On the first virtual rotary meeting for the year, Dan Snyder delivered a history lesson that is associated with one of The Rotary’s global program. Featured in that history lesson was the amazing work of Basil O’Connor, a New York  lawyer who transformed the campaign against polio into a global campaign. In 1928, he took over the campaign from his law partner, then elected governor Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) who was struck with the disease in 1921. The foundation focused on small amount from the public. The foundation became the Foundation for Infantile Paralysis and asked people foe their small pocket change. Later on, the foundation became to known as the March of Dimes, becoming a foundation that led global initiatives, research and clinical trials in fighting other infantile diseases and the global fight against polio. FDR’s portrait was put on the dime.

Featured member for the week was Riley Barr who has been a member of the club since 2018
 
 
On club announcements, Tina and Suzanne provided updates on the upcoming Virtual Wine Fest and Auction on January 30, 2021. Ticket sale ends on January 19, 2021. President Andrew and the crab (wine) fest committee reminded everyone “Do Not Procrabstinate”…pun…ticket sales end Jan 19.
 
 
 

Next Tuesday’s (1/12) avatar background challenge is baby pictures. 


 

Featured speaker for the day was

Laura Gill, Public Programs Coordinator at The Marine Mammal Center. 
 
 
Tucked in the marine headlands in Sausalito, CA it is the world’s largest marine mammal hospital and educational facility. Since 1975, the center has rescued more than 24,000 marine mammals along 600 miles of California coastline and the big island of Hawaii. The center advances global ocean conservation through rescue and rehabilitation, scientific research, and education. They rely on the public to report mammals so the center can rescue them. 
 
 
 
The team is also part of the entanglement task force, e.g who was entangled and also is in partnership with the Monterey Bay Aquarium. 
 
 
In her presentation, she featured a rescued northern elephant seal named “Zehr”, who was reported by beach goers and rescued by the center. Zehr was prematurely separated from the mother. After a few weeks under the center’s care, Zehr was fed and was up to its desired and healthy weight, treated for worms, and taught how to eat or catch food/fish before it was released back to the water. 
 

 

Final thought for the day..