The Rotary Club of
Ojai
 

Ojai Rotary Reminder Newsletter
July 12th, 2019

Editor:  Bret Bradigan
 
Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. 
Our 1.2 million-member organization started with the vision of one man—Paul P. Harris. The Chicago attorney formed one of the world’s first service organizations, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on 23 February 1905 as a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member.
 
IN THE BEGINNING...
 
Fittingly for such a warm summer afternoon, Rotarians wandering into Soule Park Clubhouse were greeted by the wafting aroma of grilled burger and sausages. We were thereupon charmingly relieved of their lucre by the inimitable Anne Carper, while the warmth continued with greetings by Tara Saylor and Brian Berman. 
 
After being brought to some semblance of order by our new president Cheree Edwards (with a proper gavel, courtesy of Dr. Carl Gross,) the pledge was led by Sid Cohn, and the meeting was eloquently invoked by Al West, asking for a blessing on our new president. Cheree gave shout-outs to Ginger as well as roving mic-ster Mike Malone and yours truly for Reminder reminding.
 
VISITING ROTARIANS
 
• Rex Van Gorden of the Rotary Club of Boulder, Colorado - sending greetings from John and Maud Kenyon, who he said were every bit as active as they were as  Rotary-West members.
 
GUESTS
 
• Kathy Yee, introduced by Deirdre Daly
 
FAMILY OF ROTARY
 
• Anne Carper gave us the sad news that past-president and Rotary stalwart Bill Ghormley had passed.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
• Anne also passed along news that workdays were scheduled for the Land Conservancy’s Allan Jacobs Trail - on Saturday, July 20th and Wednesday, July 24th. She also said that she and Chad usually spend the 4th of July week in Jackson Hole, but this year, instead, they hiked to Nordhoff Peak on the 4th, where “We really felt Allan’s spirit.” The workdays typically start at 7:30 a.m. but more information will be forthcoming.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taste of Ojai:
 
 
Co-Chair Matt Clements and Sponsor Chair Marc Whitman gave us an update on our most important fund-raising event. The venue has been changed to Topa Mountain Winery, though the Ojai Valley Inn will still be hosting the sponsor tent plus other perks like parking. The group meets every second Thursday at 5 p.m. at Topa Mountain Winery. Matt also mentioned that “Cheree really covers my back,” which he appreciates. Marc said that he just picked up the first sponsor check, from Dr. Carl’s Ojai Family Medicine Group. Plus pledges from the Thacher family, Community Memorial Hospital, Fred Farkhani at the Medicine Shoppe, and Greg Webster at Greg Rents for party equipment.
 
• Fifth Fridays:
 
Deirdre told us about her committee’s work, gearing up for a joint party with Rotary-West on August 30th, which promises to be great fun with a “Spaghetti Western” theme. It will also include a visit from the District 5240 President Savi Bimh. 
 
• Calendar: Cheree put some calendars on the table and said she’d be giving us updates every month. She also ran through a list of names of birthday celebrators for June and July.
 
• Rotary Minute: Cheree informed us she would introduce a new feature - in the spirit of Deirdre’s Irish jokes, Bradigan’s much-bemoaned “Great Moments of History,” or Al West’s “Forestry Facts.”
 
 
• Cheree presented Deirdre with District’s “Gold Medal” Club designation, which the highest honor available without establishing a new club or an Interact club.
 
 
 
• Cheree shared a wonderful short film about the District Retreat, which was held here in Ojai at Camp Ramah. It was fun to see her smiling face as she was being interviewed.
 
• PROGRAMS:
 
Bill Gilbreth said his committee - Tony Thacher, Dr. Pops, John Russell, Cheree, Sandy Buechley, Christine Golden and Bret Bradigan were filling up the calendar quickly. Some coming attractions were the new OUSD superintendent (and potential member) Dr. Tiffany Morse would be presenting Aug. 13th, and Robert Stratton, Sandy’s step-grandson was also coming up.
 
. ROTARY HUMOR
 
 
EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY
 
 
 
 
 
• FINING:
 
Ren Adam updated us about his committee - comprised of Colin Jones, Greg Webster, Rocky Kemp, Judy Gabriel, David Scarlett and Christine Golden. The idea will be to pick a relevant theme, and pickpocket from there. He also said that people should not feel obligated to contribute $20 for confessions or fines, just whatever they can afford. He called for a few confessions, fine free, and the following Rotary members spoke up …
 
- Anne Carper told us both her daughters - Erica and Brittany - were married in June! Whew. 
 
- Janet Mahon shared the sad news that Penny Balicki, a former Living Treasure, passed away recently. She was hoping to find a home for two of Penny’s cats, and soon.
 
- Brian Berman said that he and his wife Lisa, along with Judy Gabriel and moral support from Deirdre, marched in the 4th of July parade to commemorate Ojai as a City of Peace.
 
- Tara Saylor said she also marched in the parade, doing double duty as a dinosaur and as Meditation Mount founder Florence Garrigue. And won first place!
 
- Ray Powers said he’d published his second book, “Simple Brilliance,” and has been invited to be the keynote speaker at a coming conference.
 
- Dick Weirick confessed that he’d be missing Bill Ghormley, a close friend.
 
- Don Reed said he and Susan had hosted four grandchildren between the ages of 4 and 10 and that also they celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.
 
- Marc Whitman said that the garden playhouse he designed, and Tara built, was on display at the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden.
 
- Ren Adam said that the 93rd iteration of the Ojai Valley Directory was hitting the streets
.
- Cheree said that she and Don were celebrating their 39th wedding anniversary, on this very same day!
 
 
 
- Cheree also presented Peace Chair Judy Gabriel with a flag and pin.
 
 
CLUB ASSEMBLY
 
1. Treasurer: Sandy Buechley explained that the dues statements went out recently - and that of the $165 for six months, half are paid out to Rotary International and the district, while the remaining money supports the club. And the lunch price was increased to $20 from $17 after some years, though the meeting-only fee remains at $5.
 
 
 
 
2. Public Relations: Chair Andy Gilman presented his marketing plan for the club, focusing on Initiatives to spruce up the club’s materials - including the website and a new brochure. He also said he’d be working on content. His detailed presentation included setting a calendar of tasks for the club, but especially for Taste of Ojai, to keep the committee on task.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. Membership:
 
Jack Jacobs and Deirdre Daly, co-chairs, ran through their plans for the Rotary year, including Jack’s “emphasis on quality, not quantity.” He also emphasized reconciling the club’s Continuing Resolutions for consistency on membership issues. And a “cradle-to-grave” system to manage membership, not just the recruiting. On their committee, Mark Whitman will handle recruitment; Dave Watson the blue badge process; Mike Scar, the statistics; Mike Malone, followup calls; Bill Prather to reach out to new members to make sure they feel welcome; Anne Carper will be handling Family of Rotary, to include the good news and not just grim.
 
 
 
4. International Service:
 
Leslie Bouche’s had ambitious plans for the ISC, “It’s been a vibrant part of the club for so long, because we put a strong emphasis on follow-through” on the many projects. Those projects include a motorcycle repair class and Goats for Nomads in Niger; administering a Global Grant for the Prashanti School in Puri, India, where the partnership with the local Rotary club gave us the project’s contractor, who continued the work through a devastating typhoon. New projects include working with the Tibetan Aid Foundation with the Tibetan community in northern India (working with the Chinese occupiers proved untenable. We will also be supporting a project in Boulder, Colorado.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5. Vocational Service: Tara Saylor gave an energized, inspired roundup of her plans, which will be a multi-year project. Continuing though will be the Fred Clapp Ethic Award; the Matilija Portfolio Project; and Boy Scouts. New projects include “cloud fishers” at two locations, including Bryant Huber’s backyard; plus a Warka Tower at the City gardens. She was also planning a “Vocational Speed Dating” event to bring together younger Ojai residents with experienced Rotarians. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINAL THOUGHTS
 
Given the lateness of the hour, Cheree gaveled us to a ringing close with a quote from the dearly departed Lerie Bjornstedt. “Don’t be afraid to ring that damn bell!” “With that, have a great weekend and stay cool!"
 
Dismissed.
 
 

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