Rotagram for Wednesday, Nov 20, 2019

President Mike Cochran began today’s meeting with a mention that “it feels good to be back ringing the bell!” He also mentioned that we will not be having a meeting on December 25th or January 1st for obvious reasons and that Travis Mc Shane will be conducting next weeks meeting in his absence.

Randy McFarland led us in the pledge and Glynnes Speak gave the invocation of thanks for all that Rotary and Rotarians do for our community.

Today’s guests: Bob Sattler brought a couple of guests, Bill McGarvey Jr. and Alex Valdez, and Diane Masseth-Jones brought Ana Rodriguez as her guest. Rotary Announcements: President Cochran called on Cathy Gach to lead us all in reciting the Four-Way-Test, and he asked Bob Muschek to lead us in a chorus of “God Bless America”. Zoot Velasco shared that Sueling Chen provided him with a greeting chart she uses at her school for teaching children the proper way to greet one another. This will be most helpful for our Rotary greeters! Glynnes Speak let us know about the upcoming Rotary Leadership Institute’s upcoming sessions. No flyers were available, so Dan Ouweleen said he would be emailing an electronic version to everyone. Thad Sanford encouraged everyone to attend next week’s meeting and to bring a guest to hear featured speaker, global scholar Susan A. Shammari, who is a R.I. global grant scholar. Dick Mathewson mentioned that our fellow member Bill Kincaid took a fall at his home and broke his ankle and encourage members to give him a call or send a get-well card. Theresa Harvey announced that Ling Ling Chang will be speaking tomorrow at the NOC Government Affairs meeting, Jim Williams thanked Thad Sanford for promoting next week’s speaker and again encouraged members to look at the upcoming featured speakers and invite a guest.

Our recognition master today was Rick Crane. Bob Bean is celebrating a spouse’s birthday; Dick Mathewson is celebrating he and his wife’s 35 wedding anniversary; Vimal Seth and his wife are celebrating 36 years; Bob Pletka celebrates a spousal birthday; Diane Masseth-Jones will be retiring from the YWCA of Orange County after 40 years of working for non-profits. Rick then proceeded to stump several Rotarians with his club trivia.

Club Assembly – Club Director’s Report Updates on Activities and Projects. The balance of today’s meeting was comprised of reports from our club directors: Karen Xie gave Travis Mc Shane’s report in his absence as director of Club Services. Amy Gaw gave us an update as to our club support of O.C. United and thanked everyone for their donations to their cause. Karen Xie gave her report as International Services director; Jim Ripley gave his report at Vocational Director; Monica Fernandez provided her report as Community Services director; Susan Ouweleen provided her report as Community Services Youth director. Zoot Valasco also mentioned that CSUF Rotaract is holding a fundraising campaign for the Tuffy’s Basic Needs Services through the Division of Student Affairs Dean of Students at CSUF that provides services for homeless students. Zoot and Susan are also looking for donations of professional clothing that students can use for job interviews; Howard Minkley provided an update as Club Services Director with shout-outs to Terri Grassi, Sandy Hayes, Karen Xie, Ken Kaisch, Joe Arnold and Rick Crane. Dan Ouweleen gave us an update as Club Administrator and provided a visual explanation of the flow of funding of the Club verses the Club Foundation. Dan also gave a report on the recent Jog-A-Thon and 5k event and mentioned that he is looking for a club member to volunteer to take the reins next year as Dan takes on new duties at the District.

President Cochran concluded today’s meeting with the following: “History is nothing but the lies that are no longer disputed” Napoleon Bonaparte; “There are only two ways to live your life. One as though nothing is a miracle. The other as though everything is a miracle.” Albert Einstein. So go out today and be good people and even greater Rotarians.