President Cheree Edwards welcomed Rotarians and Guests.
The meeting was called to order at 12:35 PM. President Edwards welcomed everyone to today's meeting. Members were thanked for room set up. Kay Bliss and Leslie Bouche were thanked as greeters. Matt Clements Bret was thanked as the roving mike. Sandy Buechley was thanked for desk duty. Suzanne Scar was thanked for leading the flag salute and Terry Beckett for the invocation. Ginger was thanked for serving the club.
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: Robert Stratton, Kathy Lee, and Catherine Meek
Special Guest: Tiffany Morse
Announcements:
The Peace Meeting has been moved to August 21st this month. There will be two work days for the Allan Jacobs Trail this month: Saturday, August 10 at 7:30 AM and Thursday August 22nd.
Bill Gilbreth shared upcoming programs:
August 16th- Tiffany Morse, New OUSD Superintendent
August 23rd- Robert Stratton, Hoops for Hope
August 30th- 5th Friday/DG visit with Ojai West
September 6th- Karen Evenden, Ojai Women’s Fund
Betsy Watson reminded the club to participate at next Wednesday’s Music at the Park. President Edwards will be the Parade Leader. Additionally, Betsy reminded the Club to participate in 5th Friday.
Marty Babayco shared some inspirational words about
Charlie Thompson’s life. Specifically,
Charlie had a huge heart! He always asked how we could do a better job to help people who need help. He cared about the youth, let’s honor him by honoring the youth!
Cartoon
Fining
Rocky Kemp lead Fining and Confessions
Kay Bliss shared that Charlie Thompson’s passing has reminded her of how many Rotarians have been mentors and role models to her.
Matt shared invited the club for Tuesday, August 27th for Italian wine and dinner, and an outdoor viewing of: The Bicycle Thief – the 1948 Italian drama film directed by Vittorio De Sica. The film follows the story of a poor father searching post-World War II Rome for his stolen bicycle, without which he will lose the job which was to be the salvation of his young family. A discussion of the film will follow the screening. Schedule: 6:00-7:00PM – Wine and dinner, 7:00-8:30 – Film Screening, 8:30-9:00 – Discussion
Bill Gilbreth shared how Charlie Thompson would read to kids as a Rotary Project.
Tara shared that on Thursday, August 15th at 7:30PM there will be a “Doc” (Documentary) and Talk at Greater Goods. The group will be watching Biggest Little Farm.
Bob Davis shared an inspiring story of how Charlie Thompson lead his life by “never stop learning”. Bob shared that Charlie once stopped by the house and learned how to make bread by watching Bob’s wife. Something he would do years later.
Rocky was 12 when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Rocky quizzed and fined members based on their knowledge of this event.
Bill Gilbreth introduced Catherine Meek, Executive Advisor of School on Wheels.
School on Wheels, Inc. is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1993 by
Agnes Stevens, a retired schoolteacher, who understood the importance of education to students experiencing homelessness - and the unique challenges they face. “We were then, and we remain, the only organization in Southern California dedicated exclusively to the educational needs of this fragile population.”
Today, hundreds of volunteers work one-on-one with children whose homelessness prevents them from getting the academic stability and help they desperately need. The heart of School on Wheels’ programs is the volunteer tutors who come from all backgrounds and professions, with a shared goal – to reach out to a child, to teach, to mentor, and assist in their educational life. The mission of School on Wheels is to enhance educational opportunities for children from kindergarten through twelfth grade who are experiencing homelessness. Our goal is to shrink the gaps in their education and provide them with the highest level of education possible. Our program serves as a consistent support system to these students at a time of great stress and fear. We bring the message to our students that they are cared about and important. We do this by offering:
- One-on-one weekly tutoring
- School supplies
- Assistance in entering school
- Help in locating lost records
- Scholarships
- Guidance for parents in educational matters for their children
- A Learning Center located in the heart of Skid Row
Our core values represent what we believe in, what we stand for, and how we approach everything we do. They determine how we treat each other, our students, volunteers, donors, partners, and the communities we serve. Our values serve as both a description of what we already share and an aspiration for what School on Wheels continues to strive for. We measure our success by how well we live up to them.
More information on School on Wheels can be obtained by visiting:
Final Thoughts
President Edwards finished with a closing thought for the day:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Nelson Mandela
Meeting was adjourned promptly at 1:30 PM
Al West confessed that it’s Smokey the Bear’s Birthday and shared the history about the Bear. Al auctioned a Smokey the Bear baseball that went for $80! More information on the history of Smokey the Bear can be found at: 
