Our meeting on April 9 was a perfect one to remind us all of the great things about Rotary, and being a member of this club!
Happy Dollars, Happy Announcements
Happy Dollars were offered . . . to recognize Sue Chadwick, a long-time and hard-working member of untold charitable and community organizations who has improved our community immensely over the years . . . by John Puglise to rouse volunteers for “The River” project, a project to map, walk, document and video the Santa Clara river . . . by Gary Davis who is off on worldwide travel again, this time to Malaysia, as part of his work with WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), where he will be assisting in the evaluation of the International School of Kuala Lumpur . . . . and by John Kearney, who booked travel for another another exotic surf trip (don’t worry, not until AFTER his presidential year ends!)
President John also asked anyone who has any sportsmanship forms still out from the Basketball tournament to please return them.
Phyllis announced that an upcoming luncheon at the Tower Club will feature State Superintendent of Schools Tom Torlakson. Superintendent Torlakson will be at the April 18 event, presented as a collaborative effort between the Oxnard Union High School District and the
Ventura County Office of Education on “Linking Learning with our Business and Community Leaders.” The program will feature business and community leaders participating in a round table event to discuss the education of the 21st Century workforce. All Rotarians interested are welcome to attend and voice their concerns about what is needed to produce a
vibrant economic development and workforce in Ventura County.
This year’s Strawberry Festival will be held May 18 and 19, and Rotarians are needed to work shifts cashiering at the strawberry shortcake tent. Volunteers are given free entry into the festival, and are free to enjoy the event before or after the shift. Cris Fulwider has electronically invited us to sign up . . . See Cris for more information.
Golf Tournament
Let’s repeat the great success of last year’s event!! The tournament is June 7 at Sterling Hills. Opportunities are available for sponsorship, to host a foursome, or to work the event. Watch out for Ed Gibbs and Tim Laubacher, who will both be on the lookout to get every Rotarian involved!
Last Week’s Program
We were visited last week by our Oxnard High School Interact club advisor Jaimene Nichols, along with Edith Garcia, Jasmin Avila and club President Jorge Moncada. The club is one of the largest on campus, thanks in large part to the efforts of these fine students. We heard about several project the kids are involved in, including the trip the students took to Thurgood Marshall Elementary School to meet with their little buddies.
Interact is gearing up for their next project, the goal of which is to provide every little buddy at Marshall with a ball — basketball, volleyball, soccer ball - it makes no difference! The goal is to get the kids up, out and physically fit. Donations are needed to obtain the balls, as well as to provide funds for t-shirts for the Interacters, which they can all wear when they do their community activities. At least 100 shirts are needed.
Other projects involve assistance with the youth track club in Oxnard, and Pennies for Patients, which helps raise funds for luekemia treatment. President Moncada would also like to arrange a project that will provide an “exit kit” for the residents that leave the homeless shelter, such as clothes, medication and the like. Kudos to these kids, our future Rotarians!