|
Ren Adam, Editor |
August 6th, 2010 |
August is Membership and Extension Month
Upcoming Programs and Events
August 13th-Nick Frankle-Membership Development
August 20th-David Wilk-Life After Brain Surgery
August 27th-Bill Buratto-Green Coast Innovation Zone
In the Beginning.....
The regular Friday meeting of the Ojai Rotary Club was called to order by Pres. Mike Weaver; the pledge was led by Nathan Kaehler and the invocation by John Russell.
There were also a number of noteworthy presentations at the head of the meeting.
In recognition of District Governor Deepa Willingham's visit to Ojai Rotary, the club will match contributions to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) from all new members inducted during the year.
Recognition was also given Bob Davis for his significant lifetime contributions to TRF in the amount of $10,000.
Bill and Mary Hatch received special recognition on the occasion of the District Governor's visit for their generous contributions to the club. Bill and Mary received a Paul Harris Fellow.
Cari Guerrero was recognized by our DG for her hard work which resulted in the District Award for Vocational Service.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Visitors to the club included Cindy and John Zeretzke, guests of Maggie Cerminaro; Steve Dall from Ventura; Terry Schaeffer, Assistant District Governor of 5240; Mary Hatch, guest of Bill; and Bryson Wood, guest of Stacy Benotto.
We had no other visiting Rotarians.
Announcements. . .
Any club member not in attendance missed an amazing musical presentation by guest John Zeretzke, who gave a brief history of -- and then played -- several “more than exotic” instruments, including a Hawaiian nose flute, for the enjoyment of all.
Among upcoming programs is Nick Frankle, on Friday, August 13. Nick is the membership Development chair for the District, and he will be speaking in commemoration of August being membership month.
A little duct tape and voila....GPS
Program:
Assistant District Governor Terry Schaeffer, introduced Deepa Willingham with a brief bio, from her upbringing in Calcutta to coming to the U.S. and landing at Idyllwild Int'l Airport in 1964 for grad school.
“The most important gift from my parents was my education,” she said. “My mother taught us social values, which is the most important lesson of my life.”
During her talk, Deepa shared her philosophical beliefs about Rotary (“Our planet's future is in our hands … humanity is in Rotary's hands;” and, “We are motivated by service without material gain.”)
She also focused on the growth and sustainability of Rotary internationally.
“RI has a strategic plan,” she stated, “which includes doing a better job of supporting clubs; focus on and increase humanitarian service; and to enhance Rotary's public image and awareness.
“Rotary is one of the best-kept secrets in the world. It's not working as a plan. We need better marketing … branding needs to happen.”
Her suggestion is that Ojai Rotarians “… operate from the heart, remember our special ‘Rotary Moment,' and then give the gift of that kind of feeling to others; do more hands-on, high profile community service projects; and help other club understand how Ojai has become a ‘doing/acting' club.”
Another of the governor's points was oriented to membership 
retention.
“You must be an adult to be a Rotarian,” she stated. “How many Rotarians are under the age of 40? Just 11 percent. How many Rotarians leave the club within four years? Eighty percent! Thirty nine percent of today's Rotarians were born before 1946.
“Our goal is to increase the diversity of the club through age, gender and ethnicity.”
President Mike Weaver's goals for his year were outlined by Deepa, as well: Sponsor a Youth Summit in Ojai; Send Dr. Bob Skanky to Niger; raise an additional $15,000 to $25,000 through fundraising projects.
Finally, Deepa described her “Racing to Eradicate Polio” campaign in the district, a two-day drive from end to end. “Less than 10 percent of the membership attends district conferences,” she said. “So, we're going to bring the conferences to the membership.”
On October 22, in San Luis Obispo, there will be a Council of Governors meeting, followed, the next day, by a drive to Bakersfield for a regional breakfast, and then by a regional lunch in Santa Paula, and finally finishing up the whirlwind tour of the district with a regional dinner gala in Buellton.
Members of clubs in and around those locales are encouraged to attend whichever event applies.
Final Thoughts
Deepa's closing remark:
“Do not wait for leaders: do it alone. Become inspired about what it means to be a Rotarian.”
