Following is a letter on Ukraine sent from Dana Moldovan, our District Governor:
Dear President Kathy Scroggin,
I am sure that you and your Club know what is happening in Ukraine.
As you might know I am originally from Romania which is a bordering country with Ukraine.
I am overwhelmed by so many of our Rotarians that are reaching out to me to ask what is going on, asked about my family and friends in Romania and also to offer to help.
This is another “Wow” moment for me being a Rotarian. In such difficult times it is so good to be surrounded by so many people that care.
Romania is faced with a huge influx of refugees from Ukraine. Romania is not a rich country and has no experience with refugees.
We are hoping that Romania will not be attacked as it is a NATO country.
Romania Rotarians are at the borders for days by now trying to help the refugees.
Most of refugees are women and children as the men are staying behind to defend their country.
The refugees arrive in Romania with almost nothing, some are just walking over the border...
Over there is still winter and yesterday it snowed again at the border.
I am in touch with DG Adrian Luca & DGE Florin Marginean from Romania that are organizing support for refugees.
If you would like to help you can send check donations to our District and the District will wire the funds to the District of Romania.
Pls include the word Ukraine in the memo section on the check.
Rotary International District 5240
C/O Synergy Computing, Inc.
5662 Calle Real #425
Goleta, CA 93117
We are also trying to reach out to our Ukrainian Rotarian friends as we have an Inter Country Committee (ICC) USA – Ukraine. This is a Rotary program that brings together two country in Rotary that want to develop a strong, long term relationship to help have joint projects and activities.
If you go to www.rotary.org the RI website you will find the RI statement regarding the Ukraine crises.
Please keep Ukraine people in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for caring for those people that are across the World from here.
Stephanie brought the meeting to order. Following are her written comments:
March is Rotary’s Water and Sanitation Month!
Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education are necessities for a healthy environment and a productive life.
When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthier and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families.
One of my favorite quotes is, “Be the change you want to see in the world” (by Mohatma Gandhi). While reading articles about the efforts that Rotarians have made around the world to improve water and sanitation, I came across some that I wanted to share with you.
Rotary clubs in Guatemala improved conditions for nearly 1,800 children in 10 schools in the town of Escuintla by providing toilets, washing stations, water tanks, and training.
A dozen Rotary clubs in Tanzania collaborated with local partners to establish a water supply and delivery system for 1,500 people in a village. They also taught the community how to maintain the systems by providing hygiene education.
Rotary clubs and partners in the Philippines built 222 toilets, six rainwater collectors, seven communal handwashing stations, and 20 biosand filters. The project provided more than 1,000 people with access to proper toilet facilities and almost 600 people with a regular supply of clean water.
All 24 of Lebanon’s Rotary clubs came together — overcoming religious, cultural, and political divisions — to form partnerships with the government, World Vision, UNICEF, and the Red Cross. Together the groups developed a program that delivers clean water to every public school in the country.
With what is going on in Ukraine, I thought that these were great examples of what Rotary Clubs and caring hearts can accomplish when they come together across borders and in the case of Lebanon; across religious, cultural, and political divisions, to bring a healthy environment for so many through clean water and sanitation systems.
Although we may not think about where our clean water comes from or how our sanitation is managed, there are parts of the world how can’t imagine having it and through the great work of Rotarians, some parts of the world no longer have to worry about it.
Rotarians can “Be the change you want to see in the World.”
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President Kathryn Scroggin
President Kathryn welcomed our Zoom participants and then asked Steve to play a clip from the opening of this week's Saturday Night Live episode. It was a Ukrainian choir singing in their native language in a very somber setting. Very moving.
Kathryn spoke about joining together as Rotarians with Ukraine and those countries it borders. This invasion hits home with Kathryn as her daughter-in-law is in Romania. Within Rotary, Kathryn said, an intercountry committee is being formed between the US and Ukraine. This, along with Dana Moldovan's email, will help connect us all and help us do what is right and assist where we can. There are many ways to help. Do something greater for someone else and listen to the music that is created Kathryn said.
Schedule-wise, Kathryn said that we will be having a regular meeting next week via Zoom from 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM with the Board meeting to follow immediately after. We will be dark March 31st since there are 5 Thursdays in March. Lastly, schedule-wise, our next In Person meeting at the Best Western is March 17, St. Patrick's Day, so wear green!
Kathryn said to keep April 26th from 6:00PM to 9:00PM open on your calendar. This is the date for the Group 5 dinner. Tickets will need to be purchased with more details to follow.
Kathryn ended with more thoughts on Ukraine including that Dana's plea for help is an opportunity to fulfill one of Kathryn's challenges to us this year. That challenge was to walk beside and help one another as friends of Rotary. Kathryn spoke of two Cal State University women who are on the tennis team. One is from Ukraine and one from Russia and, with the help of a coach, were able to come to terms and deal with the situation - the heart of Rotary.
Kathryn's quote this morning is from Dr. Martin Luther King. "Somewhere along the way, we must learn that there is nothing greater than to do something for others".
Now, Steve, the Doobie Brothers!
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Savi Bhim lead this morning's Invocation, though more of an Inspiration, in her typically eloquent style. She related the story of observing Tim Shannon living up to the ideals of the 4-Way Test. Tim walks the walk.
Tim Shannon
Bob Bibb lead the Flag Salute.
Larry Borovay, right, welcomed our guests this morning including Mr. Scott Mosher and Ms. Julia Alexander, Josh's lovely daughter. We also had Mr. Zach Miller and Mr. Mike Kuhn, our Guest Speakers.
Laura Berger was our Greeter this morning.
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Laura Berger recently attended a President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS) near LAX and came away very inspired. She said that there were 1000 people +/- from the western states there and all were driven and focused to change the world. The good vibes she felt there are the same vibes she gets from our Club. She's looking forward to an exciting year and was especially impressed with Jennifer Jones, RI president-elect and her theme and logo, Imagine Rotary. We're looking forward to your leadership Laura!
Jennifer Jones
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Kathryn is requesting project ideas for the remaining 4 months of the year. If you have something in mind, please see Bill Klepper. Bill will be coordinating this task.
Remember, Faster Higher Stronger Together!
Vince has arranged a field trip to the trailer this Saturday, March 5th. If you want to be involved with this process of moving and/or discarding items in the trailer meet at the gate at Dave's Towing at 8:50 AM Saturday morning. It's important to be timely in accessing the property.
If anyone has any ideas on where a trailer can be stored, please speak up.
Bill Klepper is organizing our next Bolio event. Mark your calendars for April 10th at Harley's Valley Bowl. Bill said that teams are being formed and that Special Olympic athletes will be participating. A very good cause and a great opportunity to show your stuff. And, if you don't have stuff to show, the worst score will be rewarded.
Tim Gray announced that the application from the City has been approved and we received a $4000 check. Tim is working on other sponsors and thanked Dan Jordan for all of his help on the marketing side of this. Tim has more T-shirts for sponsors for those interested so let him know.
Larry said he has pretty much signed the headline act but a couple of "T's" need to be crossed before they can be announced publicly. Larry ended by encouraging us all to get involved with this event!
Previously, Tim had said he's looking for games (i.e., Cornhole, Horseshoes, etc.) that can be used at the Festival. See Tim if you can help.
To recap, The Happy Face Music Festival will be held on Saturday, May 28th which is Memorial Day weekend. It will be a half day event at the Rancho Simi Park with no more than 2000 tickets being sold at $50 per ticket. It will follow a minimal concept with Food, Alcohol (both beer and wine), and Entertainment provided with only those 21 and over being admitted.
Tim, left, and Larry
Carolyn Boucher talked about the upcoming Simi Street Fair on April 30th. The plan is to have a booth highlighting Team Ginny as well as the various events and activities that our Rotary Club is involved with. She's looking for help and ideas. Come work the booth with your best Rotary Elevator Speech!
Carolyn also thanked Bruce Bromberg for including the Team Ginny flyer in his coupon book, Coupon Adventures, at no cost. Very nice Bruce.
HELP US SAVE A LIFE
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Kathryn with Mike, center, and Zack
Mr. Zach Miller, Director of Recreation with Simi Parks and Rec and Mike Kuhn with the Rancho Simi Trail Blazers, which is a division of the Rancho Simi Foundation, spoke to us this morning.
Zack spoke about some upcoming projects for Parks and Rec. One is an improvement to the area behind the Rancho Susanna Rec Center. The idea is to improve the area in order to attract and accommodate a larger crowd. Another project is the development of an indoor Activity Center within the District Headquarters on Guardian. He also spoke about improvements to some of the entrances to the Arroyo Bike Path. Zach's goal is to create programs that encourage the family to get outside and exercise. With that he turned it over to Mike.
Mike Kuhn has been involved in the development of walking trials in Simi since 1974. He says we now have over 80 miles of trails. We're surrounded by trails of varying degree of difficulty and he encouraged us all to use them. He attributed his good health at 81 to hiking 6-7 days a week. Mike left us with a booklet published by Parks and Rec detailing all of the trails in Simi Valley and Oak Park. It's available through Parks and Recs.
It was clear though that not everyone in the audience was a fan of hiking, well, night hiking anyway. A question posed was if there was a curfew for hiking on the trails? If not, the question went on, could there be one in order to keep Steve from organizing his Full Moon hikes.....
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Again, none this week.
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Fernando introducing Zach and Mike
Zach, left, and Mike
A sunflower, the National flower of Ukraine, was our centerpiece this morning
Deb doing her best Vanna White modeling the Happy Face Music Festival sponsor T-shirt
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There is no In-Person meeting next week, March 10th. But, there will be a regular meeting from 7:30AM to 8:00AM with the Board meeting to follow immediately, all on Zoom. See everyone back at the Best Western on March 17th! !Wear Green!
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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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Rotary Club Finder Need to find a club to do a makeup? Or find out where Rotary clubs meet while you are traveling? Click here to access the Club Finder page on the RI website.
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