In the beginning...
This past Friday, February 17th, our club Co-president Marty Babayco called the meeting to order where we welcomed yet another packed room.
Dr. Jerry Maryniuk led the club in the pledge. followed by Cindy Frings, who gave the following inspirational quote:
“This is your life, Do what you love
And do it often,
If you don’t like something change it
If you don’t like your job, quit,
If you don’t have enough time,
Stop watching TV
If you are looking for the love of your life,
Stop
They will be waiting for you when you
Start doing the things you love
When you eat, appreciate every last bit
Open your mind, arms and hear to new things and people
We are united in our differences
Travel often
Getting lost will help you find yourself
Some opportunities only come once,
Seize them
Life is about the people you meet
And the things you create with them.
So go out and start creating with them
Live your dream and share your passion
Life is short.”
Thanks to those who makes our meetings possible.
Marty then thanked:
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Greeter – Kelley Rasmussen
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Welcome Table – Dave Brubaker
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Room Setup – Dave Watson
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Randy Roth
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Reminder Editor – Kevin Davis
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Finemaster – Christine Golden
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Fine Net – Bryant Huber
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Roving Mic – Sean McDermott
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Visiting Rotarians included Kern Louis of the Castor Valley Rotary Club. Guests to our meeting included the Ojai Valley News’ Perry Van Houten, Lizzie Sampson and our guest speaker, the NY Times’ Franz Lidz.
Club members Dr. Bob Skankey & Dr. Frank Finck joined our meeting via zoom.
Welcome all!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Following the meeting on Friday was a meeting for all new members (inducted in the past two years) to sit down and meet with our co-Presidents Elect, Carl Gross and Bill Prather.
Leslie Bouche, fresh off her trip to India, led the international committee in a zoom meeting on Tuesday morning at 7:30 am.
Taste of Ojai, our major fundraising and fundraising event of the year is coming soon, 4/16/23. Kevin Davis is asking all club members with social media accounts to help spread the word. As the lead of the publicity committee Kevin will be sharing pre-written posts and Tweets for you to share to your network. This year’s hashtag (how we will all be referring to the event on social media) is #TASTEOFOJAI23. We still need your help and the help of friends or spouses to make this happen. Please contact Carl Gross to help out.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH AWARD
Larry Wilde presented our Student of the Month, Ally Patten (5th Grade) of Topa Topa Elementary School. Ally, who was accompanied to our meeting by Principal: Dawn Damianos, Teacher: Sarah Ferranti and parents and grandmother, thanked the club from the bottom of her heart for the recognition.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Something Different 4th Friday Feb 24th – M.A.D.-ness* at the Museum (*Make A Difference)
We will be meeting at the Ojai Valley Museum at noon, courtesy of Museum Director Wendy Barker, to have small table discussions and to talk to each other about all facets of our club. It's casual and a great opportunity to get to know other Rotarians. We will provide Westridge sandwiches, bags of chips, water, and treats for $10. It’s past the deadline to sign-up for the sammy’s, but show up anyway and bring your own food. (Note: no colored liquids are allowed in the museum, no exceptions.) Marty suggested that everyone come and park early, because parking can be tricky in town on a Friday. This would be a good day to carpool with a friend or have a family member drop you.
MID YEAR CLUB REPORT...WOW!
Our club co-president Kay Bliss gave what can only be described as an unbelievable impact report about all the incredible things the wonderful and diverse members of this club have accomplished together in only the past six months. “So far this year, we have moved from doing outside speakers every week, to more meetings focused on leveraging the skills and people of the club. We also designated the fourth friday to be outside meetings, lunch mobs, service projects, and visited Rotarians’ place of business. Fining this year has been personable and fun and flexible,” said Kay. “Our club has really grown, adding seven new members since last July. As of Feb 20, 2023 we have 74 members – 24 women, 50 men. Taste of Ojai, our big fundraiser, raised $55,000. Not only was it a success, but people were really enthusiastic to have it in Libbey Park.,” Kay said. And we agree, “Things are heading in the right direction.”
ROTARY CLUB OF OJAI TO AWARD COMMUNITY GRANTS
In celebration of Rotary Club of Ojai’s 75th anniversary year, we’re giving $25,000 to Ojai Valley area non-profit organizations. Organizations that serve residents anywhere in the Ojai Valley are encouraged to apply. This year’s focus will be on projects with an environmental, youth and/or educational impact. Applications may be downloaded from www.OjaiRotary.org Submit completed applications to ojairotarygrants@gmail.com before the February 28 deadline.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM
Franz Lidz, our speaker today, is an American writer, journalist and pro basketball executive. A New York Times archaeology, science and film essayist, he's a former Sports Illustrated senior writer, Smithsonian magazine columnist, and a onetime vice president for the Detroit Pistons. His childhood memoir “Unstrung Heroes” was adapted into a Hollywood film of the same title in 1995. source
Franz has lived in Ojai 3 and 1/2 years and spoke very eloquently about his experiences as a journalist, especially as a journalist at the New York Times.
THIS WEEK’S LIFE HACKS
“Anything you say before the word “but” does not count.”
&
“Ignore what they are thinking of you - because they are not thinking of you.”
Drive safely out there!
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