Pres Velyn Anderson called the meeting to order at Pine Community Center. Ken Clark led us in the Smile song, the singing of This is My Country and the Welcome song. George Sullivan shared a Four-Way Test comment about how he helped start the senior volunteer program at Carlsbad PD, a program that meets every aspect of the Four-Way Test, and how now, that program has spread throughout law enforcement agencies in the county.
2025-2026 CHNR ELECTION
President-elect Jim Brubaker introduced the slate of officers for the Rotary year that begins July 1: President: Brubaker; President-elect: Kori Dolkas; Secretary, Ed Rouquette; Treasurer, Viveka Kjellgren; Club Service, Tommy Hersant; Youth Service, Julie Gibbs; Vocational Service, Christian Chapman; International Service, Rick Huenefeld.
Brubaker then called for nominations from the floor. When there were none, Yvonne Finocchiaro made a motion to close nominations, seconded by Tom Applegate. Finocchiaro then moved that the slate be approved as presented, seconded by Mary Fritz-Wilson. The motion carried. The new board will be installed in June.
MEMBER SALUTE
Pres. Velyn shared an email she received, recognizing Nate Cobb for his longtime service driving the Produce Good van twice and still doing so—delivering fresh produce to those in need in SD County. In the email, Cobb was praised as a very dedicated, service-oriented person whom they are extremely thankful to have as a volunteer.
4TH QTR DUES
Treasurer Viveka Kjellgren has sent out the fourth quarter dues notices for the current Rotary year.
KEY HI-NOON DATES
• Apr. 17 - North County Food Bank
• Apr. 21 - DARK / Easter
• Apr. 26 - Rotarians at Work Day
• Apr. 26 - 27 - RYLA Weekend
• Apr. 28 - DARK / due to Rtns at Work Day
• Apr. 29 - Jefferson Elem Book Fair
• Sept. 20 - Oktoberfest
ANNOUNCEMENTS
• DARK April 21 and April 28
• Interact Book Collection: This was the final day to donate books for Interact’s Africa project. Thank you to all who donated.
• Switchfoot Bro-Am surf event will be June 19-21 at Moonlight Beach—an annual SD event put on by the Switchfoot Bro-Am Foundation: dedicated to giving back to the SD community via grants to non-profit organizations that serve homeless, at-risk and disadvantaged youths. Area Rotary clubs, including Hi-Noon, help put this event on. Volunteers' sign-ups going on now: https://www.broam.org
YOUTH SERVICE
• RYLA WEEKEND Apr. 26-27: Mike Metts welcomes adult volunteers to help with this event that is for high school students who have exhibited leadership qualities. Contact Metts at mmetts@dudek.com
• JEFFERSON BOOK FAIR: Maureen Taylor needs volunteers to help during the book fair on Apr. 29 as well as volunteers to help set up the afternoon of Apr. 28. Contact her at formo72@hotmail.com
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Rotarians at Work Day, Apr. 26: Beth Garrow has set up a SignUpGenius for sign-ups. She needs at least 30, but so far has only 10. This year’s projects will be at the Buena Vista Ecological Preserve/Lagoon: trash pickup, weeding and cattail trimming, with gloves, tools and trash bags provided. Friends and family welcome, but sign-ups needed. bethgarrow@comcast.net
• Brother Benno’s Food Service: Next date is May 14, beginning at 6:30am. Signup info to come.
• North County Food Bank: Next Food Bank opportunity will be May 21, from 1–4pm. Signup info to come.
• Senior Meals: Meals on Wheels has taken over the senior meals program in Carlsbad and hopes the club’s team will continue to assist with deliveries. There are a variety of options, including weekly, bi-weekly and monthly options. A new form will need to be filled out. Contact Pres. Velyn for more information.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
• Happy Hour: The club’s next Happy Hour will be Thurs., May 15, at Blackrail, beginning at 5:30pm.
• Poker Night May 16: JoAnn Ross will host the May 16 Poker Night, starting at 5:30pm, with dinner provided. A percentage of the winners' pots will be donated to a Rotary charity of their choice. RSVPs needed.
PROGRAM
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER WRAPUP & DRAWING
Chair JoAnn Ross said this was our most successful scholarship fundraiser yet. Although her goal of $50,000 for scholarships remained just out of reach, the campaign did bring in $46,000 for the scholars. Ross recognized Velyn Anderson as the top ticket seller of the final week, bringing in $400. Grants received for the fundraiser will be used to cover prizes and expenses. Ross thanked her committee members, asking them to stand and be recognized. She then thanked the club members for their support of this event.
Winners in the scholarship drawing were:
1st place / $5,000: Leslie Brubaker
2nd place / Sedona condo vacation donated by
Yvonne and Carm Finocchiaro: Jeff Weber
3rd place / e-bike: W. Stonebrook
4th place/ wine basket: Vicki Prosser
Wendy Savalza, one of our 2023 scholarship recipients—and a speaker at our recent AVID Seminar for middle-school students—shared how our scholarship and others made it possible for her to attend college.
Wendy Salvaza
Salvalza grew up as one of five siblings, one with Down’s, and with a single mom. Going to college was not going to be an option, she figured, “but I wanted to be an educator, and I knew I needed to go to college.” She worked extra hard in school, even while participating in sports and activities, and getting top grades.
With her excellent academics and excelling in many other areas, she was accepted to many colleges. And with financial aid from CHNR and others, she attended Cal State San Marcos, where she pushed herself, completing a four-year degree in two years, including attending summer classes.
“Scholarships enabled me to go to college,” Savalza said, thanking CHNR for “the work that you do; the compassion that you hold . . . I will now be going to for my Master’s at the University of San Diego.”
Christian Chapman and his scholarship team will be interviewing candidates for this year’s scholarships (college and trade schools) starting later this week.
