Rotagram - Meeting Notes and Club News

Volume 81 Issue 50

Wed, June 22, 2022

Rota-Scribe: Gerardo Chagolla

Meeting was called to order by President Velasco for the last time. He graciously welcomed everyone at today’s meeting, “for my last meeting as your president before you demote me, would, Ken Kaisch come forward please?” It’s worth noting that Wednesday’s meeting was Ken Kaisch’s last meeting as Peace Ambassador, as he is retiring and moving away.

For our commencement ceremonies, Ken Kaisch was ready, willing, and able to lead us with our Patriotic Moment Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Kaisch gave us our Invocation. The Master of the Mic’s speech, “I can’t stand this corruption! Let’s get rid of this abomination. We need as many people as possible for Demotion Night. We need the power to push him in to the dark side where he belongs! We pray that you deliver us from the evils of Zoot. Believe in Joe Lins because he is a good guy. We need a good guy. Lord knows we need a good guy. Bless us and bless this food. Amen!” Well done Mr. Kaisch. President Velasco took the time to show his appreciation for Ken as they both stood on the stage and said, “Just as an aside, Peace Ambassador was added this year as a request from either Rotary International or our District Governor. Honestly, I’m not sure. But I did not invent it. And our Peace Ambassador for the last time is Past President Ken Kaisch. Ken, you represented the position well.” Mr. Kaisch’s last words as Peace Ambassador were, “the last thing you would want to hear from me. Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.” President Velasco comically stated, “my great battle will be over today.” He thanked the lovely Beverly Barryman, Carol Morris and new Rotoscribe, Fullerton College Journalism intern Gerardo Chagolla for helping with today’s meeting. For the last time, it was his pleasure in welcoming our guest’s today. He introduced 4 guests of Ernie Delfin, Israel Claustro, and Mike, Noel, and Val. President Velasco stated that Mr. Delfin is involved in starting a Fullerton Rotary satellite club. Other guest in attendance were, Nancy Phan, guest of Dan Ouweleen. Sally Williams, guest of Jim Williams. Potential prospect Rebecca Forester from Monkey Business Café, was back with us. And our tiny but cool guest, Achilles Stewart, son of Daniel Stewart, was in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting.

Our Rotary Minute was given to us by Frank Kawase. Frank remembers when he started with Rotary in Brea, California, in 1974. He remembers all the good activities that Rotary did in the community, “If we didn’t maintain the model we have today, we would have vanquished.” He lives by the Rotary motto, Service Above Self! President Velasco gave praises to Mr. Kawase for his part at last weeks meeting. Mr. Kawase, who owned a market and is now retired, took the time to help out the club for fathers-day last week. He was responsible for the fathers-day corsages that every proud father wore. The club gave him a standing ovation. Great job Frank Kawase.

Our Songmaster, Bud Lang, led us in another exciting round of “Name That Tune.” This week ‘s theme was songs from the 60’s. Some of the songs played were the popular, “Stand By Me,” by Ben E. King, the Motown favorite, “My Girl,” by The Temptations, the catchy, “Under The Boardwalk,” by The Drifters, and “Then He Kissed Me,” by The Crystals. Today, everyone was a winner! Great Job Bud Lang. This week’s Duck Race almost didn’t happen due to not enough participants, until club members were quick to buy some ducks. The race was a knee jerker until duck number 7 punched it in to overdrive and won. Scott Dowds, the Banker, wins! This prompted members to shout out, ”GIVE IT BACK!” President Velasco asked Fullerton Rotary treasurer, Cathy Gach for an estimate on what the Duck Races made from when he proposed it, “somewhere around $2500 to $3000!” Our Finemaster is our newest Finemaster. He has a smooth night club singer name. President Velasco had the pleasure of introducing the fine stylings of Johnny Hong! As soon as Mr. Hong stepped on stage, something magical happened. You could feel the electricity in the air but you had no idea what was about to go down. “I think you’re going to regret this. We are going to have fun. I know all of you will not like me after today. Hurting you is not in my agenda.” He explained that the word fine is too long of a word, “so I’m going to say ‘F’ yourself instead.” Let the fines begin! “President Velasco, is your name really Zoot? I come from the land of weird names and your name is the weirdest name I’ve ever heard. Please go “F” yourself.” He recognized Ernie Delfin for his 1-year Rotary anniversary and his upcoming birthday, “How old are you turning? How old? It is a mystery. Please ‘F’ yourself.” Frank Kawase was recognized for 56 years of marriage. “Matt Howells, happy birthday. You look like you’re turning 21, please ‘F’ yourself.” Dan and Susan Ouweleen were recognized for their 15 year rotary anniversary and were kindly asked to “F” themselves. “Bill Mathy, your spouse has a birthday this month, right? Mr. Mathy, I will never forget the time we met. But I will keep trying. Please ‘F’ yourself.” Our awesome Songmaster Bud Lang was recognized for his great work he does, “Bud, I always try to imagine the you are Neil Diamond. It does not work. I know your mentor is Bob Jahncke, I want to tell you that all of your stories are safe with me because I was not listening. Please ‘F’ yourself.” President Elect Joe Lins was not safe either. “Joe Lins is so strong because he can flip houses. He reminds me of Bill Nye the Science Guy who gave up in life. Please ‘F’ yourself.” Mr. Hong killed it on the microphone. He had the whole room laughing and wondering where he got his material from. “After today, I am not welcomed. So, I’m going to say good bye to everyone.” He received a round of applause. Our announcement was given to us one last time by The Master of the Mic, Ken Kaisch. “Demotion night is just around the corner. The 99 Ranch Market does not carry duck sauce. It’s such a rare item. I will be looking this week for duck sauce and bring it to the meeting next week. Let’s kick this BUM out and invite Joe Lins to clean up this place.” Reminding us about Demotion night next week.

Wednesday’s program at hand: President Velasco’s Swan Song. “This week, I had to write two speeches. A serious speech for today as my parting words as president, and a less-serious, much shorter rebuttal roast for demotion night. This speech is not designed to be funny. For that, you must come to demotion night. Although, some of you may argue I am never funny. To you, have a raspberry with your dessert!” President Velasco wanted to do what U.S. presidents do when one leaves and a new one comes in. He wrote a letter to President Elect Joe Lins. The letter will be published here. If this is his Swan Song, it is a bittersweet symphony. Meeting was adjourn for the last time by President Zoot Velasco, “Be the change you want to see in the world. We are adjourned.”

Letter From Zoot - His Swan Song aka Thank you

Dear Joe,

One of the most crucial aspects of a functioning democracy is the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next. And these days, we can’t always take that for granted. Each outgoing US president before Trump traditionally left a letter in the Oval Office for the incoming president to find. Regardless of party. Regardless of personal beliefs. So, I decided to write this letter to you. I know we are not running the world here, but what we do is important.

I have made a career of running charitable organizations and teaching others best practices of organizational leadership. But the moment you run an all-volunteer organization. All those lessons go out the window in Rotary. Your job now is herding cats. You can ask anything of anyone, but you can’t MAKE anyone do anything without a paycheck.

But you will find people who quietly go above and beyond the call of duty and hold the whole club together without a whimper. These are people like:

• Cathy Gach. I had no idea about everything Cathy does as treasurer or how crucial she is to the club before becoming president. She is the queen of spreadsheets and the all-seeing eye. She knows where all the bodies are buried and why not to dig them up. I hope she will help bring back the Speech and Song programs in your year as she did in the past. I have even seen her smile on occasion.

• Past-President Jim Williams. We would not have club meetings without Jim Williams crowdsourcing ideas, creating programs, planning, and following up with speakers. There is nothing Jim can’t do or hasn’t done in this club with a quick wit, great integrity, and style. I am proud to call him a mentor and one of my best friends. I’m sure he is for you as well.

• Past-President Dan and Susan Ouweleen. I don’t know how they do all they do while prepping for District Governor. I get dizzy thinking about it. If you have any Rotary-related questions, they know the answers. They make sure our technology works. And most people don’t know that they quietly funded our Zoom helper Joshua. They live and breathe this club and Rotary in general. I would not be surprised to see Dan RI president one day, which would be an excellent day for the world.

• Past-President Ken Kaisch did a great job as our Peace Ambassador and with his help on the board. I’m sorry you will be losing him, as we all will. He has been a major asset to our club in many ways, not the least of which is spiritually, regardless of whatever he is smoking. I will miss him next year and his damned red nose.*

• Les McCarthy quietly and diligently worked behind the scenes, ensuring we had people to lead every element of our meeting and set up off-site events. She is the oil that makes the meeting run. Les and Jim were the dynamic duo when we needed insurance help with our fundraiser and worked overtime to solve each problem as they came.

• Christian Esteban worked quietly behind the scenes gathering sponsors for our fundraiser, supervising youth programs at CSUF and two high schools, RYLA (with Raco), and his outstanding leadership at Joya. He is a dynamo. If he keeps this up, he may be dumb enough– I mean honored– to be club president one day.

• Past-President Joyce Cappelle has been a godsend on grants and Human Trafficking. Here is a woman I always considered a personal hero leading gracefully at the highest level of a large-scale charitable organization, but did whatever needed to be done, professionally and gracefully, with no complaints and all humility. Her expertise was crucial to our club and the district as Human Trafficking became a prominent theme.

• Bailey Kline & Daniel Stewart, new to the board and leading busy lives, took up their respective assignments and ensured everything we needed was done on time and under budget.

• Carol Morris stepped up after only weeks in the club and took over the Secretary job after Bob Muschek had set a high standard for years. She does it magnificently! That freed Bob up to help his church in an emergency. But aiding the community is what Rotarians do.

• And speaking of new members, Past-President (of another club he founded) Ernie Delfin came in on my first day as president. He immediately went to work improving our programs with his Rotary Minute idea and launched a new satellite club with 25 new members! Of course, Joe will get the credit for this in his year, but I’m still thrilled! You will find his energy and enthusiasm could power a small city.

• Bud Lang also came in after weeks in the club, took over as SongMaster, and did it fabulously, which meant so much to me. This position can be magnificent or a dread for members. He made it magnificent again.

• Bev Barryman quietly took over check-in at meetings when we lost our volunteer and ensured it all got done, even if that meant she didn’t get to socialize and sat at the back alone. Come to think of it, maybe that is the appeal?

• John Phelps and Jim Vanderburg would frequently come up with an idea, then work with us to make it happen and continually improve the club. John helped us secure a Rotogram intern, Gerardo, who will also help with social media, and Jim helped us secure a great partnership with the Observer. Both will significantly increase our reach. Thank god for these two sage members and mentors. We would be a lesser club without them.

• Miko Krisvoy, Sally Williams, and Judy Atwell are the design team that always makes everything perfect from the Top 100 to Demotion Night. And we miss Sandy Hayes from that group. I hope she will be back soon.

• Matt Howells stepped up to help our A/V needs, take over the Youth board position, and is a great new asset to the club and our community leadership. And he brought in Rashawn Underdue, who gave one of my favorite craft talks.

• Past-President Bob Jahncke quietly works behind the scenes making all the communication function. He’s a computer guy, but, in many ways, he is the software that makes words appear on our screens, like our Rotogram and club lists.

• Rick Crane and Jim Thompson continue to do a fantastic Track Meet for our youth. I had the chance to see it this year for the first time, and I was very impressed with all they do for student-athletes and leaders.

• Theresa Harvey did a great job coordinating the CIA awards with the Foundation taking over for Rick Crane. That was a lot of work keeping our partners, donors, and organizations happy with two boards thrown in!

So many others, too busy to do the big things, did many critical little things all year. Past-President Scott Dowds, though busy and retiring, still found the time to coordinate our commencement speakers.

Travis McShane is a man-about-town but is always quick to help post on the website or whatever is needed.

Howard Minkley continues to help provide fellowship events for us.

Bob Sattler was instrumental in helping with our fundraiser in several ways, including sponsors and the band contract.

Minard Duncan bounced back from COVID and is doing great, well enough to fleece us as FineMaster. He is one of my favorites.

And speaking of FineMasters, thank god for Past-President Bill Mathy and his work keeping us in great con men and women new and old.

Monica Fernandez helped keep our fundraiser on track while opening a store.

Past-President Terri Grassi worked behind the scenes with Susan and Cathy, keeping the tax man from the door.

And like the Mickey Mouse Club, we can’t work without A-Net. And in our case without Farrell Hirsch, who works with a net at “fine” times.

Many others quietly do excellent work, often without being asked. Even members, not as active as we might like because of pesky little things called “Jobs” or caretaker responsibilities, find ways to show up when it matters, like when I drove to Riverside for Ray Hansen’s memorial and saw Marty Burbank and Bob Sattler there. I must admit I am tired of going to the funerals of great Rotarians.

Dick Mathewson, Blake Smith, Steve Foy, and Ray Hanson will undoubtedly be missed. Each was a mentor to me in different ways. Dick was a sports legend and our Reading-by-Nine founder. We must keep that going now that COVID is waning. Blake was our last WWII Vet and a plank holder of the Midway. Steve left us too soon. Ray was our longest-serving member and did a lot to build Fullerton in ways most people don’t know.

We wish Vimal Seth a continued recovery. Please check on him if you can.

New members Jordan Abushawish, Johnny Hong, Andrew Gregson, Rashawn Underdue, and of course Carole, Ernie, and Bud I mentioned above, are doing great jobs becoming Rotarians. Of course, they always were Rotarians. They just didn’t know it yet, before coming here.

As you come into the job, other Past-Presidents are happy to help but mostly like to just look at you with a smirk and a look of, “Thank god that’s over for me.” They look at you like a condemned man. I hope to master this look myself in a week.

However, the job is not that hard normally. You are the emcee of the meetings. You make it move and get the speaker up and out on time. I would advise against long Ken Kaisch- type sermons, however impressive they often were. A taut meeting respects our gest speakers and attracts new members.

You must run a board meeting every month, making the club sausage with your co-conspirators. You must know when to say yes, when to say no, and when to get out of the way. You must produce a fundraiser that hopefully raises funds and doesn’t lose them.

But the times we lead are not normal. We must worry about Zoom, Hybrid meetings, to mask or not to mask, who will be out with COVID this week, and when will YOU be out with COVID. Omicron is omnipresent. We schedule, reschedule, reschedule again, and improvise. We plan. Plans are dashed. We replan and cross fingers. Every time we gain a new member and feel giddy, an old member will pass away, move, or stop showing up. And this may get you down. And the losses of great members who have influenced us compound that. And now Ken Kaisch will be leaving us, and I must say, I will miss that crazy clown and his sermons.

But remember that even though we must deal with these changes by the minute, you and I are THE ONLY presidents to preside over our club’s centennial, which is an immense honor. Here are three things I learned:

1. Don’t host a fundraiser indoors during COVID. I was very disappointed that a president who made a career of producing shows and building audiences could not get enough audience or sponsors for our event. Even though the concert event was a great show, we had ticket issues, mask issues, and other issues. I need tissues for all my issues. We did not lose money but didn’t make what I hoped. I advise an outdoor event with alcohol in March or April when fewer events are happening. Even better if you can partner with the Muck and do a Wed or Thu night.

2. Our club is aging, and we will lose some great people each year. We must remember them and at the same time add new members. The only thing that works is getting current members to invite good friends. Each one, bring one.

3. In an all-volunteer organization, people will fail us, and we will fail ourselves. But when plans fail, remember that this club is 100 years strong. It will survive me as a leader, and it will outlive you. We have succeeded if we can just make a few things better and leave most things where we found them. Not everything will work.

I had many plans:

• I wanted to continue what Ken started and make Rotary fun again. I don’t know if I accomplished that mid-COVID, but I tried. I hope you liked the Duck Races. Ken was a quack psychologist, and I followed him with a quack.

• I wanted to make more money for the Foundation than ever. I failed there. I wish I had a do-over on that one. I may not have made much money for the club, but we did put on one hell of a good show.

• I wanted to honor our centennial in the context of history. We accomplished that with all our sister clubs at the original Studebaker dealership, where our club started. Again, COVID kept it smaller than I would have liked, but over 60 attended. I can’t wait to see the official centennial party in your year!

• I wanted to be a good emcee and keep tight meetings that were interesting. We added the Peace Ambassador with Ken, Rotary Minute with Ernie, Duck Races, Changemaker chips, and great speakers with Jim’s help, but never went overtime on any meeting this year. I’m proud of that.

• I wanted to add a monthly off-site event to increase fellowship, service, and membership. I feel like we did much of that with our Boys & Girls Club BBQ, Electronic Recycling fair and BBQ at PacMin, Maverick Happy Hour, Halloween Party, Christmas Party at the Phelps, Big Bs BBQ, Love Fullerton, and more.

• Together we changed some board positions making it more effective with a dedicated Membership Chair and District Liaison.

• I wanted to revive SongMaster as a vital part of our meeting. Bud took over where Greg Hickman had left off.

• I wanted us to get more involved with the district’s human trafficking taskforce, which Dan and I helped create. I knew to make it work, I needed Joyce as our International Director. She stepped up and helped us be at the forefront of this effort in the district.

• I wanted to feature craft talks, and we heard terrific new craft talks from great new members.

• I wanted to increase our club diversity, and I am happy our new members reflect Fullerton’s diversity.

• I gave out the “Changemaker chips.” Why a poker chip? We, as Rotarians, bet on our community every day with our time, talents, and treasure. And since our community is a reflection of us, when we bet on ourselves, we always win.

And speaking of changemakers, when we need help, we have great examples:

Past-President Tom Meyer was my first Rotary President in 2008. He always said, “THE Rotary Club of Fullerton.” And he taught me the importance of pride in our club.

Past-President Pat McKinley and Past-President Jay Richie made me think about the concert event we do every year and its importance to our funding and identity.

Past-President Scott Dowds stressed the importance of membership. This year we have brought in 8 new members. Sure four have died, and several others moved away, but we are still net positive.

Past-President Jeff Hutchinson and Past-President Marty Burbank made me think about the importance of service days.

Past-President Dan Ouweleen is an impossible role model to live up to because he lives and breathes Rotary every day. I just want to do a tenth of what he does because I don’t have the energy to do it all!

Past-President Joe Arnold showed that simple touches could make meetings fun and memorable. I still miss his “this day in history” comments. I hope I have led a good taut meeting with funny quotes, quips, Duck Races, and occasional karaoke singalongs.

Past-President Mike Cochran taught me you can be going through a lot personally and still lead as he did through health issues and a pandemic. Two presidents later, we are still coming through a pandemic. Being president was tough while working multiple jobs, but in many ways, it enriched my life as much as it added to my chores.

Past-President Ken Kaisch made Rotary fun and sometimes weirdly preachy. Having me follow him is like getting a mime to follow a clown as president. Well, it is exactly that. But we continue the fun.

In conclusion, I will leave you with a quote: Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you did, people will forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

I did not grow up with many friends. I started life as an introvert and a loner. I learned painful lessons over many years about networking and being sociable. I often say or do the wrong thing. I don’t know if I achieved the goal of making everyone feel good during a tough year, but I hope so.

In the vein of many presidents before me, you are the master of making people feel great. You have a natural charisma. Just be yourself, and you will be great!

I started the year by saying I was an energized robot ready to serve. Now I am powering down. The wheel is yours to steer.

With much love and support from your predecessor,

Zoot Velasco, Soon-to-be-Past President,

Fullerton Rotary Club