Rotary Club of Santa Monica

"2002/2003"

Rota-Monica

www.RotaryClubofSantaMonica.org 

Coming Our Way

Friday the 13th will have a positive connotation when Bruce Hoffman speaks to us on “One Year After 9/11”.  As an expert on terrorism and a Vice President for External Affairs of the RAND Washington DC office, Mr. Hoffman is renowned for his academic contributions to the study of political violence. His credentials include being the founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, Editor-in-Chief of Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, and a member of the advisory boards of both Terrorism and Political Violence and Global Networks: A Journal of Transnational Affairs.  His insights into the global condition and our role in it will be most valuable, no matter what the date.

An A+

Who else but Dr. Steven Sample, President of the University of Southern California, could capture the attention of 150 Rotarians and guests to teach them his life lessons?  His eloquence and sincerity left no doubt that he successfully executed his mission to transform USC (formerly considered to be the University of Second Choice) into one of the ‘players’…a viable force in the competitive university milieu, both private and public.  Dr. Sample’s focus to raise the bar resulted in an emphasis of quality over quantity at the risk of reducing student revenue; promoting the community to create safe streets and provide a good education so that the environs were enhanced; and espousing a “Breadth with Depth” program, which encouraged students to select disparate major and minor fields of study to broaden their intellectual and personal interests.  USC now enjoys a stellar reputation, enviable grade point average and SAT scores of incoming freshmen, and most important, a sense of pride in being a major influence in the development of our world’s future leaders.  Dr. Sample is clearly at the head of his class.

Heads Up

Lending distinction to the head table were the ever-gracious Judy Neveau to introduce guests, President Bill Crookston himself to introduce “the boss”, speaker Dr. Steven Sample, new member Charlie Follette, Gene Miller, an academic associate of Bill’s, and Hank Walther to give the invocation interspersed among remembrances of his ‘SC days.

Of Significance

The Paul Harris Celebration Ball, “Fairy Tales Do Come True, With Rotary”, will be held on November 2nd in the Conference Room at the new Cathedral Of Our Lady Of The Angels in downtown Los Angeles.  Reservations are coming in fast and furious, so make sure to get yours in now. The $75 per person fee includes a tour of the new Cathedral during the pre-dinner fellowship, silent auction, dinner, and dancing.  Silent auction items are needed: Use your contacts to donate art, trips, wine, restaurant certificates, ‘must-have clothing’, and the like. Pick up of large items can be arranged through George Methe at (818) 843-2410. Make dinner reservations through Laura Calderwood at (310) 538-2291. 

Speaking of Paul Harris Fellowships, help create new ones by replenishing the club’s matching dollar credits account. Last year we used all of the credits to assist 17 of our members to become Paul Harris Fellows, many of whom were able to do so because of the matching credit program. By filling out the recently-mailed ticket stubs for the Paul Harris Fellowship dinner and sending in your check, you will extend the potential for additional fellowships to be established. You can make a difference to our future now. What could be more worthwhile?

Rotary Foundation Benefactors are those special angels who donate urgently needed funds to keep this organization humming.  These benefactors are the backbone of Rotary who add to the endowment so that the interest it generates will insure our good works continue in perpetuity.  Well-deserved recognition was given to John Bohn, Jim Cayton, Hal Quigley, and Bill Hunt, who unselfishly helped guarantee our mission will thrive with their generous funding for international programs.

Rotary Foundation stands for Polio Eradication, World Peace Scholarships, Ambassadorial Scholarships, and Group Study Exchange.  A special Study The Foundation Program has been established to educate and enlighten District Rotarians on the tremendous accomplishments of the Rotary Foundation.  Reserve Saturday, September 28th, to hear Steve Brown, Past District Governor, at the Carson Hilton Hotel, from 8:00 AM until 12 noon. $17 includes breakfast and registration.  Call (310) 538-2299 to make your reservation.

Promoting the Rotary goal of advancing the cause of international peace can be achieved by participating in the newest International Service Program.  The Russian Leadership Program, now known as Open World, allows Russians at different political levels to observe American lifestyles and the political system.  Each Rotary club that participates in the program will host a team consisting of four delegates and one facilitator for eight nights in the homes of Rotarians.  Dates are still available in 2002 and 2003.  Call Scott Clifford at (626) 449-1882 for more information.

Eyesight is precious.  Rotary clubs in India are running an Eye Hospital in which 2000 patients annually undergo free IOL cataract surgery.  Urgently needed items are IOL lenses, sutures, medicines, and disposable surgical instruments.  The services of the surgeons are free.  Please look into the possibility of sponsoring this project to help poor and blind people in India.

Mammals come in different shapes and sizes. Help our aquatic friends by joining in the 18th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day.  It will be held on September 21st  from 9:00 AM until 12 Noon at Will Rogers State Beach at the end of Temescal.  Imagine how much your efforts will mean to marine life when you remove trash from inland and coastal waterways. You will be provided with trash bags, recycle bags, gloves, and instructions on how to conduct a safe cleanup.  Discounted parking is available. Call Tim Shannon at (310) 395-5778, or TshannonOD@aol.com.  Please.  This one counts.  And breathes.

The Southbay Master Chorale was the recipient of philanthropic Rotary Funds.  Allison Graff thanked our club for its generosity that enabled the harmonious group to perform more extensively, especially over the holiday season, to the delight of many in our community.

No one wants to be sick, but if you are, please remember that Reverend Joe Metoya is in charge of visitations to the ailing.  Contact him at (310) 393-4107, or e-mail at 1acts@msn.com, for notification of a Rotarian who could use some solace in the form of a good-wishes card or hospital visitation.

GARP, Games And Rotary Party, was a huge success last month.  Harris Levey reports that food, fun, and fellowship prevailed, with a ‘you-had-to-be-there’ experience when Bill Crookston was the bridge Dummy.  Nothing personal, I’m sure.  Ditto to Dick Rice, who undoubtedly already knows how to count to 52 at the bridge table. Many thanks to Tom Miskimen, Red Cross Director, for his gracious hospitality.

The Welcome Mat

Rotarians from far and wide joined us today.  Ken Ruskin, past District Governor from Jersey Club, New Jersey, and wife Ruth Ruskin were welcomed and exchanged flags. John Bovard Miron and Chris Bovard Miron from the Wilshire Club met new friends, and Petra Haffter from Berlin North acknowledged her Santa Monica brethren.

Rotarians brought the following guests (AKA Trojans) to the meeting:  Marianne Bakalyan, Bob Seldon, Allison Graff, Gale Miron, Danielle Graff, Kai-li Quigley, Kathleen Elder, Tony Cristiano, Bill Fritzche, Christina Zhang, David Guyette, Blair Green, Tom Given, Romina Rivan, Dean Koukos, Linda Tisherman, Michelle Schrader, and Eric Recce.

Fine Time

It’s possible that the only people who read Rough Notes, an insurance industry rag, are those in the business, but that didn’t save Ken Miller and Bill Aspinwall from being charged $200 each.  It’s cover and inside feature story on the duo were too much to ignore.

And Gene Miller was duped into sitting at the head table where he was fodder for the ‘SC machine…$250 was levied simply because of the power of association.

On The Agenda

To our Jewish Rotarians, L’Shana Tovah, Happy New Year.  May it be blessed and peaceful.

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