The meeting was called to order and President Daly thanked Therese Brown and Matt Clements as greeters. Bob Davis was thanked for leading the club with the flag salute and Al West for his invocation. Bryant Huber was thanked for set up and Tony Thatcher was thanked for desk duty. Michael Bee was thanked for room set up and Ginger was thanked for serving lunch.
Visiting Rotarians and guests:
Visiting Rotarians: Wade Nomura and Sandi Schwartz.
Guests: Brian Berman, Lisa Berman, Joan Kemper, David Scarlett, Jonn Milo, Nancy O’Sullivan, Dr. Beth Prinz
Announcements:
Taste of Ojai is Sunday, October 21st from 2-5pm at the Ojai Valley Inn. There will be a 30’x60’ tent with misters to help keep everyone cool. Everyone in the club is encouraged to push to find a sponsor.
Christine Golden reminded club members to complete the survey to help assist in future social functions. She also reminded club members that the Fifth Friday Social will be at Larry Wilde’s Beach House at Feria Beach at 6PM.
Kay Bliss invited the club to attend “Man of La Mancha” directed by Marty
Babayco. Kay shared that it will be one of his best productions! A block of tickets are being held for Club members and friends. Tickets are $25 per person for the September 7th show at 7:30PM. For club members interested in socializing before the show there will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and no host bar at Cafe Emporium at 6PM (before the show) at a cost of $18 per person.
Upcoming Programs:
Bill Prather announced upcoming Programs:
—August 10, 2018: Holly Wacter, Vanishing Bees
—August 17, 2018: Steve Adams, Satellites and Your
Communications
—August 31, 2018; 5th Friday Social: Larry Wilde’s Beach House
Rotary Cartoon
Fining and Confessions
Betsy Watson led member extractions and divestitures:
Al West confessed a birthday.
Matt Clements confessed having to cut an old oak.
Michael Bee announced that tomorrow is National Coast Guard Day and encouraged others to give for their years of service.
Fining questions were themed with facts and figures for Bakersfield in honor of our District Governor: Sandi Schwartz.
The Program: Sandi Schwartz, District Governor
President Daly introduced our distinguished guest and speaker: Sandi Schwartz.
Sandi Schwartz has been a member of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield East since 1994. She served as the club's President in 2013-14 and during that Rotary year her club was recognized as the best medium sized Vocational Service Club and received the RI Presidential Citation with Distinction. Her club membership had a net gain of 7 members that year. She was chosen to receive the District's Jock MacKenzie Leadership Award. Her work at the District level includes Chief of Staff to Past District Governor Jim Bell as well as bed and breakfast hostess to many District leaders coming to Kern County.
She and her husband Richard are Major Donors to The Rotary Foundation and they are Paul Harris Society members.
Sandi walked the streets of India in 2004 for a National Immunization Day event that profoundly changed her life and devotion to Rotary.
Sandi has been a registered nurse for 46 years with the last 27 years in the field of home health and hospice. She earned the 2002 Kern RN of the Year for her community service work. She and her husband Richard are the proud parents of 7 children and 11 grandchildren.
An avid hiker and weight lifter, Sandi is newly retired along with her husband and enjoys all things sports and gardening as well as cooking.
Sandi is grateful for the many friendships and opportunities Rotary has offered her.
Terry Beckett and District Governor, Sandi Schwartz presented Paul Harris Awards. Dr. Dave Watson was presented a Paul Harris +4!
Additionally, Sandy Buechley, Bryant Huber, Greg Webster, Bill Weirick, Therese Brown, Michael Bee, Christine Golden, Andy Cantwell, and Matt Clements all received their first Paul Harris Awards. We are a 100% Paul Harris Club!
District Governor Schwartz shared that she contacted President Daly to get a name for a “People of Action Award”. President Daly chose: Nathan Kaehler, Marc Whitman, Cheree Edwards, Colin Jones, and Bill Gilbreth.
Nathan Kaehler thanked everyone involved with the MATILIJA PEACE PAVILLION. Nathan shared his story of being a “conscientious objector” to the Vietnam War. He shared how war affected his friends and family. He shared that this project among with much of what the club does has created joy and purpose for creating a space for and a symbol of peace in the heart of Ojai.
Judy Gabriel, Peace Chair was invited to the podium. Judy introduced past District Governor Wade Nomura. Mr. Nomura presented a Persimmon Tree planted from the seedling of a surviving tree of the bombing of Hiroshima. The tree was presented to incoming District Governor Sandi Schwartz and will be planted at the Matilija Peace Pavillion.
Ms. Schwartz gave a brief presentation of her vision of Rotary: Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves. Focuses will be in good data collection and retention! A decrease in membership can mean blending of districts which mean less representation at the Board of Directors.
Ms. Schwartz encouraged everyone to attend the District Conference on October 5-6th in Bakersfield. For details, click here.
Final Thoughts...
President Daly finished with a closing thought for the day:
“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”
Meeting was promptly adjourned at 1:30PM.
