Weekly Bulletin - December 12, 2012
Written by Bill Paul
MORE MEETING PICTURES HERE
(REDONDO BEACH) December 12, 2012 -- We conducted our annual Club Assembly today, which included electing a new slate of officers and directors for the coming 2013-14 Rotary Year. It was a fast action. After the announcement of the slate, Rotarian Dal Covington moved the slate be unanimously elected. A quick vote was held and the new officers and directors were elected. They are President- Karen Weigel, President-Elect- Rolando Andrade, Vice President- Gayle Bailey, Treasurer-Jean Scully, and Secretary- Monique Waite. Elected to serve as directors are William Gard, Club Service, Galina Gilman, Community Service, Pat Cashin, International Service, Karina Garcia, New Generations, Paul Hayashi, and Vocational Service. The new slate will take office July 1, 2013.
Meanwhile, we also elected a board of directors for the Redondo Beach Rotary Club Community Foundation. They are Rick Mendoza, Pat Cashin, Steve Scerra and Nancy Campbell. Nancy is an automatic member as the club’s current president becomes a member of the foundation board midway through their term as club president, with the one-year term overlapping six months into the upcoming Rotary year.
President Campbell announced that 10 members of our club participated in the Cheers for Children activity on Tuesday, December 11th. Members wrapped gifts for the disabled children, and club president Nancy Campbell served as Santa Claus. Ho ho, ho she said, describing her experience to the club.
Meanwhile Rotarians Bill Paul and Matt Killroy volunteered to serve as Santa for the annual Redondo Beach Police Department Santa Sleigh ride through the streets of Redondo Beach. Pulled by a police cruiser and accompanied by several police cars, the sleigh travels every street in the city with Santa visiting with hundreds of children, handing out candy, and being a jolly old elf spreading cheer and goodwill. The police department has sponsored the activity for more than 30 years in Redondo Beach.
Alexis Sheehy told the club about the cruise she and hubby Jim recently took through the South Pacific. Rotarians both, they visited the Rotary Club of New Castle Sunrise in New Zealand. “We visited four countries and witnessed a total eclipse of the sun,” she said.
Finemaster Steve Aspel imposed several recognition fines: Matt Killroy - $5.00, PDG Rick Mendoza - $5.00, Jim and Alexis Sheehy - $40 each for their exotic voyage, Nancy Campbell - $5.00, and Dr. Robert Anavian though he escaped a fine by agreeing to having the traditional birthday song sung to him. His age remains unknown!
President Nancy asked the current directors to give a brief, impromptu report of their activities.
Community Service Chair Galina Gilman discussed the recent Cheer for Children activity we participate in, and Salvation Army support.
Vocational Service Chair Bill Gard told us he is preparing a new essay contest and art contest for area students, and announced the upcoming awards for the police officer and firefighter of the year.
International Service Chair PDG Pat Cashin reported the status of three matching grants the club is sponsoring in Fiji, New Delhi, India and Columbia. Because the Rotary Club in Columbia did not respond in time, the $18,000 that would have gone there was redirected to our continuing project in Fiji, he said.
New Generations Chair Karina Garcia talked about the Interact Club at Redondo Union High School, RYLA, teach mini-grants, and the Rose Parade float decoration trip on December 28th.
Club Foundation Chair Bruce Logan told us that 23 members of our club met the Every Rotarian Every Year challenge of donating at least $100 to the RI Foundation. He encouraged all members to donate.
Nancy concluded the meeting at about 1:30 pm.