Rotagram for Wednesday, March 3, 2021

In his opening, President Ken Kaisch alluded to our culture’s newfound digital slogans—for example, the phrase “all Zoomed out” and becoming a victim of ‘Zoom fatigue.’ After a year of lockdown, our physical and social isolation has not only created new words for the dictionary, but unfortunately it has now manifested in us emotionally.

However, as COVID-19 deaths and cases decline, let us acknowledge the sparse, yet critical positives that have come from this crisis. We have endured—as a collective club and as individual Rotarians. In this moment, among the trees, the pandemic is a tragedy defining a generation. But, when we “zoom out” to see the forest, we see this pandemic has advanced the science of virus and vaccine astronomically. In this way, let us hope that our collective cultural sacrifice is indeed creating a better future for our children and grandchildren.

Hopefully, we are not “all Zoomed out” enough to disregard this hope.

Dan Kiernan’s Patriotic Moment:

Let us reflect on this, the greatest nation on earth. As we recite the pledge, Dan encouraged us to focus on the positives of the principles that define our flag and bind us together as Americans.

Christian Esteban’s Invocation:

As a certified millennial, Christian led the club in a rainy day 1-minute meditation. He’s no Joe Arnold, but this Rotascribe has been told he has a voice—and a face—for radio!

Introduction of Guests:

Susan Ouweleen introduced our guests from Rotaract, president-elect Lydia Garcia and Cody Delzer.

Club News:

Minard Duncan has recovered from COVID! Welcome back, Minard!

Fullerton School’s Got Talent arrives Friday, April 23rd from 7-8:30pm. Mark your calendars for our club’s only fundraiser this year! If you can help Ken call on Rotarians and businesses for sponsorships, call Ken. Go to fullertonschoolsgottalent.com for more information and to sponsor this year’s event. Zoot raised $2,000 by offering $500 sponsors the chance to pie him LIVE—thanks to sponsors Faisal Qazi, Ken Kaisch, and Jim Williams.

Rick Crane is gearing up for the 30th Annual Jim Thompson Track and Field City Championship, scheduled for Saturday, March 27th at Fullerton Union High School. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer and help. Give Rick Crane a call to sign up! Rick earned today’s Service Above Self recognition for his efforts.4) Miko Krisvoy is working with Sunny Hills and Fullerton High Schools on the Top 100 Banquet this year. The schools are planning these events for May, and no food will be served. More updates to come.

Because of our bookkeeper’s health problems, the club will combine both 3rd and 4th quarter billings and send them out in April.

Susan Ouweleen shares we’re sending 12 Fullerton high school juniors to eRYLA!

Fine Master: The explosive Thad Sandford made us all sorry we underestimated his Finemasting abilities.

Anniversaries: Brett Ackerman ($5), Matt Howells ($5), Vimal Seth (13 years—fine waived), Sandy Hayes (14 years—$5).

Kim Barlow ($5) for suggesting we fine Dan Kiernan last week.

And then this happened. You had to be there! I can’t for the life of me remember why, but all these good people were fined $5: Dan Kiernan, Minard Duncan, Dawn Bowman, Dick Mathewson, Randy McFarland, Farrell Hirsch, Jim Williams, Glynnes Speak, Bill Hite, Jim Ripley, Bev Berryman, Faisal Qazi, Karen Xie, Christian Esteban, and Bryan Kowalsky.

Program: Tar Rakhra

Tarlochan Rakhra founded an Interact Club at his Placentia high school and our very own CSUF Rotaract Club. As a Titan, he served over 1,000 hours of service for his Fullerton community. After working with Marty Burbank and Dan Ouweleen, he went to UC Berkeley and earned his JD in 2020. He now works as a Law Clerk with Kirkland & Ellis in New York City, zooming in remotely from the West coast.

Tar shared with us his belief in the power of a collective group of people behind a single mission—starting with something as simple as doing a service project to shed a light on marginalized issues or communities. Being in service to others, as well as serving alongside one another, brings out the best in one another. In this spirit of service and our collective desire to see positive transformation in all our communities, Tar notes: It is our responsibility to look back to our history to learn from the individuals who looked forward in their vision to change the social narrative.

In addition to his work in law, Tar aspires to work with small businesses and nonprofit organizations to continue serving the community organizations that make a difference in our nation each day.

In closing, Ken shared 3 quotes:

● “My friend, it is not what they take away from you that counts. It’s what you do with what you have left.” —Hubert Humphrey

● “Your fear is 100% dependent upon you for its survival.” —Dr. Steve Maraboli

● “For one human being to love another; that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks, the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation.” —Rainer Maria Rilke