The Reminder Newsletter
November 4th, 2016
In the beginning
And welcome he did! Bill promptly got the bell ringing at 12:10p.m., which of course did not get the boisterous and cheery crowd to completely quiet down. Asking our Past-President Jane McCarthy to lead the flag salute did put us back into order. Followed by an inspirational invocation by Marty Babayco; who reminded us that if we ever lose hope in humanity, to look no further than the members of this club.
Now go to lunch! Which started the whole room buzzing again.
At 12:30, Bill jumped up, DING! Thank you to Matt Clements for set up. Our greeters, the official Hatch Greeting Team of Bill & Mary. Thanks again to Jane for the flag salute, Marty for the invocation. Yolanda Flores, our roving mic. Suzanne Scar for manning the front table, and assisting Jenny Owens in the new badge scanning process. We will conquer this new technology, or die trying! Mike Malone our Reminder Editor. And to our efficient Ginger Case for feeding us. Thank you, all.
Visiting Rotarians:
Someone very familiar to us, Wade Nomura, our Past District Governor and member of the Carpinteria club. We were also graced by Suki Sir of the Oxnard club.
Guests:
Marty introduced Rod Owen. Johnny Johnston brought his father, John F. Johnston. Carl brought his lovely wife, Donna Gross; and another guest Ryan Gruber. Mike brought his wife, Lisa Malone.
Announcements:
First off, committee meetings! Kay Bliss will conduct a Youth Service Committee in this room, directly after conclusion of the general meeting.
Patricia Anderson wanted us to know that Bill G. was not here last week, because of his 79th birthday.
Sid Cohn led our group in a rather dubious rendition of Happy Birthday.
Tony Thacher announced that next Monday 7th, Bill G. will be speaking at Ojai Valley School upper campus. He will be giving his perspective of Watergate at 7:00 p.m.
Yolanda said there would be a Reducing stress and Breathing Technique class taught at Matilija JHS. Sid Cohn will be part of the cast Sunday night @ 7:30 at the Jewish Community Center. Lots of singing and dancing.
Pradeep gave an update on the Tibetan Aid Foundation with a video from participants. They just sponsored their 200th student.
Nathan went through a slide presentation he put together after visiting the school where they have vocational training for local youth. He showed us pictures of the Tonka painting that is taught, and showed an example of a Mandela.
Reminder Cartoon
Fining: 
Presented today by Dr. Bruce Brockman. (Applaud here) But first, confessions.
Bill finally admitted to his birthday. Rocky & Nic Frank both had a Rotary anniversary, and both shared how it changed their lives. Bruce himself had to admit to a recent birthday, and had to explain why he was caught having lunch twice last week with two different women, none of whom were his wife. It was business!
Now, moving on. Miscellaneous dates to remember. Mike Weaver’s total years in Rotary. Total years for Mike Eckhart and Patricia Anderson.
Jane Spiller guessed that the Chicago Bears won the World Series, but didn’t know the curse that was broken (Curse of the Billy Goat). This guess cost her dearly, and she now knows it was the Cubs.
Colin Jones didn’t know who now has the longest streak of not winning the World Series (Cleveland Indians last won in 1948).
Johnny Johnston knew that Theo Epstein, manager of the Cubs, was also with the Red Sox when they broke the Curse of the Bambino!
Program:
Mike Weaver came up to introduce our speaker for today, Wade Nomura. Wade is one of the busiest members of Rotary, and consequently had a long list of honors and accomplishments. Wade is our Past District Governor, and now works for the Rotary Foundation.
He praised our club for being one of the stars in fundraising and participation. Wade started in Rotary 14 years ago, but it wasn’t until he traveled and participated in an International program that realized the impact that Rotary makes on everyday lives where these programs get started. The Rotary Foundation (TRF) carries all the programs and funding, and Rotary International actually doesn’t carry out any international programs. Wade then reviewed the 6 areas that we focus on for global grants. He also pointed that our donations are helping others all over the world, and changing lives.
Wade is one of the few Rotary Foundation Cadre’s – a expert in their field, partnering to review and evaluate global grants for effectiveness and ensuring that no corruption is being influenced on these programs and the grant monies. Polio Plus funding also covers corrective surgeries. When asked why big names like the World Health Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation get all the credit for eradication of Polio, Wade said we partner with these groups so their good news is ours. Wade then ran through the levels of Endowment Fund.
Wade then announced our latest Paul Harris Fellowship recipients.
1st tier – Jane Spiller and Patricia Anderson.
2nd tier –Bill Gilbreth and Cheree Edwards.
Our one Major Donor – Carl & Donna Gross. Congratulations to all!
Final Thoughts:
Bill told an Irish joke for Deirdre.
“A tourist walks into a bar in Cork City, and asks the barman, What's the quickest way to Dublin? Are you driving or walking? Asks the barman. Driving, says the tourist. Then that’s the quickest way, replied the barman.
At 1:30, the bell could not ring fast enough to cover the laughter from that joke.
