Call to Order: President Kristine Mollenkopf
*Flag Salute: Dan Blough
Invocation: Jim Bray
VISITING ROTARIANS: From the Noontime Club - Paul Martinez, and from the Nipomo Club Jim Harris and Mario.GUESTS OF ROTARIANS: Charlie McNeal, Brian McNeal, Jean Mollenkopf, Jennisa Henderson, and Ramon and Rachael Alvarez.
We started the morning with entertainment from Charlie McNeal who sang "American Solider".
ANNOUNCEMENTS
July 22, 2017: Rotaract Chartering party, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Trattoria Ulivetto (Tickets at Eventbrite.com)
August 1, 2017: District Governor’s Reception, 5:30 p.m. at the Santa Maria Country Club (Frank Ortiz is the organizer)
August 3, 2017: District Governor’s Club Visit (regular meeting time) and Board meeting to follow
Learn conversational Spanish every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. the Santa Maria Public Library through October! (July 13 and 27)
Sunday, August 20, 2017: Family Day in the Park
PRESENTATIONS
Frank Ortiz presented Andy Caldwell with his 7th Paul Harris Fellow.
A check for $500 was presented to the Antlers Lodge - Membership in the Antlers is open to any individual between the ages of 12 and 20, who resides within the jurisdiction of Lodge.
Blue Badge : Leonard Champion was presented his Blue Badge by sponsor, Kristine Mollenkopf.
BRAGS
Rotarian of the Month - Leonard Champion
Leonard bragged on having no fines during his first year.... might want to check on that??
Jim Bray bragged on his son's wedding and that Denise danced at the wedding - $25.00
Jerry Walsh bragged $50 on his celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife.
James Thomas bragged $41 on celebrating his birthday
Kathy Simas bragged $100 on celebrating the birthdays of her husband and son's girl friend.
FINES
Pat McDermott was fined because his grandson is too cute!
Martin Testa was also fined for cute Grandkids
Rob Buchanan was fined in abstention, for a recent birthday
Carol Bradfield was fined for her fur child, Bernadette's 5th Birthday
Jack Gresser was fined for being late
A very special thank you to Back Porch Flowers for all of the support to our club!
PROGRAM
Ramon Alvarez
Positive Life Lessons through Horsemanship
Ramon and Rachel Alvarez are a husband and wife team who work with at risk youth teaching positive life lessons through horsemanship. Ramon did not grow up as a cowboy, but admired that lifestyle as a kid. Horses taught him that you don’t find yourself, you create yourself. Horses also helped him become a better father, husband, and person. He feels his work has also helped his kids.
Ramon was troubled by what was going on with the youth in SM. Turned what was a hobby into a program. It is not too serious, and a lot of fun. The horses all have a story – people get attracted to a horse for a reason. This is his hobby, he does not charge kids, seeing that they learn and want to give back is payment enough. Participants in his program learn about self, and about leadership, they just use horses to do it.