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The official weekly publication of
The Rotary Club of Bakersfield Breakfast
October 2, 2024
Wanted: Beacon Writers
 
Writers are needed for the Beacon! You would only need to write notes about the meeting once every two months.  How easy is that!  You can write what and however much you want! No pressure here!
 
Please let Beacon Editor Kay Pitts know of your interest.  KayPittsRotary@gmail.com; 661-332-4979
Rotary Helps - Disaster Relief Fund for Hurricane Victims
The following is from the Rotary International Director for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (Rotary Zone 33 & 34)
 
Message from Zones 33 & 34 Director Patrick Eakes:

Friends:
 
I appreciate your concern and prayers as communities across zones 33 and 34 try to survive the next few days before starting the long recovery following Hurricane Helene.
 
We have established a fund where those who would like to assist recovery efforts by making a donation can do so via online payment, mailed check, or wire transfer. Information to make a donation is at https://www.rizones33-34.org/disaster-relief/ . Our zones’ organization is a 501(c)(3), so donations are generally tax-deductible, although Beth would be very upset if I didn’t add the caveat that donors should check with their tax advisors. 
 
We are collecting these funds at a zones level. I will ask district leaders, in cooperation with club leaders, in the most affected areas to submit requests for funding to a group of seasoned leaders (many with significant disaster relief experience) who I will appoint. This group will make recommendations to me to approve grants that will support the efforts of volunteers by providing equipment, tools, storage, mobile storage, etc. Our hope is that our donations can amplify the efforts of volunteers, which seems like a solid Rotary type of approach. When we can, we will leverage district grants and RI disaster relief grants (if/when they become funded again) to further maximize our impact.

Thank you again for your many texts, phone calls, and caring about the residents affected by Helene. 

Patrick
 
 
 PDG Nick Frankle on The Rotary Foundation 
These notes barely cover what Nick shared with us.  I kept getting drawn into the stories about what The Rotary Foundation (TRF) does with our donations. While writing, it turned into a primer on TRF.
 
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. 
History: At the 1917 convention, outgoing Rotary president Arch Klumph proposed setting up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” That one idea, and an initial contribution of $26.50, set in motion a powerful force that has transformed millions of lives around the globe.
We’re not afraid to dream big and set bold goals. We began our fight against polio in 1979 with a project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines. Today, polio remains endemic in only two countries — down from 125 in 1988.
 
The Rotary Foundation Mission: The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
 
What impact can one donation have?
  • For as little as 60 cents, a child can be protected from polio.
  • $50 can provide clean water to help fight waterborne illness.
  • $500 can launch an antibullying campaign and create a safe environment for children.
When we contribute to The Rotary Foundation, we can select which fund we want the donation to go toAll of the following are eligible for Paul Harris recognition.
 
Annual Fund-Share– The Foundation holds the funds for three years, at that time half of the donations made by a district come back to that district as “District Designated Funds” (DDF); the other half goes to the World Fund. The World Fund is the primary funding source for global grants which support large international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary’s areas of focus.
 
Endowment-Share - The Foundation Endowment holds the funds for three years, at that time half of the donations made by a district come back to that district as “District Designated Funds” (DDF); the other half goes to the World Fund.
 
World Fund. You can also direct your contribution to the World Fund. This contribution is not included in a district's SHARE calculation and does not increase its DDF (District Designated Fund.)
One example of the great work the World Fund does is the Guatemala Literacy Project; a global grant provided textbooks, computer labs, teacher training, and scholarships to impoverished schools.
Annual Fund-Areas of Focus Funds. Annual Fund contributions that are directed to the Foundation's areas of focus count toward a club's annual giving goal and per capita giving calculations. This is not included in a district's SHARE calculation and does not increase its DDF.
 
PolioPlus Fund – Gates Foundation is matching 2:1 up to $50 M in match. Our district has a goal of $1,500 per club to polio plus.  Last year the average was over $2,000 per club.  The donations help Rotary reach every child with the polio vaccine. This is not included in a district's SHARE calculation and does not increase its DDF.
 
And there are more! The Rotary donation page has more information; https://my.rotary.org/en/donate
 
2023-2024 Grant Summary
All Rotary: $30 million awarded for 485 District Grants – small scale, short term projects.
In 2024-2025 our district (5240) has 59 clubs doing 63 programs for over $129,000.
All Rotary: $4 million for 105 Disaster Response Grants
All Rotary: $82 million awarded for 1,285 global grants. These grants are restricted to specific projects.
All Rotary: $2 million to 1 program of scale grant (this is a new grant category.)
World Polio Day - Let's Do It!
Six more cases of wild poliovirus caused paralysis confirmed this week—3 from Afghanistan and 3 from Pakistan and 4 positive environmental samples.
 
World Polio Day on 24 October is quickly approaching! Last year, 10% of Rotary and Rotaract clubs registered an event for World Polio Day. One of the goals this year for EPNCs is to increase the number of clubs in each region that participate in a World Polio Day activity by 5%.
 
To recognize World Polio Day here are some useful tools:
 
 
And please, please register your event at www.endpolio.org
Let’s show the world that Rotary’s commitment to polio eradication is stronger than ever by registering more events in 2024!
From Clare Monroe, PolioPlus senior engagement specialist
BBRC'ers Out and About
We had many happy people today that wanted to celebrate with their family of Rotary
 
Marlene Heise shared that she and Ben had a wonderful, honeymoon. The delay made it all the sweeter. She was also happy that she had time to spend at her cottage in Wisconsin this summer (yes, she is a cheesehead.)
 
Pat Thompson was celebrating that the second surgery on his shoulder was an outstanding success.  We’re looking forward to seeing you playing pickleball again.
Ron Nelms informed us that Bill Black is the newly elected President of the .  Congratulations and good luck Bill!  We will understand that you may have other commitments this year.
 
Bill Black prepared for his upcoming, very busy year by taking a break and on Danube cruise with his lovely wife Jan. It sounded like many of the members at the meeting almost all met up in Budapest and had a makeup meeting. President Dave received a gift of alcohol, I believe it was from Prague.
Art Salinas, one of the Budapest BBRC visitors, had a wonderful vacation in Central Europe. (I believe a cruise was also involved. President Dave received a gift of an alcoholic beverage. I believe it may have been Mozart.
 
Sandra Parnell reminded us of upcoming Scott Family Scholarship Dinner in memory of Darren Scott to be held on Sunday October 13 and is hosted by Cheryl Scott and family.  The focus of the scholarship is to help BC students who are planning for a career in construction. It looks like the BBQ (being held in the Scott Family Home) is full but you can still donate to the scholarship fund. Here is the link for
 
Char Vega attended a four-day conference on Longevity.  President Dave was the recipient of a conference water bottle.  Char said something about making sure he drinks water before, or at least with the alcohol gifts from the river cruisers.
 
8th Annual Ride For Polio!
Past District 5240 Governor, Sandi Schwartz is planning her 8th Annual Ride to Nowhere.  Please consider supporting Polio Plus through supporting Sandi on her ride.  Use the QR code to go to the "Raise for Rotary" web page. If you want the credit for a Paul Harris Fellowship you need to have a "MyRotary.org" log in. If you don't have one Carol E. Smith (altocarol311@yahoo.com), Kay Pitts (KayPittsRotary@gmail.com), or Mindy Wilmot (Mindy_wilmot@att.net.) can guide you to getting your Rotary login.
 
 
 
Upcoming Speakers
Oct 09, 2024 6:45 AM
Whatever she wants to share with us!
Oct 16, 2024 6:45 AM
Kern Emergency Services - Ready Kern
Oct 23, 2024 6:45 AM
Crisis Management
Oct 30, 2024 6:45 AM
City Serve
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Clothing for a St. Francis Parish Ministry
Oct. 09, 2024 – Nov. 20, 2024
 
BBRC Board Meeting
Oct. 15, 2024 5:30 p.m.
 
Party on the Patio!
Pyrenees Cafe
Oct. 23, 2024
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
 
District 5240 Conference
The Alex Madonna Expo Center
Oct. 25, 2024 5:30 p.m. –
Oct. 26, 2024 9:00 p.m.
 
Fireside Chat on Rotary Basics
The Pitts Home
Nov. 14, 2024
5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Heath Niemeyer
September 10
 
Sally Selby
September 11
 
Troy Fringer
September 17
 
Jackie Maxwell
September 27
 
David Lari
September 30
 
Anniversaries
Cory Pratt
Victoria
September 20
 
John Guerard
Susan Guerard
September 23
 
Shaun Kelly
Lieane Kelly
September 27
 
Denise Haynes
Scott Haynes
September 28
 
Meeting Duties
October 9, 2024
 
Greeter
Niemeyer, Heath
 
Greeter
O’Brien, Shannon
 
Invocation
Parnell, Sandra
 
Flag Salute
Pasek, MJ
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Perkins, David
 
October 16, 2024
 
Greeter
Potter, Bill
 
Greeter
Provencio, Robert
 
Invocation
Pitts, Kay
 
Flag Salute
Quarnberg, Kenneth
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Sanders, Marti
 
October 23, 2024
 
Greeter
Schwartz, Donna
 
Greeter
Schwartz, Jeffrey
 
Invocation
Selby, Sally
 
Flag Salute
Scott, Cheryl
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Scott, Dennis
 
October 30, 2024
 
Greeter
Singh, Bani
 
Greeter
Spalinger, David
 
Invocation
Tangeman, Scooter
 
Flag Salute
Walkover, Freddy
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Walker, Neil
 
November 6, 2024
 
Greeter
Pratt, Cory
 
Greeter
Wilmot, Mindy
 
Invocation
Vega, Char
 
Flag Salute
Turnipseed, Michael
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Wooldridge, Frank
 
November 13, 2024
 
Greeter
Baker, Stephanie
 
Greeter
Blunt, Darin
 
Invocation
Alexander, Jacque
 
Flag Salute
Ardron, Brenna
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Arias, Myrna
 
November 20, 2024
 
Greeter
Bonanno, Karen
 
Greeter
Bryan, Shane
 
Invocation
Black, Bill
 
Flag Salute
Bender, Dale
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Burke, Thomas
 
December 4, 2024
 
Greeter
Esparza, Art
 
Greeter
Fringer, Troy
 
Invocation
Desme, Greg
 
Flag Salute
Duerksen, Will
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Galvez, Anne
 
December 11, 2024
 
Greeter
Haynes, Denise
 
Greeter
Haynes, Jeffrey
 
Invocation
Harris, Duncan
 
Flag Salute
Gordon, Willie
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Guerard, John
 
December 18, 2024
 
Greeter
Maxwell, Jackie
 
Greeter
Nelms, Ron
 
Invocation
Henry, Jennifer
 
Flag Salute
Heise, Marlene
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
Kelly, Shaun
 
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If we lose hope and remain with pessimism, that is the greatest failure. So, in spite of difficulties, remain with optimism - Dalai Lama
Rotary Club of Bakersfield Breakfast
www.bbrc.org
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