Stephanie commented on the energy in the room this morning. There was lots of it and it felt good. She then brought the meeting to order and following are her comments:
Thank you everyone and a special thank you to this morning’s greeter – Larry Borovay.
As I mentioned, today’s meeting brings with it the opportunity to celebrate amazing people in our community. With that, we also get to celebrate our club hosting a great music festival this past Saturday. If everyone can stand and shake the hand of someone or more than one person at your table and thank them for being a part of making the music festival a success.
For those of us who were there, a mark of a successful music festival with bottomless beer, is when you see a lot of smiling faces…and some drunk ones too!!!
In all sincerity, thank you to everyone who helped make the music festival a success, especially the festival committee and everyone who volunteered.
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Savi Bhim lead this morning's Invocation in her usual style. She spoke about the one common tie that binds us all, that tie being service to others. That's what brings us together as a group she said. Well put.
Bruce Bromberg lead the Flag Salute. Here's Bruce placing his right hand over his left heart.
John Baxter welcomed our Guests this morning, and there were a lot of them. They included:
Ms. Dawn Cobalt
Ms. Marie Cobalt
Mr. Geoff Spickler (Speaker)
Mr. Ralph Ferdinand
Mr. Donovan Downey
Mr. John Lapper
Mr. Aaron Haney (Rec and Park)
Mr. Ryan Hanes (Rec and Park)
Mr. Richard Lemmo (Rec and Park)
Mr. Zack Lemmo (Rec and Park)
Mr. Matt Mason (Rec and Park)
Carolyn Boucher, left, with Marie Cobalt center and Dawn Cobalt right
Left to right; John Tolson, Ralph Ferdinand, John Lapper, Geoff Spickler and Larry Borovay
Donovan Downey along with his fiancee Sophie Klepper and an unnamed photobomber. Security was called. Congratulations Sophie and Donovan!
Larry Borovay was our Greeter this morning but he had a lot of help from Kailey Craig
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President Kathryn Scroggin
President Kathryn welcomed those on Zoom, including Bill Fox, BJ Anderson and Gregg Hartmann. She then shared that she was contacted by one of the scholarship recipients from last week. This young lady was so inspired by what she saw and heard in our meeting that she asked Kathryn if there were some way for her to help out. There is hope for the future.
Kathryn also mentioned that District Governor Dana Moldovan's Step Down dinner is coming up on Saturday, June 25th at the Los Robles Green. Unfortunately, Kathryn can't make it and is hoping others from the Club can attend. Our Club might be getting an award and it would be nice to be represented.
Kathryn then talked about this week being focused on Community Champions such as Tim Gray and his team with the Music Festival. Kathryn also singled out Kathy Van Etten, president of the Chamber, who works in most of our community events, no matter their affiliation. She's a champion for all causes. Kathryn asked Jake Finch for her examples of Community Champions. Jake said that Simi Valley USD Resource Officers Gene Colato and Glen Ellis were absolutely Community Champions. They are committed to the kids 24/7 and have literally saved kid's lives over the years.
Kathryn ended by saying that Rotarians are, by definition, Community Champions. We are all about Service above Self, even when no one is looking. Let's all get the community talking about Rotary.
And to that end, she left us with the following quote, "Champions never talk. They just perform and the world talks".
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Carolyn Boucher, left, and half of John Baxter, right, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to several Simi Rec and Park employees. These employees are involved with the before and after school programs that Rec and Park runs and were recognized for the outstanding contributions they have made, and continue to make to our community. During the depths of the pandemic, Rec and Park ran the only person to person program in Simi. An award well deserved! Pictured above starting 2nd from left Ryan Hanes, our own Sophie Klepper, Zack Lemmo, Aaron Haney, Matt Mason and Richard Lemmo. Thanks for all you do!
John Baxter reminded us about the Career Survey we should have all received via email. John is compiling a database of, among other things, the different types of careers we have in our Club. This database will be used as a resource to help those just entering the work force. So please fill it out when you get a moment. It won't take long.
John Baxter
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A previous Guest, Leila Thayer-Malone, announced a Walk to End Alzheimers coming up in October and left us a flyer below. See Martha Macker if this is of interest to you.
Leigh Seaton has arranged for another Blood Drive on June 16thduring our regular meeting. Please see Leigh to coordinate times.
And Leigh said that an arrangement has been made to credit the blood donated to Ayden Denne to help in his recovery. Yet another good reason to donate.
Ayden Denne
Ol' Man Seaton
Kathryn announced the following Club Meeting Schedule for all of June;
- June 9th - In person at the Best Western.
- June 16th - In person at the Best Western comprised of a shortened regular meeting and a joint Board meeting with the incoming and outgoing Boards. Leigh is also organizing a Blood Drive during this meeting.
- June 23rd - In person at the Best Western.
- June 30th - Dark.
Please remember Jake Finch's requests for Gift Cards. Her two requests had to do with, one, helping out the Simi Valley Unified School District students that are in need of assistance. School District resources have been stressed to the limit and help is needed to replenish those resources. That help can come to the District in the form of Gift Card donations for gas, groceries, etc. at places like Target and Walmart. $25 and $50 Gift Cards work best.
Jake's second request was more directed. Jake said that the District had just enrolled their first students, 8 and 14 year old girls, who have fled Ukraine with their mother. The family came here with basically the clothes on their back so are in need of everything. Gift cards to Kohls and Target would be very helpful. As an update, Jake said that an account has been set up and help has been coming in. But more is needed as more refugees from Ukraine have arrived here in Simi with school age children.
If you can help out, please reach out to Jake.
Also, a big shout out to Jesus Torres, who is providing legal services for these refugees pro bono. Providing a great example to us all!
Jake Finch
Preliminary reports point to a successful event. Tim Gray was recognized for his leadership in heading up the festival. Tim thanked everyone saying he couldn't have done it without the tremendous support he received. Those in key positions were Steve P., Bill Klepper, Dan Jordan, John Baxter, Larry Borovay, John Bagnall and Bob Bibb. Tim specifically thanked Gregg Hartman for his work as a roadie. Rumor has it that Gregg was so taken by the life style and personalities he observed that he's thinking about giving up his practice and hitting the road. Hopefully not.
And Tim said that there will be a final, All Hands meeting at 6:00 PM next Tuesday, June 7th at Monte Vista. This will be a good opportunity to debrief.
Carolyn with a Team Ginny Car Magnet. She was recently contacted by a potential donor after that person saw one of the Car Magnets. You never know where that hero will come from.
As Carolyn said, it doesn't take any effort or money to place the magnet on your car. Please see Carolyn if you'd like to get one.
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Today's Guest Speaker was Mr. Geoff Spickler with SiFi Networks. Geoff is Vice President of Community Relations. SiFi Networks is North America's leading privately owned telecom company that is funding, building and operating open access fiber networks across the US. SiFi is currently building one of the world's fastest and most reliable fiber optic networks throughout Simi Valley. These are the guys you have seen digging and filling in a very narrow trench along the edge of street gutters. Once complete city-wide, this new network will provide faster service with a wider variety of service providers. We all look forward to that.
Geoff having been presented with the Club's timer by Kathryn
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Happy Anniversary Karen!
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Our meeting next week, June 9th, will be held in person at the Best Western. See you there!
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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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