Rotagram for Wednesday, July 14,, 2021

Joe Lins’ invocation:
“Encourage and strengthen one another. For the positive energy spread to one will be felt by us all.” —Deborah Day
“There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they grow up in peace.” —Kofi A. Annan

Frank Kawase’s patriotic moment:
Frank shared the story of his dad reminding him in a moment of difficult financial circumstances, “Son, do you believe in America?”

Today, we welcomed guests:
Teri Snyder, Demetria Moore, Bob Curtis, Greg Eubanks (Crittenton), Bud Lang (soon to be inducted as a member), Joe Baldo (today’s program), and Joe’s 3 experts from Higher Ground.

Songmaster Bob Muschek led us in ‘God Bless America’ and ‘Smile’!

In Zoot’s opening remarks, he announced:
A special recognition of Terri Grassi and Joyce Capelle for their service as Past Presidents.
His creation of “new club roles”—Farrell Hirsch as “Master of Complaints,” Bailey Kline as “Mistress of Sparkles,” and David Hoeltzer as “The Demagnetizer.”

● Next Wednesday (7/21) we will be visited by our District Governor.

● The following Wednesday (7/28) we will have an off-site meeting at Morningside—RSVP by June 24th!

Finemaster Bev Berryman fined the following souls:
Brett Ackerman (wife Heidi's birthday), Bob Sattler (40th Rota-versary), Bev herself (on behalf of Minard Duncan), Dan Kiernan, and Mike Oates, many of whom missed trivia questions about today’s special holidays.

Did you know today is Bastille Day, International Nude Day, International Sister Cities Day, International Mac & Cheese Day, National Tape Measure Day, Pandemonium Day, and National Shark Awareness Day? Because I sure did!

Scott Dowds (birthday), Roy Harvill (honorary member), Bill Peloquin (wife Wilma’s birthday), and Rick Price (anniversary to wife Gale) all escaped questioning.

Program: Joe Baldo, Executive Director of Higher Ground in Anaheim

Here are some highlights from our time with Joe and his fellow Higher Ground team members:
Higher Ground’s mission is to end human trafficking in our communities.
Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal activity here at home and around the world.
Higher Ground partners with the Anaheim School District on an educational Human Trafficking Prevention Program for junior high and high school students.
In 2 years, Higher Ground facilitators have held 275 presentations across 7 schools.
The program’s curriculum focuses on 1) Self Esteem & Healthy Relationships, 2) Social Media, and 3) Human Trafficking.
In many cases, students who have heard these presentations have come forward to self-identify as trafficking victims or identify someone they know who may be a victim.

In closing, Zoot shared, “I alone cannot change the world. But I can cast a stone across the water and create many ripples.” —Mother Teresa