President Laura started the meeting with the Invocation, Flag Salute and welcoming the guests. She then welcomed the Zoom participants and, for the benefit of our guests, Laura gave her "Why Rotary" elevator speech, going something like this:
Simi Sunrise Rotary is a non-political, non-religious social organization comprised of business, civic and professional leaders who meet on a regular basis in order to form friendships that will better the community through those friendships both locally and abroad.
Laura then talked about the Rotary International Citations criteria, which was discussed previously. This is something she wants to pursue. She talked about how we are a large Club with a long history of doing well along with strong leadership. And the fact that our Club sponsors events that encompass several of the criteria in that one event means that we would be able to qualify for many of those criteria. Laura then compared our Club's makeup to the famous John Wooden Pyramid of Success. The Pyramid of Success shows that a successful team relies on a solid foundation of friendship, loyalty, cooperation and enthusiasm in order to succeed, the very qualities that our Club exhibits. We have those qualities but they must be maintained.
However, there are areas of concern, particularly with a certain member. We don't want to disclose publicly who this person is but their initials are SP. Not wanting to take responsibility for some anniversary dates that were incorrect this week, that person (and there's no other way to describe it) threw another member under the bus and then backed the bus up. Maybe SP needs to review that Pyramid more closely?
Moving on. Laura then talked about the Peace Builder's Program. She mentioned some Education Sessions with the Club, the YES! program and Simi Smiles as examples of the Program. The Simi Smiles event involves placing 300 or so painted rocks along the Simi Arroyo that display images such as hope, peace and tranquility. The goal is to bring the community together. This event would involve the youth of our community.
As a reminder, Laura is hosting a meeting at her house Monday, September 12th at 6:00 PM. The subject is the Community Needs Assessment discussion with responses. Let Laura know if you're interested in participating.
Also, a reminder about the mid-year Board retreat. It's scheduled for Saturday, November 5th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PMand will beheld at 99 Ranch. It will be a Potluck event and is more than a Board retreat. This will also be a Strategic Planning Session with everyone from the Club being invited. All members are encouraged to attend as this will be the time to have your voice heard in regard to the direction you'd like the Club to take in the future.
Laura ended the meeting with a recitation of the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned.
John Wooden's Pyramid of Success
2021 - 2022 Rotary Theme
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Deb Davila lead the Invocation this morning.
James Winstanley lead the Salute to our wonderful Flag, the symbol of the greatest country on the planet .
Tim Gray welcomed our Guests this morning. Our Guests included:
Ms. Alyssa Potter (Special Guest)
Mr. Gary Graswald
Ms. Sydney Berger (The Boss's Daughter)
Alyssa Potter, left, with Dorina Timbol
Gary Graswald, left, with that interloper
Sydney Berger
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Annika Sumby, center, with Laura Berger and John Tolson. Annika, originally from Germany, is the Executive Director of the Samaritan Center of Simi Valley and our newest member. Welcome Annika!
There was a Rotary Information at B.J. Anderson's house this past week to welcome Annika.
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Sylvie St Laurent has been voted in as a Prospective member (First Notice).
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Simi High School had a Club Rush this past week and Laura lead an effort to get the Interact Club up and running with a booth on campus. Laura was helped by Dorina Timbol, John Bagnall, Sharon Hartman, Daryn Berger, Matt Rowe and Lucas Benavidez. It was very successful with about 75 students signing up.
Left to right, John Bagnall, Laura Berger and Dorina Timbol
Left Photo: Dorina, left and Rashi Khandare. Daryn Berger in the right photo.
Geovanny Ragsdale announced an upcoming Holiday event on Saturday, December 10th. This will include a trip to Los Angeles to enjoy a Master Chorale program with a dinner afterwards. Tickets are now on sale for $50 per person and this includes transportation to and from the event. See Geovanny for more details.
Geovanny Ragsdale
Dan Jordan was presented with his Paul Harris certificate and pin by Dorina Timbol. Congratulations Dan and well deserved!
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Carolyn Boucher let us know that National Service week ends on Saturday, September 17th. International is asking us to help a Kiwanis, Optomist, or Lions club that week.
The Kiwanis is hoping we could help them on Saturday, September 17thwith their Barn Dance and Casino Night event, which is the same day as the YES! program. The help is needed in the set up and from 1-5:00 PM. So, any Rotarians not helping with the YES! event please consider volunteering at the Barn Dance and Casino Night. It will be a fun night for everyone and they could really use the help. Please contact Carolyn Boucher (carolyndboucher@gmail.com) if you're interested.
Carolyn Boucher
Steve Hise and Bob Whalen were trying out a new comedy routine that they are taking out on the road. The routine involves bald guys playing Pickleball in their sandals. Anyway, Bob (in his sandals) had such a good time learning how to play from Steve Hise at the picnic, that he and Steve are starting a Pickleball Group. Apparently Bob is a phenom and missed his calling as a professional Pickleballer. See Steve if you're interested.
Bob, left, and Steve
Larry Borovay said that the date for this year's Oktoberfest has been set as Saturday, October 8th.Mark it on your calendar! Larry will need the whole Club's participation to make this a success.
Larry said that he will be needing 12 volunteers soon to help out at booths being set up at various times and at various locations around the city getting the word out. Raffle tickets (see below) will be coming out next week. See John Tolson if you want any.
Oktoberfest Raffle
Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise
Oktoberfest Raffle
Win a Trip to Europe
Germany - Czech Republic - Slovakia - Hungary - Austria
Ticket cost: $100.00
(Only 200 tickets will be sold)
Drawing date:
October 31, 2022 or sooner if tickets sell out.
Trip includes:
Trafalgar tour for two (2) adults
9 nights' accommodation (10-day Imperial Europe)
13 meals
On-trip transportation
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Expert Travel Director and professional Drive
Luxury air-conditioned coach
Must see sightseeing and surprise extras!
Buying a ticket already makes you a winner!
(Your purchase will help our club raise additional money to support this event!)
Demi Fox, Larry Borovay (center) and Fernando Estevez selling raffle tickets
Carolyn Boucher talked about the upcoming YES! event. It is an all day event and will be held Saturday, September 17th at Brandeis American University and will require a lot of Club support.
John Tolson was previously notified by Annika Sumby, new Executive Director of the Samaritan Center that they have ZERO $10 food gift cards to pass out to their clients on Friday, July 22nd. Six days a week, different organizations provide a meal. (The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise does it on the second Thursday of the month!) On Fridays, the Samaritan Center shuts down early and for the dinner, will pass out a food gift card (worth $10). If a member would like to make a donation (either with a food gift card, or monies), please contact John Tolson (he can come pick it up or accept Venmo and make it happen. THANK YOU.
Also, Ryan Valencia announced that there will be a Day of Service at the Center on Saturday, September 10th. Ryan is looking for volunteers for morning and afternoon shifts to help out around the Center. Please see Ryan for more details.
And, Ryan is also looking for two volunteers to be coordinators with the Food Forward program at the Center. These volunteers will coordinate the harvesting of fruits and vegetables being grown in people's yards that typically will go to waste. This harvested food is then distributed through the Samaritan Center. Again, please see Ryan for details or email him at:
ryanvalenciaCA@gmail.com
Ryan Valencia
Kailey Craig talked last week about Scott Phillip's visit on Thursday, September 29th. As District Governor, Scott is encouraging Rotarians to Get Loud with his Let's Get Loud about Rotary campaign. Laura asked that all Board members attend the meeting on the 29th. And, in recognition of the Let's Get Loud campaign, she asked us to wear our Rotary Pins.
Also, Geovanny Ragsdale reminded us that Laura and Herschel are hosting a get together that evening of September 29th at 6:00 PMfor Scott at their home. Yes, Herschel, at your house AGAIN! Both current and past Club members will be invited so this will be a reunion of sorts as well. Please wear something hot pink to the meeting in order to welcome Steve. He likes Loud. Below is a link to RSVP for Scott's visit this event:
A reminder about the upcoming 5240 District Conference on November 18th - 20th.
Remember that Demi Fox said that the August 26th Food Fanatic Rotary dinner at the Mahler's had Sold Out. The next one has been scheduled for November 12th. More details to follow but if you are interested in attending the sooner you RSVP, the better. If you wish to attend the November 12th dinner, please RSVP Demi with a text to:
805.490.1401
Tim Gray and Leigh Seaton reminded us about the 13 Souls Memorial Run to honor the 13 Heroes who gave their lives for their country during the pullout from Afghanistan. It will be held Saturday, August 27th starting at 6:40 AM. It will start at the Metrolink station opposite Rec and Park and will go along the Bike Path. It will consist of a 1K, 5K, 10K and Half Marathon and is free of charge.
At a previous meeting, we had the honor of Jeff Von Molt speaking to us a bit more about this event and what it means to him. Jeff is the father of Jack Von Molt, a Lance Corporal in the US Marines who was at the airport that horrible day. Jack was not injured but it took many agonizing hours to find this out.
Jeff said that this is also a Fundraiser for the families of those wounded and he could use the following help:
- Yellow Vests
- Orange Cones
- Goody Bags
- 200 bottles of Gatorade
- Miscellaneous items for Goody Bags
Jeff still needs more volunteers for the event including working at our booth that day. See Leigh Seaton or Tim Gray if you are interested in helping out.
Tim, left, with Leigh
A previous Guest, Leila Thayer-Malone, announced a Walk to End Alzheimers coming up in October and left us a flyer below. See Martha Macker if this is of interest to you.
Carolyn Boucher recently attended a Rotary of Ventura meeting to highlight the Team Ginny effort. She wanted us to know that the search continues in earnest and that there is a potential donor currently being vetted.
And, as Carolyn Boucher had previously said, it doesn't take any effort or money to place the Team Ginny car magnet on your car. Please see Carolyn if you'd like to get one.
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"Life is short, break the rules. Forgive quickly, kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that makes you smile."
Mark Twain
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Laura was surprised by her husband, Herschel, with red roses. Nice move Herschel!
Mel Vines is a man of many talents and interests, one of his favorite being photography. While a student at Long Beach State, he was trained as a photographer under a gentleman who happened to be a former US Navy photographer. This person had a connection to and photographs of JFK, including personal photos not for public use which he shared with Mel. Mel is also into classic cars and is currently working on a 1956 Willys Wagon, a 1936 Dodge Truck and a 1959 Metropolitan. And while he seems mild mannered, all you have to do his hear his "Football Coach Voice" to understand he's really not!
It's actually 60 years, not 40
And, it's actually 32 years, not 18
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Jackie Schools joined us by Zoom. She works in the US Diplomatic Security Service (DSS). The DSS serves as the Law Enforcement and Security arm of the US Department of State.
Jackie is the Executive Director of Bureau of Diplomatic Security. In her role, she oversees the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the Office of the Chief Technology Officer, the Office of Management Services and the Human Resource Management Office. Whew! She gave us a brief overview of what DSS does and it was very impressive. The DSS is located in 270 US Diplomatic Missions and in over 170 countries. In addition, the DSS oversees the security of the United Nations assembly. She herself has traveled to over 70 countries. Quite a fascinating career.
Jackie Schools
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Our meeting next week, September 1st, will be In Person at the Best Western. See you there!
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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!
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