In the beginning...
“MOST INSPRIRING PROGRAM(S) OF THE YEAR!” “MY FAITH IN THE FUTURE IS RESTORED!”
“SOLD! $100!” If you are in a hurry, these quotes say it all!
This Rotary Day was different, so will be the form of reporting. Pres Carl opened the meeting by greeting us in the Matilija Community Center, the newly repurposed Matilija Jr High School Lunchroom. He dispatched his Presidential Thanks and Praise to the oft named team that keeps us coming and going. Once we grabbed our sack lunches of admirable quality and sat, the
Three-part program began. Notifications were few, but important. Shred and E-waste Day, sponsored by US, will be April 6 from 9-12 at Nordhoff Parking lot. Larry Beckett needs your thoughtful input for the Fred Clapp Award, given annually to the last member of the community with Rotarian Principles that isn’t a Rotarian. The search dog foundation is looking for volunteers.
Upcoming Programs
Jack Jacobs presented the next 4 programs, including J.D.White on the first, “ I cannot read my writing” on the 8th. Get acquainted talks on the 15th, and Marilyn Mosley Gordanier from Laurel Springs School will be here on the 22nd. I will confess that I didn’t miss fining!
Club LIVE
Carl told us that the school District was hosting us and giving is a good look at the repurposing of the Matilija and other properties. Most District administrative offices, plus Legacy and more will relocate here, to possibly free up downtown for other community uses, which might even include affordable housing. Club L.I.V.E will bring us up to date and We are celebrating Peace with a special Ceremony.
Atticus Reyes
Cheree Edwards, bounded to the podium to give a positive, yet short, introduction of the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ojai Unified School District, Mr. Atticus Reyes., who gave us a rather detailed and forthright state of the schools’ address. No one in the room was unfamiliar with the turmoil of the past year. It was interesting to hear of the TOUGH decisions that had to be made, but refreshing to hear of the movement forward, including specific plans for a number of the closed campuses. The proof of progress was that recently the state board tasked with watching OUSD rebound reported a positive result for the first time in over a year. Many thanks for the positive Report. Did I sense competency?
Raising $ for Club Live
Kay Bliss then Introduced Club Live Advisor Gabrielle Taylor, who gave a very brief precis of what L.I.V.E. is, does, and hopes to be, before introducing us to Madeline DeMauro, Madden Miles, Apolo Madrigal, Jacaranda Shepard, Ben Bagley, Emily Schurmer, and Ella Seery., each of whom, in turn shared their pretty darned personal feelings on what they have done and are about to do. For 7 years these club mates and others before having worked for the full school year to raise funds to go somewhere overseas to immerse themselves in a specific culture and work like hell on things most of them have never done before to help humanity and learn from others. Excitedly this year they are preparing for a two-week trip to Laos to help two native tribes improve their living style. For a group of 11, they have very large goals and have a Budget of $30,000 to cover for their trip in June. We all wondered how in the we might be able to help.
Auction!
About that time, the L.I.V.E. members showed us that they had some Baked good they they were willing to part with, so, Bret Nighman Literally out leapt the previously mentioned Cheree, to become Auctioneer with grace and aplomb. He helped raise over $1500 for the cause. I have to admit, this violated some Rotary goals, as this wonderful feat wqs hardly sustainable, and the L.I.V.E. club members were disappointed when they were told, NO, you cannot come back next week as bakers! Seriously, it was a wonderful warm moment and I really think the kids were surprised at the Heart (You know the Club with the biggest heart We know!).I know I was!
Peace Pole
But Wait! There is MORE! Pres Carl moved the meeting, well figuratively, to the Peace Pavilion where with strength of her ancestors and the grace of her being, Chumash Elder, Julie Tumamait, gave a strong, thoughtful and eternal prayer and blessing to the 7 directions. Her plaintive prayer awoke something in all of us, I am sure. Then the white peace pole with prayers in several languages, including Chumash, was presented and several locations were discussed for installing nearby soon.
So, this was a long meeting with three parts, anyone of which would have made a bang-up program, but the trilogy worked ad I personally felt a sense of optimism at all venues and with all speakers that I truly relished.
Carl closed the meeting with this quote ”World peace must develop from Inner peace. Peace is not just a mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, The manifestation of human compassion” Dalai Lama IV
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