Posted by Sandy Magley on Aug 09, 2017
 
August 9, 2017
 
After a couple warnings that the bell would be rung promptly at 7, President Denise DID ring the bell promptly at 7.  Invocation was led by star photographer, Michele McClure, flag salute was led by star actor, Craig Holland, and song dedicated to school return, “School Days,” was led by star mortgage brokers Mike and Shari George.  A BIG welcome back was issued to our wonderful Adoree Roberson, who was able to join us again.  Visiting Rotarians were Amy Smith from Twilight and Zane Smith from North, who will be introduced later as part of our program.  Dennis Scott introduced his wife, Fran, since they are celebrating their anniversary.
 
Club updates:
 
Denise gave a brief update on the Dodger game issue.  Due to problems with the bus and lack of time actually being at the game, the bus company has agreed to refund the total cost of the bus AND cost of tickets!  These credits will be issued to attending members in the form of monthly dues credit and non-members will receive a check.  Jeff Haynes reminded people that some of the cost went to purchasing the liquid refreshments on the bus, so the full price won’t be refunded. 
 
The results of the July monthly member satisfaction survey had a 61% response rate and a 59% satisfaction score.  According to Heather Ward, these results are fantastic!  The first suggestion that will be implemented is to have each visitor and/or club member bringing said visitor say what he/she does and for how long.  Speaking of new members, Tom Burke named members who have not yet signed his sheet, and those who were present saw Tom after the meeting to sign.
 
Michael O’Doherty had a brief Foundation moment mentioning how a Rotary Club in Duns, Scotland, is dedicating fundraising efforts to dementia.  They even have cafes in Scotland, one named Forget-Me-Not Café, where dementia/Alzheimer’s sufferers can meet.
 
There will be a meeting at Sandy Schwartz’s home for anyone interested in becoming District Governor.  Teresa Ramos is still looking for a job in the health care field.  Rotary Committee/Director pins were distributed to Pat Thompson, Dennis Scott, Will Duerksen, Adoree Roberson, and Michele McClure.
                                                                                                             
                                                                  
 
 
Program:
Sandra Quigley introduced Zane Smith, the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Kern County.  There are 63 locations, including one in Barstow.  He introduced us to Music Fusion, a group of Boys and Girls Club members, which was formed because there is more need for performing arts and community service for youth in our community.  They have performed for Honor Flight, Red Cross, Rotary, and will be going to Las Vegas to perform at Planet Hollywood.  He then introduced Frank Sierra and Jill Burdick, arranger and choreographer for the group.  The four attending Music Fusion members – Mackenzie, Charlotte, Jessie, and Logan – were introduced and performed several songs for us.  Several Motown hits, as well as some big 60’s hits were a big hit with the audience.  I think several of us “baby boomers” would have enjoyed singing and dancing along with the performers.  After the performance, Zane extended his invitation to visit the main B&G Club facility at 801 Niles Street for a tour.  His closing remark was, “People will come in and say, ‘I had no idea.’”
 
 
 
Happy Spots and Recognitions:
 
Since Neil Walker was in attendance, Denise was finally able to impose the fine she has been waiting to do.  He had been playing up the “great city of Atlanta” to Denise and her husband for 2 ½ years, even though Denise had been hoping for a great international destination for the conference for her presidential year.  She gave him the options to pay $50 for ½ year of no fines or $100 for 1 year of no fines.  Neil chose the latter and said he still has time to bring his lovely wife, Pam, to a meeting this month for their anniversary.
       
 
Cheryl Scott attended the Kern Economic Summit, but had no Rotary pin on in the picture that was in the Bakersfield Life magazine.  Her fine was $10.  Sister Judy was pictured in the same magazine as a representative of Sisters of Mercy for Dignity Health hospitals – again with no Rotary pin.  Her fine was also $10.  Mike and Shari George’s mortgage business had a mention in the magazine, but since the picture was taken pre-Rotary (according to Shari), the fine for Mike was only $5.  It was suggested that he get a new picture taken with his Rotary pin visible.
                                                                        
 
Dennis Scott and wife, Fran, returned from a trip to Scotland and Ireland, whose #1 export is whiskey.  He presented Denise with two small bottles of whiskey and was $10 happy.  Ron Nelms went to NYC and brought back miscellaneous tourist brochures and used beer cups, but some pretty flower magnets.  He was $20 happy.  Jackie Maxwell’s trip to Australia and Hawaii enabled her to bring Denise some spam-flavored macadamia nuts (like Jeff did last week).  Jackie, too, was $20 happy. 
 
 
Sandra Quigley will be $5 happy to NOT have something weird in the breakfast eggs next week.  Shari George visited some wineries in Napa and found one which had a frog as its “mascot,” so she brought Denise a frog yard ornament, but informed us that the wine was not very good at that winery.  Shari was $10 happy.  Last happy spot was Michele McClure who thanked Mike O’Doherty for the reference which enabled her  to obtain her new position at Pacific Western Bank.  She was $50 happy!                           
 
                     
 
 
 
Celebrations:
 
Club anniversaries:  Penny Fulton – 12 years; Craig Holland – 8 years; Ed O’Donnell – 3 years for his most recent return.
Wedding anniversaries:  Dennis and Fran Scott – 43 years; Neil and Pam Walker – 38 years.
Birthdays:  Jeff Bell, Pat Paggi, Carl Leech, ad Karen Bonano.  Since none of them was present, we didn’t have to sing.
 
Club announcements:
 
Teresa Waller and Heather Ward explained that sponsor packets for Wine, Place, and Show are available already.  If you want one, let Heather know so she can email it to you.
 
Dave Spalinger informed us that August’s service project will be buying shoes for 60 kids at the Seal Center.  He thinks the date will be the last Wednesday of August, but will clarify more specifics at a later date.
 
Shari George let us know that due to a grant, we have already been given $300 towards the October pancake breakfast!
 
Jeff Haynes reminded us that the next social is this Saturday at Bill Black’s cabin in Pine Mountain Club.  BBRC will provide the meat, but the rest of the food is member potluck – and BYOB.  It starts at 4, unless you want to attend the car show beforehand.  There will be a Tip-a-Cop meal at Black Angus in September whose recipient will be Special Olympics, the same recipient as our Wine, Place, and Show.
 
Teresa Ramos explained a bit about Kern YES – a one-day version of the annual RYLA activity for high school students.  She is the logistics co-chair, along with Ron White from East.  The date will be February 10 and volunteers and speakers are needed.  This is a collaboration with all Bakersfield Rotary Clubs.
 
Mike O’Doherty informed us that we are donating $1,200, along with Tehachapi and Ridgeview Rotary Clubs, to the Mexico orphanage that we have visited in past years.  Again, more information will be upcoming.
 
Denise thanked our greeters, John Guerard and Bobbi Hake.  She also put out the suggestion of wanting a contingent of members to assist in decorating the Rotary Rose Parade float.  Adoree won the 50/50 and Pete Leveroni won 250 Paul Harris points.  Meeting was adjourned at 8:05.