The meeting was opened by President Justin Raithel who led the Pledge of Allegiance. Bob Mange gave the Invocation.

 

Secretary Jim Padgett introduced a visiting Rotarian.

 

President Justin talked about the Dragon Boat races and congratulated the rowers for placing third. He also congratulated drummer Monika Reyes for being the top drummer.

 

Frank Ali talked about Oktoberfest which will be on October 27 this year. This year we are partnering with The Rotary Club of Fair Oaks and will have the locally famous Gruber Family Band playing. Frank asked for volunteers and nobody responded. Fair Oaks Rotary has volunteers for all the committees. We need to get behind him and Scott Bailey and volunteer for this fund-raiser which has the potential to generate a very good profit.

 

President Justin announced that there will be an election in May for 3 Folsom Rotary Foundation Board members. Let Paul Bonaventure know if you are interested in serving on the Board.

 

Jim Ortega asked for volunteers to help Folsom High School with Sober Grad night on May 23. He put flyers on the tables with the information on how to volunteer. If you were not at the meeting and want to help, you can go to their website Folsom High Sober Grad Night. 

 

President Justin announced that the fifth Thursday in May, the 30th, the special event will be a pub roll. He also reminded members to sign up for the campout which will be June 7 to 9.

 

Ramesh Dontha presented a Paul Harris Fellow to Olga Garton.

 

 

Fines were levied by Joe and Bob Hoffman.

 

The presentation for the evening was a club assembly. President Justin gave presentations for  members who were not at the meeting and those who were at the meeting gave a presentation on their accomplishments. 

 

 

 

When Frank Woods was at the Leadership Conference, he learned from Ncicole Estrada, Folsom High Vice Principal, that Folsom High and Vista Del Lago have students that start school during the school year and do not have the means to purchase a backpack and schools supplies. These are students who are homeless or families who cannot afford to purchase them. Frank presented the problem to the club board and suggested that we could help. The board authorized $1,000 for the purchase of backpacks and supplies for the remainder of this school year. Carolyn and Frank purchased 10 backpacks and the supplies for $550 and delivered 7 to Folsom High and 3 to Vista Del Lago. They plan to purchase more in August for the beginning of the 24/25 school year. Both schools were elated to receive them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monika Reyes posted the following on FaceBook about a week ago and I asked her if I could share it with the club. I'm sure that many of us have similar reasons as to why we joined the club.

 

I joined the Rotary Club of Folsom years ago because I wanted to give back to my community and I've enjoyed tons of opportunities to do just that; but I have also gotten so much more. I made new friends that I absolutely treasure. I found a tribe of folks who are there for each other in a heartbeat.

 

We have done many projects for Powerhouse Ministries over the years. This past weekend, I feel like they gave back to us. 💖 Raising funds and paddling together gave us a wonderful chance to build even stronger teamwork, friendships and connection with our community. Dragon boat racing - now THAT was something!! 🤩

 

As the drummer, I could see how hard each person was pushing themselves during every race, no one wanted to let the team down. Celebrating together, no matter the outcome, showed how strong our fellowship really is.

 

Of course I wish we would've placed 1st in the final race but watching this great group of Rotarians come off the water smiling, laughing and cheering for the other teams, I was incredibly proud. 

 

A huge thank you also goes out to the 22Dragons USA crew and coaches. They emphasized over and over again, that teamwork was the most important thing and we did take that to heart. It got us to the finals and we had a blast. 👍🏽

 

I'm grateful to my Rotarian Gnomies in the boat, those who volunteered on land and those who came to cheer us on. Friends and family helped my fundraising efforts for a great cause and also came out to show support. This little gnome is feeling all the love 💖 and those who know me well, know they'll continue seeing me on the water.