[Rotary] Fwd: t

[biseball]

Sent from my iBone


Begin forwarded message:

> From: Toby Wade <popcornpr at aol.com>
> Date: May 14, 2026 at 10:44:10 AM PDT
> To: biseball at aol.com
> Subject: t
> 
> 
> Mendocino Rotary Board Meeting, April  23, 2026, Preston Hall
> 
>      LaDonna McDonald, President, Rotarians present: Margaret Black, Ray Alarcon, Michael Brown, Gary Hopper, Pete Rose, John Cottle, Susan Keller, Rick McDonald, Jeff Stubbs, Toby Wade, Leona Walden.
> 
>  
> 
>     Raffle update:   52 tickets remain unsold for the dining raffle, which is critical as it is the last revenue source for the fiscal year. Some members find it difficult to ask for sales due to the ticket price ($100 each).
>        Sales Strategies: Emphasize community impact, explain raffle prizes, and highlight how proceeds benefit local causes. respond positively when told about the Rotary's community contributions.
>         Decision: Extend the ticket sales deadline to May 28, 2026, before the fiscal year ends July 1st. No published extension yet. Encourage members to share Rotary’s story and community impact when selling tickets.
>  
>       May 7: Rotary board meeting to focus on setting 1-3 core goals/projects for the year, emphasizing fun and high impact. Meeting cancelled.
>  
>       May 23: District governor visit and Peace Pole to be installed in Mendocino Rotary Park. 
>    July’s meetings will relocate to the Hill House due to the music festival's use of Preston Hall.  August’s “mixer” event will test Hill House as a possible new permanent venue, with hopes for more stability and consistent attendance. Rotary Chamber Mixer at Hill House. Finalize and communicate meeting locations for July/August.  Food Arrangements:** Shift to providing simple snacks at meetings due to fluctuating attendance is a cost-effective solution . 
>  
>        Speaker was Mendocino Unified School District Superintendent Jason Morse
> District Overview:** Includes Mendocino K-8, Mendocino High, Albion and Compeche schools, two rare one-room schoolhouses and preschool.
>     *Enrollment & Demographics* Enrollment has dropped from 550 to 415 over 15 years; free/reduced lunch eligibility increased from 33% to 68%. COVID and cost of living are main factors.
>      *Staffing:* Approx. 100 employees, many alumni. Recruitment from outside Mendocino area is difficult due to remote location.
>       *Academic Highlights:*  Standardized test scores above state averages. (ELA: 58% vs. 49%; Math: 43% vs. 37%).
>        Extra curricular pathways are in media, culinary, woodworking, and ceramics; with a robust dual-enrollment with college courses.
>      Graduation rates over 95%; students admitted to top universities (Stanford, UCLA, MIT, etc.).
>      Music program revived through local musician; athletics offered except for baseball, softball, and football (due to low participation).
>       Strong mental health support: two licensed counselors, reduced suspension rates (from ~10% to 1-2%).
>      *Facilities & Projects:* a- $31 million  bond-funded high school modernization , now completed. Sill ongoing potable water and recycled water projects under way to address drought and sustainability. and improved athletic and recreational facilities (soccer field, tennis courts).
>       *Key Challenges*
> - Declining enrollment may force future program cuts.
> - Budget pressures from rising health insurance and salary demands.
> - Chronic absenteeism peaked at 51% post-COVID, now improving but still a concern.
> - Staff recruitment/retention strained by high housing costs.
> - Five-year strategic plan in development to address these issues.
>       *Board Composition:*  Five members, each representing a district community. A recent resignation opens the Casper seat.
>  
>     *Community Engagement:*
> - Rotary invited to promote activities via school channels.
> - Discussion about staff/parent recruitment to Rotary; possible collaborations with parent-teacher groups.
> How can Rotary better engage local parents and school staff as potential members?
> - What initiatives should the club focus on for maximum community impact and member satisfaction?
>  
> Respectfully submitted, Leona Walden secretary
>  
> 
>  
> 
> 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.mcn.org/pipermail/rotary/attachments/20260514/c07dc39e/attachment.htm>