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ither the weather, maybe the lack of rain, or perhaps puzzlement over the starting prices for Super Bowl tickets featuring the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood going for a mere $6000 that was disappointing to many. The emotional level was a bit reserved during the morning’s meeting, which is unusual by club standards. But hey, the good news was that no one in our club is willing to part with that much money even if it is the Super Bowl. By the way, prime seating tickets are in the low $60,000 range.
ither the weather, maybe the lack of rain, or perhaps puzzlement over the starting prices for Super Bowl tickets featuring the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood going for a mere $6000 that was disappointing to many. The emotional level was a bit reserved during the morning’s meeting, which is unusual by club standards. But hey, the good news was that no one in our club is willing to part with that much money even if it is the Super Bowl. By the way, prime seating tickets are in the low $60,000 range.As a consolation, save your money and give it to Past President Mike O’Doherty who was strategically positioned near the front door to catch each member as he was selling squares to his Super Bowl pool board. Mike will surely have this pool board out next week. To increase your chances of winning, buy a couple squares! The prospect of winning will bring you enthusiasm and maybe some extra bucks in your pocket.
What’s better than one Schwartz? Two, of course, so to open our meeting Donna gave our invocation while husband Jeff followed with America’s Flag Salute. Carol Smith directed us in having us join her in singing a rendition of “My Country Tis’ of Thee”.
We had no visiting Rotarians, but we did have a visitor. The visitor Duncan Harris was a guest of President Jeff Haynes. Welcome Duncan! This shows me that The Prez is really confident at his skill level now when he is starting to bring his friends to our meetings. Keep it up!
Pete Leveroni who is never at a loss for words welcomed and introduced our featured speaker Kaelyn Peterson. Kaelyn is the Executive Vice President, and Public Affairs Director for the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce. Kaelyn, a Bakersfield native attended UCLA, and CSU Bakersfield. Having worked in the highly political city of Sacramento working with former Senator Jean Fuller, Kaelyn saw the good and bad of politics in action first hand. In 2018, Kaelyn returned to Bakersfield where she launched her career at the Chamber.
By the sound of her role at the Chamber, she most likely has her eye on a number of highly sensitive issues that affect business locally. She is certainly in the right place. Serving as, if I may say, as a watchdog, upon federal, state and local law and policy, Kaelyn is able to forecast what is potentially on the horizon for local business.
With a 
mission of the Chamber of “Building a Better Bakersfield”, Kaelyn and the Chamber are tasked with securing Bakersfield’s future in a very competitive climate. Competitive to what you say? According to Kaelyn, there are a number of issues, and or groups, that potentially threaten the business minded ideology of Bakersfield. Her presentation outlined what the highly awarded state and federally recognized Chamber was doing to create a better climate for growth for local business.
mission of the Chamber of “Building a Better Bakersfield”, Kaelyn and the Chamber are tasked with securing Bakersfield’s future in a very competitive climate. Competitive to what you say? According to Kaelyn, there are a number of issues, and or groups, that potentially threaten the business minded ideology of Bakersfield. Her presentation outlined what the highly awarded state and federally recognized Chamber was doing to create a better climate for growth for local business.A targeted approach to Chamber effectiveness according to Kaelyn includes effective advocacy and creating networking opportunities. How is that done you say? Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce actively partners with its members by scheduling a number of events throughout the year. As Breakfast Rotarians and business leaders, we have most likely attended some of these networking events. The annual Beautiful Bakersfield Awards, Economic Summit, State of the City, and Bakersfield Young Professionals are just a few of the Chambers renowned opportunities for business engagement.
Creating opportunities for business people to learn what is new on the business horizon are programs such as regular new business ribbon cuttings, labor law and human resources forums, and the Ambassador’s Committee. And where there is learning, there are opportunities that Kaelyn tells us help program participants to become better leaders. Such programs that provide leadership training are through Leadership Bakersfield, a 10-month commitment that is held to help a selected group of “local business leading students” with the tools to add new knowledge and skills to their individual vocations and professions. A high school version of the leadership program is also offered in a 4-month module.
What gets Kaelyn energized is what the Chamber does in respect to Policy and Public Affairs. With data collected from Bakersfield residents, Kaelyn said that the Chamber can make critical and accurate decisions of the needs of our community. Kaelyn provided the results of a most recent survey which asked Bakersfield residents what were its primary concerns. Needless to say, homelessness, jobs and public safety were on the top of the list. She said understanding these community needs is essential to protecting community interests. To further community interests, the Chamber dedicates active participation into their Political Action Committee (PAC) and Government Review Council. In active participation in these committees, the Chamber can identity, anticipate and influence policy in such a way that supports the desires of a pro-business Bakersfield.
Kaelyn states with emphasis that these are changing times. She is right, as anyone can see, that there are a number of emerging local groups that have an eye on “re-setting” how and what types of businesses are supported. She states the de-funding of the police is one of those emerging institutions that are of concern. Even though police are a public service, they are generally considered a supporter of those persons who have businesses and those that work at those businesses. Once funding for police is cut, there are issues that surface as to the security of existing business. Thus, it is the role of the Chamber to support, organize and promote the election of public officials that are pro-business minded, who keep a watchful eye on those that are not business supporters.
Promoting economic prosperity is a full-time job for Kaelyn and she knows it. It is displayed in a number of ways, especially during election time. For instance, the Chamber may elect to use polling data, voter outreach, digital ads, and even mailers to educate local voters on what issues the candidates stand for.
Programs such as the B3K Prosperity Program, is another glowing example of forward thinking of the staff at the Chamber. With a vision toward the future, the B3K program is focused towards identifying those best practices that will evolve into quality jobs and sustain of economic growth. For public and private business, 3BK organizers of the Chamber have teamed with the Brookings Institution who provide sound advice towards finding out which industries are best suited for Bakersfield to enhance business and job growth in the coming years.
Kaelyn is certainly the right person to lead the Chamber’s continued success of political and public policy oversight, and Bakersfield will be the better because of it. I urge to you that these are vital issues facing our community and having a Chamber that is “on top of their game” is becoming more of a rarity. We are fortunate to have Kaelyn and the leadership of Bakersfield Chamber, with a supporting cast of city council members, who share the business vision of the Chamber. To stay informed, or to become involved, visit the Chamber website at bakochamber.com . Better yet, if you are not a member, join and become one of the many members who are making Bakersfield a better place to work.
The Beacon Clue is what is the starting price for tickets to the Super Bowl next week.
**Announcements**
In the continuing series of President Jeff’s recognition of BBRC Past Presidents, we were introduced to Mr. Mike Kirkwood president 1989-90. Mr. Kirkwood spoke of his days as president with a fond recollection of his inaugural Rotary International Convention which was held in Seoul Korea. We thank you Mr. Kirkwood for your service to Rotary. Thank you for helping us during those early club beginnings set the standard for what this club has risen to over the years.
Speaking of standards, our own Carol Smith is the Gold Standard when it comes to her club participation and enthusiasm as our Songstress. This morning we recognized Carol for 23 years of Rotary membership. Congratulations!
President Jeff reminded us of Charter Night February 12th at Bakersfield Country Club. How exciting, we hope to see everyone there for a great program recognizing our club’s 40th birthday!
I have a suspicion that the upcoming Club Social set at Flying Flags RV Park in Buellton on March 11th through 13th is an event that those who attend will be glad they did. It’s not too late to join in! See President Jeff, or Sandra Parnell for details. S’mores anyone!
With an unusually quiet Wednesday morning crowd on hand, when The Prez asked members if anyone had Happy Spots, no one spoke up. Well, he did, and targeted William Gordon who was seen conducting a promotional video without his Rotary pin. With record sales in 2021 Team Gordon’s work is certainly noteworthy. But, not noteworthy was William’s absence of his pin. William’s sentence was not one, but two spins of The Prez’s dreaded Rotary wheel. William learned a hard lesson Wednesday morning losing $80 to the “wheel”, but he’ll be a better Rotarian for it. Oh, I didn’t see Pat Thompson stepping up this time to bail William out. Tee Hee.
Past President Mike O’Doherty wishes to express his gratitude towards all club members who have supported his efforts in donations to Kern Bridges. Mike has dedicated countless hours towards helping to make Kern Bridges successful. We are proud of Mike and his choice to volunteer at such a worthy program. To express his appreciation, Mike has offered Condor’s hockey tickets free of charge to any member who is interested. Hey here is an idea, if you know a group that would enjoy a night of hockey, like a youth group for instance, you might want to grab some tickets from Mike to offer to the group. Thanks Mike!
We had a raffle drawing, and the winner was Past President Ron Nelms. Speaking of Ron, I was among a number of you that purchased Ron’s published book a couple weeks ago. I am telling you, if you have not gotten your copy see Ron and request his book. The book, Putting Big Sticks by Little Sticks is filled with heartwarming nostalgia, innocence, growth and discovery which I am sure you would fully enjoy. Made for reading on a weekend morning with a cup of coffee, it will bring you laughter, tears and smiles. That Ron, this guy has got writing talent!
Follow the link to order the book by name on line; https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/putting-big-sticks-by-little-sticks-finding-my-path-as-a-land-surveyor_ronald-j-nelms
In Rotary,
Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer