The Rotary Club of
Ojai
 

Ojai Rotary Reminder Newsletter
September 13, 2019

September is Basic Education and Literacy Month

Matt Clements, Editor

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.
 
Another beautiful day in Ojai!
 
 
 
Past President Deirdre Daly called the meeting to order, President Cheree and her husband are taking a week sabbatical on Catalina Island.  Deirdre thanked Fred Coleman and Bill Prather for set up.  Patricia Anderson led everyone in the flag salute.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marty Babayco gave a beautiful and thoughtful invocation:
 

Today, as we stand in this beautiful Ojai Valley, may we as Rotarians stay focused on Rotary’s humanitarian objectives we have for the world

 

  • Provide freedom from hunger, sickness and disease;
  • Freedom from oppression and intolerance;
  • Promote peace and conflict prevention and resolution;
  • Support worldwide maternal and child health;
  • Insure clean water and sanitation;
  • Encourage economic and community development; 
  • Support basic education and literacy; 
  • and, Help support the freedom to choose our own destinies. 

 

Let us reaffirm our commitment to our simple Rotary Four-Way Test for all we do and support.  Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

 

Let us also reaffirm our commitment to high ethics in all we do and remember Service Above Self is a way to live each and every day. 

 

And we give thanks for all the blessings, opportunities and responsibilities that befall us as Rotarians. And in so doing, we reaffirm our promise to service - with optimism, renewed energy and hope, and a commitment to service for our fellow men and women here at home and around the world.

 
Matt Clements held down desk duty.  Wendy Barker and Anne Carper were our friendly greeters. As always, a big thank you to Ginger Case for feeding us.
 
Special Guests:
 
Sandy Schwartz, Past District President
Bruce McGee, District Assistant Governor
Rob Anderson, Patricia Anderson's husband
Sandra Mistretta, Emergency Visions
Cindy Twigs, Studio 84 West
 
Announcements:
 
 
 
Past District governor Sandy Schwartz presented the Club with two (2) awards:  The Large Club Citation of Distinction, a singular honor given to very few clubs, and the District Retention Awards; why would anyone ever want to quit our Club?
 
Deirdre Daly, Betsy Watson, and Kathy Yee are running the Taste of Ojai Silent Auction this year.  Deirdre sent out a request for large auction items, especially beach or vacation houses, for you that are so blessed.  We are trying to have a smaller list of larger items, 8-10, like last year, that raise more significant donations.  Is anyone willing to host a dinner party?  Bill and Sue Gilbreth are offering their annual Poker game, that's always a blast.  Please: Put your thinking caps on and see how you can help with our ONE and only fundraiser this year!!!
 
 
 
 
Judy Gabriels and Ron Powers are chairing the International Peace Day on October 21st and 22nd and are asking for volunteers to help with setup and staffing the booth.  Anyone interested, please call Judy at 805-798-4111
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Judy requests:
 
The Peace Day is in Libbey Park, Sun 9/22 from 11-4:00. 
 
The help we need is five people on each shift in the booth:
 
They can either make doves with the guests or talk to folks about Rotary.
 
Set up:
 
9:30-10:30
1) Judy Gabriel
2) Colin Jones
3) Kay Bliss
 
10:30 to 1:00 p.m.
1) Judy Gabriel
2) Colin Jones
3) Mike Weaver
4) 
5)
 
and/or
 
1:00 to 4:00 - then help break down until 4:30
1) Judy Gabriel
2) Wendy Barker
3) Therese Brown (2:00-4:30 only)
4) Christine Golden (1-2:00 only)
5)

If anyone has a truck they can help transport the ez up from our Bryant Street storage, that would be great as well. (9:30 a.m. and then again at 4:30 p.m.)
 
Our own Don Reed just hit his 8th year with the Club.  There are no words to describe the vital roles he plays in so many aspects of the Club!
 
 
 
 
Rotary Humor
 
 
 
 
 
Fining:
David Scarlett brought a topical theme to fining this week with questions revolving around serial killers we have known and loved.  Honestly, I will never see David the same way again; he was just a little too good at the subject!!  Exceptional Job David, everyone was paying rapt attention…and leaving the lights on that night, no doubt! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Today's Program:
 
ROTARY CLUB OF OJAI EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (RCOEF)
 
The Rotary Club of Ojai provides so much to the community, the world, and each of us individually.  Everything we do is made possible, (I'll say it again), everything we do is made possible by the hard and thankless administrative work done behind the scenes.  The subject of this week's program is analogous to eating your vegetables, not glamorous but vital to the health and longevity or our Club.  It also provides the opportunity to thank and celebrate all the excellent work, and those that do it.
 
ROTARY CLUB OF OJAI EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (RCOEF)
 
OFFICERS:
Don Reed  (Chair)                   Randy Roth (Secretary)
Jeff Loebl   (Vice Chair)           Mike Weaver (Treasurer)
 
DIRECTORS:
Janet Campbell  (Scholarship Committee Chair)                   Marty Babayco
Bill Prather          (Investment Committee Chair)                   Bill Gilbreth
John Russell       (Audit Committee Chair)                             Suzanne Scar
Bret Bradigan      (Club Service Director) Ex-officio              Tony Thatcher
Michael Scar       (Club President-Elect) Ex-officio                Dave Watson
 
 
 
 
 
Don Reed (Chairperson) gave a very detailed presentation of the RCOEF financial condition for the first eight (8) months of the year, in comparison to 2018.  The total assets in the account, both restricted and unrestricted are $4,499,216, up from $3,908,379 on December 31, 2018.  There were two (2) significant contributions to the endowment this year; $151,000 and $250,000.
 
 
Marty Babayco (Ad Hoc Committee Chair) The committee was formed in October of 2017 and has worked almost two (2) years on this project.  Marty and his team redrafted our Gift Acceptance Policy, as Marty says it's tantamount to "reading the phone book" but a core and vital aspect of the RCOEF!   The Foundation found itself growing its endowment but hot having a long-range plan to govern all aspects of future donations.  The committee defined the donation decision making process, guidelines for donors, guidelines to ensure the growth of the endowment and Foundation responsibilities.
 
After much hard work and due diligence, the Ad Hoc Committee approved a revised Mission Statement, updated the By-Laws and the New Gift Acceptance Policy.  The Gift Acceptance Policy now defines and provides clarity on various ways to donate to the Foundation.  It also describes the limitations and restrictions of various gifts.  They also developed a two (2) page donor invitation form to assist possible donors with an invitation to join in our mission.  Marty wants to thank Bill Gilbreth, Jack Jacobs, Jeff Loebl, Tony Thatcher, Dave Watson, Don Reed, Bill Prather and Mike Weaver for all the hard work, dedication and perseverance in the completion of this epic project.
 
Bill Prather (Investment Committee Chair), The purpose of the Investment Policy is to provide a clear statement of the Foundation's investment objectives and to define the responsibilities of those involved in the management of the Foundation's investments. The primary long-term financial objective is to preserve and enhance the real (inflation-adjusted) value of the Portfolio.  The Foundation only Invests in fully liquid, publicly traded, common and convertible preferred stock. Margin trades, short sales, commodity trades, and futures contracts are prohibited.  No individual investment will exceed 5% of the total value of the accounts. The money is managed by two (2) investment managers: Northern Trust in Montecito, and Westmont Asset Management in Los Angeles. Two managers provide divergent points of view and additional diversification.
Management of the assets is an enormous responsibility, Bill and his committee deserve a round of applause for all the work they do.
 
Last Thoughts...
 
Deirdre closed the meeting with the thought for the day:
 
"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it"
 
…Marian Wright Edelman

You are invited to visit us at an upcoming meeting.

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