Meeting was called to order by Club President Joe Lins. He welcomed everyone in attendance. Today’s important facts, President Lins and his wife went book shopping. He was asked if he needed assistance, and he replied that he was looking for a book by Shakespeare. He was asked which one to which he replied, “William.” This got some laughs from those in attendance.

He recalls how he accidentally deleted the agenda for today’s meeting, “so, I guess we are done for today?”

On This Date, Three’s Company, starring John Ritter, Suzanne Somers, and Joyce DeWitt, premiered March 15, 1977, “that was always a fun show to watch on TV.” The Godfather, starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, was released in March 14, 1972 at Loew’s State Theater in New York City. The Orange County Register wrote an article on Fullerton High School baseball, “Fullerton Union High School is tied with Sunny Hills for the Freeway League championship. Fullerton is 7-2 this season, with wins over Corona Del Mar, Ocean View and San Clemente. The Indians are number 13 in the Orange County Top 25. The losses are to Villa Park 4-3, which is number 2 in the Orange County Top 25, and 2-0 on Monday to county number 12 Pacifica.” President Lins mentions some rained out games for FUHS versus Troy High School at Angels Stadium. FUHS Indians starts the Anaheim Lions tournament this Saturday against Chapparal High School and San Clemente. “Fullerton High School are doing a great job with their baseball team. They are doing well.” World Baseball Classic, the U.S. plays Colombia, at 7 p.m.

For our Commencement Ceremonies, Matt Howells gave us our Invocation. Matt dedicated his Invocation to Lent, which is a period of fasting and regret for one’s sins that is observed on the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter. “Lent is a time of reflection for us to renew our faith. But also, focus on ourselves. It is a time of repentance, self-reflection, and spiritual growth, during which we are all called to deepen our own individual faith journeys through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is a time to reflect on our faults. Ask for forgiveness and to renew our commitment to a life of service, like we all do in this club.” Matt led us in a short prayer.

Jordan Garcia led us in our Patriotic Moment. He expressed his gratitude towards the Fullerton Police Department Captain and Sergeant who were the Club’s guest speakers. “I’d like to take this time during our Patriotic Moment to thank the Fullerton Police Department for being here and for giving us an opportunity to have a positive interaction with them today.” Jordan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Our Songmaster, Bud Lang, was in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit, “I was told I was little big for a leprechaun.” Since Friday was St. Patrick’s Day and many of our members have a little Irish in them, his choice of song was The National Anthem of Ireland. Great job Bud Lang.

Today’s guest included, Mari Bolkowski, guest of Marty Burbank. “She is an Anaheim Police Officer.”

Today’s announcements, Past President Zoot Velasco announced Fullerton College Men’s Basketball team winning State Championship for the second time under Coach Perry Webster.

Monica Fernandez announced Rotary District 5320 Chili Cook Off on April 8, 2023, at Prentice Park Santa Ana Zoo, “there will be a beer truck and also, Monkey Business food truck. Please support our district and also Monkey Business.”

Miko announced the Top 100 Banquets for 2023. March 29 is the event at Sunny Hills High School Theater with the reception in the cafeteria. She thanked Leslie McCarthy, Matt Howells, and other Fullerton Rotary Club members for all their helps with the set-up.

Dick Ackerman announced the commencement of the Fukui Exchange program, a program done through the Fullerton Rotary Club and the Fukui Rotary Club which started in 1981. It is being ramped up again for 2024, when Fullerton Rotary will be sending 4 to 6 kids to Japan during the summer and the following year, they will host Japanese kids here in Fullerton.

Jim Williams announced his blessing in the form of hearing aids, thanks to Monica Fernandez. “Sometimes with the humor, I still don’t get the jokes but that’s ok. I can hear them better,” he joked.

Rick Crane announced the 32nd annual Jim Thompson Track and Field Championship was cancelled due to rain. “We will move that to 2024.” He shared some exciting news, the Fellowship Night at Cal State Fullerton Baseball takes place Tuesday, April 18, 2023. “Game time is at 6 pm. Our own President Joe Lins is going to be rolling the first pitch.” There was a sign-up sheet for the event on each table.

Frances Hunter, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, she shared her contact that her tribe had with the Irish in relation to the Potato Famine. “I wanted to share that with you all. And with everybody that is a little bit tiny Irish, we all can be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. For those who went to mass on Sunday, you don’t have to abstain from meat because it’s St. Patrick’s day.” President Lins gave a shoutout to Frances’ styling smoking hot shoes.

Today’s Finemaster/Recognition Master was Leslie McCarthy. She and Farrell Hirsch worked together for today’s fines, “he is holding the fine basket. The basket is full of a Bailey’s, Irish Cream, Jameson, and Bushmills. If you get the answer wrong, $5 goes in the basket and you pick your drink. If you get the answer correct, you get a bottle fine free.” Matt Howells was recognized for his recent radio personality, he was asked about the difference between Scottish and Irish bag pipes. He answered incorrectly, so he was fined $5 and a bottle of his choice. Next was trivia on Irish Whiskey, as Leslie likes to call it the next best Irish export other than her husband. She recognized Bill Edman on his birthday on March 16, and asked him which Irish Whiskey is the oldest out of the 3 she mentioned. He answered incorrectly, he was fined $5 and a bottle of his chosen. Marty Burbank was recognized for his wife’s birthday. He was asked where Bushmills original factory was, and he answered correctly, “Ireland.” Unfortunately, Leslie wasn’t born yesterday so she demanded a county. Marty was fined $5 and a bottle of his liking. Leslie allowed Marty to re-introduce his guest Mari, an Anaheim Police Officer. He told an awesome story that received a round of applause. John Phelps was picked on. He was asked what country is the company that owns Bushmills. Someone from the audience yells, “Who Cares!” Leslie fined them $5. He answered Mexico, which is correct. Dan Kiernan was asked to stand and answer why there is a letter “e” in Irish Whiskey. “Because they only knew 5 letters,” he answered. The answer was incorrect and Dan was fined $5 for his incorrect answer. Miko was asked to stand. She was thanked for honoring her Irish heritage and was asked how Whiskey gets its lovely flavor. She answered incorrectly and was fined $5. Last question was asked to Rebecka Forrester. For 3 bottles and no fine. She was asked how many years does it need to ferment for it to become Irish Whiskey. She answered incorrectly and was fined $5. President Lins took the stage and told a quick joke, “What do the Scottish guys wear under their Kilts?” Someone yelled nothing, to which President Lins said, “Oh come on! It’s their shoes.” He also acknowledged Dan Kiernan wearing a pair of Levi pants.

Our Program at Hand was introduced by President Lins, “I am really happy to have Chief Robert Dunn. He does a lot in our community and has done a lot for the Police Department. Chief Dunn, please come on up.” Chief Dunn took the stage and mentioned that they will be doing Field Sobriety Test after our finemaster segment. “Don’t drink any of those before we leave please,” he joked. He thanked everyone in attendance and gave a special shoutout to the real Police Chief Captain, his wife Mari, “she didn’t even tell me she was going to be here. She surprised me. Now I’m really on the hot seat.” He acknowledged Captain Jose Arana who oversees the support services division. He recognized Tom Knoll as council to the Fullerton Police Department and President Joe Lins who is “the man.” Chief Dunn is on his 5th year as Police Chief. He also oversees the Information Technology for the city of Fullerton. Robert Dunn comes from the Anaheim Police Department where he spent 25 years with them. “I walked in the Anaheim PD on my 14th birthday. I signed up to be a police explorer. I worked there until I left as a Police Lieutenant in charge of Internal Affairs.” He recalls a concert that moved him up to Police Chief for the City of Fullerton, as interim. Shorty, thereafter, he began promoting within, starting with Jose Arana. “Every time that we report to a crisis, we are trying to look at it from that perspective. That we are part of our community. We are members of our community.” He says that they are able to give good service with the use of that lens. He explained the structure of Fullerton Police Department. There are 130 positions that are funded, and about 70 jobs in the non-sworn side. For 3 years, the department ran without a motorcycle unit. He makes sure that all fundamentals of policing are in place at all times. “We are trying to do the best we can with what we have,” he says. “I am sure we fall short of expectations on occasion. Just know that everybody here is dedicated to giving you the best service that we possibly can.” Even with the shortage of staff and resources, they are catching the baddest of the bad. “We might not catch those who are dipping their toe in crime. But those who are career criminals, we are going after them.” Fullerton Police Department houses an ATF task force in their department. “What we do with them is go after people who have guns.” Anyone who gets caught by the ATF task force will be charged with Federal Time, which means that they will serve 80% of their time given. Fullerton Police Department is culturally diverse and gender diverse as well. Chief Dunn credits that to Fullerton being a college town, “we do a really good job recruiting diverse folks. When I say college town, it’s just not one college. We’ve got Hope, Cal State Fullerton, and Fullerton College.” He says that all the mandates coming from the Capital Legislation is the reason they receive the proper training to de-escalate a George Floyd incident from happening in our city. But, just like attorneys, which can be disbarred if dishonest, police officer can be decertified based on regulatory training. Current projects in the city are changes in police vehicles. Stability for officers is another, making sure that they are happy with their current positions as well retention within the department. Another project within the city is the Hope Center. They want to deal with homelessness the most. They decided that Fullerton would be the HUB for helping the homeless. “What this Hope Center is about is breaking down all those barriers. When outreach is occurring, it’s not just law enforcement, which is only there in case violence occurs. But we have subject matter experts, homeless case managers, mental health clinicians, the County’s Office of Outreach and Engagement. All of them come to work at that facility every day. Then they go out through the entire Service Planning Area.” They also work with surrounding cities to make sure they get the right people with the person in need. He credits the Fullerton City Council for all their support and all of the success FDP has been having. He tells about the time all of the cities in Orange County were sued by the Catholic Workers Movement, which went to Federal Court. “In this settlement. We separated each of the 11 cities in the north by Service Planning Areas.” Chief Dunn answered questions from members in attendance. President Lins presented Chief Dunn with a check for $3,000 and the highly coveted Speakers gift, “you are going to enjoy this.”

Last thing on the agenda, the Opportunity Drawing worth $24 and two tickets to the Muckenthaler Cultural Center compliments of Farrell Hirsch. Lucky ticket holder 6369899 wins the money. Johny Hong wins! 6369893 and 6369905, Carol and Bill win tickets to the Muck. Save the Date, Titan Baseball, Tuesday, April 8, 2023 at 5:45 pm with the ceremony first roll of the ball by Club President. Also, Fullerton State of the City on March 29 at Cal State Fullerton. Board election for our club will be held next Wednesday. “Thanks again for coming today. We will see you next week. Charge On! Meeting adjourned.”