Rotary Club of Santa Monica

Vocational Services Committees

Jim Menzies, Director

COMMITTEE OBJECTIVES 

The Vocational Service Committees are the direct link between Rotary and the community of Santa Monica through its recognition of the outstanding youth and adults who make or desire to make a contribution to our society by maintaining the desire to serve or care for others. Highlights include our own members (Craft Talks), our area’s outstanding employees and volunteers (Public Service Recognition and Administrative Assistant’s Day), and our exciting Functional Literacy program.  

A.        FOUR-WAY TEST ESSAY-SPEECH CONTEST (High School Students) - Dee Menzies 

            The 4-Way Test Essay Contest is held each spring.  Eighth graders from Santa Monica schools are invited to write an essay discussing the 4-Way Test.  All winners are invited to join the Rotary Club for lunch where the first prize winners read their essays.  Prizes are awarded to the winners. 

B.            PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION DAY - Paul Gaulke 

            Public Service Recognition Day is established by our Rotary Club to honor the outstanding Police Officer, Firefighter, Teacher, and Citizen Volunteers of our community.  The Police Chief, Fire Chief and School Superintendent introduce and acknowledge the accomplishments of their respective honorees.  Certificates are presented and the recipients accept with remarks outlining their goals and service to our community.  Career Days has afforded Santa Monica High School students the opportunity to visit a Rotarian’s place of business to experience “Rotary in Action” in the workplace after which they are invited to attend one of our Rotary Meetings.  This program encourages students to strive for excellence and continue their educational pursuits. 

C.        GIVE OF YOURSELF - Carol Jackson

            Make the Club members aware of the vital importance of organ and tissue donation as a community and national service.  Educate members through literature and presentations to the Club. 

D.        HOST / HOSTESS DINNER  - David Bohn / Jim Westbrook 

            To increase participation of new and older members, a series of four dinners in which spouses and guests participate are held.   Each participant will host a dinner and attend three others.  The object of this program is to promote friendship, fellowship, and an opportunity for spousal involvement with Rotarians. 

E.            SECRETARY/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S DAY - Diane Margolin 

            The honoring of Secretaries and Administrative Assistants of Rotarians at a special luncheon is the theme of this project.  A special program appropriate to the interests of those honored will be given.  Door prizes, raffle, favors for guests, and decorations donated by the community businesses are the theme for this event in April during National Secretaries Week. 

G.            THANKSGIVING DINNERS FOR OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT - Spyros Dellaportas / Allan Young 

            Our Club extends its appreciation to the men and women of the Santa Monica Police Department who are present in our community to serve and protect on a holiday where most residents are sharing Thanksgiving with their families.  It is an honor to provide a complete Thanksgiving Dinner, with all the trimmings, on this special day at the police station for those who are working. 

H.        CRAFT TALKS - Hank Walther 

            Introductions and “Craft Talks” have always provided the best material for our Rotary Meetings.  Not only does this provide recognition of new members but it builds the bonds and connections, which integrate the members into the Club.  New members are scheduled to speak at our luncheon programs about themselves, their families and their occupations, past and present.   Many times we ask long-standing Club Members to “reintroduce” themselves and present a more current approach to the original Craft Talk.

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