The Rotary Club of
Ojai
 

Ojai Rotary Reminder Newsletter
May 1st, 2020

Carl Gross, Editor

May is Youth Service Month
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.
 
 
In the beginning...
 
Marty Babayco led off the Zoomy meeting, inviting members to show their child and baby pictures  Below is a sampling.  Try to guess who they are.
 
 
President Cheree called the meeting to order of "the best Rotary Club I know".
The Pledge of Allegiance was given by Suzanne Scar with a video of the Thacher School Choir for the invocation.
 
Marty was recognized as our "Funbassidor" and Greeter.  Thanks to Tara Saylor for facilitating our Zoom meeting and Carl Gross for being the Reminder Editor.
 
Announcements:
 
Deirdre reported on our evening social last Friday.  It was talent show night and the stars were out in force.  It was so fun to have a sip of beverage and watch our talented members share their music, acting, and whatever else you might call it.
To view this tour de force, click here for a video.
 
Bret Bradigan announced a new club award--The Dr. Robert Skankey Legacy Award. This award of $2000 for enhancing and recognizing the people of the Ojai Valley who make a positive impact on the lives of our citizens.  The award is named for Dr. Skankey, who, through his work in Central America and Africa, and his ongoing efforts has made a positive impact on the world. "This is overwhelming for me!", Dr. Bob observed.  Well deserved, and congratulations.
 
 
 
The first recipient of this award is Javier Ramirez, principal of Matilija middle school.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Javier Ramirez came to Ojai at age 11 from Guadalajara, Mexico, unable to speak English. He graduated from Nordhoff High School in 1995 and went to Cal State Northridge, graduating in 2000, returning to Nordhoff to teach mathematics. Javier is an advisor to the Nordhoff High School Leaders (NHL), and the Guitar Club. He teaches a catechism class at St. Thomas and is a youth minister there. Having arrived in this country, unable to speak English, he was encouraged by his instructors to reach higher and now gives that same encouragement to his students. In 2009, he received the Educational Hero Award. Javier has enhanced the life of his Hispanic students through pro-academic groups like FLAMA and COPA. He helps them preserve their cultural heritage, helping with the Aztec Dancers we see in the 4th of July parade, and formation of a mariachi youth band.  He relishes his job at Matilija. Congratulations, Javier!
 
Javier was "honored and humbled".  He does not relish awards and recognition, opting to act in response to need.  He attributed his life choices to his mentors, including Dr. Skankey who he looks on as his role model. 
 
The Program: Tom Maloney, Executive Director Ojai Land Conservancy
 
 
 
Sandy Buechley introduced our speaker, Tom Maloney, new Executive Director of the Ojai Land Conservancy since October 2019.
 
He comes to Ojai with a long history of leading conservation organizations including The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society, and the Tejon Ranch Conservancy.  Tom received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Boston University and his Masters of Science in Resources Management and Administration from Antioch University New England. In 2008, he completed The Nature Conservancy’s Sawhill Leadership Excellence Program, a year-long curriculum focused on building leadership competencies and managing for change. Tom was also part of a similar training with the Land Trust Alliance.
 
When he is not working, Tom can be found out on the land. He is an ardent birder, hiker, and naturalist. He is enjoying getting to know Ojai and he has been leading OVLC bird walks with longtime Ojai resident Jesse Grantham. 
 
Tom related some of the challenges in public land use and hiking trails.  The CoVid situation has put restriction on social distancing, controlling traffic, and coping with the trash left by increasing numbers of visitors. In spite of all this, they have remained open, benefitting local businesses. 
 
With the warmer weather, rattle snakes are more present, so use caution on the trails.  The coyote population has rebounded and they have killed local pets.  So, keep your dog on a leash when hiking for their safety and the safety of others.
 
On a final note:  Our indefatigable member, Brian Berman, will be leaving our Club to join the E-club of World Peace to carry on his global peace endeavors  Brian will still come to our meetings occasionally to keep us up on the fine job at promoting peace amongst peoples of the planet. 
 
 
 

You are invited to visit us at an upcoming meeting.

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