THE LEGACY OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF FULLERTON

by Jim Williams

Fullerton Rotarians, each of us own a part of our Club’s history and future. Everything we have done, or will do as Rotarians, impacts our legacy as a Club, and our ability to continue our extraordinary impact upon our local community, as well as our fellow human beings around the globe.

We are living characters in a very special story. This story takes place in the very heart of our community, where once a week, friends assemble to share in long standing traditions of fun with fellowship, entertainment, education, enlightenment, and yes … even inspiration.  We are inspired by each other; working together to make the world a better place, for our neighbors across the street … as well as across the globe.  

Today I would like to share a few “brief chapters” of this wonderful story of the Fullerton Rotary Club, and our legacy ….. of “Service Above Self”.

In Frank Capra’s classic film It’s a Wonderful Life, the character played by Jimmy Stewart, is given a chance to visit the little town in which he grew up, Bedford Falls, to see what it would be like had he never existed. As we take a few moments today to visit our Legacy, I ask that you consider what our community, and world, would be like, without the Rotary Club of Fullerton.  Our first story is about a life that begins within the context of tragedy.

He was born in Roxbury Massachusetts on March 2^nd, 1893. His father died when he was only 2 years old. 5 years later, with his family nearly starving, and he very ill, his mother was no longer able to support the family and pay for his medical care. She and his only sister were forced to move in with his uncle and abandon the 7 year old Hiram to the Good Will Orphanage in Maine. Like Paul Harris– Hi would remember these hard and lonely years.

Eleven years later in 1911, the young man (now 18 years old) courageously walks down the steps of that orphanage, where he must have learned how to survive, work hard, and be self-reliant. He strikes out across the country to make a new and better life in California. He also promises his mother that he would send for her and his sister as soon as he could. A promise he kept. Working hard in the oil fields of California, young Hiram was soon able to earn enough money to send for both his sister and mother to join him. He would faithfully support his mother for the rest of her life.

In 1929, while working as a Special Agent for the Standard Oil Company, he joined the Rotary Club of Corona, California. And in 1933 he transferred to Fullerton, where he joined this club, and became its President in 1935-1936. I never had the honor to personally meet Hi Smith, but his daughter Alma and son-in-law Rotarian Bob Bean, are here today. They have shared with me the very special Legacy of a man who became known as “Mr. Rotary”.

Hi Smith was personally acquainted with Paul Harris, the Founder of Rotary, and on January 12^th, 1977, with Dave Bates presiding as Club President, we celebrated “Hi Smith Day”.  President Dave noted that amongst Hi’s many achievements, were 46 years of perfect attendance, and 40 years of faithful service as our Club Historian. He also gave Hi the credit for organizing the Placentia Rotary Club in 1937.  Fullerton would later sponsor the Rotary Clubs of Brea, Yorba Linda, Fullerton South and Fullerton Sunrise.

Hi was so strongly convinced of the value of Rotary membership that he personally brought in 59 new members.  Hi Smith was a Great Rotarian.

But, what if young Hi had never dreamed of a better life in California? What if he had not been invited to join Rotary?  Or sponsor 59 members?  

Can you imagine our communities without the influence and impact of the Rotary Clubs of Placentia- Brea- Yorba Linda- Fullerton South or Sunrise?

The Rotary Club of Fullerton South has exchanged more than 100 kids with their Sister Club of Fukui in Japan over the last 25 years. Can one measure the impact of these kinds of experiences on their lives – or our community?  What is the value of the Good Will and Better Understanding in our world, which has resulted from hundreds of international youth exchanges, Group Study Exchanges, and scholarships sponsored by Fullerton Rotary Clubs.

The Rotary Club of Fullerton Sunrise chooses to focus on local youth with their sponsorship of the Fullerton Elementary School District “Art Bus”.  This program includes a bus which is specially equipped with art and video production equipment. It travels between school campuses and is essential in an annual project wherein the students produce an historical event-based  screen play. They research, create story boards, write scripts, perform and film the final production, followed by editing, and production of a DVD. They gain confidence as they learn how to conduct historical research, use video cameras, projectors, sound systems, and other technology. But most of all they learn to work as a team together to produce one final satisfying outcome. There is a lot of pride and a sense of accomplishment when they showcase their movie for the first time ……..

Would these children be as prepared for the future if there were no Rotary Club of Fullerton Sunrise?  

School begins in a few days. One cannot miss the hundreds of signs all over town reminding us to drive careful and protect our children. It is the hope of all 3 sponsoring Rotary Clubs, that working together, these signs may save the lives of children, and spare their families the pain of a devastating loss. The projects and contributions of these five clubs (which sprang from ours) are so significant. Although most of us know only a little about them, they are part of our Legacy of Service Above Self.

In addition to his son-in-law Bob Bean, another one of the 59 members sponsored by Hi Smith - was Les Lev.  Les Lev and Walt Pray are considered to be the fathers of our Annul High School Top 100 Banquet.

Les Lev and Bill Lenahan subsequently sponsored Bill McGarvey. I wouldn’t be so presumptuous to pick the greatest Fullerton Rotarian of all time, but I will say that no one deserves the title of Mr. Fullerton more than Bill McGarvey. Some of you may not know, but Bill’s contributions to this community are already of legendary proportions. His generous hands have helped shape this community in ways most will never know. But one of the images, that stands out in my mind, is Bill McGarvey standing next to Bill Kincaid, peeling potatoes by hand and serving food to our Top High School Students at our annual Top 100 Banquet, which began nearly 50 years ago.

Do the math– with multiple schools, that is over 15,000 students and their families who have received recognition and encouragement. Wow!

Speaking of hands-on-service, one of my all-time favorite Rotarians and heroes was Hank Fredricks. Hank never made a big deal about what he did for others. But he and Jim Shook, (Jeff Hutchison’s Father-in- Law), with help from other Fullerton Rotarians like Dale Schumacher and Jim Palin, helped raise the money to fund, and then built a brand new Girls’ Club Facility on Richman Avenue …. as our Club Project one year.

Hank also used his astute investment skills to successfully manage the funds of Los Hombres Buenos the Good Guys Endowment for the Boys and Girls Clubs. Humble Hank would never take personal credit for investment gains realized by those funds, (which by the way are now well over $1,000,000),  but, what most people never knew, was that when the market turned, and failed to meet Hank’s high personal expectations for returns, he got out his own check book, and quietly made up the difference.

What really stands out most for me about Hank, is his personal commitment to Service Above Self. He truly gave of himself. Only a few weeks before cancer took his life, this extraordinarily wealthy and powerful man, kept his commitment to go to church on Sunday nights and man the telephone lines, personally taking calls for their suicide hot-line.

Les Lev also sponsored Alan Bridgford into our Rotary Club of Fullerton. Does anyone know how many Jr. High recognition awards have been given out by Rotarians like Alan Bridgford. Alan took the time every year from running Bridgford Foods to patiently attend ceremonies and wait to present these awards for 12 years. It must have been inspiring and encouraging to receive this outstanding award from such an important leading citizen and business icon as the President of a national company like Bridgford Foods. Think of the lives impacted by these men of the Rotary Club of Fullerton.

Where might those kids be today if it were not for the encouragement, and support of the Rotary Club of Fullerton. And we are all part of this legacy. Alan Bridgford can also take pride in having sponsored Jim Vanderburg as a member of out Rotary Club. As a Past Club President, District Governor, and Member of the Board of Directors of Rotary International, Jim has seen both the grass roots and big picture of Rotary.  There are men and women in Mexico today, who are leading better lives and making valuable contributions to their communities because of Rotary grants which were personally researched and secured in part by Fullerton Rotarian - Jim Vanderburg in 1985. The grant for $532,000 funded a vocational school where 100 orphans and abandoned children were taught trade skills so they could become productive, self-reliant, and escape an otherwise vicious cycle of ignorance and poverty. Jim also visited Malawi Africa in 1985, on behalf of Rotary International. He encountered the infamous crawlers in train stations and on street corners. Crippled by polio, their tragic destinies were lived out dragging their bodies through the dust. Their daily hope was limited to making eye contact while looking up into the eyes of their would-be benefactors, for a piece of food. Today in Malawi- children and adults who were otherwise destined to crawl their entire life - stand and walk, free from the crippling disease of polio - because of Rotary. Because of Jim. Because of you! And because of me.

In 1978 Jim Vanderburg sponsored me into Rotary after I served as a Group Study Exchange Team Member to India. Then in 1987, the year I served as President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Fullerton, our Club dreamed together, and made the financial commitment to wipe-out polio in an entire country. We chose Costa Rica.  Rotary International agreed to match our funds, and with the help of the World Health Organization we delivered enough vaccine to immunize 500,000 children in Costa Rica. Without the Rotary Club of Fullerton, some of those children would be crawling today.  

I also had the honor to sponsor Jack Hayes upon his return to our Club. Jack was the promotional designer, and made all the charts, buttons, stickers and Pennies for Paul cans used by Walt Barnes and others to help us raise money to fund our commitment. Jack was a very talented and creative person who could invent and make anything. He also reminded us to have fun while we are serving others– like the time Jack came up front, waited in line, and then made his “announcement” that he had saved $300 on his car insurance.

The Rotary Club of Fullerton’s ambitious vision and courage to accept the financial responsibility to immunize an entire country under the then HHH program, helped inspire Rotary International to go forward with Polio Plus. Do you imagine the children of Costa Rica, or their families, will ever fully appreciate the impact of those immunizations, or know the names of their Fullerton Rotarian benefactors?

Perhaps not. But they will continue to benefit for generations, and WE, as Fullerton Rotarians share this legacy, of saving these children from Polio.

I recall when Dave Bates recently stood-up to share a personal observation. Dave told how for more than 20 years, as a Mason, he worked to help build the Shriners’ hospitals for crippled children throughout the USA.  Dave got emotional, when he recounted how as a member of Rotary he was surprised, but filled with pride while walking by those empty hospital beds, he helped provide, now freed up for other uses, because of men and women like you – members of Rotary who helped beat polio instead. Dave Bates is a significant donor of both our Club’s and Rotary Foundation. Dave believes in what Rotary does. He is a major shareholder in our Legacy.

 But let me say that not all Rotarians join Rotary for altruistic reasons, or the opportunity to serve others. And while all must be “invited”, many join for networking, or because their employer requests they join. Is this a problem?  Well ask Jim Young. His boss Don Shields, President of the University then, decided in 1975, that it might be a good idea to have a representative of Cal State in the local Rotary Club. Upon Jim’s arrival to his first meeting he was met, and promptly scolded, by Rotarian Will Meng - who informed Dr. Young that he hadn’t been invited. Of course this was resolved later, after a proper invitation was arranged.

Since those inauspicious beginnings, Jim Young has traveled far and wide as an Ambassador of our Club, playing the role of Paul Harris. Across oceans and continents, from Australia to the Philippines, and from Europe to Asia, Jim has performed for new Rotarians and Presidents of Rotary International, who ALL gather around to meet “Paul Harris”, and learn more about both our founder ……, and the roots of Rotary.

In a recent edition of the Rotarian Magazine where they published a picture of Paul Harris; to our surprise (and the editor) there was a photo of our Jim. He truly makes Paul Harris come alive! He provides us with a sense of the humanity of our organization, as well as its founder.  Jim has made Rotary real for thousands of Rotarians across the globe.

Jim also reminds us that Paul Harris advised “Rotary must be ever changing, ever responsive to change, as the world changes”.  By helping Rotarians all over the world better understand our roots in Rotary, Jim inspires courage to accept these inevitable changes and approach our Rotary future without fear.

Rotarians are not created equal. In fact the original design of a classification system was to afford vocational diversity. Rotarians come from all cultures, religions, and countries, and bring different talents and interests with them.  Like Paul Harris, Jim asks Rotarians to practice tolerance, and celebrate our differences.

He encourages us even further that we should embrace diversity, open our hearts, and erase the prejudices and fears, which invite hatred, and lead to exclusion, violence, terrorism, and eventually war.

Rotary and Rotarians are a potentially powerful force for peace. Consistent with International President Bill Boyd’s theme, I believe Rotarians like Jim Young truly Lead the Way, when he implores us to break down those …… artificial barriers, which separate human beings from each other.   

When we speak of our amazing Legacy of Service above Self, we cannot separate our Legacy from our membership. Consider this question:

How would this Rotary Club’s Legacy be affected if Will Meng’s response that first day had turned Jim Young away …….

What if Alan Bridgford had not encouraged and invited Jim Vanderburg.  

Think how much we and the world would miss the contributions of: Dave Bates, Jack Hayes, Hank Fredricks, Alan Bridgford, Bob Bean, Bill McGarvey, Les Lev, Bill Lenahan, Walt Pray, Darrel McGavran, and Hi Smith … who brought in 59 members.

As I look around this room - I see the Faces of Fullerton Rotary – Faces of Men and Women who subscribe to our ideals of Service Above Self.

What would this year be like without our new member Jay Kremer’s great commitment as our Program Chairman. He consistently provides programs that are interesting, entertaining, educational, enlightening and inspirational.

How would we function without a Club Secretary like Bob Jahncke, whose amazing website provides powerful organizational and communication tools.

We would miss our Newest Nine members Kim Shine or Greg Hickman. They demonstrate the spirit of friendship and fellowship when they greet us each week with their friendly smiles, kind words, and warm handshakes

Let’s just take a moment to Chase Down Some of these Roots … Jim Young sponsored Buck Catlin, who served as a Submarine Commander in WWII, and our Mayor and City Councilman.

Buck Catlin sponsored Don Bankhead a retired Fullerton Police Captain and past Mayor. Don also serves as the President of Orange County’s Chapter of the League of Cities. Bankhead sponsored Bill Klinghoffer, who is our Newest Nine Chairman and has really jazzed up our Rotary Club. Speaking again in more biblical terms …. John Braun, one of our newest Rotarians and a guy I have known for more than 30 years was BEGAT by Mark Geiss. Mark Geiss (one of best Christian invocators) was BEGAT by Lee Brockett. And, Lee Brockett was sponsored by Dale Schumacher who BEGAT more than 25 members over his many years of service.

Leslie McCarthy – Super Volunteer and the niece of Past President and all around Good Guy Jim Thompson – was sponsored by Mike Oates. Mike Oates who is a Past President, Community Leader, and a guy who is almost funny every week, he was sponsored by Jeff Hutchison. Jeff, who led our softball team to numerous victories over Fullerton South and Sunrise was BEGAT by Dave Bates, who’s done his share of Begating.

This looks almost like some Pyramid, or Multi-Level Marketing Scheme?

Did you know that Walt Barnes sponsored Ray Hansen way back in 1983. Well Ray returned the favor in 2004, and sponsored Walt right back after he returned form Hawaii. By the way, Walt is a recipient of one of the highest honor granted by Rotary International; and as you know, Walt was the guy who drove our club to a 100% Paul Harris Club. Of course, Ray Hansen is right behind Hi Smith in total numbers, and among his very best picks was our first woman President, Joyce Capelle. Joyce will always have the distinction of being our first woman President, in which she can take pride…..  But that honor doesn’t speak to the fact she was also one of the best Presidents we’ve ever had! Well, if we had more time we could chase down more roots …. But I think you get the point … It takes a whole lot of Begating to grow a Rotary Club.  

In fact, the one thing we all have in common ….. is that they we were all invited to join the Rotary Club of Fullerton (Republican – No, we actually have two registered closet democrats).

To assure the future of our Legacy, our President, Terri Grassi, has asked me to work on Membership Development this year. In fact, Membership Development is every member’s job.  

Membership Development is about the growth of our Club and the future continuity of this Legacy. But it is more about quality than quantity. It is as much about retention of our membership as finding new members.

You may ask … “what is my role?”

Well your role may be to share Rotary by inviting a prospective member.

It may be asking a member of the newest nine to sit at your table of friends.

Your role might be to act as a mentor to one of our newest members.

In the coming weeks and months I will be asking everyone to accept some responsibility for Membership Development. And, I will regularly remind us, and provide Membership Development information and tools.

It is said that a man wrapped up in himself makes for a very small package. But – this is also true of a Rotary Club. I believe we must share Rotary – to GROW Rotary.

Can you imagine this community and world without us?

Let me close by leaving you with this important thought: Whether you are a Past President or Member of the Newest Nine, it is every members privilege and responsibility, as shareholders in this amazing Club, to join together, and assure that our community, and world, continues to be benefited from this unique and great Legacy of Service Above Self. (Thank you). Before I leave the podium today, I have one more responsibility: Albert Schweitzer once said that he believed “those of you who will be truly happy, are those who have sought and found a way to serve others”.

Jim Vanderburg subscribes to this philosophy, and has a great appreciation for the Legacy of the Rotary Club of Fullerton. To help us celebrate this Legacy, and as a demonstration of confidence in our Club’s future, he has asked me to distribute an unusual investment.

I will be handing out 10 envelopes today with a $100 bill in each of them. Jim says there are NO RULES, as this represents a statement of faith. His only request is simply that you take this money and invest it any way you may believe will result in the most good.  If at a later date, you can report back to us how you used the money, please do so. But you are under no obligation other than to invest it as you deem appropriate, for the best good of mankind.

Would the following Rotarians (chosen randomly) please come forward and accept an envelope:

Jo Brannock, Minard Duncan, Pat Frank, Cathy Gach, Bill Gorman, Greg Hickman, Frank Kawase, Michael La, Randy McFarland, and Craig Walker