeting. Pre-wrapped breakfast sandwiches will be available for sale. Those buying a sandwich can sign the Breakfast List and be billed for it. Coffee will be available at the meeting.

Carol Adamson announced a Women in Rotary get-together at 5 pm on Tuesday, April 20th at the Hilton Hotel.

Our first Tailgate Spring Fling Social is on Saturday, April 10th at 5 pm at Martin-Scott Winery. Bring your own food and chairs. Dress warm as we will be outside by the firepit. Wine will be available for purchase. Children are welcome.

The Rotary Foundation will have an on-line fundraiser on May 12th. Cost is $100 to join. Immediately after are Rotary District 5060 awards. More information to follow.

Brags and Confessions

Chris bragged and lamented about his son Brian turning 21 last month! You're both getting older!

PJ told about a woman in a doctor's office who was pointing to different parts of her body and saying "It hurts when I push here, and here, and here..." The doctor diagnosed she had a broken finger.

Craig bragged that his son Ryan and wife Emily had a new son, Thomas Alan Reese.

Kevin confessed that he might not make it next week because he has a grandchild due 4/6.

Alan's son who had been unemployed since CoVid began has been working 3 part time jobs! Alan's daughter was headed to surgery for stress fractures. Kelly's son is in Kennewick now!

Milt retold a joke that was told to him by his Rotary Uncle. It was about the veterinarian/taxidermist whose motto was "You get your dog back one way or another!".

Kathleen said her 21 year old son, who just had knee surgery, is now living back at home!

Wayne bragged that his mother-in-law was turning 92 tomorrow, and that his wife had invited 2 sisters to stay for a couple day in their home to help celebrate their mother's birthday! CoVid restrictions have lifted slightly at the Massing home!

Program

Kathleen introduced our speaker, Tom Tochterman PhD, President of Rotary Club of Chelan and Chair of the Rotary Action Group for Endangered Species (RAGES).

Tom defined Rotary Action Groups (RAGs, but Rotary International would rather call them Rotary Action Groups). They have been around for many years. There are dozens of them covering the 7 Rotary Areas of Focus (1-Basic Education and Literacy, 2-Maternal and Child Health, 3-Peace and Confliction Prevention/Resolution, 4-Diease Prevention and Treatment, 5-Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, 6-Community and Economic Development, and 7-Supporting the Environment). Rotarians can help by becoming "volunteer consultants".

One example of a Rotary Action Group is the RAG for Micro-Financing and Community Development. It allows small businesses to apply for and receive small loans to start a business. Another example is the HANWASH, Haiti National Clean Water, Sanitation and Health Strategy, committed to providing thoughtfully managed and sustainable clean water and sanitation to all the citizens of Haiti.

Tom is also the founder of Rhino Mercy, a multi-faceted approach to combat the Rhino poaching crisis of the Kruger Park, South Africa. The project was named the Balule Rhino Conservation Plan and currently involves physical security (boots on the ground), adaptation of technology, and human/wildlife research and initiatives. This social strategy of conservation has resulted in an 86% reduction in poaching.

The all-female Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit (Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit) was formed and provides jobs (community and economic development) as wildlife rangers conducting foot-patrols, observations, vehicle checks and roadblocks  The Black Mamba teams are comprised of well- trained local indigenous women with excellent communication skills and a genuine passion for wildlife. The United Nations recently bestowed the award "Champions of the Earth" upon the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit!

The poaching problem leads to other crimes against humans and animals. Environmental crimes are third in the world after drugs and counterfeiting, and are a $23 Billion industry.

Kathleen thanked Tom for his presentation and said that Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary Club would donate a children's book in his name to the North Central Regional Libraries.

Progressive Marble Draw Raffle

Kevin Love was the lucky person to have his ticket drawn, but failed to find the "special" marble in the bag. Next week's raffle/marble bag draw could net more than $20!

Meeting adjourned at 8 am.