eBulletin Wednesday July 30, 2014
President Rolando Where Are You? VP Dave Whitehead chaired the meeting today because our President, Professor Rolando is in Rhode Island attending son Kevn's wedding. President Rolando promises to return to the podium next week.
Live From Fiji
Rotarian PP Karen and Jeff Weigel at Work in Fiji
Past President Karen Weigel and Jeff Weigel joined the meeting live from Fiji (via Skype) to report in on the RBRC projects there. Jeff gave a detailed report of the water projects and Karen held the camera up to show us the view from their patio – palm trees and the Pacific Ocean: a very nice place to enjoy a glass of wine and a sunset. Karen and Jeff return in September and promise to update the club on all of the projects there. Thank you Karen and Jeff!
Greeter – Chamber of Commerce head honcho Marna Smeltzer.
Invocation – Laura Fields read a nice little poem.
Flag Salute – Monique Waite; just in time.
Meals on Wheels – Secretary Scott Fellows & PDG Chuck Anderson. Next week MOW will be by Nicholas Sandoval & Amy Zimmerman.
Marna Smeltzer introduced our visiting Rotarians: Mike Yousem and Ed Jackson both from the Westwood Village Rotary Club. Kathleen Adams from Manhattan Beach Rotary.
Parkinsons PLLUS Program
Ed Jackson, Past President of the Westwood Village Rotary Club gave a brief outline of his club’s Parkinson’s PLUSS Program (The Parkinson’s Learning, Lifelong Useful Skills). The program was founded by two Westwood Village Rotarians and involves an exercise and support program for Parkinson’s patients at the local YMCA. The Westwood club provides seed money to YMCA’s to get the program started and it has grown nationwide. This project is highlighted this year as one of the founders of the program, Henry Tseng (past president of the Hong Kong Rotary Club) is still active and just celebrated his 107th birthday.
Other Guests – Walter Campbell’s son Jason and his son Jake, Karen Whitehead and Sheila Yousem (wife of visiting Rotarian Mike Yousem).
Family of Rotary: Jim Chen announced that former Rotarian Clark Adams passed away. There will be a viewing on Saturday, August 9, 2014, at 10:00 am, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am, both of which will take place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 22605 Kent Ave., Torrance, CA 90505. Anyone wishing to send a card or note can send it to Jim’s shop and he will deliver to the family.
Rotary Ice Bucket Challenge
Click the picture above to see the video
Prez of the Day, David Whitehead discussed the Rotary Ice Bucket Challenge where a Rotarian makes a donation the Rotary Foundation and challenges three other Rotarians to do the same. The challenge is sealed when a bucket of ice water is poured over one’s head. Dave challenged three Rotarians: Ed Jackson from the Westwood Village Rotary Club; Roger Cox from the Manhattan Beach Rotary Club and Chantel King from the Redondo Beach Rotary Club. If you want to see the video again click the picture above.
Fine Master – Terry Bichlmeier replete with sombrero, fined a few Rotarians for having July birthdays: Eli Guana, Marna Smeltzer, Chuck Anderson, Chantel King, Steve Scerra, Amy Zimmerman and Jeff Melodia. Sam Kartounian was fined for not having party spirit (missing the demotion party); James Jackman was fined for wearing a dress to the demotion party and Bruce Logan was fined for induction obstruction. Bruce responded with a donation to the Redondo Beach Rotary Foundation.
Announcements -Mission Critical Only
Literacy Breakfast - Bruce Logan announced the Rotary District Literacy Breakfast, which is set for Wednesday, August 13th at Lowry’s, The Prime Rib. Get there by 7am and don't get lost. Here's the address: 100 N. La Cienega Bl., in Beverly Hills. It's FREE!!! So make your reservations NOW!! The speaker is Los Angeles District Attorney, Jackie Lacey.
Speaker of the Day – Walter Campbell introduced Matt Runyon who represents a great organization: Team Rubicon, a disaster relief organization based in El Segundo. With retired military veteran's helping, Team Rubicon started their noble efforts after the flood and disaster in Haiti, back in 2010.
The term "Rubicon" refers back to the conquests of Caesar as he crossed that formidable river on his conquest of Europe almost 2,000 years ago. In modern terms "Crossing the Rubicon" means that there is no turning back on the mission once it has started. In Haiti, Team Rubicon crossed the border from the Dominican Republic with their team of military veterans, who make up 80% of this outstanding crew.
Matt Runyon graduated from USC School of Accounting, and is an 8 year army veteran who deployed with the 56th Military Police Co in support of Police Transition Team Operations from 2007 – 2008. He joined Team Rubicon after working in varying corporate finance and contract negotiation roles for Raytheon Corp.
History Quiz – Rather than having a history quiz as we have come to expect from Professor President Rolando, acting Prez David thought that the a test of the short term memory of the club was more appropriate. After mentioning five words at the beginning of the meeting, Dave asked who could remember those five words at the end.. Since your humble correspondent was looking at the agenda he graciously provided me, I had to force myself from shouting out the answers. Surprisingly all of the words were remembered correctly as verified by Pearl Davis.
Speakers Next Week – Senior Craft Talks by Ron Day and PDG Dr.Vicki Radel.
Raffle – Monique Waite won a measly $10. Oh well.