There is no requirement to be a Rotarian president that you have to be fast on your feet, but when it comes to Breakfast Rotary, it is often a needed requirement. And whether it’s fast on your fee
t or fast talkin’, our club’s presidents have enjoyed a lengthy history of doing both. As an example, the mornings meeting got off to an irregular start as the planned speaker had to cancel. President Jeff Haynes wasted no time in assembling his Leadership Committee to prepare presentations to our membership that were informative as well as showing the capacity of our leadership to prepare quality presentations at the last minute. Great Job team!
t or fast talkin’, our club’s presidents have enjoyed a lengthy history of doing both. As an example, the mornings meeting got off to an irregular start as the planned speaker had to cancel. President Jeff Haynes wasted no time in assembling his Leadership Committee to prepare presentations to our membership that were informative as well as showing the capacity of our leadership to prepare quality presentations at the last minute. Great Job team!Michele McClure got the meeting off to a start by providing words of encouragement through unity in her Invocation. Bill “Baritone” 
Black led in the song department, subbing for Carol Smith. Bill led us all in singing God Bless America. With the complimenting voices of Carol and Bill, I am sure our club could win just one more award as District 5240’s Singing Rotary Club!
Black led in the song department, subbing for Carol Smith. Bill led us all in singing God Bless America. With the complimenting voices of Carol and Bill, I am sure our club could win just one more award as District 5240’s Singing Rotary Club!Birthday Rotarians were Past President Ron Nelms and Dennis Scott. Happy Birthday to you two mates! Celebrations extend to Mary Breckenridge who is recognized for another club anniversary.
President Jeff urges prayers to our own Teresa Ramos as she is undergoing a knee replacement. Teresa, please let us know if you could use a helping hand while on the mend. We are happy to be available to you to aid in your recovery.
The Program - Club Assembly
As our leadership team took the podium, I would like to thank them for stepping up to successfully lead our club. The successes we enjoy as a club are due to a large part, to the quality of leaders we have been blessed with over the years. The membership thanks you from the bottom of our heart for doing so much heavy lifting for us.
Past President Dave Spalinger stepping in for the ailing President-Elect Karen Bonanno, took the podium to report Charter Night is quickly approaching. February 12th at 6pm the Bakersfield Country Club will open its doors to provide some of the city’s finest cuisine to commemorate our 40th club anniversary. This no doubt will be a stellar event that one and all members, and guests should be anticipating. Thanks Dave for filling in!
Awards Chair Stephanie Baker told us that on March 19, 2022 Rotary Leadership training will be held locally. There is great value in attending the annual trainings whether you are in leadership positions or not, as they help all attendees learn the fine points of what a successful District 5240 club looks like. That would be us by the way! Training further provides knowledge for the Rotarian so that membership can be that much more of a special experience. Check it out!
Past President Kay Pitts, our Web Administrator, manages much of our club promotion through technology. Including our website and your weekly newsletter, Kay shared the new addition of our very own club app, called Club Runner. “But where is it?”, Kay calls out. With silence from the membership, she replies, “It’s on your phone!” We now know that at the tip of your finger, “on your phone!”, you can access everything from the club roster, to your club attendance and to District 5240 news. Now, I would say that is good news for all members, so that with convenience you can find answers to your club inquires whenever and wherever you are…”On your phone!”. Go to the App Store to upload the app. Don’t you dare ask what street the App Store is on!
Club Treasurer, David Lari reported our club’s financial fitness. From what David reported, it sounds like we are in good shape! President elect Karen will be happy to know that she will be starting her role later this year, when she becomes club president, on pretty good footing. David reported that through the virtue of a successful Wine, Place and Show fundraiser our foundation budget has been met for the year, and we are now enjoying revenue up $6000 from last year. David urged all members to stay on top of membership dues by staying current with payments. He said that he is capable of taking credit card payment information over the phone now which will be most convenient for you.
David also is submitting solicitations for interested members to assume the treasurer role for the club for the 2022 – 2023 year. He states that the role is actually simple taking just an hour weekly of his time and urges those interested to reach out to him for a short BBRC financial instructional. The Beacon Clue is, which BBRC leader is seeking a member to replace him in what role during Karen Bonanno’s term.
Club
Service Director Sandra Parnell is in the perfect role serving up to our club members fun activities that help us take the stress from our busy vocations and making Rotary membership fun. She inquired if there is any interest in holding a Super Bowl party so close after Charter Night February 12th. If there is interest, she asks members to see her and she would be happy to help coordinate the annual football gala.
Service Director Sandra Parnell is in the perfect role serving up to our club members fun activities that help us take the stress from our busy vocations and making Rotary membership fun. She inquired if there is any interest in holding a Super Bowl party so close after Charter Night February 12th. If there is interest, she asks members to see her and she would be happy to help coordinate the annual football gala.Moving ahead to the month of March, the camping social slated in Buellton at Flying Flags is full steam ahead. With or without campers, you are welcome to join in the fun, Sandra says. She said there are tent cabins available and a nearby hotel for those that prefer room service during your stay.
In April, the Paso Robles Field of Lights exhibit will be our next social to place on your activities calendar. Of course, as in all club activities, see Sandra so that she can get an accurate count of prospective attendees for each event.
Coming to us through ZOOM, Past President Denise Haynes reiterated what David Lari told us about the optimistic state of our budget. As our Fundraising Chair, Denise reminded us that Memorial Day weekend, the club will be holding our award winning Thousand Flags presentation. Yes, this is a club fundraiser too, which comes with a special meaning in memoriam to those who sacrificed for our freedoms.
Compliments and Kudos to Foundation Treasurer Mindy Wilmot who oversaw the bookkeeping related to WPS as well. It was noted that most of our revenue for WPS was driven through our successful sponsorships and auctions.
Membership Director Pat Thompson reports the ups and downs of his role. At this juncture, Pat said we are up 1 member with the addition of new members Javier Reyes and Cameron Cerda last week. Pat also calls for a future new member Fireside Chat meeting to be held to acquaint all our new members to the nuances, not the nuisances, of our club. And that meeting is something we can look forward to.
Pat also challenges our leadership to inspire members to bring guests for prospective membership. This could be done by incentivizing those that participate.
Youth Services Director Donna Schwartz re-wrote the chapter of giving club assembly presentations this morning with her first-class PowerPoint. Highlighting activities at Golden Valley High School, it seems Donna and campus representative Honorary Member Jennifer Yamaguchi are doing a fabulous job getting students to take Interact club ownership and leadership to the next level through their involvement.
During the Christmas season, the Interactors engaged in a number of activities that addressed much needed services to a number of families. Coat shopping for students at Rafer Johnson School and wrapping of gifts for selected children involved with Kern Bridges, which BBRC sponsored, was a much-needed contribution of time and effort. Donna said the GVHS Interactor students also jumped into a Fall wall painting event organized by Past President Mike O’Doherty at Kern Bridges. The students made our last Thousand Flags event go off successfully too, by donating their youth, and muscles to complete needed physical tasks at Riverwalk Park.
Past Presi
dent Mike O’Doherty serves with distinction as our International Services Director. Mike tells us that since 1985 Rotary International has taken on the task of reducing outbreaks of polio worldwide. With the exception of the countries Afghanistan and Pakistan, all countries have eliminated polio. Nigeria continues to work hard to maintain their polio-free designation. With Rotary International’s commitment and world focus, Rotary has achieved great success in battling the dreaded crippling disease.
dent Mike O’Doherty serves with distinction as our International Services Director. Mike tells us that since 1985 Rotary International has taken on the task of reducing outbreaks of polio worldwide. With the exception of the countries Afghanistan and Pakistan, all countries have eliminated polio. Nigeria continues to work hard to maintain their polio-free designation. With Rotary International’s commitment and world focus, Rotary has achieved great success in battling the dreaded crippling disease.
You have probably heard the title Polio Plus if you have been in Rotary for any time. Mike says that the “Plus” signifies that coupled with polio eradication in inflicted countries, Rotary has included the “Plus” in its title, which may consist of any number of additional services such as, fresh water delivery systems in needy 3rd world communities that Rotary chooses to aid. So now you know when you hear Polio Plus, you know there is even more going on for people in need than polio eradication alone. Mike calls for members to consider dedicating $100 of their annual Rotary International donation to Polio Plus.
Our Peace Chair Mindy Wilmot reports the Peace Pole project at Bakersfield College has been such a success that calls for additional Peace Poles have been requested. With the popularity of the poles, so goes the purpose of what they represent. From these beginnings, Mindy told us there are efforts for our club to acquire the distinction of being a Rotary Peace Club.
Again, thank you leadership for all of the good news you bring and your nifty presentations that make us all awfully darn proud to be a part of this club of fine men and women!
President Jeff took advantage of the moment to perform a Beacon check to see how many read last week’s edition. If this week is anything like last week, The Prez is likely to bring in a lot of buck-a-roos from fines for members who did not read the Beacon. I just call it extra fine-age. After calling on just a couple members who answered incorrectly, some emboldened members began to shout out they knew the answer to the clue. The Prez carefully navigated through the over-anxious members to turn to new member Cameron Cerda. Cameron did not know the answer and was aptly fined $10 bucks. In an act of sacrifice, Pat Thompson gallantly stood up announcing that no new member should have to endure the penalty of a fine on his first outing. And with that Pat volunteered to pay Cameron’s fine. Pat is the epitome of a true membership director.
Guests from S
oul Masters Toastmasters Club, the well-acclaimed organization that provides opportunities for growth for young and old, professionals and non-professionals that desire to become better orators joined us for the meeting. Guests Deborah Goaldman and Ben Swihart. visited with us to invite any interested member of our club to attend a 4-week speech craft training. The four sessions will be held Fridays from noon to 1 pm. at the Beale Library on Truxtun Avenue beginning in February. For more detail and registration call Deborah at (661) 742-9041.
oul Masters Toastmasters Club, the well-acclaimed organization that provides opportunities for growth for young and old, professionals and non-professionals that desire to become better orators joined us for the meeting. Guests Deborah Goaldman and Ben Swihart. visited with us to invite any interested member of our club to attend a 4-week speech craft training. The four sessions will be held Fridays from noon to 1 pm. at the Beale Library on Truxtun Avenue beginning in February. For more detail and registration call Deborah at (661) 742-9041.
Our only Happy Spot was given by John Guerard who, with his wife traveled to Las Vegas for a little R and R. Staying in the Trump Tower, John presented a little gift from the hotel. The gift was small, but from where I was seated it looked like a shot glass, I dunno…maybe it was a sipper cup for The Prez’s industrial proof peanut butter and jelly concoction.
We did in fact have a raffle and our winner was “Darling Dave” Spalinger who became $32 dollars richer.
In Rotary,
Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer