THE FUTURE OF ROTARY IS IN YOUR HANDS

Petaluma Valley Rotary is one of the most dynamic clubs in District 5130. It is clear to this officer that we will measure up to the task at hand. I believe this is because passionate members on an ongoing basis as our core group guiding the entire membership to do greater things each year. 

Our Uganda Adopt a Village is a new multidimensional project now spanning two years and addressing village challenges in health, education, and economics of survival. This has been a huge investment to boost a village out of a trend spiraling to extinction. Our vote of confidence has inspired broad community participation here and has been responded to by the village people with self-help action on their part which continues to inspire us.

For our community project “Rotary Quad” we refurbished the quad structures and built an outside teaching area/deck at Bernard Eldridge School. The labor and funding from Petaluma Valley Rotary will provide educational, social, and esthetic value to the children, faculty and families for years to come.

The work of club members “Make Dreams Real” addressing school clothing, closet supplies, and recognizing inspiring work by clients for themselves while in COTS (Committee On Shelterless) housing programs were well received. This has been continued this year because as we all know the social and economic challenges of society on people of all ages is more extremely demanding now with the current economic climate then ever before in our lifetime. 

Recently two new Rotaract clubs were formed cosponsored by Petaluma Valley Rotary. These clubs encourage early understanding of pleasure of giving of service, fellowship and the philosophy of Rotary for young people ages 18 to 30. One of the clubs is the Southern Sonoma County Rotaract and the other is the Sonoma State University Rotaract Club.

Our family oriented - social events known as 1st Friday that can be any Friday or any day for that matter. Our music fun and frolicking at club meetings and the dancing with seniors at parties, the polka at the Octoberfest and the young Irish dancers at our family holiday party are all a part of the mix. We believe those who work hard should have lots of fun and we do.

Children and adults alike will look back and remember the kindness and hard work of Rotarians in Petaluma Valley Rotary and around the world. As we continue these projects, embark on some new and have fun, I am sure that it will be evident that we as Petaluma Valley Rotarians will measure up to the challenge.

JoAnn Ritko Pozzi
President 2009-2010