
We rang the bell for the New Year at our Seascape Lunch.
2025 Rotarians:
We had 20 members in person, 2 zoomers and 5 guests including our speakers,
Sandy’s guest opted to sit at a different table which raises some questions?
Konstantin’s friend was burned out by the LA fires and is staying with Konstantin while looking for another place
We deferred the opening songs because of tech glitches
We need someone to bring the screen over from Kate’s house- she lives a very short walk from Seascape. It take about 15 minutes tops to walk and each way. volunteers please
Dr. Art was not present so we were thoughtless
Ken told a Sesame Street crowd joke about the color blue
Nelson said we need ideas for service projects, perhaps folks could present them at next Thursday’s board meeting.
Doug announced that the CASA fundraiser will be at Seascape Feb. 12 starting 1130 am- tickets are $90. See or email him for details. He has been emailing the folks who raised their hands at the lunch meeting. And maybe some he is voluntolding….
Lowry said we need volunteers for the speech contest- so, speak up….
Our club’s 60th anniversary is 4/28/25. Ideas for celebration?
The Santa Cruz Warriors are hosting Rotary night March 7 Friday. It’s a nice venue and very reasonably priced. Ken’s office is about ½ mile from the arena and if folks want to go we can meet at his office early, maybe bring in pizza and adult beverages for pre-game festivities. Let Ken know if you are interested. Added bonus- available parking in the lot adjacent to his building (not free though).
Our guest speaker was Laura Caldwell, who is a founding member of the Smith Society, a volunteer organization founded at and based at UCSC which helps homeless and foster kids. Laura is also a member of the first graduating class from UCSC.
Two Smith Society alum spoke movingly about how the financial, moral and emotional support were crucial to their ability to get through school despite the obstacles in their personal lives.
Lisa graduated college in 2018 and spoke of continuing with the giving-spirit of Smith by her own volunteer work including with CASA.
Sonya gave a bit more of her personal history- she left home at 15, paid for college on her own, worked 3 jobs and sometimes slept on the beach. The Smith opened their home to her and enabled her to complete school, in addition to showing kindness and caring that she had never had.
She followed a boyfriend to Boston, “the best and worst decision ever made” and completed school at MIT and Harvard before returning here.
Sonya said grads of the Smith Society are “gritty, determined and forces to be reckoned with.” Clearly…
Laura, Lisa and Sony invited us to their on-campus meetings Wednesdays and Thursdays and as an extra incentive- guaranteed parking!
They also encouraged us Rotarians to consider being mentors for the youth in their program. Certainly seems like a great idea.
