I would like to dedicate my President's News Flash this week, "In Memory of Our Dear Friend and Fellow Rotarian, Robert Ming."

Robert's kind soul and generous spirit touched so many lives both in Laguna Niguel and beyond. I write this President's News Flash with great heartache and sadness. I also have a sense of joy knowing that our dear friend Robert is now walking with his Lord and Savior, which was his ultimate goal in this life. I ask that you keep Susie and their four children, Jonathan, Katie, Wesley and Grant, in your constant thoughts and prayers.

I first met Robert in 2014 at one of his campaign events when he ran for supervisor. I also had the privilege of meeting his family, many community members, and friends. I was in awe hearing the way they all spoke so highly of him. I had the honor and privilege of accepting the appointment to serve as the Laguna Niguel City Clerk during his leadership on the City Council. I had the pleasure of working with him since that time as the City Clerk, through the Military Support Committee, and more importantly, through Rotary. He was also a friend that I could call any time for his wise and humble advice and he helped me so much over the years in so many ways. I will miss his positive and wise counsel and especially his friendship.

I know many of you have stories you would like to share about Robert so please feel free to come to Fratello's on Friday at noon to share some of them with us. Our own Mark Montgomery will be giving his presentation highlighting his trip to Panama where he and his team performed dental work on underprivileged villagers.

There were many bios about Robert online and this one below I felt described him best.

Robert was born and raised in Orange County and has grown up living, working and going to school in Southern California. Robert was Managing Partner at Quadrant Law Group, a law firm he founded in 2015. Robert was Managing Director and Associate General Counsel at Jefferies, an international brokerage and investment banking firm, and General Counsel of BeXcom Research, an Internet B2B E-Commerce provider. Robert began his legal career at the law firm of Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP in Los Angeles, California.

Robert received his BA in Political Science from Azusa Pacific University where he graduated as the Most Outstanding Political Science Student and was later inducted into the Academic Hall of Fame. He then went to Pepperdine Law School, where he graduated Valedictorian and received American Jurisprudence Awards (the highest single grade in a class) in Corporations, Real Property, Wills & Trusts, Real Estate Finance, Torts and Criminal Procedure. While at Pepperdine, Robert helped to form the first Republican Law Students Association on campus, and became its President.

Robert has also served as a member of the Laguna Niguel Planning Commission, the Board of Managers of the South Coast YMCA, Saddleback Community College Foundation and still serves on the Board of Directors of The Bonner Institute for the Advancement of Choral Music, a California non-profit organization he helped form. For four years, he served on the Board of Directors of the Hillcrest Village Homes Community Association. Robert is also a past President of the Laguna Niguel Lion’s Club, and recipient of the Lion of the Year Award in 2005-06. Robert is also a past President of the Laguna Niguel Rotary Club and has served on its Board of Directors. In 2006, Robert helped found Citizens Who Vote, a coalition of concerned voters who sponsored the Voter ID Act, a state ballot initiative that would have required voters to present photo ID at the polls when they vote.

Robert was a Fellow Rotarian and dear friend that we will miss so much and will never forget. I received a special note from Susie to thank our Club for the beautiful flower arrangement and gift card she received from us which is a small but sincere and heartfelt gesture. Rest well Robert and fly high with the angels. We will miss you!

We had a great Zoom meeting last week with Kristin giving a presentation on a new group we are supporting in Malawi, Africa. More information will be provided in the next President's News Flash.

This week, we will be meeting in person to hear our own Mark Montgomery's presentation on his trip to Panama!

Mark Montgomery

This year, our club has paid to sponsor up to three junior high school students for Camp RYLA. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is all about Rotarians working with youth in leadership development. It is an intensive training/experiential program for students in District 5320 who are chosen for their potential leadership abilities. RYLA provides a memorable opportunity to learn, grow, have fun, make new friends, and gain a new and improved focus. Students participate in an all-expense paid event running from April 26 to May 1, 2022: