the generators june 2011
DESCRIPTION
Monthly newsletter from Rotary District 5280 (Los Angeles area)TRANSCRIPT
JUNE 2011
03 Southwest LA chartered in 1939
04 Rancho Park chartered in 1985
07 Palos Verdes Sunset chartered in 1989
09 Wilshire chartered in 1932
11 District Assembly
20 El Segundo chartered in 1952
24 Westwood Village chartered in 1929
JULY 2011
01 The next Governor takes office, 46
new presidents lead their clubs and
another cycle begins
June is Rotary Fellowships Month
Who Does What? Flyers, maps, details and e-mail addresses
are all on the district website. www.Rotary5280.org
• RYLA: Elyse Beardsley and Joe Harding
• New Generations: Jaimee Sul and Olivia Patterson
• ShelterBox: Jim Dyer
• End Polio Now: Shirley Giltzow
Sponsored by the Culver City Club, the Rancho Park Club was chartered on June 4, 1985. In this photo from the club’s inaugura-
tion: (standing left to right) 1985-86 Culver City Club President Larry Knowles, Bruce Jagger and Club Charter President Parviz
Mehdizadeh. Seated is 1985-86 District Governor Dennis Benko and his wife Sylvia. Parviz has the best attendance record to date
in the Ranch Park Club.
Cover Photo: Beverly Hills Club President Joe Bryant and his
gal pal Sandi Richlin relaxing at the District Conference in
Indian Wells. Photo by Gidas Peteris.
The next time a District Governor asks you to
take a job for which you have no interest and
no desire, say “Yes.” You’ll be amazed how
much you learn and it’s all over in a flash.
You live only once so try everything. Thanks,
Doug, for the opportunity.
W e’ll get to the million in a
bit, but first let’s recap the
year and offer some gratitude.
It started with a Marc Leeka-produced
Star Wars video and came to a close with
the Aliyah Levin production of our Dis-
trict conference promotion video. We went
from outer space to the desert with a whole
lot in between!
The year got off to a great start because of
the wonderful support and communication
from Immediate PDG Susanne
Sundberg who made sure I was aware
and ready when the appropriate time came to
begin various aspects of the new Rotary year.
Kathleen Terry and SP Andrade
taught the Presidents at PETS while allowing
for some golf, candy and beads, striking the
note that while we were going to take our
responsibilities as Rotarians very seriously,
we were also going to have some fun along
the way. They also led the charge at our
Assembly where the District as a whole got a
taste of the 2010/2011 spirit. They must
have done the job, because this year, by the
estimates of many, we saw an unusually high
percentage of really outstanding club Presi-
dents. It has been an honor to work with you
all.
It was all about the clubs this year. Thirteen
Assistant Governors, SAG Val Velasco,
Jim Beardsley, Tom Blair, Jerry
Brown, Roger Civalleri, Andrea
Clark, Darren Dunaway, Glenn
Mitchell, Linton Morgan, Sam
Pirnazar, Jatinder Singh, Don
Reeves and DJ Sun did a wonderful job
of bridging the lines of communication be-
tween the District and the Clubs sending the
message that it is not “them and us,” but “all
of us.”
Communication is key, especially if you want
to stay in touch and save a rain forest or
two! Without question we had one of the best
District Newsletters in the Rotary world
thanks to the diligent efforts of Marc
Leeka. Our website took on a new fresh
look thanks to Bill Paul and our Website
& Communications Director Tori Het-
tinger. There’s more about Tori later. Bill’s
better two-thirds, Colette Paul also de-
signed, edited and assembled our Leadership
Directory.
M embership efforts changed
somewhat, not so much a
result of SAG Dean
Reuter’s quirky, yet somehow lovable per-
sonality, but by his emphasis of retaining
members and not increasing numbers by
dragging just anyone into joining! He was
assisted in this effort by Audrie Echno,
Tori Hettinger, Marc Leeka and
Lindsay Walker. The results were there
as the majority of our clubs maintained their
membership count. One added reason for this
may have been the emphasis of making
clubs relevant in our communities through
active, visible projects.
SAG Helene Pizzini worked hard to
promote the idea that being seen, sweating
together and building better communities
would also build better clubs. Our Rotary
Community Alliance (one of the secret treas-
ures of this District) was chaired by Ger-
ardo Jaramillo. I’ll run the risk of having
him teased by his fellow members by de-
scribing him as he is: a sweetheart of a man!
Connie and I logged one of our best Rotary
days this year driving around on Rotary Cares
Day visiting as many projects as we could.
Mindy Stogsdill, thank you as the over-
whelming majority of our clubs were on the
(continued on next page)
Governor Doug’s Message
ALMOST A MILLION!
streets that day, visible, sweating doing some
good while having a lot of fun.
R etaining membership plus an
emphasis on creating new clubs
was a goal within our New Gen-
erations Avenue of Service. SAG Jaimee
Sul led the charge with the enthusiasm of a
cheerleader assisted by Olivia Patter-
son, our Youth Advisor (and often the voice
of calm in a stormy sea), Robert Ryans,
Tom Willowby and Maren Clifford
the Interact and Rotaract Advisors. Cara
de Freitas Bart, a pickle loving, Califor-
nia bagel hater who makes the Energizer
Bunny seem motionless in comparison, put
together an effort that added nine new Inter-
act Clubs plus two Youthact, increased dra-
matically the attendance at the annual Dis-
trict symposium and a whole lot more in her
role as Interact Governor, assisted certainly
by a cast of dozens. Rotaract Governors
Cheryl Wong and Sergei Belokon-
nyi coordinated an effort that saw, as a
small sampling of total results, a very mean-
ingful project in the Dominican Republic, a
grant with a Club in Brazil, fellowship and of
course sending the message loud and clear
at our last District Breakfast that they are us,
we are one in the same.
We recognized the talent of our youth with
our Speech, Music and Art contests.
SAG Ray Brown called upon
Jim Boltinghouse, Benedikt
Brydern and Diane Davis to
put together each competition with the
results again being truly impressive. Joe
Zarrahy, another one of those great guys
who often quietly serve (although quiet is
foreign to him), put together a Literacy
Breakfast that showcased the adult literacy
programs in most local libraries and how we
could be part of teaching adults and children
basic reading and math skills. I’ll never forget
the Grandmother who finally came clean
about her inability to read only because her
grandchild wanted “Grammy” to read to her.
It was a secret she managed to keep
throughout her life, from her teachers, hus-
band and children. She learned to read at the
Beverly Hills library, being taught by volun-
teers.
A nother goal involving New Genera-
tions was to increase the number
of future leaders attending RYLA,
a goal achieved as over 200 registered: the
largest amount ever! RYLA Chairs Elyse
Beardsley and Joe Harding, who
together can probably match Cara in energy,
did it again with an outstanding weekend that
truly creates a change in attitude for so
many that attend.
Shortly after the year started we had our
annual beach picnic and boat race. The place
was packed with hundreds of Rotarians, a
flotilla of cardboard boats and a whole lot of
fellowship. Wendy Clifford was the right
choice to put this together, having been
asked by SAG Doug Wilson who coordi-
nated this and our President Dinner’s this
year. (continued on next page)
Governor Doug’s Message
Governor Doug didn’t hesitate to throw aside his jacket and tie
when it came time to inspire young people. He appeared as the
End Polio Now Teletubbie at the District Music Contest, where
he belted out “Feelings” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
We spent some time and made some friends
in the Dominican Republic. SAG Elsa Gill-
ham, Arturo Velsaquez and Amy
Worthington put together a journey that
had it all, from more than a dozen hands-on
projects to carnival. A special thanks to
Sandy Velasquez, Arturo’s wife who
actually did all the work for him. There really
can’t be a better way to feel the beat of the
Rotary heart than to be part of one of these
trips.
B ehind the scenes every year there
are terrific professionals who
guide us in many areas. PDG
Scot Clifford served as our legal coun-
sel, Alex Lopez as our Insurance Advisor,
PDG Susanne Sundberg chaired our
Policy & Guidelines committee as well as the
Finance committee. All of this coordinated by
SAG Jerrie Heslov who is also owed a
big bucket of gratitude for getting our Youth
Protection Policy off the ground as well.
Serving again and for the last year, PDG
Dennis Benko did his usual outstanding
job in being a steward of our funds.
All of these people and almost a million dol-
lars to boot! I’ll explain soon.
Any District Governor worth their salt (and
whatever does that mean?) should have the
wisdom to surround themselves with experi-
ence and counsel. PDG’s Pat Cashin,
Rick Mendoza, David Moyers,
Dennis Benko and the poor guy that
got me as an Executive Aide, Chuck
Anderson, were among those that were
there for me to vent, ask and accept their
scolding, all to build a better organization.
We tried some different things. Your positive
support of all of them was loud and appreci-
ated! True, there were some glitches along
the way but trying something different can
never be a bad idea. Either you learn, or the
change works, either way a positive thing.
We are choked by too many who have said
too long “we’ve always done it this way”.
Awards and recognition were chaired
by Christina Chan who dis-
played remarkable calm while we
implemented a more “green” ap-
proach in reducing paper wherever
we could. It was a thrill for me in
not knowing any award winner until
the time they were presented at the
conference!
S peaking of the confer-
ence, some changes were
tossed into it, resulting in
several people threatening to file
claims for excess tissues used while
we listened to stories of those who
benefitted from Rotary. The first
story came from conference chair
and PDG John Colville who lead a rather
small committee of Jaimee Sul and Ro-
tarian of the Year Veronica Martinez.
They met twice. They drove me to the brink
of total insanity and doggone it, they got the
job done. A great weekend it was! About 450
of us heard some wonderful stories, shared
time at the resort and by and large (and
again, what does this one mean?) left us
feeling just a tad bit more proud of who we
are and what we accomplish, all the while
enhancing our own lives as a result.
Veronica also chaired the Paul Harris
Foundation Celebration at the House of Blues.
(continued on next page)
Governor Doug’s Message
Governor Doug never missed a beat when raising money for The Rotary
Foundation. A mean tango before an audience of millions landed Doug
a runner-up place on “Dancing With the Stars,” neatly slipping past the
third place team of Ray Klinginsmith and John Germ.
We awarded four Ambassadorial Scholarships
to the tune of $25,000 each, with David
Boochever coordinating all things with
our scholars. Earl Vaughn was in charge
of our Group Study Exchange program this
year, and Rosacruz Falla led our group
to Bangladesh. We were treated to a fine
group of representatives from that country
while they, in turn, saw about the best we
have to offer in our young professionals with
the team that went there. A better world
through better understanding of one another;
this is one great way to get that done!
We had three District Breakfasts this year,
spotlighting the work of Fr. Greg Boyle and
our own youth. Pat Bennett chaired
these, kept us on time through a variety of
methods and gave us some fun, informative
and inspiring events.
Consistency breeds comfort and both are
important to any organization and to us, no
one provides the consistency, caring and
professionalism as Leon Bodnar a man
who does so much and demands, that’s right,
he demands, little recognition.
We’ll have memories to revisit for years to
come thanks to Richard Thompson,
Linton Morgan, Gidas Peteris,
Peter More, PDG Rick Mendoza
and others who snapped thousands of pic-
tures here and in the Dominican Republic.
Shirley Giltzow who looks darn cute in
Dodger Blue really did the job with our Polio
challenge, and Astrid Naviaux did a
stellar job with our Paul Harris Society ef-
forts.
Our DRFC (District Rotary Foundation Chair)
is PDG Rick Mendoza who formed a
group that knows very well that our Founda-
tion is the blood that keeps the Rotary heart
alive. PDG’s Chuck Anderson, Pat
Cashin, Scot Clifford and David
Moyers combined to keep this District in
the forefront of Foundation giving worldwide.
L et’s talk about that “almost a mil-
lion” deal. In a nutshell, If you add
up the total value of all grants,
awards, scholarships and other giving by our
District this year, it comes to just under a
million dollars, $993,000 to be exact. That is
nothing short of phenomenal.
(continued on next page)
Governor Doug’s Message
Governor Doug’s tireless drive to introduce the next generation into Rotary paid off. A
membership drive at the Coachella Music Festival drew record numbers of new,
enthusiastic people into a life of Service Above Self.
The annual Paul Harris Celebration held at the Playboy Mansion raised more this year
than ever before. Older male Rotarians, many of whom had not contributed for years,
arrived in record numbers.
A couple of words about a couple of people:
Accepting the Governor’s job is undertaking a
four year commitment, two of training, one of
service followed by a year of obligatory com-
mittee assignments. I’ve been fortunate
enough to share three of those four years
with Tori Hettinger, our District Admin-
istrator. Still in her twenties, she has maturity
and wisdom beyond those years coupled with
a beauty that radiates and patience that
should shame any an impatient person! It’s
been a joy, TT and you will be missed.
Emily Blair steps into the job on July 1st.
She, like Tori, is a joy to be around, has a
particular fondness for mushrooms, grew up
in a Rotary family and will prove to be a wor-
thy and capable successor.
And then there is Pepe. Three years ago I
didn’t know Joe Vasquez but had seen
him at several events. There was a certain air
about him, one of calmness, dignity, aware-
ness and I sensed he might make a good
Executive Aide. Did I ever get that one right!
What a team we became and what a friend-
ship has developed. This poor guy has been
teased, tormented and been forced to buy
many a theme tie because of me. And for all
we have accomplished this year, we did so in
large part because of him. And the bonus of
course was Roz, such a dear person and
great travel buddy for Connie.
And finally with apologies to all those named
and those I will remember after this is pub-
lished, let me end my thanks by mentioning
those that mattered most: Connie, my
Bride, and daughter Kelly. Many of you
have gotten to know Connie to discover that
she is just as nuts as her husband. And
every Father knows that what we accomplish
in life becomes so much more meaningful
when shared with our children. Kelly is proud
to have taken part in two International service
trips and one convention.
And now, with thanks said and appreciation
felt, it’s time to head out. As the sun sets on
June 30th, Connie and I will be on the
beach, toasting each and every one of you,
savoring this year and all it brought as we
fade quickly into that sunset. And as you fall
asleep tonight, think about this: What you did
this year mattered. You laughed, shared and
cared, the result of which you made a posi-
tive difference to someone else. Think about
that and smile a good smile as you drift into
slumber.
Doug
Governor Doug’s Message
Meals at 46 Governor visits add up to more than 86,000
calories and it takes a Rotary Strategic Plan to fight the
bulge. These weight-reducing pants worked so well for
Doug that he bartered his QVC product endorsement for a
sizeable Foundation contribution. Thanks, Doug!
When put on the spot in front of a huge audience, Connie
didn’t hesitate to answer Doug’s question, “If you had to
do it all over, would you marry me again?”
At the RYLA Conference, Governor Doug learned that
some audiences are not as polite as Rotarians when he
gives a long winded speech. He high-tailed it back to the
Downey Club where they pretend to be interested.
I magine traveling across America’s
frontier west on a stage coach 150
years ago. You could trust your adven-
turous trek to those two gnarly-looking char-
acters riding outside the coach. One, of
course, was the driver who maneuvered the
team of horses by handling the reins. The
other character rode alongside and main-
tained guard against danger. In addition, if a
horse needed to be re-shod or the coach
needed repairs, the person riding shotgun
was there to assist. The Wells Fargo coach
must reach Sacramento.
Flash forward to 2010-11. Governor Doug to
his Executive Aide, “Joe, we have this bus.
We have to fill it with passengers. There are
places to go, and things to see and do this
year.” And so they did. At early breakfast
meetings at the Harbor House Café located
near where they live, while one dined on his
usual “Dougie scramble” and the other on an
omelet heaped with fresh diced jalapenos,
they proceeded to prepare the passenger
manifest and make the bus roadworthy. Oc-
casionally a physician Rotary member would
also have breakfast at the café prior to hospi-
tal rounds. He would offer his best wishes
and remind the Governor and Aide to eat
healthy. Little did the good doctor know of
later antics by the pair.
And so it began. Not an empty seat. The bus
was full with 46 club presidents and the best
support leaders a district can produce. Today
GPS navigation is used to plan travel from
one place to another. The Governor and Aide
carpooled the entire year and alternated per-
sonal vehicles. The Governor drove a Lexus
automobile while the Aide drove a GM auto-
mobile. It soon became apparent which GPS
navigation is superior. Second club visit out,
Governor is driving. Finally at one point the
Aide exclaims, “Gov, we just passed a sign
indicating the Riverside County Museum is
next exit. Palos Verdes is in the other direc-
tion!” Arrived they did to PV Peninsula. And
who was waiting if it was not President
Keith Deisenroth decked out in black
tuxedo attire from waist up, and worn beach
trunks and sandals. If ever there was one
who could stay toe-to-toe with the Governor
in microphone banter, it was President Keith.
R ising early is quite the usual for
the Governor and Aide. One very
early morning they depart for the
club visit to Pacific Palisades. They arrive
about 30 minutes before the breakfast meet-
ing is scheduled to begin. It is still dark. They
decide to park at a location which overlooks
the Santa Monica Bay and allow the cool
ocean air to drift through the open windows
of the automobile. Not long the Governor
remarks, “It sure is beautiful to see the sun
rising over the water.” The Aide in sheer
disbelief replies, “Gov, that is not the sun. It
is the full moon descending over the hori-
zon!” Onward they went to meet with Presi-
dent Dick Meyer and club members.
Before the club meeting ended, President
Dick confirmed that in the Palisades, just like
the rest of the continental US, the sun rises
over the Atlantic and sets over the Pacific.
Thank you President Dick.
(continued on next page)
Ridin’ Shotgun
with the Governor
N ot once, but twice, the Governor
and Aide decided to make news-
learning detours in between
breakfast meetings and lunch meetings. The
pair was known not to skip a meal, be it
breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Dessert was a
requirement. The Hollywood Corner became a
rest stop. Owned by Rotarians Ferris and
Debbie Wehbe, you can always find
Ferris seated at the counter reflecting on
world matters. Not only did Ferris share up-
to-date local and world news, he also passed
to kitchen staff orders for a short stack of
pancakes each for the Governor and Aide.
This was their mid-morning snack in between
breakfast and lunch. Not once, but twice. If
only the good doctor knew!
There is Cirque de Soleil. And then there was
President Paul Gaulke and his troupe of
performing Santa Monica
Club members. The Governor
and Aide were expecting a
club meeting. What they got
was Ring Master Paul and
an amazing talent show by
club members. At that point
club business mattered not.
President Dan of the Wil-
shire Club revealed his (her)
true gender at the club visit
which happened to coincide
with the club’s Halloween costume party.
Never saw someone apply “baton rouge” as
expertly as did President Dan Hodgkiss,
all throughout the entire meeting.
That western frontier attitude remains strong
at the Triple C Ranch. Boss Linda Black
and her ranch hands at the Culver City Club
sure know how to brand and cowpunch.
President Linda could have thrown the
scruffy pair of the Governor and Aide in the
hoosegow. Instead she fed the two and
taught them both proper table manners. Af-
terwards, she sent them on their way. The
two were ready. To the grand and stately
California Club, home of Los Angeles 5 and
President Gerry Turner. President Gerry
beamed with pride as he exemplified the
club’s 100+ years of service and rich tradi-
tion. Not a morsel of food landed on the
jackets of either the Governor or the Aide.
T he Sierra Nevada showed her
mercy. Sacramento lies not far be-
yond. The bus overcame the load of
450+ members to the Conference in Indian
Wells. Performance by Asleep at the Wheel
made for many a new aficionado of western
swing music. Many have made it west from
New Orleans. This year the Governor was
joined at the International Convention in New
Orleans by many members of the district.
Rumor has it many of these same members
were seen closing clubs on Bourbon Street
each night. And so it goes.
The wheels are worn and some spokes bro-
ken. The seats are torn and dusty. The lights
of Sacramento can be seen just up ahead.
This Wells Fargo coach has arrived. Imagine
the adventure. Such was the adventure of
year 2010-11 for Rotary District 5280. We
have traveled to many places on this bus. To
places we saw and to places we can only
feel within.
On behalf of the club presidents, the mem-
bership, the support leadership, and this Aide
(the one who rode shotgun), we look forward
to greater adventures and journeys in Rotary.
But most of all, we thank you Governor
Douglas W. Baker.
Joe Vasquez
Executive Aide to Governor Douglas W. Baker
Ridin’ Shotgun
with the Governor
There was a lot of work but there were a lot of laughs. Thank you, Governor.
Photo by Gidas Peteris.
Announcements | News
Rotary President Rick King (2001-02) and his wife Cherie were honored in these Uruguayan postage stamps issued in 2001.
The tiny nation of Tuvalu will honor Doug Baker with a postage-due stamp in 2011.
Get Those
Contributions
Posted The deadline to post annual contributions to
The Rotary Foundation is June 30. Envelopes
postmarked by that day will be included in
this term’s tally. Annual contributions to The
Rotary Foundation are loaned for two full
terms, then returned to the district to be
used for the qualifying programs we choose
to support. Rotarians can also contribute on-
line with a credit card by logging into the
member access section of Rotary.org.
Rotary President Ray Klinginsmith was wandering around the district looking for a make-up when he bumped into Tori
Hettinger and Emily Blair.
Past RI President
to speak at BH Past RI President Cliff Dochterman (1992-
93) will be the keynote speaker at a meeting
of the Beverly Hills Club on Monday, July 11.
Dochterman is widely regarded as one of the
finest and most inspiring Rotary speakers in
the world. He is the author of the booklet,
“The ABCs of Rotary,” which has been trans-
lated into more languages than any other
Rotary publication.
The meeting takes place at the Beverly Hills
Hotel at 11:30 a.m. Contact the club or
make reservations on-line at
www.BHrotary.org.
Announcements | News
Rotarians at the District Conference
Photos by Gidas Peteris.
Executive Aide Joe Vasquez, Governor Doug, Silver Shaker Award winner Presi-
dent Linda Black (Culver City), Golden Spatula Award winner Kevin Boling (Malibu)
for the club’s outstanding pulled pork sliders, Hospitality Evening Chair Veronica Marti-
nez and Connie..
It took most of the Lawndale Club to haul away all the Awards of Excellence the club won. PDG
Jim Hamai, Shirley Giltzow, Mindy Stogsdill and Leandro Carde.
Elyse Beardsley (El Segundo) and Jim Beardsley (South
Bay Sunrise). Family peace comes by joining different clubs.
Governor Doug asked if everyone enjoyed 9-time Grammy Award winners
Asleep at the Wheel. Ray Schuldenfrei (Wilshire) voted twice.
Beware of Men in Hats: John Jaacks (Palos Verdes Peninsula), Palos Verdes Sunset Presi-
dent Jacques Naviaux and Past PV Sunset President (and last year’s Club of Excellence)
Don Reeves.
District Conference
Overall Clubs of Excellence: Lawndale Culver City Los Angeles 5
Overall Club Service
Small: Lawndale
Medium: Culver City
Large: Palos Verdes Peninsula
Overall Communications
Small: Latinos Unidos
Medium: Carson-Gardena-Dominguez/Culver City
Large: Redondo Beach
Overall Community Service
Small: Lawndale
Medium: Culver City
Large: Los Angeles 5
Overall International Service
Small: Lawndale
Medium: Culver City
Large: Manhattan Beach/Santa Monica
Overall Membership & Retention
Small: Lawndale
Medium: Culver City
Large: Westchester
Overall New Generations
Small: Hollywood
Medium: Culver City/Inglewood
Large: Downey
Overall Rotary Foundation
Small: Lawndale
Medium: Culver City
Large: Wilshire
Overall Vocational Service
Small: Lawndale
Medium: Culver City
Large: Manhattan Beach
T he annual Recognition Awards were announced at the District Conference and almost every club was a winner in one
area or another. Chair Christina Chan (Santa Monica) compiled the results and revealed the overall winners in each
category. Lawndale and Culver City swept the overall categories for their size, but many of the large clubs turned in su-
perlative projects, making the final overall winner a mystery until the final announcement at the Governor’s Ball.
The annual awards are an opportunity to recognize clubs that have achieved excellence but the awards also publicize the best
practices followed by successful clubs. Each of the clubs that achieved distinction reviewed the awards booklet early, set club
goals to match district and Rotary International objectives, and closely tracked their club’s progress throughout the year. As Presi-
dent Linda Black (Culver City) said as she accepted her club’s Excellence Award, “Leadership is 90% being prepared. Lead
your club by having a vision, then show your members the path to achieve it.”
Announcements | News
District Conference
Special Recognitions
Three District 5280 Rotarians were awarded special recognitions at the District Conference. Rick Mendoza received the District Hall of Fame award, the highest recognition
given by District 5280. It acknowledges a Rotarian who has many years of highly dedicated service to Rotary, and service specifically to Rotary District 5280. He is the seventeenth
recipient of the award since it began in 1995. Karen Weigel received the Ian Jones Humanitarian of the Year award recognizing her healthcare work in Fiji. The award, the
district’s highest recognition for humanitarian projects, began in 1995 and is given infrequently; Karen is the eighth recipient. Pat Cashin received the Distinguished Service
award in recognition of his exceptional active service to The Rotary Foundation. The Trustees of The Rotary Foundation annual ly recognize no more than 50 Rotarians worldwide for
this prestigious award. All three are members of the Redondo Beach Club.
Veronica Martinez (Latinos Unidos Club) was named the 2010-11 District
5280 Rotarian of the Year. The recognition is given to a Rotarian who displays out-
standing effort and ability in advancing the goals of Rotary International, District 5280
and their Rotary Club. The Rotarian of the Year award is a tradition that began in 1990.
Photos by Gidas Peteris.
Announcements | News
Presenting the 2011-12
Ambassador Scholars
Samantha Freeman
Sponsored by Hermosa Beach
Will travel to Vancouver, Canada
to study music therapy
The Rotary Foundation
Karen Lee
Sponsored by Westwood Village
Will travel to Spain
to study renewable energy technology
Amber Harden
Sponsored by Crenshaw-Watts
Will attend the University of Capetown
in South Africa to study international
relations
Marco Rucci
Italy
Hosted by Santa Monica
Attending UCLA (Mathematics)
Ari Lee
Korea
Hosted by Koreatown
Attending FIDM (Beauty Industry)
Ikumi Ishibashi
Japan
Hosted by Wilshire
Attending UCLA (Political Science)
Rahel Grunder
Switzerland
Hosted by Hollywood
Attending American Film Institute (Film)
O ur annual contributions to The Rotary Foundation seed
the largest private international scholarship program in
the world: Ambassadorial Scholars. We send students to
another country for one year; Rotary Clubs in other countries send
their students to the United States. Since 1947 more than 40,000
men and women from 100 nations have studied abroad to further
international understanding and friendly relations among people of
different countries. Does your club solicit applications from candi-
dates in your community?
Rotary’s 6 Focuses The most successful and sustainable Rotary
service tends to fall within six areas. Rally
your club to organize service projects that
address these needs.
• Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
• Disease prevention and treatment
• Water and sanitation
• Maternal and child health
• Basic education and literacy
• Economic and community development
Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith
Who Gets Your
Club Newsletters ? Club publications should be e-mailed to these
four district leaders:
District Governor Doug Baker
Executive Aide Joe Vasquez
District Administrator Tori Hettinger
& the Assistant Governor assigned to your
club. Stay tuned for a new list on July 1.
RI President Ray gets the Last Word
2011 YTD Polio Cases
Worldwide: 205
You can track polio cases worldwide and
learn how Rotary’s commitment to eradicate
polio will be successful. There were 205
cases worldwide in the first five months of
2011, versus 349 cases worldwide at this
time last year. Chad now has the highest
number of polio cases of any country in the
world. Pakistan, the DR Congo and Chad
accounted for 169 of the 205 cases.
In all of 2010 there were 232 cases in the
endemic countries (Pakistan 144, India 42,
Afghanistan 25 and Nigeria 21) and 1117
cases in the non-endemic countries.
www.polioeradication.org
The iron lung, developed by Dr. Philip Drinker at Harvard School
of Public Health, consisted of a rigid cylinder into which a
patient could be placed, and at short regular intervals negative
and positive pressure would be applied within the apparatus to
mechanically compress the lungs and hence effectively produc-
ing respiration.
Progress Report:
Polio $200M Challenge
A 2009 monitoring report of the Global Polio
Eradication Initiative (GPEI) identified an esti-
mated US$665 million funding gap through
2012 as the “single greatest threat to the
GPEI’s success.” At a time when hard won
gains to eradicate polio were in danger of
being erased, Rotary stepped in.
As of May 31, Rotarians have raised $174.7
million for Rotary's $200 Million Challenge.
These contributions will help Rotary raise
$200 million to match $355 million in chal-
lenge grants received from the Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation. The resulting $555 million
will directly support immunization campaigns
in developing countries, where polio contin-
ues to infect and paralyze children, robbing
them of their futures and compounding the
hardships faced by their families.