Rotagram for Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Mike Cochran opened the meeting with a welcome to our 11th meeting via Zoom.

Club News, Yesterday the club had its joint board meeting of the current board as well as the members of the new board beginning July 1. Ken and his board will have a number of exciting things for you throughout the year.

The Rotary Club of Fullerton will receive the Rotary International Presidential citation this year for its work in support of the Face Shields for hospitals.

The Club is also receiving a district award for economic and community development for the Jog-a-thon. That is great news and recognition that is well deserved for the club.

Dan Kiernan led us in the pledge to the flag of the United States.

Ken Kaisch led us in an invocation.

Our Guests for the day included Yvonne Yen and Tony Veloz from the Brea Club and Gail Cochran.

Phil Silverman was our recognition master for the day. He recognized Rick Crane for 30 years in Rotary; Ken Kaisch on general principles; Dan Ouweleen for good work; Bill Mathy for lack of proper preparation of Phil for his stressful task of recognition master; Dave Bates for lack of recent attendance; Frank Kawase for something this Rotascribe did not understand (but we are all sure he is deserving); Jim Williams for his years of excellent preparation for planning demotions; Warren Wimer for his wedding anniversary; Scott Dowds for 25 years in Rotary; Bill Peloquin for his wedding anniversary; Susan Ouweleen for her excellent service to the club is so many ways; and Marilyn Richards for her cure of cancer.

Announcements: Our next meeting, Wednesday, 24 June, at 12:30 via Zoom, will be our Demotion meeting and celebration. All should plan to attend, where together we will trade in Mike Cochran for a new (and Improved?) leader Ken Kaisch. It promises to be a fun meeting.

Our Program for the day was the year of reflections by Mike Cochran on his year as president of our club. Mike reflected briefly on the clubs accomplishments and its resilience in handling the issues of the coronavirus and the need to meet via zoom. Who could of guessed that change in our habits? Mike went on thank each and every member of this club for their support, for their fellowship, and for being what he asked for all year - that is to be greater Rotarians.

Mike then gave special recognition to the members of the board and the officers of the club. In no particular order, he acknowledged the following members for special work in the year:

Ken Kaisch Club vice president

Travis McShane Director of club service membership

Karen Xie Director of international service

Jim Ripley Director of vocational service

Monica Fernandez Director of community service

Susan Ouweleen Director of youth

Howard Minkley Director of fellowship

Cathy Gach Club treasurer

Bob Muschek Club secretary

Robert Jahncke Executive secretary

Dan Ouweleen Foundation president

Community Investment Awards Chair Rick Crane

Club sergeant at arms Randy McFarland and Gregory Hickman

Rotarian engineer of the year Thad Sandford for his masterful creation of Mike’s dream of the yellow box with the light bulbs as part of the 50-50 drawing.

And special thanks to all who worked behind the scenes to make the wheels go round.

Mike then ended his time with a fun and different approach to remembering the 4- way test. With Susan Ouweleen’s help, he showed a series of film clips that gave a visual of the value of each of the 4 ways. Specifically

1) Is it the truth? The film clip was of W.C. Fields touching a woman. When questioned, he stated he was merely trying to estimate her weight. (True?)

2) Is it fair to all concerned? The film clip was of the 3 stooges, where one always cheated on the coin flip. (fair?)

3) Will it build goodwill and better friendships? The film clip showed a gruesome war scene from the Gladiators, where the German army was taking a big hit. (Goodwill, better friendships?)

4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned? The film clip showed the Egyptian army drowning when trying to cross the red sea, in chasing the Hebrews escaping from Egypt. (beneficial to all? to the Egyptians?)

Mike’s Closing thoughts

“In these times I stand before you and tell you from the bottom of my heart how moved I am by this club. You have stuck together and remained true Rotarians throughout all that has happened in the last 3 1/2 months.

I was told when I first said yes to the offer from the club to be its president elect that the two best days for a president are the day he first steps forward as president and on the day that he becomes Mr. past president. There were a lot of best days for me.

This world seems to constantly have a surprise up it’s sleeve no matter what one thinks they know about the course of events. I wish Ken and his board a most successful year. I wish the club an outstanding year for membership growth for successful projects and events. Service above self will continue to be the mainstay of the Fullerton club. We are marching towards our hundredth year and we are in good order and in good spirits”.

The greatest wealth is to live content with a little. Plato

It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. Aristotle

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. Sir Winston Churchill

“Go out and be good people and be even greater Rotarians. Thank you for letting me be your president”.

Meeting Adjourned