We were able to continue many of our education and other programs.  Via Zoom, we interviewed students for our Overcoming Obstacles and the Santa Rosa Junior College scholarship programs then featured these programs as part of our weekly meetings.  We managed to award both Community Grants and Mark Sell Teacher Grants to many very important organizations and schools throughout West County.  Our Teachers of the Year program was another very successful set of awards we fit into this year’s programs.  Zoom and our technical team made viewing of these possible.

 

Some programs and social activities had to be put on hold in consideration of meeting in person safety.  We are planning the coming year to include as many programs as safety allows and with more energy, creativity, and accelerated commitment than ever.  This is what Rotary is about.

 

This coming year offers great opportunity for making a difference in the community.  We spearheaded a coalition with the community with assistance from the City of Sebastopol.  This coalition consists of eight service-type organizations that are collaborating as one team to find where the needs are in our community.  A questionnaire was generated, and service clubs throughout the community submitted their potential projects or needs for consideration.  A live summit took place to address these focus areas and expand visibility.  We see needs in various categories, and the restructuring of the high schools is certainly among those challenges.  This new community team has diversified talents and energy with a breadth of knowledge, outreach, and age groups.  We are looking at projects we can all do together and projects that separate organizations can do individually.  This is a terrific move to encourage all service-type organizations to collaborate as one to make a difference in the community and assist residents with their volunteer efforts.
 

We had a successful fundraiser this past fiscal year to support this year’s programs, and we have plans for an annual fundraiser in May 2022 to support our following Rotary year’s programs.  Because of the conscientiousness of our club members to all get vaccinated, we are able to return to meeting in person at the Memorial Hall building in the Sebastopol Community Church complex.  Our lunch caterer, Trends, who has been with us for over 3o years will be joining us while following safety practices.

I am so grateful for the resources our club members bring to the table to always make a difference in our community and globally.  This is what being a Rotarian and a community volunteer is all about.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Ellen Harrington, President 2021 - 2022