President Cheree rang the bell again to thank Fred Coleman and Bill Prather for setting up the room for our meeting, Deirdre Daly and Nancy O’Sullivan for warmly greeting all of our members and guests, Bryan Huber for the roving mic, Don Reed manning the front table, Suzanne Scar for serving as our Reminder Editor and Ginger Case for lunch!
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Our guests this week were Sue Gilbreth, Joyce West (Al’s annual anniversary lunch), Peg Russell and Judy’s niece, Elaina.
Announcements
Haady announced that Dr. Trauner will be speaking on Sept 14 about The Bare Facts about Skin Cancer (flyers on table)
Don Reed reminded us that the Ed Foundation Board meeting is next Tuesday at 7:00 at Café Emporium;
Matt Clements encouraged us to all buy tickets next week (credit card reader will be available) for the Taste of Ojai
Judy Gabriel referred to “Day of Peace Festival” flyer on all tables and invited us to join in and Bryan Berman followed up explaining the theme for the Peace Festival, ‘Climate Action for Peace’
President Cheree had a few announcements too. Her most exciting news was that our President-elect for 2020-2021 is Michael Scar. There was a standing ovation!
At our Fifth Friday meeting (with the Ojai West Club) Kathy Yee was inducted and we raised $30,000 for Polio Plus. Thank you to our Socials Chair, Betsy Watson and Polio Plus Chair, Bob Davis.
Next week our Past District Governor, Sandi Swartz will make a special presentation to our Club and Past President, Deirdre Daly will lead the meeting.
A short, meaningful video about Polio Plus (and Rotarians) was viewed.
Rotary Cartoon
Fining
Fine Master, Ren Adam started out by getting confessions from Marty Pops, Al West (both celebrating wedding anniversaries of 60+ years); Nancy O’Sullivan praising Ojai’s Women in Education, Villanova’s upcoming fund raiser and the Villanova’s remembrance of 9/11. Confessions concluded when Judy Gabriel challenged her cohorts (Kay & Colin) on their shared anniversary…18 years of being a Rotarian. Ren then gave Bryant and Bob Davis the opportunity to answer a few Polio related questions….except Bob’s question turned into a Marx Brothers question….???
The Program--The Ojai Women's Fund
Past President and Programs Committee Chair, Bill Gilbreth introduced our speakers from the Ojai Women’s Fund, Karen Evenden, Margarita Fleming and Roz Demaria. Each spoke about their areas of expertise.
Karen (along with Peg Russell) was one of the founding members and talked about the creation and evolution of the Ojai Women’s Fund. Margarita, Chair of the Grants Committee, described the proceedings and progression of the many grants that OWF receives and carefully reviews.
Roz, Chair of the Membership Committee, explained that $1,000.00 raised by members, counts towards one vote. There are 20 individual members that have one vote and 40 groups (ranging from 2-10 members) that have one vote per group. Between the 60 votes, the money raised is voted on and distributed to deserving Ojai Valley non-profits.
Final Thoughts
In closing, President Cheree shared a quote by our District Governor Savi Bhim in honor of Rotary’s Education and Literacy month
“When you light the lamp of opportunity for someone it illuminates a path to endless possibilities”.
She then rang the bell to signify the end of another great meeting.