In the Beginning....

At 12:10 President Bill Gilbreth rang the bell to commence the final meeting of 2016.

Bill Prather led us in the flag salute and Lerie Bjornstedt gave us a thoughtful invocation.  Then we escorted our guests and ourselves to the buffet for a holiday lunch.

At 12:30 President Bill rang the bell again to thank Matt Clements for setting up the room for our meeting, Sandy Buechley and Hank Bangser for warmly greeting all of our members and guests, Mike Malone for the roving mic, Don Reed for manning the front table and Suzanne Scar for serving as our Reminder Editor.  Thank you Ginger Case for lunch!

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Our guests this week were Renee Mandala (speaker);  Alexia Parks, visiting Rotarian from Boulder Colorado; Scott Johnson (Patricia Teague Anderson’s guest); and Dr. Gross’s ‘special guest’ Brian Huber, his son in law and an entertaining guitar player.

Announcements

The announcements for this meeting were: This is the last meeting of a great year.  We will be dark the last 2 weeks of 2016.   President Bill thanked his incredible team including Matt Clements, Don Reed, all Board Officers and heads of our Avenues of Service for helping make this a wonderful year.

The Christmas Party – a good time was had by all except for a few lost/locked out Rotarians.  A very sincere apology was forthcoming by President Bill. 

President Bill talked about the centennial celebration for Ojai.  There is an article in the Ojai Quarterly about this exciting event, he encouraged all of us to participate. 

Pradeep Kapadia announced that his Foundation is sending 14 laptops to 3 different countries for those in need.  Janet Campbell handed out Thank you Cards for the Taste of Ojai vendors, encouraging us to give these to the owners whenever we visit their establishments.

Fining

Fine Master, Cheree Edwards lead the way to another outstanding fining session.  She asked historical and relative questions about Rotary and our club… giving out presents for those that answered correctly.  The confessions ranged from an upcoming visit to India by Leslie, Alan’s 44 years of marriage, Judy’s announcement of e-waste day, Cheree’s proud bragging of her daughter’s accomplishments and Tara is moving….WHAT? ….oh my, we are going to miss this wonderful Rotarian however, her family and new community will surely benefit.

Program:  Ojai Cares

Leslie Bouche, introduced Renee Mandala, from Ojai Cares.  Renee give an emotional and inspiring presentation about Cancer Awareness Resources Education & Support (CARES).  She and Susan Kapadia (Executive Director) started this Ojai organization in 2014. Renee has a Master’s in Counseling Psychology, a Bachelor’s in Social Work, a Certification in Consciousness, Health and Healing and a lifelong career in human services.  Renee’s own personal journey through cancer inspired in her a passion to serve others dealing with cancer.  She’s just completed a year and half program to become Certified in Naturopathic Oncology Patient Advocacy as part of the Integrative Cancer Awareness Network.  Volunteers are always needed.

Closing Thoughts....

President Bill gave us his closing thought by one of his favorite entertainers, Groucho Marx.

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend.  Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.”

He rang the bell to signify the end of another great meeting.