Last Week’s Meeting
We were treated to a fun, educational and engaging presentation by John Clay, Jr. and Dick Regnier, who told us about their journey to India for National Immunization Day. By the numbers, thanks to Dick, in the 1980s, India had 150,000 new cases of polio each year. Now, India has been polio free since January of 2011. In a country 1/3 the land-size of the United States, India is home to 1.2 billion people.
16 Rotarians made the 25 hour journey from California to India. Once there, they broke into teams of four and split off to different areas. The Rotarians served as celebrity in the towns and villages that were immunization locations. They helped to gather a crowd and to get the word out. They also were active Rotary visitors, making 7 Rotary meetings in 4 days, filled with dancing, spicy food and lots more.
We are so proud of our local Rotarians who sacrifice time away from their home, work and own families to help others. In addition to WHO, UNICEF, the CDC and others, Rotary International has been crucial in the mission to eradicate polio. The mission will continue to the three countries who are still suffering from polio — Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria — despite the serious challenges posed in those countries. Congratulations to Dick, Georgie and Jr.!!
Announcements and Reminders
If you play at mine, I’ll play at yours . . . Support the Moorpark Rotary Club golf tournament on Thursday, June 6 at Moorpark Country Club. New to their tournament this year, “Play With A Club Pro.” Registration limited to 20 foursomes . . . get more information or register here. Oh! and by the way, support ours too, it’s the very next day, Friday, June 7 at Sterling Hills. Everyone can do something to help out: sponsor a twosome, a foursome or more . . . donate goods or goodies . . . help out at the tournament . . . or just come to the dinner! See Tim Laubacher for more information!
Remember . . . our demotion dinner quickly approaches! Tuesday, June 18 at the Tower Club . . . festivities commence at 5:30 . . .
This Week’s Meeting
Pat McCollum will talk to us today about Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE). GSE is a unique program that provides travel grants for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40.
Teacher Recognition Number One!
On May 16th, we honored Kathy Matthews, a teacher at Hueneme High School, for our teacher recognition. Mrs. Matthews teaches French and organizes the Foreign Language Department. Thanks to her efforts, this department has increased enrollment and retained students, encouraging many to take a third and fourth year of language study, which is beneficial to students in so many ways. Since many of the students are native Spanish speakers, French is becoming a third language! Mrs. Matthews is a passionate teacher, and the entire Hueneme High School staff thanks Kathy Matthews for her leadership, help and friendship.
Teacher Recognition Number Two!
On May 9th, the Club honored Ms. Sheila Williams, the speech therapist for Rio Del Norte Elementary School in the Rio School District. Principal Jake Waltrip and district leadership nominated Sheila Williams for this special recognition, noting that she is most dedicated to students and their educational success. Her specialty is working with children who have problems pronouncing specific sounds as well as helping students with language difficulties and more severe speech impediments. Sheila continues her own professional development in her field and is always eager to implement new strategies with her students. Her dedication to self improvement is admirable, and she readily shares her new knowledge with her colleagues and parents.
Prayers for Oklahoma
As this goes to publication, your bulletin editor is watching the complete devastation that hit Oklahoma Monday, where tornadoes are responsible for killing at least 20 people, many of them children. As the numbers grow, so should our prayers.