President Tiffany welcomed us to the new 2018-2019 Rotary year. In an effort to reach out to some prospective members who cannot make lunch meetings, for a 3-month trial, we will have a breakfast meeting (7:30-9:00 am, also at the Country Club) on the 3rd Thursday of the month, and three lunch meetings per month at the usual time. On months that have 5 Thursdays, the fifth Thursday meeting will be held at a member's home or out in the community. This will be done for a three-month trial, starting in September. At that point, we will evaluate if the change has been a success or disappointment, and adjust accordingly. At this point, President Tiffany introduced the new Board of Directors and asked them to present some of their goals for the new year. Anne Eckert is the new Membership Chair and thanked Mike Dugan for his excellent work in the previous year. Anne mentioned that precise goals are still being formulated, but that a goal of approximately 50 total members seemed realistic. Also, Anne was interested in scheduling more fireside chats with new members than we have been doing. Dave Crofut is President-Elect, and will primarily serve in a back-up role to the President. Dick Franks is the new Treasurer and is primarily interested in keeping us financially sound.
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Joe Ryan is the Community Services chair and reported on a number of current programs that he proposes we continue in the new year. The Bicycle Program starts with unclaimed bicycles in Placerville, transports them to Folsom Prison, where a skilled inmate refurbishes the bicycles, and then they are transported to under-privileged kids in various places. A bicycle helmet is also distributed with each bicycle. Joe would love it if a coordinator would step forward to schedule the other participants who have trucks to give them point A to point B bike transport assignments.On the Observatory project, Art Cort presented some history and described likely future work to do. He also urged those members who have not visited the Observatory to do so.
Steve Long described the dictionary project which will continue in August 2018.
Ben Young described various Youth Services projects such as Interact and RYLA including plans to revive Interact this year.
Don Fuller is Foundation Chair again, and President Tiffany described the Foundation and Polio Plus fund-raising and the goal to have 100% of members be sustaining members this year.
Tom Elken, Vocational Services chair, described goals to have some programs to support Rotary's designation of October as Vocational Services Month, and the potential recognition of a local first responder or teacher for excellence.