Fernando Estevez, AKA the Best Dressed Man in Simi, filled in for Stephanie and brought the meeting to order.
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President Kathryn Scroggin
President Kathryn first welcomed our Zoom participants, Karen Thompson, Corey Baker, Dorina Timbol, and Cindy Jacoby. She then said that she wants us to all Get Loud about Rotary. We need to tell the Rotary story and tell it loudly.
Kathryn picked up on last week's theme of everyday heroes and asked Steve Pietrolungo who his hero was. Steve said that there were all sorts of heroes in society, like policemen, firemen and teachers but his hero was his Dad. Steve's Dad was an engineer without papers as Steve described him. And because he was without papers, he encouraged Steve to pursue an education and it looks like Steve took that advice to heart needless to say. His Dad was also his hero because Steve was "saved from that witch" by his Dad. Something about dreams, Disneyland, Snow White, 3 years old and being saved from the witch. Some inner thoughts just shouldn't be shared.
Other items of note from Kathryn:
- The Club is looking to donate an additional $3-5,000 to the Ukrainian cause and is deciding on which organizations to work with.
- The Group Five Dinner scheduled for April 26th has been delayed so please take that off your calendar.
- Laura and Kathryn put together a SurveyMonkey that is being sent out to all members via email by Cindy Jacoby. It deals with the direction that members want the Club to take and Kathryn encourages us all to complete it. It won't take long.
- We're having a short, regular meeting next week, April 14th via Zoom from 7:00 AM to 7:30 AM with the Board meeting to follow.
- She referred us all to a written list on our tables of ideas for projects and causes we may consider supporting. This list came about from our Table Talk of March 24th. See below.
Kathryn finished by asking Steve to play a YouTube video of Amelia Anisovych, the 7 year old Ukrainian girl who sang "Let It Go" in the bomb shelter in Ukraine. This video was of Amelia singing the Ukrainian national anthem in front of thousands in Poland. Amazing footage.
Kathryn then ended with her customary quote. This one from Maya Angelou. "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you".
List of Projects and Causes
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Kailey Craig lead this morning's Invocation.
Jake Finch lead the Flag Salute.
Bob Donnelly, who is so fast that he can take his own picture, welcomed our guests this morning. These included Justin Honsinger with Waste Management and a returning past President, Mike McCaffrey - Welcome back Mike! - along with our Speaker, Dan Paranick with Rec and Parks.
Bill Klepper gave a special Shout Out to Waste Management. Waste Management does so much for our community in terms of donation of time and resources, Bill said, and thanked Justin for all they do.
Bill Klepper, left and hard at work, John Tolson, right with Justin Honsinger
Tim Shannon, left, with Mike McCaffrey
Carolyn Boucher, our Greeter this morning, with Steve Hise. Congratulations to Steve on his 14th wedding anniversary!
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Leigh Seaton and Bill Klepper talked about the Samaritan Center's need for a new dryer at their facility. Bill asked for donations to replace the dryer and, of course, many hands went up. Then Bill asked Leigh to collect all of the names. That's when we were all reminded about that great comedy routine these two have going. Another Martin and Lewis!
Seriously, a wonderful cause and an even more wonderful response.
Cindy Jacoby sent us all the following email and link for the SurveyMonkey Kathryn referred to regarding how we see our Club progressing.
Please take the time to complete the survey online in the link below. Your opinion and input matters!
Dorina Timbol, left, organized another Helping Neighbor event. Cheryl Tsieprati, second from left, needed help getting her garage in order and Dorina made it happen. Cheryl has spoken to our Club in the past.
Looks like Dorina picked up a couple of down-on-your-luck types to help out. Probably fed them too.
Vince said things were getting wrapped up with the trailer. It's up for sale and just about empty. The remaining items in the trailer, and in Vince's garage, will be moved and stored at Corriganville.
Thanks to Leigh Seaton and all of the others who have participated to date. Just about there.
Congratulations on your 10th Club anniversary Vince!
This Sunday is it! April 10th at Harley's Valley Bowl. Registration at 9:00 AM and bowling at 10:00 AM.
Bill said that even if you're not on a team yet, show up and he'll get you on one.
A very good cause and a great opportunity to show your stuff. And, if you don't have stuff to show, the worst score will be rewarded.
Tim Gray and Dan Jordan gave us an update and it was a good one. Fundraising is going great with $32,000 in sponsors so far, including Waste Management. And, more online tickets have been sold to date than have ever been sold by the Club for an event of this nature. $8,000 sold so far and way ahead of what is normally seen. Tim said that he also has paper tickets for sale so please let Tim know if you need or want any.
Dan added that there has been an amazing response on social media. He asked that if any of us see the Festival on social media that we Like It and Comment on it. And Share, share and share.
Lastly, please look for the Volunteer Sheet to be coming out. Lots of volunteers will be needed.
To recap, The Happy Face Music Festival will be held on Saturday, May 28th which is Memorial Day weekend. It will be a half day event at the Rancho Simi Park with no more than 2000 tickets being sold at $50 per ticket. It will follow a minimal concept with Food, Alcohol (both beer and wine), and Entertainment provided with only those 21 and over being admitted.
Carolyn Boucher reminded us that the Simi Street Fair is on Saturday, April 30th. The plan is to have a booth highlighting Team Ginny as well as the various events and activities that our Rotary Club is involved with. She's looking for help and ideas. Come work the booth with your best Rotary Elevator Speech!
Contact Carolyn Via her Email Address:
carolynboucher@gmail.com
HELP US SAVE A LIFE
Carolyn Boucher
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Dan Paranick, District Manager, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, was our Guest Speaker this morning. Dan has been the District Manager since August of 2018 after a 25 year career in county and city government. Dan oversees the day-to-day operations of the Park District which encompasses the communities of Simi Valley and Oak Park. He manages an annual operating budget of over $37 million with nearly 600 employees and an equal number of volunteers, which they are always looking for.
Dan started out by expressing disappointment with our Club. Dan said that he was told that Bill Klepper wouldn't be at the meeting. Not only was Bill at the meeting but Bill sat at Dan's table. There's no controlling some people. Once the air was cleared over this gaffe, Dan proceeded with his presentation.
Dan said that the District is in great shape. The use of the parks and golf courses by the public has doubled from pre-pandemic days. Revenue has broken records at some venues. He then gave us some statistics:
- There are 51 parks in the District comprised of Dog Parks, Historical Parks, baseball fields, tennis courts, pickleball courts, etc.
- There are 5 Golf Courses; 2 Public Courses and 3 Disc Golf Courses.
- There is a 50 meter pool.
- There are 3,300 different classes and activities like yoga, dance, guitar, etc. that take place.
- There are Senior Center and Before/After School programs.
- There's a Park Ranger program.
- Special Community Events such as the Happy Face Hill Music Festival take place.
- The District is made up of 7500 acres and 80 miles of trails.
- The Arroyo Simi Greenway is an ongoing project with the ultimate goal of making it a Linear Park.
- There is a $6.5 million project designed for the Recreation Center at the S-Turn that includes new, expanded fields, open green spaces, playgrounds and parking lots.
- An indoor Activity Center is planned for the Guardian Street site.
So, lots of new projects coming up that will serve the community well.
Kathryn giving Dan the Sand Timer as a symbol of our acknowledgement that everyone's time is valuable and thanking him for sharing his time with us.
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Also celebrating her anniversary is Sophie Klepper It will be her 5th on April 13th.
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Happy Birthday Bob!
What the heck?
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The meeting next week on April 14th will be held by Zoom from 7:00 AM until 7:30 AM with the Board Meeting immediately to follow.
NO INPERSON MEETING NEXT WEEK ON APRIL 14TH
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Please remember to bring a friend or an acquaintance to our next meeting. This is a GREAT way to grow our membership! And the guest's breakfast is taken care of.
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