Governor's June Message

It started with a Marc Leeka-produced Star Wars video and came to a close with the Aliyah Levin production of our District conference promotion video. We went from outer space to the desert with a whole lot in between!

            The year got off to a great start because of the wonderful support and communication from immediate PDG Susanne Sundberg who made sure I was aware and ready when the appropriate time came to begin various aspects of the new Rotary year.

            Kathleen Terry and SP Andrade taught the Presidents at PETS while allowing for some golf, candy and beads, striking the note that while we were going to take our responsibilities as Rotarians very seriously, we were also going to have some fun along the way. They also led the charge at our Assembly where the District as a whole got a taste of the 2010/2011 spirit. They must have done the job, because this year, by the estimates of many, we saw an unusually high percentage of really outstanding club Presidents.

            It was all about the clubs this year. Thirteen Assistant Governors, SAG Val Velasco, Jim Beardsley, Tom Blair, Jerry Brown, Roger Civalleri, Andrea Clark, Darren Dunaway, Glenn Mitchell, Linton Morgan, Sam Pirnazar, Jatinder Singh, Don Reeves and DJ Sun did a wonderful job of bridging the lines of communication between the District and the Clubs sending the message that it is not “them and us”, but “all of us”.

            Communication is key, especially if you want to stay in touch and save a rainforest or two! Without a question we had one of the best District Newsletters in the Rotary world thanks to the diligent efforts of Marc Leeka. Our website took on a new fresh look thanks to Bill Paul and our Website & Communications Director Tori Hettinger. There’s more about Tori later. Bill’s better two-thirds, Colette Paul also designed, edited and assembled our Leadership Directory.  

            Membership efforts changed somewhat, not so much a result of SAG Dean Reuter’s quirky, yet somehow lovable personality, but by his emphasis of retaining members and not increasing numbers by dragging just anyone into joining. He was assisted in this effort by Audrie Echno, Tori Hettinger, Marc Leeka and Lindsay Walker. The results were there as the majority of our clubs maintained their membership count. One added reason for this may have been the emphasis of making clubs relevant in our communities though active, visible projects.

            SAG Helene Pizzini worked hard to promote the idea that being seen, sweating together and building better communities would also build better clubs. Our Rotary Community Alliance (one of the secret treasures of this District) was chaired by Gerardo Jaramillo. I’ll run the risk of having him teased by his fellow members by describing him as he is: a sweetheart of a man! Connie and I logged one of our best Rotary days this year driving around on Rotary Cares Day visiting as many projects as we could. Mindy Stogsdill, thank you as the overwhelming majority of our clubs were on the streets that day, visible, sweating doing some good while having a lot of fun.

            Retaining membership plus an emphasis on creating new clubs was a goal within our New Generations Avenue of Service. SAG Jaimee Sul let the charge with the enthusiasm of a cheerleader assisted by Olivia Patterson, our Youth Advisor (and often the voice of calm in a stormy sea), Robert Ryans, Tom Willowby and Maren Clifford the Interact and Rotaract Advisors. Cara de Freitas Bart, a pickle loving, California bagel hater who makes the Energizer Bunny seem motionless in comparison, put together an effort that added nine new Interact Clubs plus two Youthact, increased dramatically the attendance at the annual District symposium and a whole lot more in her role as Interact Governor, assisted certainly by a cast of dozens. Rotaract Governors Cheryl Wong and Sergei Belokonnyi coordinated an effort that saw, as a small sampling of total results, a very meaningful project in the Dominican Republic, a grant with a Club in Brazil, fellowship and of course sending the message loud and clear at our last District Breakfast that they are us, we are on in the same.

            We recognized the talent of our youth with our Speech, Music and Art contests. SAG Ray Brown called upon Jim Boltinghouse, Benedikt Brydern and Diane Davis to put together each competition with the results again being truly impressive. Joe Zarrahy, another one of those great guys who often quietly serve (although quiet is foreign to him), put together a Literacy Breakfast that showcased the adult literacy programs in most local libraries and how we could be part of teaching adults and children basic reading and math skills. I’ll never forget the Grandmother who finally came clean about her inability to ready only because her grandchild wanted “Grammy” to read to her. It was a secret she managed to keep throughout her life, from her teachers, husband and children. She learned to read at the Beverly Hills library, being taught by volunteers.

            Another goal involving New Generations was to increase the number of future leaders attending RYLA, a goal achieved as over 200 registered: the largest amount ever! RYLA Chairs Elyse Beardsley and Joe Harding, who together can probably match Cara in energy, did it again with an outstanding weekend that truly creates a change in attitude for so many that attend.

            Shortly after the year started we had our annual beach picnic and boat race. The place was packed with hundreds of Rotarians, a flotilla of cardboard boats and a whole lot of fellowship. Wendy Clifford was the right choice to put this together, having been asked by SAG Doug Wilson who coordinated this and our President Dinner’s this year.

            We spent some time and made some friends in the Dominican Republic. SAG Elsa Gillham, Arturo Velsaquez and Amy Worthington put together a journey that had it all, from more than a dozen hands-on projects to carnival. A special thanks to Sandy Velasquez, Arturo’s wife who actually did all the work for him. There really can’t be a better way to feel the beat of the Rotary heart than to be part of one of these trips.

            Behind the scenes every year there are traffic professionals who guide us in many areas. PDG Scot Clifford served as our legal counsel, Alex Lopez as our Insurance Advisor, PDG Susanne Sundburg chaired our Policy & Guidelines committee as well as the Finance committee. All of this coordinated by SAG Jerrie Heslov who is also owed a big bucket of gratitude for getting our Youth Protection Policy off the ground as well. Serving again for the last year, PDG Dennis Benko did his usual outstanding job in being a steward of our funds.

            All of these people and almost a million dollars to boot! I’ll explain soon.

            Any District Governor worth their salt (and whatever does that mean?) should have the wisdom to surround themselves with experience and counsel. PDG’s Pat Cashin, Rick Mendoza, David Moyers, Dennis Benko and the poor guy that got me as an Executive Aide, Chuck Anderson, were among those that were there for me to vent, ask and accept their scolding, all to build a better organization.

            We tried some different things. Your positive support of all of them was loud and appreciated! True, there were some glitches along the way but trying something different can never be a bad idea. Either you learn, or the change works, either way a positive thing. We are choked by too many who have said too long “we’ve always done it this way”.

            Awards and recognition were chaired by Christina Chan who displayed remarkable calm while we implemented a more “green” approach in reducing paper whenever we could. It was a thrill for me in not knowing any award winner until the time they were presented at the conference!

            Speaking of the conference, some changes were tossed into it, resulting in several people threatening to file claims for excess tissues used while we listened to stories of those who benefitted from Rotary. The first story came from conference chair and PDG John Colville who lead a rather small committee of Jaimee Sul and Rotarian of the Year Veronica Martinez. They met twice. They drove me to the brink of total insanity and doggone it, they got the job done. A great weekend it was! About 450 of us heard some wonderful stories, shared time at the resort and by and large (and again, what does this one mean?) left us feeling just a tad bit more proud of who we are and what we accomplish, all the while enhancing our own lives as a result. Veronica also chaired the Paul Harris Foundation Celebration at the House of Blues.

            We awarded four Ambassadorial Scholarships to the tune of $25,000 each, with David Boochever coordinating all things with our scholars. Earl Vaughn was in charge of our Group Study Exchange program this year, and Rosacruz Falla let our group to Bangladesh. We were treated to a fine group of representatives from that country while they, in turn, saw about the best we have to offer in our young professionals with the team that went there. A better world though better understanding of one another; this is one great way to get that done!

            We had three District Breakfasts this year, spotlighting the work of Fr. Greg Boyle and our own youth. Pat Bennett chaired these, kept us on time though a variety of methods and gave us some fun, informative and inspiring events.

            Consistency breeds comfort and both are important to any organization and to us, no one provides the consistency, caring and professionalism as Leon Bodnar a man who does so much and demands, that’s right, he demands, little recognition.

            We’ll have memories to revisit for years to come thanks to Richard Thompson, Linton Morgan, Gidas Peteris, Peter More, PDG Rick Mendoza and others who snapped thousands of pictures here and in the Dominican Republic.

            Shirley Giltzow who looks darn cute in Dodger Blue really did the job with our Polio challenge, and Astrid Naviaux did a stellar job with our Paul Harris Society efforts.

            Our DRFC (District Rotary Foundation Chair) is PDG Rick Mendoza who formed a group that knows very well that our Foundation is the blood that keeps the Rotary heart alive. PDG’s Chuck Anderson, Pat Cashin, Scot Clifford and David Moyers combined to keep this District in the forefront of Foundation giving worldwide.

            Let’s talk about that “almost a million” deal. In a nutshell, if you add up the total value of all grants, awards, scholarships and other giving by our District this year, it comes to just under a million dollars, $993,000 to be exact. That is nothing short of phenomenal.

            A couple of words about a couple of people:

            Accepting the Governor’s job is undertaking a four year commitment, two of training, one of service followed by a year of obligatory committee assignments. I’ve been fortunate enough to share there of those four years with Tori Hettinger, our District Administrator. Still in her twenties, she has maturity and wisdom beyond those years coupled with a beauty that radiates and patience that should shame any an impatient person! It’s been a joy, TT and you will be missed. Emily Blair steps into the job on July 1^st. She, like Tori, is a joy to be around, has a particular fondness for mushrooms, grew up in a Rotary family and will prove to be a worthy and capable successor.

            And then there is Pepe. Three years ago I didn’t know Joe Vasquez but had seen him at several events. There was a certain air about him, one of calmness, dignity, awareness and I sensed he might make a good Executive Aide. Did I ever get that one right! What a team we became and what a friendship has developed. This poor guy has been teased, tormented and been forced to buy many a theme tie because of me. And for all we have accomplished this year, we did so in large part because of him. And the bonus of course was Roz, such a dear person and a great travel buddy for Connie.

            And finally with apologies to all those named and those I will remember after this is published, let me end my thanks by mentioning those that mattered most: Connie, my Bride, and daughter Kelly. Many of you have gotten to know Connie to discover that she is just as nuts as her husband. And every Father knows that what we accomplish in life becomes so much more meaningful when shared with our children. Kelly is proud to have taken part in two International service trips and one convention.

            And now, with thanks said and appreciation felt, it’s time to head out. As the sun sets on June 30^th, Connie and I will be on the beach, toasting each and every one of you, savoring this year and all it brought as we fade quickly into that sunset. And as you fall asleep tonight, think about this: What you did this year mattered. You laughed, shared and cared, the result of which you made a positive difference to someone else. Think about that and smile a good smile as you drift into slumber.

Doug