Rotagram for Wednesday, Aug 31, 2022

Meeting was called to order by President to be Jim Ripley, standing in for President Joe Lins, who is out for today’s meeting. Jim doesn’t know where President Joe Lins is, “I heard a couple rumors. It’s a three-day weekend coming up, or maybe his tasteless jokes he has been saying in the past couple of weeks have finally caught up to him,” joked Jim Ripley. Mr. Ripley took the time to thank Coyote Hills Country Club Chef and wait staff. He thanked, Monica and Beverly for setting up for today’s meeting. He plugged Retro Jog-A-Thon T-Shirts on sale at the check in table for $5. All proceeds of the sales go to benefit our Foundation.

“On This Day,” on August 31, 1997, Princess Diana of Wales died from her injuries she sustained in a car crash in the Tunnel in Paris, France.

Jim Ripley asked anyone if they own an electric vehicle and if they heard of the phrase “range anxiety?” He introduced a new word “distance insecurity,” now that the state of California is asking EV owners not to charge their vehicles to conserve energy amid this brutal heatwave we are experiencing, “distance insecurity” is a real deal. Lake Mead in Nevada is now at 27% capacity, its lowest point since 1937. Satellite pictures of then versus now show a huge difference in water where parts of the lake once thrived. Makes you wonder why the water taste funky.

For our commencement ceremonies, Carl Camp led us in a powerful prayer for our invocation. Our Patriotic Moment was given to us by Scott Dowds. Before we recited the Pledge of Allegiance, he shared some pictures of his daughter in the middle east, “no matter where we go in the world, our soldiers are representing us. There is a lot of negative things in the world, but it doesn’t compare to the positive impact our soldiers have. That is why we live in the best country in the world!” Great Job Scott Dowds! Our guest’s today were Verne Wagner and Sally Williams (the best wife ever), guest of Jim Williams. Barbara Kilponean, guest of John Phelps. Ryan Wong, husband and guest of Karen Xie. Karl Zener with the Fullerton District, Steve McLaughlan, Superintendent of FJUHSD, and Craig Weinreich with Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton. Theresa Stachelski, potential Fullerton Rotary Club member with Guild Mortgage. Fullerton Police Department Captain Jon Radus, guest of Marty Burbank. Fram Vijee, CSFU President, along with his family members, Julie Virjee, Danielle Virjee, and Mike Virjee. Welcome Guests!

Our Rotary Minute was given to us by Travis McShane. He calls today’s meeting “Titan Day” because of all the Cal State Fullerton University members present and its alumni. Travis is a 2010 CSFU graduate, “I marched into the career center and landed a position with Carl Camp’s office,” he remembers. 5 years into working for Carl, he brought him to Fullerton Rotary Club for lunch. “I was in shock when I first experienced ‘Smile,’ song selection from then Songmaster at the club. I joined Fullerton Rotary Club looking for mentorship and help with my career and now I stay because of the community service and specifically service above self.” Our Songmaster, Bud Woody Lang, is back today. He divulged that he had caught 20lbs of Mahi Mahi fish and is willing to give it away to anyone that wants some. This explains his absence last week. This week’s song selection was to honor the greatest country in the world, “God Bless America.” Great Job Mr. Lang! There were no announcements this week.

Our Recognition Master and Finemaster was Past President Mike “Hannibal Lecter” Oates. “I don’t have my glasses. This is great because I don’t recognize anybody,” he said starting his masterful segment of Fines and Recognition. First, he gave a quick shout out to Fram Vijee, CSUF President, “both of my children work there.” He fined Jim Phelps $1 for missing today’s segment. He asked the members in attendance if they remember Jim Blackburn, “if you don’t, please put a $1 in the net.” He recognized and fined Rashawn Underdue in a hilarious dialogue, “Rashawn Overdue? You did a great great job as a first time Recognition Master, but the shameless use of fines? Rookie mistake sir, that will cost you $5.” He then took a turn and hilariously fined everyone $1. “In the Gregorian calendar, today is National Trail Mix Day, this week will be Bacon Day, and Love Litigating Lawyers Day is today.” He proudly said, but Monica Fernandez and Beverly Berryman had a joke for him, “What did the lawyer name his daughter?” SUE!!! Was yelled from members of the crowd. “How many liked it and how many did not?” asked Mike. He fined them $1 each for their great joke. He changed his topic to sports, “where is the USC table? What is the spread for the game against UCLA?” He fined the middle table for not knowing the point spread, but at the same time, he felt sorry for them for not knowing. “Let’s talk about Stanford. Where’s John Phelps? Who Cares!” He transitioned to birthdays and anniversaries. He recognized standing President Jim Ripley for 6 years in Rotary. Farrell Hirsch was recognized for his 5-year anniversary. Christian Esteban was recognized but not fined because he fined himself last week. Lastly, he recognized his mentor, Allan Bridgford, for his “128 Rotary anniversary,” and fined himself $5 for being such a cool mentor to him. Great Job Mike Oates!

Our Program at hand, was introduced by his wife Julie Virjee, “This is the first time I’ve been asked to introduce my husband. We just celebrated 37 years of marriage. We met in college, and he was a bit of a scoundrel then. He invited me to his 19th birthday party,” she said. They have 4 sons but she considers him the 5th. “We lived in South Bay for 28 years. I never expected to live in Fullerton. He was a lawyer in downtown Los Angeles and then retired. He failed at being retired.” They have a non-profit organization in Rwanda and wanted to move there before they got a call from the Chancellor about becoming President at CSFU. “My husband was an intern for 12 months, and now, 5 years later he is still going strong. He is a man of integrity and man of his word. He helps out students and goes into action. He considers the 41,000 students his kids. It is my honor of introducing my partner, my buddy, my best friend, Fram Virjee.” CSFU President Fram Virjee took the stage, “thank you to the love of my life.” He was moved by the choice of song, “Good Bless America,” and Scott Dowds Patriotic Moment dedicated to the men and women serving or that have served in the U.S. Military, “Cal State Fullerton University has a battalion. Military Vets all over Southern California come here and get commissioned as officers in the Army. We have the best Vet program in the country.” He delivered a great opening statement. He thanked Fullerton Rotary Club for having him, “it is an honor. Last time we talked we were on Zoom. Now you are pushing 100 years! And you look better in person. Fullerton Rotary Club helps support students. We would not be the University we are with you. I feel blessed to be able to say thank you.” Cal State Fullerton University; Who We Are Today. The largest campus in the country. Largest CSU in Orange County. CSFU graduates 12,000 students a year and has the biggest undergraduate program. “We, as a University change lives. Our students know that and work 3 jobs and catch 7 buses to come to class.” He knows that there are challenges with more on the way, but he accepts all challenges because he knows it will make the university stronger. President Virjee mentioned the renovation projects making progress. The library has doubled in size. There are new biology and geology labs. A new aquatic center and new residence halls. He excitedly mentioned the Touchdown Space, outdoor classrooms all over campus with shade and electricity and the state-of-the-art Visual Arts Complex. He explained CSFU Foundational Value, that everyone belongs on campus, “that’s how our community is in O.C. and that’s how our campus will be.” CSFU was granted the Seal of Excelencia, because of the commitment to accelerating Latin X student success. He shares with the us what the biggest thing that keeps him up at night, “Money. The budget. Tuition has gone up $250 in 11 years.” The future looks great for CSFU. They were given $89 million in state grants for low-income students dorms. $5 million to support Asian language education programs. Mackenzie Scott donated $40 million to CSFU as part of her overall $2.7 Billion donations to 286 organizations. Not to mention Fullerton Rotary Club mentors, “We are so proud to be connected to Fullerton Rotary members who mentor our students. Zoot Velasco, John Phelps, Jim Vanderburg, they are all supporters of Cal State Fullerton.” He finished his presentation by thanking everyone involved in CSFU success, “Thank you for everything you do. Not for me, but for the students and their future. Thank you for the fellowship, your time, and thank you for being deeply woven in what CSFU is. Happy Birthday Fullerton Rotary Club!” President Virjee received a standing ovation and was awarded with the highly coveted speakers gift. 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 $42. Lucky ticket holder 6369141 won the cash. Congratulations Fullerton Police Department Captain Jon Radus. In a show of respect, Captain Radus donated the money to back to the club. Jim Ripley adjourned the meeting.

	(Published using 100% recycled electrons)
	This Edition was published in Fullerton, Ca