Glasses for School Children
 
Hygiene in Africa
Holiday Party
Welcome to the "Club of Excellence"
Rotary Club of Redondo Beach
 
We meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at Rock & Brews
at 12:30 p.m. for lunch,
3rd Wednesday via Zoom at 12:30 p.m.
and the 1st Wednesday at 4 p.m. for a social hour.
Guests and speakers wishing to
attend should contact Anne Shea, Membership chair, 
via email to obtain instructions of how to attend.
 
We serve our community around the block and around the world to improve the lives of people everywhere following the interconnected and interdependent Rotary Areas of Focus:
Promoting Peace
Fighting Disease
Providing Clean Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Saving Mothers and Children
Supporting Education
Growing Local Economies
Protecting the Environment
Latest New Rotarian
Michelle Abel was inducted into the Rotary Club of Redondo Beach on August 10th. She is a Southern California native and grew up in Yorba Linda. She attended Cal State Fullerton where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Communications. After a long and successful career in broadcast media sales working for various L.A. radio stations, she left that industry and transitioned to real estate sales. She now works for Vista Sotheby International Realty. She has lived in Redondo Beach for 25 years, and is married and has two sons. She is shown with (from left) Jeff Weigel, president, George Shane, Michelle's  sponsor, and Eli Gauna, PDG.
 
For the annual Vision-to-Learn event, held at the South Bay Adult School in Redondo Beach, volunteers from the Rotary Club of Redondo Beach screened 140 children and referred 66 children to professional optometrists for free eyeglasses. These 66 children will enter the coming school year better prepared  to learn, play and enjoy the world around them.

             A Brief History of the Redondo Beach Rotary Club

In the coming year of Rotary's 117th year, Rotary International has its first women a president of the whole organization. She is President Jennifer Jones of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. But we get ahead of our story. The history of the Rotary Club of Redondo Beach began in July of 1924 when the then-district governor appointed Gene Tilden of the Los Angeles Rotary Club (LA5) to undertake a survey:

July 1924 District Governor Harry S. Mason appointed Gene Tilden of the Los Angeles Rotary Club to survey the City of Redondo Beach in the hopes of being able to organize a Rotary Club. In his 1924 report to Rotary International, Governor Mason noted that a "survey of Redondo Beach was under consideration for a long time, the matter have (sic) been taken up by three district governors preceding myself." (continued below)

At Wednesday's luncheon, Vicki Radel, PDG, told us about Rotary's Inter Country Communities. She noted the Community was established in 1950 after WWII at Rotary Convention as France and Germany formed the first alliance. The ICCs set up a formal framework for long term strategic relationships between countries that wish to learn more about each other’s cultures and engage in work to benefit 
 the friendship and cultures. The representatives from districts who serve on these ICCs are called Peace Ambassadors. Marsha Hunt PP PP Westwood Village is currently the representative on USA-Ukraine committee, and I have been appointed by DG Olivia to serve as the Peace Ambassador representative from 5280 to USA-Turkey ICC. This is a big deal since the USA has ICC relationships with only 12 countries. Romania, France, Russia, Austria, Germany, Lebanon, Mexico, Egypt, India, Honduras, Spain, Ukraine and now Turkey in on the horizon.
 
 
Vicki also announced that District 5280 now has its own QR code. Rotarians can now scan to get the District's online payment, registration and cardboard boat instructions.
The Redondo Beach Rotary Club holds a social meeting on the 5th Wednesday of each month. The last social meeting was held on August 3rd (yes, August has five weeks so the month has a 5th Wednesday). However, the club has changed the 5th Wednesday meeting to Zoom. It will no longer be held at Table Manners.
Supporting students through all aspects of their education in a priority at El Camino College. The Warrior Pantry is just one of our many resources providing vital assistance to those in need.
Food problems with community college students is a real problem that impacts the ability to learn new vocational skills and improve life in our community.
John Barnett (center) accepts thanks from El Camino College officials for the   donations by the Redondo Beach Rotary Club to the El Camino College Warrior Pantry.
Charitable & Humanitarian Activities the
Rotary Club of Redondo Beach supports. Join us!
             Local Initiatives
 
Vision to Learn – free eyeglasses to all  South Bay schoolchildren who need them;
Music Mends Minds – Song therapy for    dementia and memory patients;
Free dental exams to South Bay families in need;
College scholarships for Redondo Union  students who are college-bound;
High School Vocational Scholarships for students who choose vocational education;
Project ECHO high school entrepreneur    and leadership training;
Meals on Wheels to stay-at homes adults due to disabilities and illness;
The Redondo Beach Police Reserves;
Community gardens & healthy classes  in a local "food desert";
Peace and conflict resolution initiatives  throughout the community;
Salvation Army to help prepare meals during Thanksgiving;
 
High School INTERACT CLUB;
Meals for First Responders (Good Stuff Restaurants);
Backpacks for Kids in domestic violence programs;
Food & Clothing for Homeless in downtown L.A.;
Counting the homeless in Redondo Beach;
Beach Cities Symphony;
STEM Education Initiative;
Battered Women Crisis Center;
RFPD Domestic Violence Program;
Middle School Nutritional Training;
Buddy Benches at key locations;
Serving Thanksgiving Dinners through the Salvation Army;
Annual Bell Ringing fund raising for Salvation Army.
         International Initiatives
 
Worldwide Polio eradication (Rotary wide) -- since the mid-1980s, Rotary International has worked at eradicating polio worldwide. The dread disease is now only in Nigeria and Pakistan.
Girls' hygiene initiative in Kenya -- teaching hygiene to female students;
School uniforms for orphans in Africa -- often the first school attire for youngsters;
Literacy initiative in Guatemala - teaching reading & writing.
Education & female empowerment  in Bangladesh. southeast Asia - mothers teaching other mothers;
Life-saving neonatal equipment for      hospitals in Mexico - to give newborns infants a chance.
Clean water initiatives on Fiji Islands and around the world;
Remote Island Oxygen for pre-natal (multi club grant)
International Youth Exchange (Rotary wide)
Argentine prenatal ultrasound equipment (multi club grant)
Household Goods for Camp Pendleton military families (multi club)
Facebook
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Upcoming Speakers
John Koncki Meeting at Rock&Brew
"Strategic Learning: Managing Have to Dos in order to Have Time to Explore Want to Dos"

John Koncki is a lifelong learner, keen observer, and father of three daughters, 26, 24, and 20 years of age. His 30 years of experience with public school districts in Southern California and International private schools helped him understand how school systems work and how he can support parents and children to overcome their learning challenges. He works alongside families to support their learning journey as well as schools to better serve their students. He believes learning to identify and develop one’s own values, strengths, and challenges is critical to growth. As a result, he looks at each moment as a unique opportunity to learn from the inside out.  

He has a Master's Degree in Education and Cross-Cultural Studies from The Claremont Graduate University as well as a current California Teaching Credential.

 

Aug 24, 2022 12:25 PM
Candace Shivers
"Age and the city. What's attitude got to do with it?"
Aug 31, 2022 12:25 PM
Evening Social
Sep 07, 2022 4:00 PM
Joe Hoffman, Chief of Police, Redondo Beach
Overview of current policing issues in Redondo Beach
Sep 14, 2022 12:25 PM
View entire list...
Upcoming Events
View More...
(continued) A Brief History of the Redondo Beach Rotary Club

(continued from opening screen)

August 1924: Gene Tilden submitted his survey to Governor Mason. He described Redondo as "working class, many who live in this city are employed in surrounding towns and in Los Angeles." He recommended C. Ernest Perkins to chair an organizing committee. Perkins' classification was "state bank" and he was President of American Commercial & Savings Bank.

November 1924: The Rotary Club of Redondo Beach formally applied for membership in Rotary International on this date with 15 charter members. C. Ernest Perkins was elected the club's first president. The club met Thursday at 12:30 in the Elks Club House.

November 1924: The newly organized Rotary Club of Redondo Beach paid the $100.00 charter fee to Rotary International.

December 1924: Membership fees were set at $25 and annual dues at $36. Regular weekly meets were held Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the Elks Club House.

December 1924: In a ballot-by-mail action the Board of Directors of Rotary International voted to admit the Rotary Club of Redondo Beach to membership in Rotary International.

December 1924: The club was formally admitted into Rotary International on this date. It was given the official number 1864.

(left) Charter Banquet at Elks Hall Auditorium, February 6, 1925

February 1931: In correspondence, Russell V. Williams of RI wrote about the "talk of consolidation with Lions Club."

January 1940: Marge Johnson, President of the Redondo Beach Rotary Ann Club, suggested in a letter to the Governor District 107, that "The Rotary Ann pin adopted by Redondo Rotary Ann Club . is the only Rotary Ann pin ever designed so far as we have been able to find out. We hope someday to have it as the official emblem and a means towards the federation of Rotary Ann Clubs." (see Editor's Note below describing how women were admitted to Rotary as full members.)

September 1941: In a letter to President C. Hilker Williams, District Governor Carlos G. Stratton noted that he had forwarded "to Rotary International your club check . for boxes for Rotarian prisoners of war."

April 1958: The Club Activities Report for the District Governor's official visit noted the Redondo Beach Rotary Club sponsored a Little League Baseball Club, contributed to the newly organized South Bay YMCA, contributed $1500 to purchase a "late model 49 passenger bus for the South Bay Salvation Army, sponsored a girl scout troop, worked with the Chamber of commerce on the Neptune Days festival and more.

August 1964: The club continued its association with a Sister Club in Brazil. Also, interclub meetings with the Rotary Club of Ensenada, Mexico were planned.

July 1968: With membership dipping to 45 active members, "all members have been alerted to be on the lookout for good prospective members. Out goal this year is for 12 new members," according to Dr. Jack W. McLaughlin, president of the Rotary Club of Redondo Beach.

November 1970: Membership this year increased to 61 active members, excluding honorary members. But by the following June 30, membership dipped to 49

April 1975: The Rotary Club of Riviera Village, California submitted a letter resigning its membership in Rotary International to R.I. headquarters in Evanston, Illinois. The club had been considering this action for two years with the objective of merging with the adjacent Rotary Club of Redondo Beach.

April 1975: Plans to consolidate the Redondo Rotary Club No 1864 and the Rotary Club of Riviera Village were approved by then District 528 Governor Earl A. Smith. The proposed club name would be Redondo-Riviera Rotary Club effective July 1, 1975, and would operate under the Redondo Charter No. 1864 since the Riviera club was not issued a charter number.

August 1975: R.I. was not particularly pleased with the proposed merger. But after numerous meetings and lengthy discussions, on this date R.I. Director Keith O. Burnham concurred. In a letter to the Head of the Service Division of Rotary International, Burnham wrote, "Considering all circumstances now as they exist, that in the best interest of Rotary, in this case, the Rotary International and it's Board strongly entertain the approach that the Charter for the Riviera Village Rotary Club be surrendered and that immediate steps be taken to fully recognize the Redondo Riviera Rotary Club."

August 1975: In a memo to new District 528 Governor Eugene F. Dublin, R.I. Director Keith O. Burnham wrote that the Board of Directors of Rotary International accepted the resignation and termination of the Rotary Club of Riviera Village. It took an additional several weeks to sort out the boundaries of the newly merged club.

August 1976:Jim Riewer, president of the Redondo-Riviera Rotary Club reported membership of the combined clubs stood at 87.

May 1979: The Rotary Club of Redondo Beach-Riviera Village approved the organization of an additional club within its territorial limits. The club amended its constitution revising its territorial limits to allow formation of a new club.

May 1979: A Rotary International office communication reported the Rotary Clubs of Redondo Beach-Riviera Village and Lawndale "wish to amend their territorial limits in order to release territory for the proposed new club of North Redondo Beach. Approval is recommended."

June/July 1987: The Redondo-Rivera Rotary Club inducted its first female member. Sponsored by her husband, Rob Swaine, Gay Swaine joined as an Additional-Active Member under the classification of Marketing. After a tumultuous start which saw several male members of the club resign, Gay took on the job of Club Bulletin Editor, retired by her husband. Through personal contact with fellow members she was gradually welcomed by all into the Club through her pursuit to write, print and mail an informative and entertaining weeklybulletin each week. Later, at the '88 District Conference she was recognized for her efforts when Gay was awarded a "Merit Quill Award" from Bill Bowermaster, the Governor of Rotary International District 528, for "Excellence in the Publication of Club Bulletin."

June 1998: Club President Steve Aspel sent a letter to Frank Stryczek, Rotary International Service Supervisor, informing him that "the Rotary Clubs of North Redondo Beach and Redondo-Riviera have voted to merge." He added, "The Rotary Club of North Redondo Beach will be dissolving and joining the Rotary Club of Redondo Beach-Riviera Village to form a single club. The new Club shall be named the Rotary Club of Redondo Beach."

July 1, 1998: On this date the club voted to formally change the name of the organization from The Rotary Club of Redondo Beach - RivieraVillage to The Rotary Club of Redondo Beach.

January 7, 1999: The Board of Directors of Rotary International approved an amendment to Article 1 of the constitution of the Rotary Club of Redondo Beach - Riviera Village, California, USA thereby changing the name of the club to: The Rotary Club of Redondo Beach, California, USA.

September 10, 2003: A letter from the Internal Revenue Service confirmed the "Rotary Club of Redondo Beach Riviera Village" enjoys tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(4) of the IRS Code. "Your organization is included in a group ruling issued to Rotary International, located in Evanston, Illinois.

November 2007: The Redondo Beach Rotary Club Community Foundation is organized under the leadership of President Colette Paul and achieves tax exempt status as a 501(c)(3) organization.

(Editor's note: In many Rotary clubs throughout the world, wives of male members are affectionately called "Rotary Anns." This designation was never one of disparagement. However, it wasn't until 1977 that women were admitted to full membership in Rotary. In that year, at its 25th Anniversary Celebration, the Rotary Club of Duarte, California USA inducted three women -- Mary Lou Elliott, Donna Bogart and Rosemary Freitag, to become members. A year later the RI Board withdrew the charter of the Duarte club and the club in turn brought suit against RI claiming a violation of state civil rights law that prevents discrimination of any form in business establishments or public accommodations. The case was appealed all the way to the United States Supreme Court which affirmed the 1986 ruling of the California Court of Appeals by a vote of 7 - 0, ruling that Rotary clubs do have a 'business purpose' and are in some ways public-type organizations. In early January 1989 the RI Council on Legislation voted to change the Constitution and Bylaws of Rotary to admit women. The change took effect on July 1, 1989 and women are officially welcomed into Rotary. In the ensuing years, many women have served as club presidents, district governors and in other leadership positions in the organization. In fact, in the coming year of Rotary International’s 129th year, 2022-23, Rotary has its first women a president of the whole organization. She is President Jennifer Jones of Windsor, Ontario, Canada.)

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