PP Diane Good took over the virtual lectern with a brand new Zoom login ([email protected]). A few “technical difficulties” later (actually not much different than the good ol’ pre-covid days) and we were off to a great new start with a Zoom login that will not change. And we once again heard the chime of the club’s bell, which Diane rescued from the ongoing construction at the Faculty Center.
Your editor (PP Ron Lyster) led the club in the pledge, followed by PP Chris Gaynor and his smorgasbord of invocations from such greats as Charles Dickens, Kahlil Gibran, Wayne Dyer, Sophocles, Og Mandingo, Lao Tzu, Ann Brashares, and Brian Tracy. Our song leader, PP Ed Gauld, selected “Singing in the Rain” as the opening ditty. Special Guest Dr. A. Sameh El Kharbawy (professor of architecture) was introduced by PP Mark Rogo.
For his work in arranging a new home for the club foundation’s investments, Terry White was named Rotarian of the Month for October, 2021. Very well deserved!
Being the Thursday before Halloween, PP Diane spotted PP Marsha Hunt’s spooky hat (which appeared to have insects ... bees? ... trapped in the veil) and awarded her an unstated Halloween prize. (That was before anyone noticed Bill Roen’s patriotic hat.) There was more Halloween fun than that, however. Diane had a ten question pop quiz ready for all “Happy Halloween Ghouls!!” The winners? Dave Stover and PP Steve Day with two correct answers each.
Announcements included:
- Drawing tickets are due tomorrow (October 29)
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The Foundation Celebration will take place at the Skirbsall Center on November 6th
- WVRC donated three gift baskets for the silent auction
- For all who might be interested in serving as district governor, applications are due by November 8th.
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New Directions at the Veterans’ Administration is having an online auction for its gala on November 10th
- Anyone wishing to participate in the Holiday Shopping Spree should contact either Phil Gabriel or PP Diane.
PP Diane then introduced our speaker, Jose Vera, past president of the Los Angeles 5 Rotary Club and co-chair of this year’s District 5280 Humanitarian Trip to Puerto Rico (April 18 - 24, 2022). Jose was originally from Puerto Rico, so he has personal knowledge of the territory and its people. Jose began his presentation with a short video with Reggaeton Music in the background. He explained that Reggaeton Music is very popular in Puerto Rico. (Reggaeton is characterized by rough, monotone rapping in Spanish and driving dancehall "riddims.")
District 5280 has provided humanitarian aid to Latin America for sixteen years. Puerto Rico has suffered several major natural disasters recently, including earthquakes, Hurricane Maria, and the Covid-19 pandemic, so it seemed to be the perfect choice for an international service project (although technically Puerto Rico is part of the United States). These disasters have left Puerto Rico in great need, and District 5280 is determined to help out. Projects include an agricultural program at a homeless center, expanding a recycling operation that funds treatment and therapies for recovering drug addicts, sewing training projects, creation of a park, expansion of clinical and educational service for disabled children in Barceloneta, computer training for parents and students, providing baseball equipment for a specialized baseball community school, upgrading a school for domestic violence victims, funding a photocopier for Centro de Servicios, and providing furniture for Portal de Amor, providing 20 swings at local parks.
After a few questions by PP Gordon Fell, PP Dick Thompson, and PP Mark Rogo, Diane rang the bell and the meeting was adjourned.
