The Windmill

WESTWOOD VILLAGE ROTARY CLUB


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Windmill for October 9th, 2025

By PP Tom Barron


Back at Hillel, President Benjamin Fisher (for the quarter), opened the meeting right on time. As usual, he called upon a member to give a meaning of this year’s theme, “Unite for Good”. PP Steve Scherer gladly obliged when called upon.


Janet Schwartz was thanked for her duties as the greeter for the day. Bill Roen was unusually happy and smiling as his UCLA Bruins defeated the # 7 ranked Penn St. in football, led the Pledge to our country’s flag. Not to be outdone, PPx2 Chris Gaynor, another avid Bruin fan, began his Thought of the Day with special recognition to the UCLA victory as one “for the history books”. He continued with the real thought of the day by quoting the great Chinese philosopher, Confucius. He first asked members when Confucius was born. PP Ron Lyster yelled out 600BC. He was off by just a few years as Chris said 511BC. Various quotes from the great Chinese philosopher illustrated the importance of family values, proper governance and ethical behavior. One significant quote was in reference to world order: first must come the nation or state order, family order and then your own personal order. How true!


PP & Maestro Ed Gauld donned his New York Broadway style hat and led the members in singing “Give my Regards to Broadway”.


Announcements by President Benjamin included the fund raising OPICA art show on this Saturday at Stoner Park from 1-5pm. WVRC will have a table at this event.  Then Benjamin brought PP Mark Rogo to the podium with several important announcements. First, he mentioned the wonderful concert series at the Westwood Library, originally started by Terry Tegnazian, the very active and important cog in the Westwood community. There is a concert scheduled for October 11th at the library.  PP Mark then told of a past tradition in our club: the wearing of a Rotary emblem (pin, shirt, etc.) to our club meetings or being fined $5. Jim Crane will roam the room to view conformance. This begins at our Club Assembly on Nov. 6th. As a gift, Mark will bring golf shirts to the Assembly, his only request being if you pick a shirt, you must wear it and attend the District Governor’s meeting on Nov. 26th at Hillel beginning at noon.


Guests included Bruce Gale, a pickleball friend of President Fisher, and two Rotaractors, Natalie Payton and Misha Patel, both students at Bruinville.


Now it was time to introduce our speaker for the day. President Benjamin took on that duty by introducing Jacqueline Hantgan, senior advisor, community outreach and advocacy for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CRIM). Jacqueline has decades of experience working in patient and medical research, advocacy, education, and development. She served as a member on the successful 2004 campaign for California Proposition 71, which created CRIM, and provided $3billion for stem cells and related research to develop therapies and cures for chronic illness and disease.


Jacqueline graduated from Tulane University with a BA in Anthropology and a master's degree in education and anthropology.


Jacqueline started off by talking about how she got involved with CRIM (her father’s failing health) and her involvement in Proposition 71 and later Proposition 14, which raised $55 billion for research and development.


Jacqueline explained the Mission of CRIM: Dedication to accelerating world class service to deliver transformative regenerative medicine in an equitable manner to diverse California and the world. She reviewed new discoveries from funding opportunities in the world of stem cell research by giving examples of actual accomplishments. Funding gene therapy assists in new innovations in all diseases, including eye restoration and sickle cells. Funding CRIM also supports new drug clearance and the FDA investigation approval process.


Jacqueline’s presentation was extremely informative of the importance of stem cell research and the opportunities it offers for the medical field to solve human disorders and disease. She is truly an advocate for her cause. You may reach her at jhantgen@crim.ca.copy.


President Benjamin Fisher closed the meeting by telling everyone to have good week/weekend.

ANNOUNCEMENTS


  • November 1st will be this year's Rotary Foundation Celebration. It will be held on the Battleship Iowa and the Westwood Village Club has two tables. Don't be left out of this wonderful event, sign up now with PP Mark Rogo or PP Diane Good.


  • November 22nd, packing boxes of food at Westwood Transitional Village for Thanksgiving for the families living there.


  • December 4th is WVRC's signature event, Christmas Shopping with the children from Salvation Army Westwood Transitional Village. Mark your calendar and plan to attend the fun evening.



  • May 15-18th, 2026 is this year's District Conference which is a cruse to Mexico. If you would like to attend, please register on the District website before February 1st, 2026.

FUTURE MEETINGS


  • October 16th at Hillel, Dan Gold, Executive Director for Hillel and UCLA. He will be talking about Hillel's purpose and mission.


  • October 23rd at Hillel, Father Travis Russell, President of Verbum Dei High School on its mission and successes.


  • October 30th at Hillel, Papernek returns for more details on the taking of travel photos and slideshow presentations.


  • November 6th at Hillel is a Club Assembly, members only.


  • November 13th at Hillel, International Meical Corps global humanitarian organization dedicated to savings lives and relieving suffering. Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, they are a nonprofit with no political or religious affiliation.



  • November 20th at Hillel, District Governor Alex J. Parajon visits.

 

WVRC 2025/2026 Leadership Team

President: Benjamin Fisher (July 1st - October 31st, 2025)

President Elect: Bob Simon

Vice President: PP Peter More

Treasurer: Terry M. White

Youth: Samuel Botbol

Vocational Service: Ethan Kim

Director/Peace: PP Marsha Hunt

Foundation: PP Steve Day

Global Scholarships: Chris Bradford

Webmaster: PP Ron Lyster

District Governor: Alex Parajon

Immediate Past President: Benjamin Fisher

Secretary: Janet Schwartz

Community Service: Christine Clayburg

International Service: Nevin Senkan

Membership: PP Mark Rogo

Director/Social Media: Yang Shein, Matthew Yuan & Ehtan Kim

Sergeant at Arms: Jim Crane

Board Members at Large: PP Diane Good & David Stover

Windmill Editor: Teya McCockran