Hooray, Breakfast Rotarians! You are all so willing to come out on a typically cold and dreary January morning for some warm fellowship with friends! Bravo!
Greeters for the morning were David Lari and Jeff Schwartz; Marti Sanders led the invocation; Sally Selby led the flag salute; and Robert Provencio led everyone in the 4-Way Test song.
We had no visiting Rotarians and no visitors.
Program: Kern County Probation Chief Bill Dickinson
Such an excellent presentation by Chief Dickinson, who explained to the club the many responsibilities for his 674-member team. First and foremost, he explained that the department approaches work with youth and adult offenders with a “coach, not a referee” mindset.
Much of the department’s work is done with juveniles in the County’s three youth facilities: Juvenile Hall, Kern Crossroads, and Camp Irwin Owen. Did you know youth offenders stay in the probation system throughout their sentences? That means the department is responsible for these offenders, sometimes until they are in their 20s. And, of course, the department also provides supervision to adult offenders as well. All this is funded with a $126 million budget, only 26% of which comes from the County. The remainder comes from approximately 40 different funding streams.
Notably, just 20% of those going through the probation system are later found guilty of another offense.
Happy Spots
Ron Nelms went to Iowa last weekend to conduct a workshop for fellow land surveyors. The event was canceled due to snow when Ron was already well into his trip, so he said, “What the heck,” and continued to Des Moines anyway. There, he saw Jerry and Robin Starr and enjoyed some balmy minus-8-degree temps. He brought back a slightly used Iowa Hawkeye blanket for President Pat. (Psst: Be sure to wash that blanket, Pat.) Ron was $28 happy.
Bill Black brought some goodies from Ventura, including the best beer he’s had (NOT slightly used…see how that works, Ron?) and a cap. Bill was $20 happy.
Old Happy Spots/Fines
In the spirit of better late than never, President Pat acknowledged that Willie Gordon had a blatant advertising banner in the Seven Oaks restaurant when we met there last year. Even though President Pat was going to let it slide, Willie donated $20! Following suit, Harry Bryant was called out for missing his Flag Salute duties a while back (although he said he recited it at home), and he ALSO donated $20.
Fraud Update
President Pat explained that BBRC was the victim of fraud in November, with $12,888 being taken from our account by (hopefully) one of Chief Dickinson’s future customers. The good news is that, after some teamwork by Frank Wooldridge, our Pres, Erik Bautista, and others, Pacific Western Bank restored our account to its original balance. Great work, team!
Finally…
We are DARK next wee
k. Go to the gym, people! 
(Or sleep in.)
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