Will Abbott, everyone’s favorite Boy Scout, provided the opening thought for the day.

Keith Mills led us in the flag salute.

Only one guest, in addition to our speaker, was present. Theresa Harvey introduced her guest, Ken Barry, a member of the Fullerton Community Band and son-in-law to Bob Radde.

The club was introduced to yet another musician as Dr. Ken Kaisch led the crowd in “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” followed by two rounds of “Smile.”

Rotoract, which now has 50 members, honored our club at the morning’s board meeting with a plaque recognizing our club’s contributions. The plaque is available for all to view at the front table.

Announcements:

Bill Schenk, after much thoughtful deliberation, announced that we will be having Rotary Club meetings on both Christmas and New Year’s Eves. Get ready to celebrate with your fellow Rotarians!

A celebration honoring our beloved Jim Young will be held on October 29. Many dignitaries have been invited, so members are asked to wear long pants. Those who also plan to bring a guest are asked to contact Jim Williams so we can plan our numbers.

Being a Rotoscribe is a great honor and the committee has a few openings for those who like to practice their prose and storytelling on fellow Rotarians. Contact Randy McFarland with interest.

The club is headed to the Los Alamitos Race Track on October 25. Terri Grassi has all the details so give her a call if you’re interested.

Verne Andrews offered a reminder that the club will be awarding grants for unmet needs throughout the city of Fullerton. Yellow sheets are on the tables – or available from him. The deadline is approaching in November and grants will be awarded the following month.

Rotary will again be supporting a grant program for international studies. This scholars program is a wonderful opportunity for those interested in spreading the word of rotary across the globe while pursuing scholarly studies. See Thad Sanford for details.

Minard Duncan participated in the raffle but couldn’t find the illusive chip so went home empty handed.

Recognition Master for the day was recently retired Joe Arnold.

Franki Berry was celebrating a birthday and had the joy of being serenaded by the club. She’ll continue the joyous occasion with her family at dinner.

Thad Sanford also celebrates a birthday. Tony Fabelo and his wife are celebrating their anniversary.

Bill Mathy noted that Joe failed to remind people of his October 21 birthday.

Coach Dan Oweleen burst into the room reminding everyone that Saturday, October 18, is our Jog-A-Thon at Troy High School. Our goal if $40,000 toward End Polio is near. Chris Meyer offered to help start the drive to close the gap by contributing $100. Throughout the meeting additional donations came in from many Rotarians inspired by a program presented by visiting Rotarian Gene Hernandez.

Hernandez, who is a regular at the Corona Rotary Club, shared an inspirational program on Rotary International’s efforts around the world to end polio. Gene has personally gone been involved with international immunization days in foreign countries. Although the goal to irradiate the crippling disease is close, we will always be in danger until we are able to finish what has been started.

International Rotary’s End Polio day will be celebrated on October 25. It’s frustrating to know that there are still areas where we continue to fight, but India has now been certified Polio Free. Throughout the world there were fewer than 400 cases of new infection in 2014 down from thousands in prior years.

Rotary continues to pave the way bringing new ways to administer anti polio vaccine’s in ways that are easier to transport, more stable and don’t require refrigeration (which is difficult to find in third world countries). Rotary International is leading International immunization days again this February and Gene Hernandez encourages those able to take time and participate in this life changing experience.

Bill Schenk adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m.