Today’s Meeting
At today’s meeting, Prez George Benz will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Phyllis Throckmorton will offer the invocation. Today’s “other meeting” will be our Board Meeting, which will convene at 11:00 a.m. Stop by if you need a make-up, it counts!
Last Week’s Meeting
At last week’s meeting, we were visited by Bob Braitman, a member of Ventura Rotary South, and last year’s Assistant District Governor. Bob was there to present us with the multitude of awards our club received at the awards luncheon at the end of last month. Give yourselves a pat on the back for the Club’s receipt of the following awards — Avenue of Service, Medal Achievements: Club Service (10), Community Service (8), Youth Service (5) and Bronze Medal (9); Rotary International Presidential Citation, and; Certificate of Appreciation for Leadership & Commitment to Service. We were also recognized as a Rotary District 5240 Bronze Club of Distinction. Way to Go!
Our Speaker last week was our very own Bill Belcher. Bill was raised in Seattle, and attended the University of Washington, where he received a degree in Architecture. Being an architect however, was not in the cards for Bill, as he enlisted in the Navy and spent the first 22 years of his life serving as a draftsman.
Bill entertained and amused us with lots of colorful stories about his years in the Navy. Bill spent time living and serving in Guam and Hawaii, and although he is probably the only Navy enlisted man who managed to avoid boot camp and shooting a gun, he didn’t lack for making an impact. In Laos, Bill was in charge of a classified mission with the Navy at a time when we — back home — were being told there was no military there. Later, Bill was assigned to the White House, where he gave the daily Navy brief to the President. Bill served three Presidents in that role — Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson — before he left Washington.
Bill is humble and matter-of-fact about his remarkable Navy career, telling us that it was all a matter of being in the “right time at the right place.” One who listened to Bill last week was left with an entirely different impression, and instead feels like we have a living legend at our table every Tuesday. Thanks, Bill!
Help Wanted:
Assistant Bulletin Editor, P/T. Days vary, but candidate needs to be available to start immediately (i.e. today at noon). Must take notes at periodic noontime meetings of the Oxnard Rotary, and add his or her own personal style to the weekly newsletter. An ability to spell is helpful, but not required. Must be willing to endure a tech-lesson on how to upload the bulletin to the website; lesson may involve a glass of wine, or other beverage of the candidate’s choice. No benefits, but the successful candidate will earn the sincere gratitude of the Bulletin Editor. Apply directly to: [email protected].
Upcoming Events
Don’t forget to register and attend the District Conference, October 3-5, in beautiful Monterey . . . the event will include the EPiC Challenge, see EPiC-Challenge.org . . . Also upcoming, our Club’s Golf Tournament, in September . . . lots of volunteer opportunities available, see Tim Laubacher or Gary Trow for information.