On a glorious late summer day, Rotarians gathered for service and fellowship. President Wendy gaveled the meeting to order. Clint led the flag salute and Christine read an inspirational poem.
President Wendy welcomed our visitors Ian McCain, Norma Lopez, Nick Noss and Amanda Belcher. President Wendy thanked all those who made the meeting a smooth success.
Announcements
- Christine Fenn talked about the various “Day of Peace” ceremonies. See Christine's flyer below.
- Deidre and Bret N. gave a brief update on the status of Taste of Ojai preparations.
- The Social Committee (Sue, Cindy and Kathy) invited us all to the upcoming picnic in Libby Park. After the picnic, Rotarians can attend a movie at Libby Bowl.
Museum Minute
President Wendy showed us pictures of the Ojai Normal School from roughly the year 1907. Looking at the clothing style of the students brought a few smiles.
Fining by Sue Gilbreth
There were a few Happy Bucks:
- Deidre had a birthday
- Jack had a birthday
- Kay had a birthday
- Kevin went to Portugal
Sue had an intriguing idea for extracting filthy lucre from us by asking us to describe key moments in Deidre’s life: the episodes included her first holy communion and her most embarrassing moment. Happy Birthday Deidre!
Speaker Sherrill Knox, Superintendant of Schools
Dr. Knox gave a comprehensive presentation regarding many of the challenges and opportunities facing the OUSD. Among her comments, I found these the most salient:
- The number of children attending OUSD has fallen from 4200 to 2016 in the last 25 years.
- The declining enrollment was a major contributor to the financial crisis, since a major source of revenue comes from the State based upon ADA.
- The salary paid to OUSD teachers is the lowest in Ventura County
- The financial crisis forced the OUSD to consolidate several of its campuses. This process was difficult for the District and for the parents of children In the affected schools.
- The new early education programs at MO have been extremely popular.
- The big question facing the District is how best to use the property freed up at the downtown campus. One of the options being considered is building workforce housing, which would provide affordable housing to District employees.
- Dr. Knox stated that the key variables predictive of academic success is the education level of the parents and the income level of the parents.
- The California legislature has mandated that students be given a course in “financial literacy”.
Rotarians were so impressed with Dr. Knox’s presentation that they gave her a standing ovation. Well done Sherrill!
Recommendations:
- Tony Thacher recommends the tv series Upstart Crow, “a silly romp on the life of Shakespeare full of low British humor”.
- Randy Roth recommends Hamilton, by Ron Chernow. This biography inspired Lin Miranda to write the musical Hamilton. A good read about a fascinating man.
9/21, International Day of Peace.
2024 Global Peace Day Theme:
Cultivating a Culture of Peace
The
International Day of Peace, also officially known as
World Peace Day, is a
United Nations-sanctioned holiday
observed annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to
world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for
humanitarian aid access. The day was first established in 1981 and first observed in September 1982 and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and people.
[1]To inaugurate the day, the United Nations
Peace Bell is rung at
UN Headquarters (in New York City). The bell is cast from coins donated by people from all continents except Africa, and was a gift from the
United Nations Association of Japan, as "a reminder of the human cost of war". The inscription on its side reads, "Long live absolute world peace".
Please join us at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday 9/21 at the Gables for reflection, meditation, music and poetry. Bring your own meditation, music, poetry to share with us. We will start at the 1st peace pole at the Gables, have a poem or song, gravitate to the 2nd peace pole in back in our rose garden, again poem, reflection and song, and end at the last peace pole installed on the corner of Montgomery and Grand with our lovely bench dedicated to Cheree Edwards. We will serve light refreshments as well. DeeDee Heninger, our Executive Director will be here that day. 701 N. Montgomery St.
Thank you all, in Rotary Peace, Christine 805-646-1446
.png)
