In the beginning…
On a fresh early spring-like day Ojai Rotarians gathered for service and fellowship. Fern Barishman enlivened the atmosphere by playing sprightly piano tunes.
Co-President Bill Prather called the meeting to order; Haady led the Pledge of Allegiance; Christine Golden read an A.A. Milne piece on the need for support during times of stress and uncertainty.
Visitors
Today’s visitors included our guest speaker, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Alexia from Boulder, Steve from Seattle, Stephanie Hubbard, Liza Eliot, and Brad Nicholson.
Board Update
Bill updated the club on motions approved by the Board which will enable the club to apply for RI and District Grant money. Also, a motion was approved naming the Youth Services Committee as the committee responsible for administering the Marty Babayco fund which is now $24K and growing.
Bike Repair Station
Deirdre provided us an update on the program to install Bike Repair Stations. One station at Baldwin road is completed. Three additional stations will be installed over the next several months.
Service Above Self Award
Bill Hatch presentated an award and a $100 check to Maax Chinchi, a student at Summit School. Principal Jim Daly noted that Maax displays compassion and care to his fellow students and notes that he is a positive self starter.
Maax said “I try to help my friends who are struggling and to better my friends who are not struggling”. President Bill rightly said that Maax will be a great Rotarian someday.
Bret Bradigan #1: Upcoming Programs
Next Week: Judith Vander, Musicologist
2/9: Adrien Gross, Actress and Singer
Bret Bradigan #2: History Moment “Lawrence of Arabia”
Bret gave a brief overview of the role that TE Lawrence played in the Arab uprising against the Ottomans during WWI. Bret described Lawrence’s daring and successful attack on the port of Aquaba. And finally, Bret said that “The Seven Pillars of Wisdom” was one of the ten best books he’d read. Coming from a bibliophile like Bret, high praise indeed.
Guest Speaker Fiona Ma, State Treasurer
Wendy Barker introduced today’s speaker, California State Treasuer Fiona Ma. Fiona provided a short overview of her life:
- Daughter of Immigrants from China
- Grew up in New York
- Attended Rochester Institute of Technology
- Worked for E & W, doing taxes, which she did not enjoy
- Elected to San Francisco Board of Supervisors
- Elected to Franchise Tax Board
- Elected to State Assembly, where she was speaker pro-tem
- Fellow Rotarian
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Fiona then provided some interesting facts and statistics about the Treasuer’s office:
- $3.7 Trillion in transactions annually
- $250 Billion in “idle” funds
- Isssues bonds for all California entities
Fiona was very well received. Evidence of this is that the first question asked was “When will you run for President?”
Quote for the week: “Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that”.
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