It’s Wednesday morning, May 6^tht.  And you know what that means!  Yep, Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club has gathered for their weekly meeting, and this is The Beacon where you can read all about it! 

Our greeters today were Ken Quarnberg and John Guerard, Invocation was led Troy Fringer, Flag Salute by Willie Gordon, and Carol Smith led us in the Rotary 4 way test song.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the meeting, members also took time to address important club business, including a vote on the proposed revisions to our bylaws. After discussion, one additional change was made to adjust the frequency of financial reviews, with the group agreeing that conducting an outside review every three years was a more practical approach given the approximate $7,000 cost. A motion to approve the revised bylaws was made and seconded, and the measure passed with a majority vote of the 37 members in attendance.

Our May 6th Rotary breakfast gave us a great look at this year’s leadership camp, where students from Golden Valley High spent the week building skills in leadership, teamwork, public speaking, and character. Days started early with optional yoga or jogging, followed by a flag salute and breakfast together. Students lived in cabins and worked in color groups, creating strong connections through team chants and shared activities while rotating through a variety of workshops.

Much of the learning came through hands-on challenges that emphasized communication and trust—everything from obstacle relays to blindfolded team exercises and a ropes course. Workshops helped students understand different leadership styles, practice public speaking, and even explore wellness through “healthy mind, healthy body” sessions. One especially impactful class focused on diversity and personal sharing, which helped deepen connections within the group.

The week also included community service projects and strong mentorship from Rotarian volunteers. A keynote speaker encouraged students to aim high while recognizing that progress itself is a success. Overall, the experience clearly left a lasting impression, giving students both practical skills and a boost in confidence.

 

         

Happy dollars were in full swing as members shared recent highlights and milestones. Neil Walker reported on his cruise to the British Isles and presented Queen Jackie with a “Maxwell” magnet, contributing $50 in celebration. Teresa Waller also brought back a refrigerator magnet and a tin of chocolate covered nuts for the Queen following her travels to West Virginia and Kentucky, along with a $50 happy for the endowment. David Lari proudly shared that his granddaughter graduated magna cum laude from Pepperdine. In addition, the recent “Best of Bakersfield” awards brought several honorees in the room to their feet, as Queen Jackie recognized their achievements—and made sure fines were issued to match the occasion.

 

Denise Hanes shared an encouraging update on Thousand Flags, noting that preparations are nearly complete with just a few remaining volunteer spots to fill at the Information Booth. She encouraged members to support the event by purchasing Salty’s BBQ tickets—priced at $20 for adults and $10 for children—with a goal of selling 400 adult and 100 children’s tickets. The concert itself is free and will run a bit earlier this year, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., with improvements including better stage orientation out of the sun. Entertainment will feature the Kern County Bagpipes and Studio-O-Rhythm, promising a great evening for the community.

 

 

 

Next week’s program will be our very own Jeff Bell who will talk with us about the BBRF Endowment Fund.   

 

See you all next Wednesday.