The World Affairs Council of Sonoma County
 

The World Affairs Council of Sonoma County (WACSC) is a  non-profit, non-partisan  membership organization whose purpose is to promote study and public education  in world affairs and to contribute to improved international understanding and relations. We feature speakers such as Ambassadors, international figures, journalists, academics, and business  professionals. 

Council programs provide participants the opportunity to meet and ask questions of people who shape world events in a variety of formats. Regular programs are sponsored by the Council and are open both to members and the general public.

P.O. Box 1433
Santa Rosa, CA 95402
Phone: (707) 573-6014
Email: wacscca@gmail.com

If you are a WACSC member and have a change of name, address, phone or email, please notify Brantly Richardson by clicking your mouse arrow on the mailbox.

See News Items Below!

Upcoming Events

FIRST QUARTER 2012 PROGRAMS

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WACSC is a member of:

News Items:

Annual Dinner

This “must attend” event is one that you don’t want to miss. Be sure to make your reservations before the early deadline for this always-special annual event on January 20 at the Fountaingrove Inn. We have another outstanding after-dinner speaker in David Arnold, President of the Asia Foundation. See details by clicking your mouse arrow on Events.  

World Affairs Councils of America

You may have noticed the addition of the WACA logo in our flyers and on our Website. As a long-standing, dues-paying member of this national organization of councils, we are now participating in the branding of this family of organizations that share a common purpose. Dale Schmid, Treasurer, together with his wife Susan, attended the national WACA convention in Washington, D.C., in November, representing our WACSC Council. Dale’s report to the Board contained much useful information and confirmed that WACSC is one of the best all-volunteer councils in the U.S. in terms of activities, management, and finances.

WACSC Speaker’s Bureau

Under the direction of Membership Chairman Perry Ritenour, a new Speaker’s Bureau has been established to carry the message of WACSC to the Sonoma County community.  Any member who can suggest an organization that might welcome a speaker representing our Council, please contact Perry at perrylee12@gmail.com or 721-6902.

Happy Birthday, Ruth Pollard!

Long-time member and regular attendee Ruth Pollard celebrates 100 years of life in January. Her on-going interest in world affairs and attendance at our speaker meetings are two things that keep her such an alert, happy, and healthy 100-year-old.

Gordon Weir

Gordon Weir, valued former member of our Program Committee, died suddenly on October 5^th from an apparent heart attack. Gordon and his wife Doris were regular attendees at speaker meetings, and Gordon was instrumental in arranging several of them during his tenure on the Program Committee. We will miss him. Our sympathies go out to Doris and their family.

Help Wanted

The Board is looking for one or more volunteers qualified in videography and editing of videos for posting on our website and possibly for web streaming of speaker presentations. If you have this technical capability and experience and are willing to volunteer, please contact Bob Kirk at 538-9294 or robakirk@earthlink.net

President Bob’s New Book

Bob Kirk has published a new book, A History of the South Pacific since 1513. Bob has lectured on South Pacific cruises since 1986 and taught a course on the subject for OLLI last year. He is also author of Pitcairn Island, the Bounty Mutineers and their Descendants  (2008).  He is completing another history book on the South Pacific for McFarland Publishing Co. His books are featured on Barnes & Noble online and Amazon.com

Election of Officers and Directors

At the November Board meeting, as prescribed in the Bylaws, the Board held the annual election of officers and directors. All agreed to serve for an additional term and were so elected effective January 1, 2012. The 2011 all-volunteer management team will stay in place for another year.

Change in Newsletter Distribution

Beginning with this issue of Perspectives, the quarterly newsletter of WACSC, we no longer print and mail a full 6-page edition. Instead, those who have indicated they prefer to receive printed and mailed copies will be mailed the Program Flyer, which shows all programs for the quarter, with information about meals, costs, and reservation procedures. The full E-edition is always available on our Website, to those who have e-mail addresses on file, and will be available to read at the welcome desk at speaker meetings.

Address Changes?

If you have changed e-mail or mail address, or telephone number, please let us know by contacting Membership Chairman Perry Ritenour, perrylee12@gmail.com, 721-6902, or leaving word on the hotline at 573-6014. Also, make sure your spam filters do not reject WACSC incoming e-mails. We can’t keep you informed if we can’t reach you. Thank you.

Email

Please make sure your spam filters do not block WACSC incoming e-mails. We can’t reach you if you won’t let us into your e-mail box. Please help us stay in touch with you.

Sonoma County Museum Discount

The Sonoma County Museum, the region’s art and history museum, would like to welcome new members. The museum views the World Affairs Council as a particularly compatible demographic and is offering a 20% discount on all membership levels to new members who are also WAC members. Here's how it works:

                                                                                                Individual  Dual  Supporting

                               Regular museum memberships:       $45        $75     $125

                                                                   Discount:          9          15         25

                                           New WAC museum memberships:    $36        $60     $100                              

This is restricted to new museum members only. No other discounts apply. When applying, write "WAC Discount" on the memo portion of your check.

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