Weekly eBulletin, December 11-17, 2013
eBulletin written by Bill Paul
(REDONDO BEACH) December 11, 2013 -- Club assemblies are pretty important in the world of Rotary, and today was one of those days for us. We elected a new board of directors for both the club and our Community Foundation.
Under the leadership of Past-president Larry Hashimoto, we elected Nasrin Moghadasian to become president-elect for the 2014-15 Rotary Year. A chiropractor, Dr. Nasrin previously served as our club treasurer. Serving on the board with her will be: Rolando Andrade, president; David Whitehead, v.p.; Jean Scully, treasurer, Scott Fellows, secretary; Michael Jackson, vocational service; Pat Cashin, PDG, international service; Karina Garcia, youth service; Laura Fields and Galina Gilman, Community service; and Bill Gard, club service.
We also elected (actually re-elected) two directors to the club's Community Foundation. Re-elected were PDG Pat Cashin and Terry Bichlmeier. They join Allen Peters, Steve Scerra and Karen Weigel on the Community Foundation board.
Prior to the secret ballot electing officers, President Karen asked each club chair to give a brief report of their activities to date. Laura Fields, community service chair, led off.
Laura cited the club's participation in the Relay for Life and how we raised $2200 for cancer research, the Salvation Army's backpack project, and the Vision-to-Learn program where we screened 300 youngsters at Washington Elementary School.
Karina Garcia, youth service chair, followed. She cited our continuing sponsorship of the Teacher Mini Grant program, sponsoring four students to RYLA, cooperation with the Interact Club at Redondo Union High School and their support for a ShelterBox fund raiser at the high school next spring, and that we have 12 high school students signed up for the Rose Parade float decoration of the Rotary International Rose Parade Float.
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Karina Garcia |
Paul Hayashi |
Jim Chen (l), Karen Weigel |
Paul Hayashi, vocational service chair, cited his committee's Reading Buddies program with the Molina Foundation, art contest in conjunction with the RI Vocational Service Month in October, and plan to work with the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce on the Business Person of the Year Award early in 2014.
PDG Pat Cashin, who serves as our International chair, noted that the new Future Vision Grants minimum is $35,000. This requires more club collaboration or larger contributions than in the past. As an example, we are participating in a water project for India however the grant still needs additional partners. The club is also partnering with seven other clubs in District 5280 on a student computer project in Columbia to be implemented during the District International trip.
Terry Bichlmeier added the club's rebuilding project at a school in La Paz, Mexico "is almost done."
Jeff Weigel reported that the first phase of the Fiji Water Project Grant is complete and we are reviewing expenses before starting the second phase.
PDG Eli Gauna filled in for Rick Mendoza to discuss the club's participation in the Rotary Foundation. Our goal for the current Rotary Year is $11,000 and through October 31st we've pledged $4,500. He noted that in the 2010-11 Rotary Year the Redondo Beach Rotary Club was a 100% Paul Harris Club with per capita giving of $73. "Rick's goal is that we achieve the $100 per member per year goal this year," he said.
Eli then offered the club a "deal you can't refuse." He said he would do pro bono legal work for any club member who wants to change their will to leave some portion of their estate to The Rotary Foundation upon their passing. He then personally pledged $100 to the Foundation, which quickly grew to $1500 as other members chipped in. Way to go, Eli!
Meals-on-Wheels handled by Jeff Weigel today; next week PDG Vicki Radel and Mark Smith will do the MOW duties.
Family of Rotary: Funeral services for Rotarian Gordon McRae will be held Saturday, at 2 p.m. on Dec. 14 at St. Marks in Lomita. He passed away at his home early last week.
President Karen announced eyeglasses for 56 children will be delivered as the culmination of the club's Vision-to-Learn project at Washington Elementary School at 9 a.m. next Monday, Dec. 16. She invited all members to attend.
She also reminded members about the St. Cross Giving Tree project. Following next week's luncheon Rotarians will delivered Christmas packages to 11 families in North and South Redondo Beach. She also called for volunteers to help the Salvation Army distribute 40 pairs of pajamas to needy children on December 23th. Time: 9 a.m. to noon.
Jeff Weigel reminded Rotarians that at next week's luncheon members will be asked for ideas to help increase the community awareness of the club. "We are an amazing group of people focused on making communities better," he said. "Next week is all about how we can become more visible in the community and through this help attract more like-minded new members. We'll hold small group discussions about our passions. It is a great session to bring a guest, both for their exposure to the club and for their perspectives of us. It will be fun and rewarding."
Raffle: Michael Jackson's number was selected today but no luck today. Michael donated the $10 to the John Parsons Scholarship Fund.