The Rotary Club of
Ojai
 

Ojai Rotary Reminder Newsletter
September 22nd, 2017

In the Beginning....
 
As the faux fall graced the Ojai Valley (there will be more hot days ahead), stalwart Rotarians and their guests assembled in the Soule Park Center for fun, fellowship, and their fill of food. President Mike started the meeting with a challenge to the 4 Way Test.  There were 2-$20 bills found on the ground.  Being no one to claim it, I guess it went into the pot. 
 
 
 
 
 
Bill Weirick ably led the Salute to the Flag of this Great Nation. 
 
Jack Jacobs offered the following wish:
 
Teach us to treasure the differences that distinguish one person from another.  Fill us with the strength to overcome senseless fear and hatred.  Inspire us to shed our apathy; remind us that it is our obligation to be responsible for one another.  Give us the courage to combat prejudice and intolerance wherever they exist  Teach us that all people are equally loved and equally precious, and bless us all with compassion, kindness, and with peace.  Amen to that!
 
Thanks were given to Robert Roddick, our Sergeant at Arms, who came out and set up the meeting hall and then returned to his pressing duties at the hospital, Jack for the invocation, Bill for the flag salute, our Program Director, Dave Brubaker, our Fine Master, Jack Jacobs, Roger Phelps for our interim sound system, and our Greeters, Terry Twichell, and Nathan Kaehler. A special thanks was given to Ginger Case for feeding us. The ribs were delish!
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
 
Alas, there were no visiting Rotarians.
 
Our guests included:
 
Caryn Boson-Cofounder of Ojai Valley Youth Foundation
Francine Nelson-President of Ojai Valley Youth Foundation
Edie Sims-Proud Grandmother of Riley
Brandon Schneider-Proud Papa of Riley
Riley Schneider-PEP Program Awardee
Lindsay Guzik-Proud Teacher of Riley
Christine Golden
 
Welcome to all!!!
 
Upcoming Programs
 
9/29-Fifth Friday Luau at Mike and Lisa Malone's abode.  Make sure and reply to the Evite.
 
10/06-Kim Maxwell-KM Studio 
 
10/13-Patrick Zarate-COO-Ventura County Behavioral Health
 
10/20-Kathleen Schafer-Interesting Outlooks for Ojai
 
10/27-Craft Talks
 
Announcements and Presentations
 
Dr. Fauvre called Riley and her teacher, Lindsay Guzik, to the podium for the Physical Education Project Award. Riley is an 8th grade student at Sunset School.  She makes success look easy.  Her teacher described her as kind, intelligent, and having a strong sense of duty which comes as naturally as her athletic ability.  As a member of the Student Council, she helps organize and work events.  She can put younger, frightened students at ease with her warm personality. She trains in cross country and soccer as well as completing all her school assignments. Ms. Guzik described her as a true gift to Sunset School and the Community.  (A potential Rotarian, I'm thinking.).  Congratulations, Riley on your well deserved award.
 
Rotary Club Ventura East in keeping with the upcoming Halloween,  is hosting a Nightmare on the Hill, October 29th from 6 to 10 PM.  There is special group pricing.  Proceeds go to local organizations including the YMCA.  Email Jeff Hata for more information:  jeff@rotaryventuraeast.org
 
Mike Weaver announced that this Sunday was the Ojai City Peace Festival.  We will have a booth there.
 
Fifth Friday will take place at the Malone abode.  Please let Mike and Lisa know if you are coming.  Ginger will be there handling the potables. A good time will be had by all. 
 
Fred Coleman got his Blue Badge. Way to go, Fred!
 
 
 
 
Fining and Confessions
 
Dandy Dave Watson led the extraction of ducats, comforted by the less than enthusiastic applause.
 
Confessions abounded.  We have ample amounts of guilt and profit from it.
 
Don Scanlon announced the merger of Ojai Community Bank and Bank of the Sierras as of 10/1/17.  This merger will allow the bank to offer a broader menu of services to the Ojai Community.
 
Tony Thacher was crowing about the 2 game winning streak of his Cal Bears and was willing to put $40 up for their match with USC.
 
P.K. reported that 20 laptops were refused by the Ugandan government.  Not to be dismayed, they provided sanitary kits for female students.
 
Fines centered around our ability to name the team and it's mascot in the NFL.
 
Greg Webster identified the Atlanta Falcons mascot.
Suzanne could not identify the Buffalo Bills' Billy Buffalo
Rod Owen failed to name the Miami Dolphins' T.D.
Therese Brown could not pair the SF Fortyniners with Sourdough Sam
Dwayne Boccali failed to recognize the L.A. Chargers' Bolt Man
Patricia Anderson could not name the Indianapolis Colts' Blue.
 
 
 
 
Program-Caryn Bosson and Francine Nelson-The Ojai Valley Youth Foundation
 
Mike Weaver introduced Caryn who traced the history of the Foundation.  She is a practicing Non-Profit Consultant.  The OVYF is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. She thanked many of the founders of this active and vibrant youth club. To name a few: Jimmie Clapp, Shari Skinner, Carl Hunziker, Jerry Kaplan, Nic Frank, Frank Finck, Larry and Eric Wilde, Dr. Bob Skankey, Judy Gabriel, Cindy Jones, and Marty Babayco.  Do you see a trend here?
 
in 1995, California was bracing for a "Youthquake".  It was either more jails or more after school youth activities.  The then Mayor Steve Olson and City Manager Andy Belknapp hired Caryn to formulate a youth master plan.  After 3000 surveys and 3 forums, the Ojai Valley Youth Master Plan was formulated.  It was so well done that other Ventura cities used the plan.
 
The State of California offered 10 grants of 1 million dollars to communities for plans of merit.  There were 400 applicants and Ojai was one of the finalists. So the OVYF was born.  At first, the Ojai youth rallied around 55 job opportunities which were no ordinary jobs: Data analysis, taking surveys, brainstorming, meeting with Community Leaders and envisioning.  Results were presented to Community Leaders. The OVYF had to raise matching funds as one of the conditions of the award.
 
A plethora of programs for youth were spawned, the Youth Employment Service, Mentoring Programs focusing on computer sciences, yoga, and the Martin Luther Kind Day celebrations and Bandemonium (a garage band competition) were just a few of such programs.  There were mini grants for qualified programs.
 
Monies were raised.  Golf and Tennis Tournaments helped raise the dough. More programs followed: Club MAD (Make a difference), leadership projects, pizza nights, teen insights, party helpers to name a few.  Saviero Lara, our first Latino City Counsel Member was a part of those programs.
 
Francine Nelson, chairperson, spoke about the Youth Leadership Council, Girls and Boys Empowerment.  She announced a 20 year celebration at the Topa Mountain Winery in early December, to be announced.
 
Francine and Caryn, thanks for your dedication to the youth of the Ojai Valley and for sharing with us this dynamic and vital organization.!
 
Final Thoughts:
 
President Mike closed the meeting with a quote from Albert Einstein:
 
"We cannot solve our problems, with the same thinking we used when we created them."

You are invited to visit us at an upcoming meeting.

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