The Rotary Club of
Ojai
 

Ojai Rotary Reminder Newsletter
August 5th, 2022

Randy Roth, Editor

August is Membership and Extension 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.
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In the beginning…Former President Betsy called the meeting to order at 12:10. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leslie Bouche provided a moving explanation of the continued appeal of Rotary’s motto of “Service above self”:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I love the motto of Rotary – Service Above Self – this is the motto of all 1.4 million Rotarians all around the world. Such a powerful directive and such a powerful way of life. This really defines Rotary.
 
Service Above Self means “selfless service” – work performed without any thought of reward or repayment – it is the art of giving with no need to receive – and as Rotarians, this is how we contribute to the improvement of our community and to our world.
 
We may think that only the beneficiaries of our service projects are the ones who receive the rewards – but that is only part of the story. The truth is that when we perform selfless service, we are also rewarded. And, perhaps, equally rewarded!
 
Equally rewarded, because in performing selfless service we receive the gift of creating ourselves – our character, our hearts – it is the opportunity to become the best versions of ourselves, and that truly is a gift.
 
Albert Schweitzer once said, “I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”
 
So let us continue to bring happiness to the world and to ourselves by once again committing to another great year as active Rotarians.
 
And let us give thanks for the Guidance and the Grace which has led us to this wonderful path of “Service Above Self”.
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Meet our District Governor, Scott Phillips
 
 
SCOTT PHILLIPS, DISTRICT GOVERNOR 2022-23
 
August is Membership and New Club Development month and I believe the world needs Rotary now more than ever!
 
Rotary has no issue bringing new members into our organization, but while we are focusing on new members, some of our existing members are going out the back door and leaving our clubs. Are our clubs welcoming and inclusive? What about the comfort and care of our existing members to make sure we are meeting their wants and desires of membership in Rotary instead of focusing on just increasing our membership numbers? Has your club done a survey recently of your current members? Is your club providing the opportunities to make the dreams of your members a reality?
 
Click here to listen to Rotary International President Jennifer Jones talk about her Comfort and Care initiative.
 
We also have opportunities to look for places where Rotary is not represented in our district by starting new clubs. We have so much latitude these days in the types of clubs we create, which is exciting! I've heard of other Districts starting new clubs focused on specific causes, such as Environment, or Ending Human Trafficking. In our District, we are still working on a Spanish-speaking satellite club in Oxnard, and a possible satellite club in Lamont (near Bakersfield).
 
If you need anything related to membership, reach out to Husam Hishmeh, District Membership Committee Chair.
 
I hope you've made plans to join us for the District Conference - November 18-20 at the Hilton Beachfront Resort Santa Barbara. If you haven't registered yet, head over to www.Rotary5240DC.com and get registered. This will be the first in-person District Conference we have had in three years, so let's come together and re-connect with each other.
 
The District Governor's official club visits start this month and I'm so excited to visit each of your clubs, meet your members, and hear about the impact your clubs have on your communities!
 
Let's Get Loud... about Rotary, your Clubs, and your Members!
 
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Betsy welcomed back Tara Saylor from her work with refugees. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Betsy also thanked those who made last week’s party at MO Heritage Table such a success. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fred Klapp award to Therese Hartman.  Therese is one of Ojai most liked and admired women who has founded or led many of Ojai’s most important organizations:  World Family Foundation; OVDF; Women’s fund; Education fund, etc.  In her profession as a Mortgage Broker, she has truly embodied the “highest professional ethics”.
 
 
 
 
Fining with Christine Golden:  Christine entertained us all and made a few bucks with her fining routine which mimicked "Deal or No Deal, complete with the suitcase.  There were props, in-jokes, one-liners, obscure cultural references.  Amusing performance!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Program:  Rick Ridgeway:  Bret introduced Rick, who's book, Life lived wild, has just been published.  Rick spent the next 35 minutes regaling us with stories from his amazing life.  Some of the highlights included:
  • His first attempt at climbing Everest
  • His successful climb of K2
  • The death of his friend Jonathan
  • His “seven summits” program
  • Bring Jonathan’s daughter Asia to the site of Jonathan’s burial
  • His friendships with the founders of Patagonia and North Face
 
Rick summed up his life philosophy this way:
 
 “The most important skill is to learn the difference between the consequential and the inconsequential”. 
 
 
 
Adjournment:  Betsy adjourned the meeting with this life hack:
 
  “The thing that made you weird as a teenager makes you great as an adult”.

You are invited to visit us at an upcoming meeting.

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