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Volume 82 Issue 5 Wed, Aug 3, 2022

Rota-Scribe: Gerardo Chagolla

Fullerton Rotary Club – Craft Talk Rebecka Forrester

Meeting was called to order by club President Joe Lins. He thanked Monica, Leslie, and Carol for helping set up for today’s meeting. Once again, President Lins wanted to update everyone on Community Investment Awards, an annual program to raise funds to support our local charities and educational institutions. Retro Jog-a-thon T-Shirts were being sold at the door for $5 and all proceeds go toward Jog-A-Thon annual fundraiser which is held at the Fullerton High School track and raises funds for student programs and the Fullerton Rotary Foundation. President Lins took the time to pay his respects to Los Angeles Dodgers baseball commentator and great, Vin Scully, who passed away at his home at the age of 94. He teed up a video of Kirk Gibson’s legendary game winning homerun from the 1988 World Series Game 1, where Vin Calls the memorable moment. “On This Date,” on August 3, 1936, Jesse Owens won the 100 meter dash with a tie of 10.3 seconds, defeating a teammate and friend by a tenth of a second. Also, in 1921, 8 White Sox Players were acquitted of throwing the 1919 World Series. Shoeless Joe Jackson, the star outfielder and one of the best hitters in the game, confessed in a sworn grand jury testimony to having accepted $5,000 cash from the gamblers. His sworn testimony stated that he never met or spoke to any of the gamblers and was only told about the fix through conversations with other Sox players. Todays “Quote Of The Day,” We’re going to turn this team around 360 degrees!” said by Jason Kidd when drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 1994 as the second pick overall.

For our commencement ceremonies, Judy Atwell led us in prayer for our invocation. Our Patriotic Moment, the honorable past president Duane Greenleaf. Duane led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Today’s guest’s were introduced by President Joe Lins. Bailey introduced her guest and friend, Alyssa Potter, from the Simi Valley Rotary Club. Alyssa took the mic and introduced herself to the club and said she was happy to be here. Returning guest and former member, Jo Ann Brannock, from the Fullerton Observer Newspaper, was introduced by President Lins. She took the time to compliment President Joe Lins in packing the meeting full of members and adding 9 new members to the club. Farrell Hirsch introduced his guest, Shereen Youssef, “I want to thank President Lins for having me today, and I am looking forward to connecting with all of you.” Lastly, President Lins introduced Adit Nathan, a digital designer looking at a new opportunity, “I am checking out the club and so far I like what I see.”

Our Rotary Minute was given to us by the incomparable Christian Esteban. Christian remembers his first Rotary meeting, “it was October, 2018. I became a member January, 2019. Zoot Velasco sponsored me.” He started coming to Rotary as a job requirement, “thought I would pop in once in a while, not get too involved, it seemed like you already had a good thing going.” He began getting to know everyone and was impressed, “You guys always walk the walk and inspire me to do the same.” He finished his Rotary Minute with one of his favorite quotes from Australian academic, Lilla Watson, who says, “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But, if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let’s work together.” This is why he is a Rotarian! President Lins introduce our Songmaster, Bud “Woody” Lang, who did a quick stand-up routine that received a good pop. For his song selection, he went with the classic Bill Withers’ song, “Lean On me.” He had his acoustic guitar handy and sang two verses with a bridge and encouraged the crowd to sing along in the chorus. He was genuine with the lyrics, “you just call on me brother when you need a hand,” and he pulled out his cell phone to make his point. Awesome performance Woody!

Today’s announcements were kicked off by Marty Burbank announcing his “more” expensive T-Shirts. He asked for John Phelps to come up for his shirt which says, “We Care” on the front and on the back it says, “Fullerton Rotary Foundation,” with the names of people who have kept Rotary Club in mind in their estates. Guest Shereen Youssef announced an event for her organization and sponsorship opportunities as well. Event takes place on August 27 at 6pm. Our Recognition Master and Finemaster was our past President Allyn Lean, “everyone calls it finemaster, but it’s recognition, and everyone is in trouble.” First and foremost he compliments Christian Esteban on using his phone to take notes, because Mr. Lean is old school so he used a pen and paper. He recognizes President Joe Lins for his vision and direction of the club, to great applause from the crowd. Next, he takes the time to recognize past presidents in the room, “the club has gotten to where it’s at because of the vision of these past presidents. To all past presidents standing right now, please put $5 in the fine net,” what a funny man. He then asked Board of Directors members to stand, “We will not be where we are today. Thank you very much directors. That will be $3 in the fine net, please.” The crowd sees where this is going and it turn in to so much fun! Next, new members were asked to stand, “without fresh new members, the club goes nowhere. They deserve a big round of applause. Please put $1 dollar each in the fine net.” He then asked for “the man from England,” to stand. Andrew Gregson was asked what year was Rotary founded and he comically says, “this is the only Rotary, right? That’s what I was told when I joined.” He answered incorrectly, but got a huge laugh and a $5 fine in the process. Johny Hong, was asked to stand to be quizzed and recognized, “who was Rotary’s founder?” He was speechless but was helped by the crowd and told that the answer was Paul Harris. He was told to “F” himself $5. Songmaster Bud Lang was asked to stand and be recognized and quizzed, “what are Rotary’s 2 official mottos?” Bud awesomely answered, “service above self and Paul Harris.” One of those answers was incorrect and was fined $5. Rick Crane was fined $2 just for being an architect. How rude! Jim Williams was asked, “tell us what you do.” It is worth noting that Jim Williams is retired but he answered, “I mostly work for rotary,” which got a great cheer from the crowd. He was asked who the president of Rotary International was and where this person was from. He answered Jennifer Jones which is correct but could not answer where she was from so he was fined $5. The icing on the cake was President Joe Lins, “what is Fullerton famous for other than the sunshine?” He went on an answering spree, “Century 21 Discovery! St. Jude Medical Center, the best hospital in the Country! Cal State Fullerton Baseball! Ostriches!” All great answers but not what Allen was looking for. Fender guitars and Hawaiian Punch were the correct answers. What a fun time!

Rebecka Forrester

President Joe Lins introduced the program at hand, Craft Talk with new member Rebecka Forrester. He asked John “Who Cares” Phelps to come on stage and introduce Rebecka, “I am in a unique situation where I get to introduce her. Rebecka is more than qualified. She is oriented towards service, and is success oriented. She has been very successful as a real estate person. At 20 years old she became a landlord. She fits very well with the orientation we have here at Rotary.” “WHO CARES! We want to hear from Rebecka!” was yelled from the crowd, teeing up for Rebecka to appear. Great speech from Mr. Phelps. Rebecka Forrester the Realtor and Financial Planner, and Board of Directors member for Monkey Business Café. Rebecka has 3 kids and her oldest is almost 18. She has been married for 22 years this September, “we were high school sweethearts. He joined choir because of me. I was in musicals and my husband was in a rock band, had the long hair and everything. He cut it to try and impress me but I almost broke up with him,” she remembers of her husband in high school. She owns dogs and cats. She credits her parents for all of their hard work in the church that led her to pursue a lot of volunteer work. As a child, she was taken to prisons to read the bible to inmates. She went to Brea Olinda High School and is an advocate for the foreign exchange student program because she was an exchange student herself. Her family does volunteer work with Brea Police Department and OC United, “to give is to receive,” she says. Rebecka lives by the Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Her love for classical music, and music from the 40’s through the 60’s, comes from her father, which used to sing. In 2003, she started her financial practice, “I ran my practice for ten years and then helped my husband out with his.” Her and her family love to travel and make friends. Now, she works for Monkey Business Café, “I love this organization.” She remembers the owners would encourage her to come and check it out, “what better vehicle to help foster youth gain experience. Monkey Business Café grows their food at Cal State Fullerton and this helps children gain college experience during high school years. Foster kids are more likely to be homeless than go to college.” She thanked the Phelps Foundation for all the donations to the 2 kitchens they have at Monkey Business Café. She also helps the foster youth by teaching them financial responsibility and helps with acquiring mentors for them. She knows it is not an easy task but has been successful with the Kid Mentor Program, “I am very passionate about the mentor program. Monkey Business Café has changed these kids lives. These kids have had it the worst.”

Before she ends her Craft Talk, she shares an ABC News featured special coverage video about Monkey Business Café. President Joe Lins thanks Rebecka and presents her with the highly coveted Speakers Gift Award, a glass rhinoceros. He wants to remind everyone to clear their calendars for October 14 and 16 for District 5320 Foundation Dinner at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach, and Fullerton Rotary Club’s 100th anniversary celebration being held at the Summit House, so Save The Date.

Last thing on the agenda was the 50/50 drawing worth $27. The winning ticket was 6368991. The winner today was Carol Morris! Congratulations Carol. “Thanks to everyone. Charge On! Meeting is adjourned.”

Invite a Friend and Share Rotary

8/03/22 New Member Craft Talk - Rebecka Forrester
8/10/22 CSUF College of Business & Economics
Dean Sridhar Sundaran / 2nd largest Business School in the US
8/17/22 Fullerton College's Winning Formula for 2022
Football Coach Garrett Campbell shares his Winning Formula
8/24/22 Club Social
8/31/22 CSUF Impact & Future
President Fram Virjee Shares His Thoughts on Leading Our University
9/7/22 New Member's CRAFT TALK - (TBD)
9/14/22 State of California & Local Challenges
Assembly Member: Sharon Quirk-Silva
9/28/22 Lessons in the Importance of Proper Etiquette
Certified and Highly Followed Expert: Suzy Lins
10/12/22 Winston Churchill - Live
(Published using 100% recycled electrons)
This Edition was published in Fullerton, Ca

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