At the time of this reading of The Beacon our annual Charter Night will be history, marking 40 years since beginning our club, we will have set a new vision for the next 40 years. Charter Night will have brought great celebration and cheers, jeers, laughs, and boasts of years gone by, maybe a tear. A new Rotarian of the Year will be crowned, and Past President Cheryl Scott will somehow find her way to the microphone, etc. etc., but I can guarantee you one thing, and that is our Breakfast Rotary club has accomplished much more than it’s founding members ever anticipated. That success is not attributed to any one person, but to members as a whole who make the dreams come alive.
As mentioned during this morning’s meeting, that in the course of service to others, we as promoters of Service Above Self, have benefited two-fold in the generous offerings of our time, money and energy. So
metimes those Rotarian efforts come at the cost of other obligations in our personal lives, yet at the end of the day, we our glad that we served as Rotarians. I am honored to be affiliated with members such as yourselves. I know you feel the same way too.
metimes those Rotarian efforts come at the cost of other obligations in our personal lives, yet at the end of the day, we our glad that we served as Rotarians. I am honored to be affiliated with members such as yourselves. I know you feel the same way too. We had Carol Smith do the heavy lifting as she charmed us with performing a well selected reading of wisdom and of receiving unanticipated gifts. Carol followed with America’s Pledge of Allegiance and then leading us in song. The Four Way Test was her choice. The song is a special motivating opportunity to set our daily intentions toward Rotary and in our endeavors.
You would think Michele McClure is competing with the rest of us by bring guests. Well, she is! Actually, we all get to compete as BBRC President Jeff Haynes and Membership Director Pat Thompson are challenging us to bring guests to our meeting through April 30th. There are some really tempting awards to win through the accumulation of points. Points are acquired, of course, by inviting someone to a morning meeting. Those that sponsor their guests in new membership will even earn bonus points. Michele officially collected 2 points this morning as Myrna Arias of Aegis Acquisitions was her guest. Welcome Myrna! Let the games begin.
There was no Pete Leveroni in the house, so none other than Cheryl Scott took the opportunity to introduce our featured speaker and her friend, Mindy Wilmot. Celebrating a three-year Breakfast Rotary membership, Mindy has made the days of her membership count in large ways. There have been a number of roles that Mindy has assumed since being a member and even w
inning the Rotarian of the Year Award last year. When Mindy is not doing somersaults for more Rotary chores, she serves the students at Bakersfield College as Dean o
f Students. A newly appointed position which the former librarian is perfectly suited for.
inning the Rotarian of the Year Award last year. When Mindy is not doing somersaults for more Rotary chores, she serves the students at Bakersfield College as Dean of Students. A newly appointed position which the former librarian is perfectly suited for.This morning, Mindy wanted to spread awareness of her mission as Chairman of the Peace Committee and the Peace Initiative. So, pull up a seat and find out what this is all about. Mindy tells us that by our very mission, we as Rotarians are Peace Builders, and since February is formally known as Peace Month, it is ever most important to be mindful of the concept of peace and how that plays out in so many platforms in our daily lives. If you were asked what peace means to you, and you cannot come up with an answer; Mindy gives peace a tagline…”Peace ensures justice for all in non-violent ways”.
Rotary’s history toward peace can be dated back to our humble club beginnings. During World War I, Rotary endeavors embraced the commitment toward peace recognizing its value toward humanity. In 1945, Rotary was one of only two non-profit organizations that were invited to actively participate in the formation of the United Nations, 1988 brought Rotary International Peace Forums and more recently, International Peace Centers and progress through Conflict Resolution Symposiums.
Mindy reports on a more local focus, our District 5240 has committed $25,000 towards Peace Centers and established the district as a Rotary Peace Builder District. There are a number of initiatives that stem from this mission including Rotary Peace Fellowships. These fellowships are awards given annually to worthy applicants who through their advanced college studys have pledged to pursue academic goals that embrace peace initiatives. The fellowship consists of a Master's d
egree and a Professional Development degree. Currently, our District has nominated two recipients to receive the esteemed award.
egree and a Professional Development degree. Currently, our District has nominated two recipients to receive the esteemed award.What I, and I am sure many of you found interesting is that there is actually a Global Peace Index. Mindy says, that based upon a number of calculators measuring topics of social violence, fear, poverty, human rights, injustice, and hopelessness, a determination can be made as to the level a specific country ranks on the index. For those that are counting, Iceland is the most peaceful country, while USA ranks #122.
The purpose of Mindy’s presentation is to provide awareness of the peace initiative as well as encourage our members to be participants in the peace process. The good news is that Breakfast Rotary is already demonstrating many of the tasks which a Rotary Club should be doing to become recognized as a Peace Builder Club. Those tasks include:
- Focusing on literacy
- Positive peace projects
- Renew commitment annually
- Addressing human needs
If you have been regular in attendance at Breakfast Rotary Club meetings in the last year you have heard a number of our speakers from the local schools to county administrative offices share the desperate needs of people, children particularly, living in Kern County. For that reason alone, we may just as well consider our club and members as strategically located in Bakersfield to address those people’s needs.
Here are some steps Mindy suggests we follow to join the Peace Movement;
- Join the Rotary Action Group for Peace (peace through service)
- Review current Rotary projects and sign up for Pillars for Peace
- Ask to join our club’s Peace Committee
- Become better educated about how you can participate
- Support Rotary International Peace Centers
In furtherance in our club’s efforts towards Peace Initiatives, Mindy assures us that coordinating action for such a needed community service, not only will there be lasting benefits to those served, we will be bringing hope to a world, community and to ourselves. Peace and harmony await.
Thank You Mindy for this inspiring presentation, for giving us a vision of what can be, and will be, if it is up to Rotarians. To learn more; https://www.rotary.org/en/our-causes/promoting-peace And the Beacon clue is that we are DARK next week!
**Announcements**
Happy Birthday members Harry Bryant and Teresa Waller. Harry was so bashful. He blushed as we sang the Happy Birthday song. Teresa who was not in attendance at the morning meeting was rumored to be planning for a very special birthday celebration herself!
We enjoyed old home week with Past President Pat Paggi who served as our club president 2010-2011. Pat offered us his pleasant memories of gratitude during his reign. It was good to see Pat even though it was through ZOOM. Thank you, Pat, for your service. You are missed.
Teresa Ramos-Alvarez will be serving as next year’s fundraising chair for Wine Place and Show. She expressed to us that it is not too early to reach out to persons that we all do business with to ask for their financial support towards our 2022 fundraiser. I think this is good idea. Getting the word out now helps to guarantee that companies will consider placing in their budget a donation for Wine Place and Show. Many businesses are developing their annual budgets now. Teresa said there will be perks and prizes to come for BBRC members who bring in the most corporate sponsors.
We fre
quently recognize a member to provide a business talk so that we can better understand what they do when we are not doing Rotary Stuff. Dave Perkins, the man behind the camera, was the chosen craftsman for the day. Dave owns and operates the critically acclaimed neighborhood monthly magazine Seven Oaks Living. In each issue, Dave is striving to unify neighborhoods, communication and commerce in a competitive high-profile market.
quently recognize a member to provide a business talk so that we can better understand what they do when we are not doing Rotary Stuff. Dave Perkins, the man behind the camera, was the chosen craftsman for the day. Dave owns and operates the critically acclaimed neighborhood monthly magazine Seven Oaks Living. In each issue, Dave is striving to unify neighborhoods, communication and commerce in a competitive high-profile market.Designed for a neighborhood that, let’s say, has wine and caviar spending trends, the magazine, features people that live, work, and grow around the community in which they live. It is for this reason that Dave touts that the success of the magazine is attributed to how his magazine specifically relates to the character of the people that reside in Seven Oaks. And bringing neighbors and business together is what Dave does in a most spectacular way. Dave adds that he is now behind a new monthly community magazine which will be available soon. The magazine will be called, Be Locale, which will be directed to a growing audience of Bakersfield newcomers. I know I love my monthly edition. Continued success Dave!
Carol Smith is all about celebration, and celebrating is happening next month at Flying Flags in Buellton. Carol is offering limited space to those Breakfast Rotarians joining the 30-plus members who will be attending the overnight weekend camping event. Carol is raising the stakes by organizing a wine and lunch engagement. My advice is to sign-up with her ASAP for a wine tasting experience Saturday, March 12th you’ll not soon forget.
President Jeff reminds us that this month’s Rotary Reach is Happy Jacks Burger. Located on the corner of Eye and 20th Street, Happy Jacks has been known as having one of the best lunch burgers and chili sizes you have ever had. And don’t forget to order your slice of homemade pie when you drop in.
We take a moment to express our condolences to member Athena Collup who has sustained the recent passings of her mother-in-law and brother-in-law. It is never easy, but as brothers and sisters in Breakfast Rotary, we stand with you, supporting you during this difficult time. We love our members and that love extends through to your family. Many of you knew Jared Collup who was the boyfriend of member Becky Brooks. Jared always lent a hand at our Thousand Flags event and dazzled us with creative Halloween costumes at Past President Jackie Maxwell’s parties. Bless you and yours.
Prez, never ever ask Bill Black what the Beacon clue is. Bill plays sheepish, but he always knows the answer. The answer was what is the starting price for Super Bowl tickets…$6000. Bill was The Prez first pick, so no money for The Prez’s coffers this morning.
Speaking of money, yes, we had a 50-50 drawing and none other than Sally Selby came away with a big payday!
In Rotary,
Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer