President Mark welcomed us to the friendly Westwood Village Rotary after we were dark last week and spent the Wednesday night before at Hillcrest Country Club for a social hosted by our generous President.  Thank you, Mark, it was a true evening of Fellowship and many of our fellow Rotarians from Beverly Hills, Rancho Park, and the District joined us for the evening.  

Today's pledge was led by Membership Chair Tom Barron and our Invocation provided by our Vocational Chair, Dick Thompson. Thank you, gentlemen.

We had a visiting Rotarian from the Beverly Hills Club, David Portman, welcome!  Other guests that Secretary Ann Samson introduced were Chris Humphries, a YMCA Instructor and Ms Goodman, a 5th grade teacher who classes have participated in the Y program the last 8 years.  Eric Gardner from Earth Angel was also a visitor today.

In our health and welfare moment we'd like to mention Uncle Leo Tseng sustained some injuries during tennis so we are thinking of him and wishing him a speedy recovery!

Announcements:

• Youth Chair Jim Crane introduced the UCLA Rotoractors competing in the upcoming Ethics Competition - Tiffany Hsu, Eric Chen, and Joseph Leong
• President Mark thanked Judy and Bob Wessling for hosting the most recent Auxillary meeting in their beautiful home where Marsha Hunt presented her passion and work in Uganda.
• Subsequently, President Mark also presented the Turkey award to me (again) for originally parking in the Wessling's neighbor's house and almost ringing their doorbell.  Who knew their neighbors were also so hospitable? ;)
• Our WVRC voted to support Dick Thompson in his continued work in the Dominican Republic and presented him a check for when he goes abroad during the last week in April - we look forward to hearing the latest updates on your return!
• Vice President, Colby Smith gave a summary on the most recent Rotary Impact meeting and announced they were very excited to receive their new badges! 
• Past President, Don Nelson, announced the next District Breakfast is April 8 at the Westin LAX - please let him know if you are interested in attending.  
• Ellen Horowitz, the Executive Director for Meals on Wheels announced eat-out nights that support their organizations.  Please see their website for dates and places where portions of the evenings proceeds will support Meals on Wheels.  
• Community Chair, Diane Good, announced our Rotary District Day of Service is April 12 and our Westwood Village Rotary will be participating by having a cookout for 165 veterans at VA. There is also discussion about Painting murals to beautify their space and the week BEFORE on April 5 our members are also encouraged to come sand and varnish the tables outside along with folks from Home Depot to prep the area for our cookout.  Anyone who can donate or contribute towards this effort, we have needs for various things, please contact Diane or Mark - thank you! 

Schedule change - next week our President will be in Columbia with the District Humanitarian trip so his planned program with Uncle Jack is moving to April

Erin Gardner from Angel Flight West gave us a brief update on their organizations activities.  Reminding our membership they cover the 13 Western states via volunteer pilots.  Sean McMillan and Peter More were/are active volunteers from our club.

The Rotaractors presented their Cochlear implant ethical debate - there was some interesting discussion and feedback and we wish them the best to defend their winning status!

Today's program was brought to us from the Westside YMCA which many of our Rotary members support.  Ann Samson shared how the YMCA is building a healthy community together.

Mark announced an additional $5K from WVRC which he presented to Anne and reminded our club that  last year we also donated $25K so this is a project our club has supported for many years.

Since it opened in 1844, the YMCA has changed.  Today, this Westside Y specializes in Youth Fitness expansion in Title 1 schools (over 70% on free lunch program bused in etc)

This club was also the first to start the PLLUS Program - Parkisonians Learning Lifelong Useful Skills Established in 1996 from concern and friendship of one of our very own Rotary members.  Anne shared the mew building and plans including a Rotary room with instructional focus and character development!