The Rotary Club of
Ojai

Ojai Rotary Reminder Newsletter
January 13th, 2023

Haady Lashkari, Editor

January is Vocational Service 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 1.4 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...
 
Co-Presidents Bliss & Babayco welcomed club members and guests.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Greg Webster led the Pledge of Allegiance and Wendy Barker led the Inspirational Moment. 
 
 
Thank You’s and Introductions:
 
Greeter:   Christine Fenn
 
Pledge -   Greg Webster
 
Inspirational Moment - Wendy Barker:
 
"Each day is a gift to cherish.  Be thankful and do something nice for someone else.  It's the secret to being happy." 
 
Welcome Table – Michael Scar
 
Cash Box – Dave Brubaker
 
Fine Master – Bill Weirick
 
Roving Mic -  Greg Webster
 
Reminder Editor -  Haady Lashkari
 
Room setup – Bruce Hanson
 
Dr. Gross for being our photographer.
 
The following Special Guests were welcomed: Bob Eisler, and Dr. Jerry Meryniuk  and Guests: Cynthia Weirick, Gabriella Sestman and Kelly Rasmussen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nice to see Matt Clemens back!
 
 
Announcements:
 
  • New Rotary Shirts: Fern Barishman reminded members to pick up their shirts and make payments if they have not yet been made.
  • NHS Club L.I.V.E. Garage Sale is next Saturday and will pick up donations as late as next Friday. Contact President Bliss if you want details of where to deliver items or coordinate how to get them picked up.
  • Dr. Fred Fauvre, now retired, is with his staff, Marie and Melissa.  He is donating medical equipment.  Way to go, Fred!
 
 
 
Upcoming Committee Meetings:
  • Youth Services Committee Meeting today after the meeting in the library.
  • International Service Committee meeting meets next Tuesday, January 17 on Zoom. Please let Terry Beckett or President Bliss know if you need a zoom invitation link.
  • 75th Anniversary Meeting meets next Friday, January 20th after the Rotary meeting.
  • Rotary Board of Directors Meeting next Thursday, January 19th at 7:30AM-All are welcome.
 
Upcoming Programs:
  • Dan Parziale: Mesa Farm, the Transitional Living Facility on the East End, January 20, 2023
  • Special Event—Something different 4th Friday, January 27th “Lunch Mob”
    • Small groups of Rotarians (4-6) join each other at local restaurants to get to know other Rotarians in small groups and honor restaurants that participated in Taste of Ojai. Sign up ahead of the date is required. Members pay for their own lunch.
    • Signups start today and will also be available next week. Sign up board was passed to members.
    • We are limiting the number of members per restaurant based on availability.
  • Kimberly Cluff: Native American Children and the Law, February 3, 2023.
  • Dr. Bob Skankey Humanitarian Award presentation has been postponed until February.
 
President’s Message and Special Awards
 
President Bliss Shared that the club is accepting nominations and application for two things:
  • Community Grants
    • Our Rotary Club of Ojai will award $25k to non-profit organizations serving residents of the entire Ojai Valley. This year our focus will be on projects which benefit youth, education, and/or environmental programs.
    • The application is posted on the club’s website. Yesterday club members should have received an email from Community Grants Chair Betsy Watson with a grant application attached.
    • The deadline for applications is February 28, 2023.
    •  
  • Fred Clapp Ethics in Business Award
    • Vocational Service Director Larry Beckett is asking for nominations for our annual Fred Clapp Ethics in Business Award. This award is given annually to a non-Rotarian business owner in the Ojai Valley who exhibits high ethical standards in his or her professional and personal life. Awardees serve in their businesses and our community in the spirit of Rotary.
 
Bill Weirick led Fining and Confessions:
  • Greg confessed to missing several meetings.
  • Bill confessed that his father is recovering nicely.
  • Michael confessed that Suzanne is recovering from shoulder surgery.
  • Patricia congratulated and recognized Wendy Barker for her successful hosting of the New Year’s celebration at the Museum.
  • Bob Davis celebrated the rain.
 
Program:
 
Artists in the Midst: Member Art Show
 
The program featured Ojai Rotary Club’s members as they showcased and discussed their art.
 
 
 
 
Marty Babayco—Photography
Fern Barishman—Paintings
Kay Bliss—Journaling and Collage
Cindy Frings—Mixed Media
Christine Golden—Paintings
Bruce Hanson—Photography
Marc Whitman—Oil Paintings
Betsy Watson—Watercolors
Al West—Woodworking
 
 
 
 
 
 
Closing Remarks:
 
President Bliss thanked Rotarian artists.
 
She also finished with a “Life Hack”:
 
“You see only 2% of another person, and they see only 2% of you. Art allows you to see some of the hidden 98%”. (From Marty Babayco)
 
President Bliss finished with that she hoped today members were able to see more than 2% of some of our members.
 
 
 

You are invited to visit us at an upcoming meeting.

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