Next week's Regular meeting, August 11th, will be on Zoom and not In Person due to the Board meeting. The Regular meeting will start at 7:15 AM and end at 8:00 AM. The Board meeting will take place In Person at Varenita.
President Laura opened the meeting by giving us a lesson on how to keep an eye out for potential members and guests. Laura invited one of our guests, Sandi Otto, because she had met Sandi in Illinois and saw her out her by chance. Something about stalking a car with Illinois plates but whatever it takes. She then welcomed our seven Zoom participants including one guest.
Laura, as a way of defining our Club for our visitors, then recited her "Why Rotary" elevator speech to us, 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.
At the end of the meeting, Laura lead us with a reading of the 4 Way Test, a good reminder for us all.
2021 - 2022 Rotary Theme
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Fernando Estevez lead this morning's Invocation. And so nice to hear Sharp Dressed Man again!
James Winstanley lead the Salute to our Flag,our gesture of love and respect. May this tradition live on. James also gave us a Latin lesson.
Eric Little welcomed our Guests this morning. They included:
Mr. Terry Kirsh (Special Guest via Zoom)
Mr. Indy Batra (past Club president of the Ventura Rotary and past Executive Assistant Governor District 5240)
Mr. Mark Netka
Ms. Sandi Otto
Ms. Annika Sumby (Special Guest and Executive Director of the Samaritan Center)
Ms. Linda Kahangi (Guest Speaker)
Ms. DarynBerger
Herschel Berger, left, with Terry Kirsh from last week
Indy Batra with Savi Bhim
Mark Netka, left, with Indy Batra
Sandi Otto, left
Annika Sumby
Daryn Berger with Mom
Eric Kaufman, center, was our Greeter this morning
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Laura asked Savi Bhim and Gary White, both Rotary Foundation Sustaining Members to talk about the Rotary Foundation. A Sustaining Member is one who contributes at least $100 per year to the Rotary Foundation.
Savi spoke first about how our primary focus as Rotarians is to make the world a better place. And in order to accomplish that, money along with service is needed. Charity Navigation, an organization that rates charities, gives the Rotary Foundation 4 Stars, its highest rating. This rating deals with, among other things, transparency and integrity. Over 90% of all of the money donated to the Foundation goes to the recipients for clean water, ambulances, educating children, eradicating polio to name a few. Savi left us with, "It's what you give, not what you receive." Amen.
Gary followed up with a talk about wanting to continue our past practice of having each Club member donate $100 per year to maintain our status as a Sustaining Club wherein all members are donating the $100 per year to the Foundation. This donation was previously done through the purchase of Cajun tickets. Following is a note from Laura on this:
On August 18th 2022 we will conduct a club vote to add a fee of $100 to each club member annually. This fee will be used specifically for the "Every Member Every Year" program. This fee will be charged in the form of ticket purchases to one of our annual fundraisers. The member may keep or sell their tickets. This fee will be added
to the Continuing Resolutions "Fee Schedule". Any questions may be directed to our club president, Laura Berger.
Savi Bhim
Gary White
Eric Little talked further about the Rotary Foundation and how it is the vehicle by which Rotarians make the world better. Eric then had the pleasure of presenting Paul Harris Fellows to two Club members who do make the world better. Stephanie Shannon received her 8th Paul Harris Fellow and Dan Gesell his 7th. Congratulations to both!
Dan, left and Eric
Eric with Stephanie
Dr. P and Laura are planning on checking this band out at Bogie's on August 25th. Let them know if you're interested in joining them.
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In an effort to get to know more about each other in the Club, various Club members will be highlighted each week and asked to talk about themselves.
Don Schadt asked Mel Vines to come up and tell us more about himself. Most of us knew that Mel is Assistant Principal at the Simi Institute for Careers and Education. But some of us didn't know he's into classis cars.
Mel said that Rotary has provided him an opportunity to get involved with the community and, specifically, get involved in the support of education. He called Rotary an organized opportunity to do things for other people along with encouraging students to do the same.
Mel, left, with Don
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Dorina Timbol, left, rolled out the new Flyer for our upcoming YES! program. More information to follow in the coming weeks.
Leigh Seaton reminded us about Mike Kort, president of Simi Sunset Rotary, asking for our involvement in the joint Blood Drive. Here's Mike's announcement:
The joint blood drive with the three Simi Valley Rotary Clubs will take place on Tuesday, August 23rd from 2:30-7:00 pm. The Vitalant blood mobile will be parked at the Simi Valley Town Center just west of Starbucks.
There are only 35 spots available...let's fill them up so please share this information.
John Tolson was 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.
Kailey Craig and Geovanny Ragsdale reminded us about the upcoming Family of Rotary events - see above. Please note the CHANGE IN DATEfor the District Governor's visit to September 29th!
There is a note below on the upcoming Saturday, August 6th Family Picnicat Lemon Park. It has a QR code for RSVP'ing and for letting them know what side dish you are bringing. You can also use these links to sign up as well:
And, as per earlier edict, all members must schedule their personal vacations around these Family of Rotary dates or risk public shaming.
The Family Picnic will also involve a Member Drive so Geovanny encouraged us to bring visitors.
Geovanny Ragsdale
Steve Hise reminded us that Pickelball will be played prior to the August 6th Picnic. Play will start at 10:00 AM and what a great way to build up an appetite for the Picnic! See Steve for details.
And, Steve has offered to teach anyone to play who wants to learn so no excuses for not participating. And Bill promised that no commercials will be filmed during play.
A reminder about the upcoming 5240 District Conference on November 18th - 20th.
Demi Fox said that the August 26th Food Fanatic Rotary dinner at the Mahler's has Sold Out. But 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
Before Ryan Valencia left temporarily to fulfill his Reserve requirements, he had announced a 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.
Today, 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 will also need some volunteers to help out. As of now, he has had 46 volunteers sign up and needs a total of 90.
In Ryan's absence, please see Leigh Seaton or Tim Gray if you are interested in helping out.
Jeff, left, with Tim
Bill Klepper wanted everyone to know about the upcoming Golf Tournament in support of the Simi Police Foundation. See Bill for details.
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.
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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"A lie can run around the world six times while the truth is still trying to put on its pants."
Mark Twain
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Steve joined the CHP in 1982 and retired after 28 years. His true calling was Ministry and he went on to earn a Masters in Ministry. He, along with his family, is involved with Grace Brethren. In fact his family is among some of the original members.
Steve has two daughters and four grandchildren. According to his wife, his super powers were (past tense) his ability to diffuse a potentially lethal situation involving guns into one resulting in a non-lethal ending while a CHP officer. And now it is his ability to completely change the vibe in a hospital room.
Richard is all about raising four boys aged 31, 29, 27 and 7. Hence the grey hair. The boys have memories of Bullhead on the river with boats and skis. A testament to his success as a father is the fact that all of his kids now want to work with the old man. Congratulations on that!
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ROYAL ROTARIAN
Before Mike Mutal recognized this week's Royal Rotarian, he wanted to make amends in regard to her Empress, Savi Bhim. Contrary to earlier reports, her title "Empress" was NOT in fact self-proclaimed but, rather, this title was bestowed upon her by the Rotary Club of Carpinteria.Mike just wanted to clear the air on that.
This week's Royal Rotarian is Steve Pietrolungo. Yes, the one and only Succulent Prick now known as the Royal Prick.
Steve has been a Club member for almost 21 years now having served as past president in 2005. He's been Cajun Chair, runs the annual Bike Giveaway, will be Chair of the upcoming Music Festival and volunteers his time and Monte Vista tirelessly. He's also our Hi Tech genius for Audio and Visual or, as he describes it, our visual immigrant. He's world famous for BBQ'ed Hot Dogs or, as he has called them over the years, his Pioneer Dogs, his Hawk Dogs and now his P Dogs. Steve has categorically denied in the past that he carries over unused Hot Dogs from one event to the next. So, no, those weren't Cajun Dogs at the Happy Face Music Fest.
Mike Mutal making amends
Steve with Laura
The former Succulent, now Royal Prick himself
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Carolyn Boucher in Junior High as Tigger in The House on Pooh Corner.
Fun Facts: Carolyn was a theater major in middle and high school as well as college with a Bachelor's in Theater Arts. She also sang bass in a barbershop chorus for a couple of years. She now owns Elements Massage here in Simi.
Dorina, left, with Carolyn today
That's Geovanny Ragsdale in a High School photo (left); as a two year old kissing her older brother (right); and as a four year old on her first trip to Hawaii, bottom. Geovanny is now CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley.
Fun Facts: Geovanny has traveled to 50 countries and 37 states. She speaks 3 languages and values trying new things, serving others, being loyal, spiritual and having fun.
Geovanny today
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Today's Guest Speaker was Linda Kahangi. Linda is Chief Information and Operations Officer for the Gate Worldwide Holdings portfolio of companies, which includes Nomadix, GlobalReach and interTouch. Gate Worldwide Holdings invests in innovative technology companies that improve guest experience, operating efficiencies and global band strength in hospitality, transportation, and smart cities.
Linda oversees operations, technology infrastructure, information security, network operations, and customer service management.
As an accomplished Internet Service Provider executive, Linda previously served in executive and/or board positions at SAC Wireless, Everywhere Wireless, Tellabs, New Edge Networks, and Earthlink. She has been named one of Computerworld's Premier 100 IT Leaders, an InfoWeek 500 Leading IT Innovator and Georgia CIO of the Year.
Laura, left, with Linda
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Our meeting next week, August 11th, will be on Zoom. No In Person meeting!
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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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