Rotagram - Meeting Notes and Club News

Volume 82 Issue 8

Wed, Aug 24, 2022

Rota-Scribe: Gerardo Chagolla

Meeting was called to order by club President Joe Lins. He thanked the set-up crew Monica, Leslie, and Carol for helping with today’s meeting. He went an extra step and asked Fullerton Rotary Club’s Board of Directors to please stand and be recognized; Matt Howells, Director of Community Youth Service, Bailey Klein and Leslie McCarthy, Directors of Club Service, Joyce Capelle, Director of International Service, Brett Ackerman, Director of Vocational Service, and Daniel Stewart, Director of Community Service. He also thanked Bob Jahncke, Carol Morris, and Rick Crane for attending all board meetings. Immediate Past President Zoot Velasco, and President Elect Jim Ripley were given a shout out as well.

He gave an update on the Community Investment Awards and of course a plug on the Retro Jog-A-Thon T-Shirts being sold at the door for $5. All proceeds go to the Fullerton Rotary Club fundraiser. “On This Day,” Cal Ripken Jr. turned 62 years old. Known as “The Iron Man,” he played for Major League Baseball for 21 seasons. NBA star Reggie Miller, turns 57 years old. He played 18 seasons in the league and is most known for his time with the Indiana Pacers. He comes from a family of athletes. His brother Darrell played for the MLB while his sister Tammy played volleyball at Cal State Fullerton University and her older sister Cheryl is also a basketball Hall of Famer. On August 24, 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly non-stop across America. From coast to coast, her flight took her from Los Angeles, California to Newark, New Jersey, in what was at the time a record of 19 hours and 5 minutes. On August 24, 2006, The International Astronomical Union declared Pluto was no longer a planet. It was downgraded to the status of a “dwarf planet.” This led President Lins to declare Uranus, “so big, that it will always be a planet.” He asked, “why does Disney have a character named Pluto but not Uranus?” This made members wonder but mostly laugh out loud. Lastly, a picture of Arte Moreno was displayed on screen, “Los Angeles Angels owner put team on the market for $2 billion. He paid $184 million in 2003. So why the long face?” President Joe Lins was on fire early on!

For our commencement ceremonies, our recent past secretary, the unwavering Bob Muschek. As a preamble, he reminded us of the Golden Rule, do unto others. He led us in a powerful prayer. Our Patriotic Moment was given to us by Bill Hite. Our guest’s today were Past President Bob Cummins from Fullerton South Rotary Club, CEO of WTLC (Women’s Transitional Living Center), Mark Lee, Liza and Dan Wozab are returning guests, Liza is running for Fullerton School District Board. Other guests in attendance were Rudy Lara, guest of Matt Howells, all the way from Florida, Past President Captain Dick Daybell, and from District 1830 in Germany, Abstatt-Lauffen Rotary Club member Harald Steeb.

Our Rotary Minute was given to us by “President to be one day” Rick Crane, “I’ve had the honor of being a member of this club for 32 years.” He remembers his first time coming to Fullerton Rotary on an invitation by past president Ray Ashcroft, who passed away 10 years ago, “Ray was a client of mine and he invited me to lunch one day at Rotary. My first meeting was at the old Elks Lodge. It was all men in sports coats and neck ties,” he remembers. He still does volunteer work at dental clinics, Love Fullerton events, Cal State Fullerton Nights Baseball games. He has volunteered in Mexico helping with the construction of buildings, Rick owns his own architectural group. He has done all of this because of Fullerton Rotary Club. He fears of getting old and having to see our very own Monica Fernandez, who specializes in hearing aid services. 32 years ago, he kept returning because he enjoyed all the guest speakers and the fellowships. That is the reason why he has stayed in Rotary.

Our Songmaster duties today was volunteered by immediate Past President Zoot Velasco, because our beloved Woody Lang was not present. Zoot explained the tradition of a songmaster and choose to go with the traditional Rotary International song, “Smile.” Members walked around the room and shook hands with each other in a show of respect, admiration, and fellowship.

Today’s announcements were kicked off by District Governor Dan Ouweleen. He announced all district events that are happening and of course District 5320 Foundation Dinner on October 14. Bob Cummings from Fullerton South Rotary club announced, “Uncorked Wine and Food Festival,” on September 24, 2022. Tickets are on sale now through Fullertonuncorked.org. It will feature live bands and access to all the amenities including: wine tasting, beer garden, and food tasting from local crafters. This is a non-profit event and all proceeds go towards local charities such as Tara’s Chance, WTLC Domestic Abuse Recovery Center, The Fullerton Boys and Girls Club, and others.

Brett Ackerman announced Greatness Amplified: A Giving Day for Boys and Girls Clubs in Orange County. 12 Boys and Girls Clubs in Orange County will join together for one GREAT day of giving. For 24 hours, each and every cent donated went towards supporting low-cost after school care for the children of Orange County. This event took place Wednesday, August 24th.

Our Recognition Master and Finemaster was Joya Scholars Scholarships Director, Christian Esteban. First person to be recognized was Master of the Y Rikki Bains. He celebrated his birthday on the 24th of August and although he wasn’t present he was fined $2. Minard Duncan, “the coolest kid in the club. How many years and what are your plans?” Mr. Duncan said he was turning 90 years old and that he plans to hang with his family. He had a birthday party with his golf buddies too. He also celebrated 21 years in Rotary! Congratulation Minard Duncan. Bailey Klein, considered the wizard behind club memberships, was recognized for her birthday. She says she doesn’t have plans so she was fined $2. Randy McFarland, the Reverse Joke Machine, was recognized for his wife’s birthday. “One of our newest members hailing from Providence St. Joseph Health,” Jordan Abushawish, was recognized for his birthday as well. Jim Vanderburg’s wife was recognized for her upcoming birthday on Sunday, August 28. The club puppet master, Jim Williams’ birthday is also on Sunday, August 28. Captain Dick Daybell was recognized for 61 years of marriage. The Master on the Mic, Ken Kaisch was recognized for his birthday, even though he is no longer with us, he is still celebrated and recognized. Rick Crane was recognized and fined $2 for his 39th wedding anniversary. Christian then asked everyone to look under their seats for a fun game of trivia. There were 4 pieces of papers taped to chairs and 4 lucky individuals were challenged to fun trivia questions. Dan Ouweleen, Dick Daybell, Leslie McCarthy and John Phelps were all the lucky individuals who had to answer correctly and be fine free or pay $5 for incorrect answers. “International Strange Music Day was created by Patrick Grant, a New York City musician and composer. Grant believed that something as simple as broadening our musical taste can also make us broadminded and more accepting of others. He follows a mantra. The question is: What is that mantra? Listening without prejudice, or Unity through symphony?” Dan answered correctly avoiding being fined. “Today is National Waffle Day. Earlier versions of the waffle were flat cakes cooked between hot metal plates. In the Middle-ages, they were made using round plates with images on the plates. The question is: Who’s image was often used on the plates? The king of the territory, or Jesus Christ? Leslie was lucky when she answered Jesus Christ, which received a gasp and a cheer from the crowd. “Today is also Kobe Bryant Day. Kobe spent 20 seasons with the Lakers, wearing numbers 8 and 24, which is why today is his day even though his birthday is actually August 23rd. He was an avid philanthropist for Make a Wish, Stand Up to Cancer, and others. Accomplished a lot before his timing death in January 2020. The question is: Which local Fullerton taco place did he like going to? El Camino Real, or Tacos Puro Jalisco? Unfortunately, Captain Dick answered incorrect and was fined $5. “Last one, Pluto Demoted Day. Pluto was discovered in 1930, didn’t have very good PR team, and in 2006, was demoted to a ‘dwarf planet’ by the International Astronomical Union. The question is: For the 76 years between Pluto being discovered and the time it was reclassified as a dwarf planet, did it complete under or over 1 full orbit around the Sun?” John Phelps was fined $5 for answering incorrectly. Lastly, he fined $1 for everyone who did not bring a guest to New Membership Day. He quickly self-bragged and fined himself $5 because he will not be here next month for his birthday because he will be in Hawaii celebrating. Great Job Christian Esteban!

Our program at hand, presented by President Joe Lins, was our first New Recruitment Day of the Year! President Joe Lins presented Fullerton College Rota-scribe Intern Gerardo Chagolla with his Fullerton Rotary Club badge. Congratulations Gerardo! Next, he explained to prospective members present what to expect during today’s meeting. He asked for the newer members to stand and be recognized. Next, he asked for Dan Ouweleen, Matt Howelles, and Daniel Stewart to join him upfront during today’s program. First off, he thanked Bailey and Leslie for putting this program together. He then gave his presidential testimony of his time in Rotary. He’s been exposed to a lot of what Rotary International does. He is inspired by the people from our club and what our club does on the local level, “for the Boys and Girls Club. Other places in town we help support in past years. Being able to pick up the phone and call anyone, and the best part is that they are willing to help.” He remembers of his time in Houston during the Rotary International Convention, “people at the convention were some great folks. That’s why I’m part of this club.” Daniel Stewart, Community Service Director for Fullerton Rotary Club, took to the stage, “the things we do in Rotary are community service.” He went over many of the service events that Fullerton Rotary Club had done in recent past. “Rotary club gives money to organizations in our city. From Jim Thompson track meet, Love Fullerton, and OC United for projects to improve the city.” Past projects he is most proud about was the health clinics they’ve put on, and when the club gifted birthday presents to children on their birthdays. “The cool thing about Rotary is the international reach. Rotary is like-minded good people doing good things. It’s not about what we are doing but coming up with ideas of what we could do.” Next, Bailey Klein asked everyone to grab their belongings and move to a different table to get to know the members there. Matt Howells, Youth Director, took the stage, “I am the least qualified to tell you about youth, but Christian Esteban has been teaching me. It’s really exciting what we do for our youth.” He asked for all members that work with youth to stand and be recognized, “Rick Crane runs the track meet for all 3 Fullerton Schools and builds community. It’s amazing. Rocco leads the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. He sends 8 students on retreat to learn leadership skills. Miko leads Top 100 banquet. We recognize 100 students not just academic but all around. Scott Dowds lead the Junior High Awards, which recognizes students who are leaders in their campus. Zoot Velasco leads Rotaract at Cal State Fullerton and Christian Esteban teaches high school students about Rotary clubs through Interact Club.” Lastly, District Governor, Dan Ouweleen took the stage. “Our club is a small piece of a big part. Rotary is an amazing organization. 91% of the money goes to the cause. With 1.4 million members around the world, Rotarians promote integrity, good will and peace through fellowship of business professionals. Our foundation has spent over $4 Billion over the last 100 years. From anywhere in the world, any district in the world, Rotary makes a difference.” He was asked which club in any district was the worse, “I once met with a club that has meetings in the backroom of a Starbucks,” he said. President Joe Lins gifted the highly coveted speakers award to Bailey and Leslie for putting together today’s program. He thanked everyone in attendance and comically told Rick Crane that he too was a “grumpy old guy” but thanks to a visit to Monica Fernandez he isn’t grumpy anymore. Save the Date, October 14 for the District 5320 Foundation Dinner being held at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach. Also, don’t forget Fullerton Rotary Club’s 100th Anniversary being held at the Summit House on October 26.

Last thing on the Agenda was the 50/50 drawing worth $31 and a Retro Jog-A-Thon T-Shirt. Lucky ticket holder 6369105 won $31. Congratulations Marty Burbank! Lucky ticket holder 6369082 won the T-Shirt. Congratulations Carol Morris! “Thank you for coming today, we look forward to seeing you next week. Our Program will be something you will not want to miss. Cal State Fullerton’s President, Fram Virjee will be sharing his thoughts regarding its impact & Future. Thanks again and if you need anything between now and then make sure we know. Meeting is adjourned.”