In the Beginning...
President Kay and Marty welcomed the members and guests to the "Not your usual Club Assembly" meeting, the first live meeting of our dynamic duo. Booths with banners and baubles beckoned and beguiled the attendees. (Forgive the poorly constructed alliteration.)
Michael Scar led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Christine Golden delivered the Invocation:
As we enter into this new Rotary year with excitement and even some anxiety, we are thankful for the gifts, talents, and skills with which we are blessed. We are thankful for the experiences that have brought us to this moment, for the work of others that gives breadth and depth to our own work.
Today, may we be open to others' ideas and beliefs, and respectful of our differences. May we grow in understanding of ourselves and others. May we be patient and kind as we talk. May we find common ground and shared purpose as we seek to strengthen our Rotary Club. May we see clearly that what unites us as Rotarians is a desire and willingness to serve.
Jayne served up a Chinese chicken salad, egg rolls, and all the fixins.
Kay took the podium and thanked those who make these meetings take flight:
Pledge: Michael Scar
Invocation: Christine Golden
Greeter: Suzanne Scar
Welcome Table: Michael Scar
Money Man: Dave Brubaker
Reminder Editor/Photography: Carl Gross
Room Setup: Bill Prather
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
President Kay gave a personal welcome to
Cindy Enderby from Michigan. She and
Kay met in Ghana's NID (National Immunization Days).
Returning special guest Bruce Hanson was welcomed.
Announcements
Marty and Kay are trying to make sure that every meeting you leave with lots of information about what our Club is doing and coming events and projects. Rotary table signs will have information about coming meetings, programs and events, some Rotary Facts, and other information keep you up to date. The new banners will help remind us why we are Rotarians.
Rotary Board of Directors Meeting: Next Thursday, 7/21 at 7:30 AM, Aquinas Center Library. All members are welcome!
International Service Committee: Next Tuesday, 7/19 at Kevin Davis' home and by Zoom. Contact Leslie Bouche for details.
Rotary Clubs of 
Ojai Theater Night: On 7/22. We join our Ojai West Rotarian sisters and brothers at the
Ojai Art Center Theater at
6:00 PM for a no host bar reception followed by the production of
Music Man at 7:30 PM. Carl Gross' daughter,
Darrienne plays
Marian the Librarian with a stellar cast. You will need to get your tickets directly from the
Art Center website. These final showings are filling up fast.
Wednesday evening, 7/20, Ojai West will honor our own Deirdre Daly, new Living Treasure with her leading the balloon parade at Libbey Park and band concert to follow at 7:30 PM.
Kay introduced the fun squad, aka Social Committee:
Sue Gilbreth, Kathy Yee, and Cindy Frings. On
Friday, 7/29, at 5-6:30 PM we will celebrate, gathering at
Meiners Heritage Cafe in Meiners Oaks for hors d'oeuvres, refreshments, and music. All this for $30. Make sure to sign up with
Sue Gilbreth to reserve a slot.
7/22-Richard Yao-President of Cal State University Channel Islands.
7/29-5th Friday Social-Meiners Heritage Cafe
8/5-
Rick Ridgeway-
A Life Lived Wild (Don't miss this! Rick is a world-famous mountaineer and adventurer who has given us great programs in the past).
Click here for more information.
Fining: Ren Adam
Ren introduced his team for this year:
Cindy Frings, Betsy Watson, Bill Weirick, Cheree Edwards, and Tessa Turner.
Cindy set it off with confessions-Kevin Davis, Wendy Barker (3rd Friday at the Ojai Museum-BYO), Catherine Lee (rattlesnake in the outhouse), and Christine Golden (city plaque commemorating and thanking her for 15 years of service in the Ojai Arts Commission)
Fining centered on "Rotary rapid fire" questions regarding details of Kay and Marty. Deirdre Daly, Suzanne Scar, Kevin Davis, Dominic Pino, Bill Hatch, Kathy Yee, and Janet Mahon withered under the barrage of questions.
Program: Club Assembly
Club historian, Tony Thacher gave brief history of our Club, founded in 1948, sponsored by the Ventura and Santa Paula Clubs, and now on the cusp of our 75th anniversary. Tony invited the membership to offer suggestions for commemorative projects. It was felt that we should focus on youth, education, environment, housing, and cooperation with other Rotary Clubs. Kevin Davis suggested we help with the immediate needs of the Matilija Auditorium.
Rotary Club of Ojai Diamond Anniversary 1948 – 2023
Imagine History Is Prelude to the Present
Our Ojai Rotary Club held its Charter Night celebration on June 25th, 1948 in the Ojai Elementary School Auditorium with Val Eicher, manager of the Ojai branch of the Bank of America, as our first President. Chuck Teague and Fred Udall represented our sponsor clubs
of Ventura and Santa Paula respectively. Take note of the last on the list of our charter members, Bill Weidemann, who would become our one and only District Governor in 1956-57. Also please note the name Anton Zvollanek, a renown retired plant breeder who planted the seed of one of our club’s iconic programs. There’ll be more about that in a later edition of IMHIPP.
Marty introduced the RCO Board of Directors and Chairpersons:
President-Kay Bliss and Marty Babayco
President-Elect-Bill Prather
Co-President Elect-Carl A. Gross
Past President-Betsy Watson
Community Service-Sue Gilbreth
Club Service-Sean McDermott
International Service-Leslie Bouche
Vocational Service-Larry Beckett
Public Relations-Kevin Davis
Membership Co-Chair-Deirdre Daly
Membership-Gregory Webster
Member at Large-Cheree Edwards
Rotary Club of Ojai Education Foundation-Mike Weaver
Family of Rotary-Betsy Watson
RYLA Coordinator-Kathy Yee
The Rotary Foundation-Tony Thacher
Polio Plus Chair-Bob Davis
Club Bulletin Editor-Carl Gross
Programs Chair-Bret Bradigan
Members were encouraged to visit the individual tables, share their suggestions, and learn more about plans for this year.
Another opportunity for Rotarians that many of us are unaware of. This is Rotary Fellowships and Discussion Groups.
Have you ever wondered how to network and share your interests in Rotary, faced a problem in Rotary and need consultation, wanted to expand your social ties in Rotary through common interests, and have a good time?
Well look no further. Rotary International has two readily available forums and social platforms which you should consider.
Rotary Fellowships are groups that are formed around a shared interest. It is accessible by going to the Rotary International site (
Rotary Fellowships | Rotary International) , joining the group, and start sharing. Below, is a list of fellowships reflecting the interests of fellow Rotarians:
A second way to network with fellow Rotarians is by discussion groups. It can also be accessed on the Rotary International website. (
Discussion Groups | My Rotary). You can start your own discussion group or sign into existing groups.
You must sign into “My Rotary” on the site to join the discussions.
Connect with other Rotary members by joining a discussion group or starting a new one. Find others who share your interests and activities, connect with project partners, and tap into the diversity of global perspectives that is Rotary.
Marty closed the meeting with thanks to the Club for their participation, volunteering, as we work together to "Imagine Rotary".
Final Thoughts--Life Hack
"When you have 90 percent of a large project completed, finishing up the final details will take another 90 percent."
Kevin Kelly
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