Stephanie picked up on the theme of what service means and gave us all an excellent example of just what it does mean. One of our members, Corey Baker who is a Police Detective with the Simi Valley Police Department, is on temporary assignment helping with the Northern California fires. He's on the front lines risking his life helping others. Stephanie spoke for all of us when she sent thoughts and prayers out to these First Responders.
======================
President Kathryn, in the spirit of Why Rotary, asked two members, Camille Cordova and, yours truly, Matt Rowe, to come up and tell their story of why they joined Rotary. I think my Why is pretty typical of most, if not all, Rotarians. We just love helping those in need or being involved in an event that benefits our community. Camille mentioned the unspoken needs in our community that she gets the opportunity to work on as an impetus for her joining. It really is all about Service above Self.
Katherine thanked the Bergers for hosting a great Family of Rotary event at their home last Friday. Every one had a great time. She updated us the Backpack event. The assembly at Monte Vista took place (Thank You Steve!) and all of the backpacks were delivered to the District.
She then gave us some dates and events to think about:
- Since we have a Board meeting next week, September 9th, our regular meeting will be on Zoom and NOT in person at the Junkyard.
- We are DARK September 16th. No meeting will take place and, in honor of Yom Kippur, we will not be having a mixer that day/evening either.
- We will be back at the Junkyard on September 23rd. And, after that meeting, a trip to Lemon Park is planned to look at the Oktoberfest layout.
- Our District Governor will be paying us a visit on September 30th.
Katherine then spoke about what Rotary service means in practice. She talked in terms of stories associated with various Rotary Clubs that are examples of service. One Club adopted a child; another Club dedicated their efforts toward a Victim's Rights Group; 3 Clubs, in partnership, got involved with an orphanage in Tanzania. The fundraisers that these 3 Clubs hold are for the Orphanage. One of our Club's stories is that a lot of our efforts, such as the upcoming Oktoberfest, are geared toward the local community. The proceeds from fundraisers like the Oktoberfest go to things like scholarships for local, graduating seniors. Katherine read a Thank You note she received from a recent scholarship recipient, Molly Cooper. Molly said the scholarship will help allow her to achieve her goal of becoming a veterinarian. She's going to UC Davis.
Katherine then had the pleasure of presenting a permanent name badge to Camille Cordova. Congratulations Camille!
Katherine ended by saying that one, little act of kindness can flip someone's world upside down in a good way. She challenged us to go out and perform that act of kindness. To quote Mahatma Gandhi, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
President Kathryn Scroggin
Congratulations Camille!
======================
Savi Bhim lead us all in thought this morning. She spoke of Mother Teresa, an Honorary Rotarian, and a story of a starving family taking what little it is given by Mother Teresa and sharing that with another starving family. Very moving.
Bill Klepper not only lead the Pledge of Allegiance this morning, he also sent Ryan Valencia off with a very fitting farewell. This was Ryan's last meeting as a Club member as he has enlisted in the US Army. Bill arranged for Alex Nester, a local musical artist to sing the National Anthem a cappella to send Ryan off with some flare. It was very moving, especially in light of recent events. It reminded us of what this country stands for and how proud we are to be Americans.
Alex Nester
John Bagnall welcomed our Guests.
Our Guests today included:
Mr. Terry Howard (Guest Speaker)
Mr. Lyle Pennington
Ms. Alex Nester (Musical Artist)
Lyle Pennington
======================
Lyle Pennington, a fellow Rotarian, is involved with the 35th Annual Golf Tournament benefitting the Boys and Girls Club of Moorpark and Simi Valley. He needs 216 players as well as sponsors. Here's a note from Lyle:
Thanks for getting this in your bulletin. Time is short for the Tee signs, we need the commitments by next Tuesday (September 7th) to get new signs built.
For golfing sponsorships and golfers, we have a couple more days, but Monday September 20th is the Tournament and that is coming up fast.
Thanks for your help.
Lyle Pennington
Board of Directors
Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark and Simi Valley
Rotary Club of Moorpark
805-907-9610 cell
Laura Berger let us know that our Club will be the Chamber meeting sponsor on September 10th. It will be at Cronies at 7 AM. Laura encourages us to join her, especially those members who belong to the Chamber.
======================
Carolyn Boucher couldn't make it this morning because she was the morning program at the Moorpark Rotary Club meeting. Good Luck Carolyn!
Team Ginny will be having a booth at the Street Fair on Saturday, October 30th. Please come by.
We heard from Deb this morning. She's received some more sponsorships. Thank You Tim Gray, the Bergers and Deb Davila.
Reminders:
Herschel Berger reminded us that Volunteers are needed and that information will be sent out to those that have already signed up. Herschel needs to get a handle on this soon so please sign up NOW. All shifts are from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM, the full length of the Fest. There will be an after-Fest party hosted by the Scoggins, Bergers and Borovays.
Please contact Herschel at the following email or phone:
syd2karli@aol.com
(805) 377-3974
Larry Borovay reminded us about the importance of ticket sales.
See either John Tolson or Jake Finch for all ticket sales.
The 2021 Oktoberfest event is being held from 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, October 9th at LEMON PARK
Notice: The District 5240 Conference has been re-scheduled!!!!
Below is an email sent out this past Wednesday, September 1st by Dana Moldovan, the 2021-2022 District 5240 Governor:
Dear Rotary District 5240 Member:
The 2021 District Conference dates have been changed. The conference will NOT be in October but rather we are looking at confirming dates the end of January 2022 at a new location in Santa Barbara.
A recent directive from Rotary International headquarters advised us to withhold traveling or holding large events for Rotary until after December 31, 2021.
We have taken their lead and out of caution for everybody’s health, we’ve decided to push the Conference into the new year with the hope that over the next few months we'll see the pandemic curve be such that life can get back to some normalcy and we can then continue with the work at hand.
For those who have already registered for the conference, you do NOT need to cancel your registration, unless the new dates do not fit your schedule, in which case your fee will be refunded.
For those who made a hotel room reservation at the Ventura Marriott, you need to call the hotel and cancel your room: 805.643.6000
Even with this change, we are excited to bring a Conference that is vibrant, interesting, and unique.
All previously promoted speakers are available and will be with us in January. Very exciting.
We will now hold our District Foundation Gala Saturday night of the Conference.
Change is the one constant we have become accustomed to these past 19 months and sometimes change is good. We will be great. We will survive. We will continue on in true Rotarian fashion to do the work at hand and to change the world for the better.
I look forward to seeing you all in person at the new 2022 District Conference.
More information will be forthcoming as plans are solidified.
Stay tuned.
Warm regards,
Dana Moldovan
2021-2022 District 5240 Governor
A reminder about Mike Kort's 20th Anniversary 9-11 Memorial being held at Lemon Park by the pool. The names of all 2,977 victims of the attacks will be said out loud. Mike is looking for help in reading out the names. He needs 300 people reading 10 names each. This would be on September 11th starting at 8:45 AM and Mike thinks it will take 3-4 hours to complete. Here's a link to a sign up sheet if you can help:
Please see Stephanie Shannon if you're interested in supporting the Moorpark HS Baseball team.
Leigh Seaton reminded us about the Blood Drive he's coordinating on October 7th. Please see Leigh to set up an appointment. This is a BYOB event.
Neil Young
TIERRA REJADA CLEANUP
Leigh also let us know that we will be working with the Moorpark Club to spruce up Tierra Rejada on October 16th. Stay tuned for more details.
Leigh gave us an update on our change of venue for our morning meetings. Sorry, no, we aren't going to what is pictured above. It looks like there are several locations under consideration though with the Best Western Posada Royale on Madera the frontrunner. See Leigh if you have any thoughts or suggestions. Try and be civil.
======================
Our Guest Speaker this morning was Mr. Terry Howard representing For the Troops. Terry sits on the Board of this wonderful, volunteer-based organization and is a Viet Nam War Vet. They are located at 2960 Cochran in a store front unit. For the Troops ships Care Packages to our Troops throughout the world, no matter where they are stationed. The boxes cost $35 each to ship with postage being their largest expense. An interesting fact he shared with us is that, of the approved items the government allows to be shipped, the number 1 and 2 items requested are Hot Sauce and Baby Wipes in that order. Following is their Mission taken directly from their website
About Our Mission
We Support Them while They Protect Us
For The Troops is an all-volunteer run, non-profit organization dedicated to providing members of the American military with “We Care” packages containing basic necessities, goodies, games and—most of all—a show of support.
Since its inception in 2005, For The Troops has substantially grown in volunteers and donors, and has distributed more than 250,000 packages year-round to American troops who risk their lives overseas every day—far away from the comforts of home.
It started with a toothbrush…
Early one morning in 2005, Paula Cornell realized that her husband had forgotten to brush his teeth. When she pointed this out to him, he said, “It’s no big deal, I didn’t brush my teeth for a year in Vietnam.” He went on to tell her that he also went without other comforts, such as toilet paper, for during his tour of duty.
Faced with the fact that troops today still live in foreign lands without basic commodities, Paula felt a deep need to help American freedom fighters obtain everyday comforts that civilians take for granted.
…that became an act of compassion…
After assisting with several care-package efforts at her previous place of employment, Paula—along with Janie Josephson—co-founded the all-volunteer, non-profit organization that would gather materials and ship “We Care” packages to American troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.
…and grew into in a community undertaking.
For The Troops evolved into an organization with a steady stream of non-compensated individuals who pack boxes at the organization’s storefront office in Simi Valley, CA, where donated items are dropped off.
Additional volunteers serve at fundraising events, such as the annual military tribute gala and annual golf tournament. Students, seniors and other individuals also handwrite letters to personalize every box.
Here's their website:
https://www.forthetroops.org/contact/
Terry Howard receiving the Hourglass
======================
Happy Birthday Bill!
Happy Anniversary Vince! Looks like he and Chas are hatching a plot.
Happy 12th Anniversary Geovanny!
Yes, the tie is back on
Joining by Zoom
======================
Due to the Board Meeting, we will be meeting via Zoom on September 9th!
======================
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 lunch is taken care of.
=================================
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.
============================
Thank you for reading this week's bulletin!
If you cannot do your weekly assignment it is up toYOUto find a replacement.
