FIRST SCRUM OF THE SEASON!

President Beau kicks off the new Rotary year

July 7, 2026 
 

Chico Rotary is starting a brand-new year, and President Beau is lacing up his boots for the first meeting of his term.

Consider this the opening whistle on the season ahead.

Here's what's in the lineup: 

  • Will Beau unveil a bold new club theme, or keep us guessing?
  • What's the game plan for our committees and teams?
  • And which club projects will carry us down the field this year?

This is the kickoff — the moment the captain sets the tone, rallies the squad, and lays out the strategy for a winning season. Expect energy, fellowship, and a few surprises from Beau's playbook.

Suit up, Rotarians. It's game time.

UPCOMING FIXTURES

  • Tue, July 14 - Dave Nopel: Humboldt Road - Yesterday to Today 

  • Tue, July 21 - Woody Fridae: Rotary District 5160 Governor 

  • Tue, July 28 - Carolina Burreson: Honeybee Discovery Center

  • Tue, Aug 4 - Virginia Guleff: Butte College President - Update

  • Sept 11 & 12 - Almanor Weekend (more details coming soon!)

  • Subscribe to the Chico Rotary calendar

Click here for the Master List of Upcoming Events 
 

 

 

 

The step-and-repeat came out strong right out of the gate — full claw-hand poses, drinks already in hand, and zero hesitation about hamming it up for the camera. 

If the rest of the night matched the energy of these first frames, it was never going to be a quiet one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cocktail hour got the full MTV treatment, disco-ball mic and all — part red carpet, part interview booth, with drinks in one hand and mock-celebrity banter in the other before anyone even found their seat.

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

The stage went all in on the theme, giant cube-block MTV logo and all, as each team took their shot at a skit. 

Rotary meets VMAs — equal parts roast, tribute, and controlled chaos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The night's real moment: President Rob took the stage to be honored for a year at the helm, gold-record plaque in hand, before passing the gavel to incoming President Beau McSwain. 

One term closes, the next one starts — Rotary tradition, MTV flair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

DEEJAY LINEUP

  • Team in Charge: Modern Lovers!
     
  • Reporter: Tovey Giezentanner
     
  • Team Report: Charlotte Hall
     
  • Thought of the Day: Cynthia Perrine


TEAM REPORT

Charlotte Hall gave a cheerful Modern Lovers team report, celebrating a great year together and joking that even if the team did not officially “win,” they still felt like winners. 

The team presented President Rob and Secretary Heidi with a gift for a night out with their spouses. Charlotte also honored Daisy Wu on her last day with the club, presenting Chico-themed gifts and a special keepsake for Daisy’s parents. 

She closed with pride and gratitude for a wonderful team and a wonderful year.

 

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Rob opened with thanks for the club, pointing to everyday examples like Alex DuBose hauling equipment to projects and Steven Christophel showing up with lumber and supplies. 

 

Year in Review:
 

  • Membership: 24 new members, which Rob credited to the work Rotarians do and the people doing it.

  • Chico Rotary Foundation: the $2.5M endowment funded $107,000 in scholarships, approved in January. Rob encouraged members to consider legacy giving.

  • Anti-trafficking awareness: programs with Kate Transchel (Oct.), the FBI (Jan.), and Soroptimist's Michelle Chambers (April).

  • Surf and Turf: ~$135,000 revenue, ~$65,000 profit. Next one: November 14, 2026.

  • Rotary Foundation giving: $37,000 raised against a $32,000 goal — half to district grants, half to international projects.
     

VIP RECOGNITION

 

President Rob welcomed back Georgie Bellin after a year in San Francisco recovering from a concussion, hoping to return full-time. 

She had the room laughing with stories behind a few photos — sitting in the Concorde's cockpit, meeting Debbie Reynolds at the Montgomery Ward ribbon-cutting when Georgie was mayor, and doing real estate work with Sully Sullenberger (a Paradise Jiffy Lube property) before his famous Hudson River landing.

 

 

President Rob also recognized Ed Anderson, fresh off the United States Canada Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians event in Greensboro, NC, where he and blind-draw partner Bob Bloom (San Diego) took first place in blind golf. 

He also finished second net and recently notched his 10th career hole-in-one.

 

Throughout the meeting, President Rob also handed out Do-Goodery Awards to the following individuals, recognizing their hard work and dedication to the club this year: 

Mark Francis, Tovey Giezentanner, Nancy Mendonca, DaNelle & Dorian Dodds, Scott Schumann, Becky Brown, Jolene Francis, Mike Donnelly, Melanie Bassett, Gayle Hutchinson, Charlotte Hall, Charlie Kyle, Kevin Moretti, Karin Lightfoot, Dane Bracewell, Karli Olsen, Danie Schwartz, Stan Thompson, and all 15 Team Captains.

 

ENCORE

Rob closed his presidential year the way he opened it - with gratitude. 

What makes Rotary special, he said, is simple: people from every background, belief, and viewpoint, coming together in friendship to do good work. 
 

Photographer: Dane Bracewell
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