Opening Formalities

         Prez J opened the meeting promptly at 12:27; with the invocation ably handled by Scott Dowds followed by the pledge of allegiance, led by Judy Atwell.   Song leader Greg Hickman, with the help of pre-printed lyrics, coaxed Let There Be Peace on Earth out of us, followed by an enthusiastic rendition of Smile. 

         Introductions by Greg Hickman. We had several guests: Jim McKamy introduced Ann Hovey; Dan Ouwleen introduced Marty Palecki; Zoot introduced Austin Muckenthaler and Jim Womack; Carl Camp introduced his associate, Russell Hall; Tom Meyer introduced Lois Bergman; J Richey  introduced Steve Schwartz; Joe Lins had his son Casey at the meeting and Wilma came with Bill today. Visiting Rotarians from Fullerton South:  Bill Gillespie and Chuck Allen.  Nissa introduced President Rajen Vurdien of Fullerton College.

Announcements

            Rotary announcements were made by Rick Crane, Foundation Meeting today; Jim Williams reminded us to sign up for Demotion Night – need a count by the weekend; Pat Hartnett, Save the date for a Polio Plus Fundraiser at Angel game on August 20th.

            Non-Rotary announcements, Leslie McCarthy thanked the Club for donating funds to purchase chairs for the Ebell Club; Theresa Harvey announced Chamber of Commerce Business Leadership Award, honoring Jim Williams at the Summit House.  Mike Oates, as President of Sister City Association, soliciting funds for airfare to send twelve kids to Korea.

Recognitions

            Recognition Master of the Day, Pat Hartnett allowed as how it is great to be with friends at the Wednesday Rotary lunches.  He promised to be as brief [unintended pun] as a lawyer can. Then Pat rattled off a long string of no shows:  Mitch Hovey,  not here for birthday.  Jeff for Debbie Hutchison’s birthday.  Derek Johnson celebrating anniversary.  To alleviate the adverse effect on the budget by the “recognizees” not being present, Pat called upon all those married 4 years or less in attendance to rise and be fined on behalf of all not here.  Finally finding a “recognizee” in attendance,  Pat hit up Dick Daybell for a couple of bucks for his wife’s birthday.  He also led the assemblage in a rousing “Happy Anniversary” tribute to Warren and Nancy’s 50^th, coming up later this month which was accompanied a bottle of the bubbly, promptly consumed.  Lastly, Singing notary – Nissa was recognized as the only singing notary we have ever heard of and  pastor Greg Hickman was feted for all his good works also with a bottle of the bubbly, but this time it was sparkling cider.  Trojan fans were asked to cough up $3 for ill gotten gains on “Bush” league bets.  Lastly, Tom Meyer was chided for missing last week’s sports question but was let off the hook when he answered the booby prize question  - Who officiated at the Wiener wedding?  Answer:  Teflon Bill. 

Raffle – Chief Pat officiating.  Jim McKamy held the winning ticket.

Special Announcement

It was sadly announced that due to health issues, Fred Johnson will not be able to proceed next year as the Rotary Club of President.   President Elect Scott Dowds has graciously agreed to step into the void and accelerate his service by a year, which was promptly greeted by a “Petition for Recall”.  But seriously, this is a major commitment – to jump over his “preparation” year and take over in a couple of weeks is huge.   

Program

            President Rajen Vurdien of Fullerton College opened the program.  Fullerton College has been here since 1913, although Rajen Vurdien, has not been President that long.  Wonderful things happen inside the buildings that we go by every day as depicted in a video presentation.  Over 100 programs directed at varied vocational paths coupled with a true collegiate feel to the campus.  The “Mission” - prepare students to become successful learners [and the rest will follow naturally].  Fullerton College will serve over 35,000 students for the year. 

            The BIG DEAL is the 100^th anniversary celebration being planned for 2013.  Fullerton College is the oldest community college in the State that was started and has continuously served as a community college.  Andrea Hanstein and Bob Jensen gave us a good heads up on the celebrations that are planned for 2013.  Plan on participating in the first annual Hall of Fame Gala that will be held in October, 2013.  The entire Centennial celebration year will review history through the lens of its graduates’ experiences all of which will end up in historical oral documentary covering the last century at the College and Fullerton itself.   Actual kick off will be a Community celebration in August, 2013.  The fun theme of the yearlong celebration will be in recreating the 1913 era, with a number of thematic programs, including ragtime performances.

            The conclusion of the presentation was to remind us that Fullerton College is first and foremost, an institution of higher larnin’  As a representation of the real academic work that can be achieved at the community college lever, student David Salazar described his team’s innovative project for micro-gravity research.  Mr. Salazar, together with three student co-researchers will get to test their project in a zero gravity environment at NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center later this month.  The project, dubbed the Ferrosfluid Outreach Experiment is a first step effort to develop an alternative energy resource. 

A Special Invitation

            President J, at the beginning of his term asked Zoot if he could come up with a significant project that the Rotary Club of Fullerton could be involved in and support.  That challenge coalesced when Nissa also invited Zoot develop an event to support the Fullerton Foundation fund raising effort for its centennial celebration.  What started as an exploratory Rotary event, evolved into a Fullerton College fund raising event.  Zoot grabbed the ball, recruited Dick Dale, upon condition of providing a backup symphony orchestra, to perform at what is now going to be a major fundraiser for the Fullerton College Foundation.  Set aside the evening of September 1^st for the Dick Dale original surfer sound concert, backed by a symphony orchestra.  Ironically, it will be conducted at the Plummer Auditorium. 

J’s Parting Thought

“A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always count on the support of Paul.”  Editor’s Comment – J was not referring to Mr. Harris.

AND THAT WAS OUR MEETING FOLKS

#  #