Carl Gross, Editor

March 5th, 2010

March is Literacy Month

Upcoming Programs and Events

Presented by Program Chairman, Leland Hammerschmitt and his crew.

March 12th-Greg Gamble-Ojai Valley Land Conservancy-Issues and Highlights

March 19th-Kurt Lieber-Ocean Defenders Alliance

March 26th-Special President's Program-TBA

In the Beginning.....

President Scott rang in the meeting while Rotarians and guests assembled and assimilated. The Sgt. at Arms committee were recognized for the room setup. Our Greeters were DeWayne Boccali and Tony Thacher. Ren Adam was the mic man and yours truly was Reminder Editor.

DeWayne gave the Pledge to this great Nation. Tony Thacher gave the 4-Way Test recital and Invocation.

 

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Rotary guests included Stephanie Midgett and Ross Atkinson of Ojai West, Steven White all the way from Bellevue, Washington, Ed Summers and Steve Chadbourne from Ventura Downtown.

Our esteemed guests included Living Treasures, Larry and Judie Beckett, Anne Shrage, and Jim Bailey. Susanna Arce and Kit Willis were not able to attend. Our own President Scott was also named as a Living Treasure this year. We were happy to see Chris Drucker with her hubby, Sanford. Matilija Principal, Emily Mostovoy and Danielle Pusatere, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Administrative Services were welcomed. Dick Weirick's son, Bill was in attendance. Last time guests and soon-to-be Rotarians, Lara Moga and Dave Intner were presented. Welcome to all!!

 

Announcements. . .

Scott gave an update on the Rotary efforts on behalf of the quake victims of Chile and Haiti. The gross domestic product of Chile is 20 times that of Haiti with 4 Rotary Districts. The Chileans have strict building codes, resulting in far less casualties than Haiti. Rotary has sent 448 shelter boxes to date and has provided the boots on the ground in both countries. Dietrich was there during the quake and was not injured. There were 6 Ambassadorial Scholars also accounted for and safe.

As to our efforts on behalf of Haiti, we have raised over $11,000 thus far with $500 in matching funds still available. Make out your check to RCOF with the notation: Haiti Relief. Many thanks to Rotary West, Club MAD, Gray Gables, and the students, including Nordhoff High Leaders (NHL) and Monica Ros School for their generous donations. We are making a difference.

 

Judy Gabriel presented two banners to President Scott. The first was from Folsom Rotary and the second was from the Birmingham 100th Rotary International Conference.

 

RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award Program) will take place at Camp Ramah on April 22-25.

Each year, thousands of young people take part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program worldwide. Young people are chosen for their leadership potential to attend an all-expenses-paid camp to discuss leadership skills and to learn those skills through practice. Rotary clubs and districts select participants and facilitate the event's curriculum.

RYLA aims to:

  • Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders;
  • Encourage leadership of youth by youth;
  • Encourage youth to make a difference in their communities through volunteer work and social responsibility; and
  • Demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for youth.

RYLA was officially adopted by Rotary International in 1971, and is one of the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary service. RYLA programs often lead to the formation or strengthening of Rotaract and Interact clubs . RYLA participants often go on to become Youth Exchange students or Ambassadorial Scholars . For more information about RYLA in your area, contact Cari Guerrero. More information is available at the Rotary International website .

Our Club is sending Paola Lule and David Anchondo (Julia Berkovitz is our alternate.) Here is the link to the RYLA site: http://ryla5240.org/

 

A Letter from the students at Monica Ros:

Dear Rotary Club,

We speak for the school of Monica Ros.

Monica Ros is a little school on McNell Rd.

Our students go from age 3 to 3rd grade.

Our grade school students are divided into 7 groups called lineages.

We are the da Vinci lineage, a group of 1st , 2nd , and 3rd graders.

The da Vinci lineage set forth to change the world with change.

Haiti is in trouble and they need us to help.

We have helped them by gathering money.

We put jars in each classroom and asked our fellow students to bring in their coins.

Day by day, week by week, the excitement grew to help Haiti and our jars filled.

We raised $710.25. And that's a lot!

We are joining with the Rotary because we like the Shelterbox project and we hope you will add to our donation.

And that's the story of how we can help save Haiti.

New Member Induction: Lara Moga and Dave Intner

 

Scott inducted two new members to our Rotary Family.

Lara is the Director of Casa Bella, a local residential care facility for Alzheimer's and dementia patients. Her Sponsor is Armani Hishmeh and Mentor is Bruce Brockman.

Dave Intner is an architect with Firmitas Architecture and Planning in Ventura. His Sponsor is Bill Gilbreth and Mentor is Terry Beckett.

 

Living Treasures 2009-10

 

 

 

 

Dr. Fred Fauvre presented our Living Treasures: Jim Bailey, Anne Shrage, Larry and Judie Beckett. Mr. Bailey gave a brief presentation of the impact of Rotary on the science programs at local schools. The other Treasures were presented by their mentors: Fred Fauvre, Carl Gross, Stephanie Midgett, and Al West.

President Scott presented our Living Treasures founder, Sanford Drucker a jade plant from his garden. Sanford spoke of Living Treasures and the need to "enjoy your life".

Nomination forms were made available for this 2010-2011 group of Treasures. These forms are also downloadable from the Rotary Clubs of Living Treasures website. Please recognize someone who is "treasured" in the Ojai Community.

 

Coming Up This Week, March 12th

Greg Gamble-Ojai Valley Land Conservancy(LH)
"Ojai Valley Land Conservation Issues and Highlights."

Ojai Valley Land Conservation Issues and Highlights. Greg Gamble, new Executive Director of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, will give an overview of key land and water conservation issues facing the Ojai Valley, highlighting current projects like the Matilija Dam removal, recent conservation success, and new conservation opportunities.

 

Only in Texas

 

Fining: Colin Jones

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could be wrong, but we never see Colin and Barry Gibbs in the same place at the same time. Just wondering.

Colin invited Rotarian confessions and collected serious loot from the members.

 

 

Program: Dr. Hank Bangser, Emily Mostovoy, and Danielle Pusatere-The State of Our Ojai Schools

Leland introduced our speakers.

Dr. Bangser set a sobering tone as to the financial situation which face our public schools, "As much as I heard about public schools in California being in bad shape....it's way worse."

He went on to outline the problems with declining enrollment, budget shortfalls, and expected staff cuts. This time there is no avoiding the anticipated cuts in an effort to balance the budget. Considering the fiscal hardships the School District is enduring, it is imperative that parents and community members stay involved and attend school fund-raising events.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Mostovoy and Pusatere rounded out the program, and were available to answer questions.

Thank-You, Hank, Emily, and Danielle for your presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

"We empower ourselves through education and through knowledge, and without that we limit ourselves. If we don't take the action, someone else will be there to educate and guide our children. And we, as parents, can't afford to let someone else choose that for our children."

Shakila Ahmad