Joe is currently serving as the Interim Director for the Butte County rebuild effort, leading a cross-functional team focused on rebuilding electric and gas infrastructure damaged by the devastating fires.

Joe has 11 years experience in public administration, having served as the General Manager of the Indian Valley Community Services District and as Plumas County's Director of Airports and Facilities. As such, Joe was responsible for the operations of three General Aviation Airports, the Plumas County Park System, as well as managing the County's real estate portfolio of 39 properties in five communities.

Joe serves as a Director on several nonprofit boards including the Workforce Investment Board of the Northern Rural Training and Employment Consortium.

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Guests

Robb Lightfoot's wife, Karin

Announcements and Upcoming Events

• Tickets will go on sale starting next week for the Club Picnic on September 24.

• District 5160 Fall Seminar will be October 19 in Redding.

• Club Workday is scheduled for October 26. Be there or be square.

• Mark Francis is counting down the days until the Centennial year celebrations begin. Literally. The Centennial kick-off dinner is in 232 days. Meetings are starting about the Ceres Park project, with the first one on October 1 at 6 p.m. at the CARD office. Mark shared some fun[gus] facts about Edwin Copeland, Chico Noon Rotary’s second president and father of the beloved John Copeland. Edwin was an American botanist, specifically a pteridologist, who had a knack for ferns and climbing [on them], as he was the first person to reach the summit of Junction Peak.

• Les Heringer and Tod Kimmelshue encouraged 100% Paul Harris Fund contributions again this year. Their presentation explained the history, phases, and benefits of the Paul Harris Fund, and really put into perspective the success of our Club—we truly are just that good. Keep it up! Tod reminded everyone he will not stop hounding for money and reiterated the E.R.E.Y. (Every Rotarian, Every Year) mantra.

• Charlotte Hall gave the Cruise Captains team report. Captain Sima Saboury and Co-Captain Lindsay Steinberg were both out of town, but she swears they have it together. In their defense, they have been up to a lot. Their monthly team meetings at Italian Cottage have great turnouts, and they’ve been collecting non-perishable food to help stock the Hungry Wildcat Pantry at Chico State. Recently, the team helped Matt York unpack and reassemble video kits to be shipped to the Sudan and joined Team Velocity to help landscape Rotary Plaza at the Boys and Girls Club. And, coming up, they are helping with Pasta on the Plaza to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club. Mark Johnson will be hosting his annual Oktoberfest party again this year. Prost!

Fine Time and Recognition

Alberta Simic was awarded the Paul Harris +3 Award for donating a total of $4,000 to the Paul Harris Fund over the few short years she’s been a part of Rotary. Thank you for everything you do, Alberta!

Devin Potter has been jumping for joy over his recent travels and fierce fashion statements but not so much over his romantic life, or, rather, lack thereof.*

(*PSA: He is currently accepting girlfriend applications, mainly on Tinder but he’s flexible, and President Glen has offered team points for any successful referral.)

Marcus Anderson and his wife are gracing us with another ridiculously adorable child, coming February 2020. Big brother, Max, is excited, and we’re all hoping for more towhead curls and big grins to match. They’re. To. Die. For. Marcus also reminded the Club to please email him photos and videos of all Rotary activities so he can publish on our Facebook page and help grow our social media presence.

Raffle

Gordon Bergthold attempted to help with a harmony for the raffle, but it unfortunately drew him a fine instead. Mark Blofsky ended up with the winning ticket but a losing card. Better luck next deck, Mark!

President Glen continued with this week’s The New Yorker comic, and Kevin Moretti found it hilarious.

Program

Matt Jackson introduced the speaker, our own Matt York, for the presentation on One Mobile Projector per Trainer (OMPT). OMPT is a humanitarian project that gives rural and poverty-stricken international communities access to cameras and projectors to help communicate positive behavioral change. They host four-day workshops for camera and video training, they gift all the necessary equipment, and they sustain their work with local support trainers. Matt has been doing this for the past 12 years and has no intention of ever quitting.

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