Weekly eBulletin -- November 20, 2013

Volunteers are needed for the Salvation Army's Thanksgiving Day activity. Rotarians will be  cooking and packing lunches, writing Thanksgiving Day cards, maybe delivering meals, sorting canned food, etc.  Alexis Sheehy is coordinating.  Volunteers should arrive at the Salvation Army headquarters at 7 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. 

Gayle Albin-Bailey announced that $10,500 has been donated towards the Parsons Scholarship Fund. 

President Karen announced that next week's Wednesday luncheon meeting has been moved to Tuesday for the UCLA/USC Tailgate Luncheon.  It will be a joint meeting with the four Torrance Clubs.  Date and location: Tuesday Nov. 26, 11:30 a.m., cost is $30 per person and the club is responsible for 60 tickets.  The club still has 14 tickets to sell, said Karen, and if we don't sell them all the money comes out of the club budget. A total of 370 Rotarians and guests are anticipated.  Speakers include J. K McKay from USC and Kevin Jordan from UCLA.  USC's Traveler (that's a real live horse for those who don't follow USC) will be available to pose for photos, and, not to be outdone; Joe and Josephine Bruin will be there too.  

In a turn-around from the usual money-donation model of Rotary, Susan Burden, CEO of the Beach Cities Health District, presented a $2500 Micro Enrichment Grant for the club's volunteer efforts on behalf of the Vision-to-Learn project.  "It fits in with what we do," said Burden as she handed the check to the club.  President Karen added, "Over 90 students did not pass the vision screening test a few weeks ago.  The Vision-to-Learn van will arrive December 3rd and vision professionals will administer exams and write prescriptions for any students needing glasses.  The eyeglasses will be delivered two to three weeks later."

Past-president Larry Hashimoto delivered his "proudest moment" speech today, recounting key events during his 2008-09 presidency. "It was the Year of the Rat," he said citing the club theme during his year at the helm. "We started the District Picnic at the Lagoon, and the cardboard boat race; with Jim Chen's aid we won first place that year.  We also held the Holiday Party at my home, a tradition of the North Redondo Beach Rotary Club.  In fact I was the Asian Santa Claus at Washington Elementary School that year. Best of all, I selected Karen Weigel to organize the Casino Night event during my year as president."

After Larry completed his reminiscence, President Karen reminded members that we will hold elections for the 2014-15 officers and directors at the December 11 club assembly luncheon.  

Luncheon Speaker:  "I have mostly good news," said Robin Dreizler, Director of Outreach and School Relations at El Camino College.  Dreizler, brother of Rotarian Gayle Albin-Bailey, gave an update of the state of higher education in California.  The focus of higher ed at the community college level is more toward students matriculating in preparation of continuing education or joining the work force, rather than merely taking classes to augment current or gain new skills.

"Prop 30 helped a lot because it stopped the bleeding," he continued. Previously we cut enrollment by cutting classes, now we expect to add 300 classes next school year.  Due to SB 1456 the Student Success Act of 2012, we'll see the biggest change to higher education in 40 to 50 years.  That bill establishes a new funding allocation methodology.

Previously higher ed received 100 percent of state funding based on bodies in seats, now it will be based on the services provided students.  The formula is based on a two-year, voluntary student education plan (SAP) developed between the student, parents and school counselors.  It will be calculated 40 percent on students in classes and 60 percent on services the school provides the students.  Among the services that will be measured are metrics such as college prep assessment, testing, counseling and orientation.  The policy requires greater accountability as students and parents will be required to sign an SAP agreement with the college.

Although the provisions of SB 1456 do not take full effect until FY 2016-17, Dreizler said his office is already beginning to work with area high schools to provide college-preparedness assessment, and priority registration to district students.  He said he expects increased cooperation between high schools as they implement federal Common Core standards, and higher education. When asked whether cost of tuition will increase--currently $46 per unit--he replied, "There is no discussion of increasing costs." Click HERE to view the El Camino College page on the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office web site.

President Karen concluded the meeting with Holiday thank you tips to Bluewater Grill servers Elena Gamez and Daniel Salazer.

Raffle: Jim Sheehy gave it a shot but alas, no green marble.  Ten bucks to you, Jim.