Meeting held virtually via ZOOM videoconferencing.

MEMBERS ATTENDING (19): Dick Drumm, Murray Forth, Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Terry Brewer, Geoff Brewer, Debbie Rodriguez, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Charlie Foote, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Phil Kellerman, Becky Raymond, Pat Bailey, Tony Morris, Kevin Leyhane, Ray Hannan.

GUESTS: None.

MEETING NOTES: President Dick Drumm called the meeting to order and welcomed 19 members, the largest number of members to attend a regular ZOOM session. … Event coordinator Bill Dowd reported that progress on the annual Adopt-a-Family holiday project is strong. Many gift items were dropped off at the former Quigley’s restaurant on Wednesday night for our two adoptee families. Members may drop off gift donations through December 10 at the Drumm Veterinary Hospital, or at the second and final evening drop-off from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, December 11, at Quigley’s. The recommended shopping list can be found on the club website. … Becky Raymond reported on her participation as speaker at a Rotary/Peace Corps health project program earlier in the day. Her talk centered on her work as a Peace Corps volunteer and how it led her to Rotary membership since the two organizations’ interests often overlap. …

Fundraisers & Finances: Phil Kellerman said he has specialty Sweetwater Coffees in hand (12-ounce packages in two flavors). He will donate $5 from the sale of each package, and match each donation for the club treasury. … Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez said they are anticipating receipt of the second batch of 100 bars of plant-based scented soaps after the first 100 sold out. Because they are underwriting the bulk purchase price, they estimate that if the second batch is a sellout the project will raise about $1,500 for the club. … Terry Brewer reported that the Internal Revenue Service has reinstated the club’s status as a 501(c)4 organization. While that does not allow financial contributions made directly to the club to be tax deductible, it does certify us as a non-profit, which helps in such things as applying for Rotary Global Grants. To reiterate: Personal donations made directly to such things as ShelterBox, Gift of Life, etc., are tax deductible, but if made to SRC for such use they are not. This is the same status we had until 2015, and we are not required to pay taxes on any funds we raise. Terry, Phil Kellerman, and Murray Forth worked on the reinstatement effort. We now will check with the state to apply for an exemption from paying sales tax on purchases. …

Calendar: The consensus at tonight’s meeting was to cancel the annual Holiday Party & Gift Basket Auction because of pandemic dangers and the state’s current limit on the size of gatherings. … Our next two meetings will be held via ZOOM at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 10, and Thursday, December 17. Thereafter, we will be on hiatus during the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s, resuming meetings on Thursday, January 7.

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