In the Beginning...
President Cheree Edwards rang the bell to commence the meeting.
Jack Jacobs led us in the flag salute and Suzanne Scar gave us a thoughtful invocation on Service. We escorted our guests and ourselves to the buffet for lunch.
At 12:20 President Cheree rang the bell again to thank Fred Coleman and Bryant Huber for setting up the room and A/V for our meeting, Cindy Frings for warmly greeting all of our members and guests, Fred Coleman for the roving mic, Matt Clements for manning the front table, Suzanne Scar for serving as our Reminder Editor and Ginger Case for lunch!
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Our guests this week were Sue Gilbreth (special guest), Marty Pop’s wife Barbara, Alexia Parks (visiting Rotarian) introduced Megan Edwards, Gregory Wrey, Vicki Breen, Cathy Nolan and visiting Rotarians from Montecito Joe Kirkland and Steve.
Announcements
Don Reed announced that the letters he handed out to all today are “your 2019 donations” for your tax documentation.
Ray Powers announced that Brian Berman and Judy Gabriel are at the Ontario Peace Conference;
Colin Jones reminded everyone that this Sunday’s Hike will begin at 8:00 a.m. at Pratt Trail. Tony T. announced the International meeting will be held next Tuesday at 7:30 at Café Emporium.
Joe Kirkland from the Census Bureau needs census takers at $21 per hour. You can apply online at 2020census.gov/jobs. President Cheree announced that John Lyon and Boyd Ford are in the hospital. Cards are welcomed but not visitors at this time.
Bret Bradigan talked about his 2004 experience being on Jeopardy. His opponent was Ken Jennings!
Tony Thacher and his team are off to Cuba to visit, spread good will and baseball mitts for the youth.
Fining
Fine Master, Greg Webster (with bagman Colin Jones) started out by getting confessions from Catherine Lee who will be a docent at Lotus Land and would like to schedule a Rotary tour.
Tara started a Chess Club in the Park (Libby) happening on the 3rd Saturday every month from 3-5:00 p.m.
Matt has been gone for a month and wanted to congratulate the Gilbreth’s on their new addition, Sue’s ‘new baby’ Tesla.
The subject for fining was “Equipment Rental”! Half of his “victims” did not guess right, the other half did.
Program: Gary Wilde--Health Care
Marty Pops introduced this week’s speaker Gary Wilde, Director of Community Memorial Hospital and President of the California Hospital Association.
Gary Wilde went through several charts and examples explaining health care around the world and historical information regarding what ‘systems’ other countries used to provide health care. Single Payer (socialized) vs. Universal (market payer).
The focus of the Office of Healthcare is affordability. We will standby for the perfect solution! However, Mr. Wilde did point out that the population in Ojai and Ventura had the longest lifespan in the world!
Final Thoughts
“Pick a leader who will keep jobs in your country by offering companies incentives to hire only within their borders, not one who allows corporations to outsource jobs for cheaper labor when there is a national employment crisis. Choose a leader who will invest in building bridges, not walls. Books, not weapons. Morality, not corruption. Intellectualism and wisdom, not ignorance. Stability, not fear and terror. Peace, not chaos. Love, not hate. Convergence, not segregation. Tolerance, not discrimination. Fairness, not hypocrisy. Substance, not superficiality. Character, not immaturity. Transparency, not secrecy. Justice, not lawlessness. Environmental improvement and preservation, not destruction. Truth, not lies.”
― Suzy Kassem,
President Cheree rang the bell for another great Rotary meeting from the best club we all know!
