5280 District Newsletter

June 2012

Governor’s Message

objective when we started last July 1st. In the process, we have completed many worthy humanitarian projects and raised a lot of money for the Foundation. We have had many Clubs that accepted the Foundation challenge that Foundation Chair Rick Mendoza and I announced this year, which was to have every member contribute something to the Foundation. And, if your Club hasn’t met this challenge yet, there is still time to do so. If you weren’t recognized at the Conference for being a 100% contributing Club, we will do so at the end of the year. There also is still time for everyone to contribute a little more to the Foundation, and I hope you will do this. This is the money that helps us fund many of the projects that we are involved in each year. I look forward to working with many of you on projects and events in the future. As we enter the next Rotary year, please give Governor Elect Lew Bertrand the same support you have given me. My goal will be to work with Lew and other Rotarians to contribute to the projects that will take place this next year and into the future. As I’ve said throughout the year, for me, “life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. “ It is through our dedicated service that we have the “Rotary Moments” that “take our breath away.” Please continue your great humanitarian work. I wish everyone, peace, happiness and prosperity, and I thank you again for helping to make this a wonderful and memorable year for me as your District Governor.

A s this Rotary year draws to a close, Catherine and I want to thank everyone for making this a very memorable year for us. We were impressed with the quality and creativity that each Club exhibited as they committed to projects and then saw them through to completion. Additionally, the warmth and hospitality that was shown to Executive Aide Val Velasco and me during our Club visits was very special, and we truly appreciate everyone making us feel so welcome. This issue of the newsletter is full of some very special projects and events that took place during the year. The participation of individual Rotarians at the District level in support of the projects we did during the year was also very appreciated. I hope you feel, as I do, that we had excellent events and projects during the year, and this was made possible by the hard work of many Rotarians. While I could fill these pages with “thank you’s” to everyone that helped make this a great year, we organized our Conference this year to extend our appreciation during the Conference to those that made this a special year. The Conference was designed so that I could thank many people for contributing to Club and District projects, and we had MANY dedicated Rotarians that helped make this a very special year for the District and me. For everyone that gave their personal time and committed themselves to a Club or District project, you have my deep appreciation for your commitment to Rotary and for the difference you have made in many people’s lives. I think we all enjoyed the year and the projects and events that took place during the year, which was my Brad

JUNE

02 District Assembly 2012-13

10 Aloha Interact Dinner

13 Rotaract Ciao Dinner and Awards

15 Day at the Races sponsored by

District 5280 and Inglewood

30 Rotary Year 2011-12 Ends

July

01 Rotary Year 2012-13 Begins

Information, dates and events about 2012-

13 will be posted on the District Website

beginning July 1.

June: Rotary Fellowship Month

Newsletter Editor Carmela Raack Thank you to our District photographers: Rick Mensoza, PDG, Redondo Beach

Peter More, Westwood Village

Linton Morgan, Inglewood Gidas Peteria, Beverly Hills Richard Thompson, Brentwood

District 5280 and Inglewood Rotary 20th Annual

Day at the Races Friday, June 15 6:30 pm, put on your glamor hat, join Governor Brad and your friends for the 20th annual Day at the Races. Inglewood Rotary Club host this even at the beautiful Turf club of the Historic Hollywood Park Race Track. Admission, program valet parking and the fabulous Gold Cup Buffet is $75 per person. Use your credit card by calling the District Office or mail a check payable to Rotary District 5280 to the District Office. For details click on the flyer.

COVER STORY: The District Public Relations Grant for this year was in partnership with three neighboring districts. Trucks are being wrapped with Rotary messages to End Polio Now. The trucks will be driving throughout several counties. The creative project was chaired by Senior Assistant Governor Marc Leeka. Pearl Leeka’s car has been cruising around the city for some time with it special message. The cover photo was taken at the Lunch with the Governor for the Club Presidents and Foundation Chairs that increased their Foundation Celebration Drawing Tickets by 20%. Many of them are represented in the picture. Congratulations to the 21 Rotary Clubs! The car was at the District Conference for all to see and has been at several other conferences as well. It does get around!

Join a Rotary Fellowship There are more than 80 Rotary Fellowships. From sports and hobbies to professional interests, these groups draw members from around the world. They’re just one more way Rotarians are promoting international fellowship, friendship, and service.

A number of Rotarians in District 5280 are in Rotary Fellowships. To see a complete list, go to Global Networking Groups database . Fellowship of flying Rotarians President Peter More, Westwood Village Fellowships of Motorcycling Rotarians President Ron Lyster, Westwood Village Rotary Global History Carmela Raack, Culver City

From the Executive Aide

C ongratulations to Governor Brad on a very successful year as District Governor. I am very grateful to Governor Brad for having given me the opportunity to serve as his Executive Aide/Lieutenant Governor for the 2011-12 Rotary year. I learned first hand what strong leadership, motivation guidance, commitment in tenacity, time, patience and monetarily it takes to be a District Governor. I applaud the Governor's leadership team for your dedication and commitment in helping to bring the Governor's mission and vision to fruition. Some say that being Executive Aide/Lieutenant Governor is the best job to have in the District. As Lieutenant Governor, I interacted with almost all the Rotarians in our District and every Club. Being Lieutenant Governor means wearing a lot of different hats: As the "utility player" in baseball plays every position on the team, I had the opportunity to fill in the gaps on the Rotary team. I got to serve as Chair of the Paul Harris Foundation event at the circus, assist the Assistant Governors when the Senior Assistant Governor was not available, mentoring and supporting Presidents, playing "bad cop" in those rare instances when needed and being "consigliere" to the Governor. I learned how much the past District Governors provide undying support for the serving Governor. A huge debt of appreciation to the past District

Governors who mentored me during my term as Aide, especially regarding issues of protocol and procedures. Thank you to my own Club, Westchester, for showing me great love and support during my absence while serving as Aide. I have missed you. Thank you to Emily for your unending patience in answering my questions and administrative assistance. Thank you Catherine for your support, insight and sense of humor over the last year and a half. And last but least a huge thank you to my husband Frank for his support for me being away from my law practice and family commitments over the last year and a half, especially during the four months it took to make all the Club visits. I am inspired by you as Rotarians dedicated to service above self, giving unselfishly of your time, talents, money, manifesting your compassion for others through global and local projects. Thank you for an amazing year. I am forever grateful for having had the opportunity to serve.

Val Velasco

Polio Eradication in Emergency Mode

News Release from Rotary International Recommended by

District Foundation Chair PDG Rick Mendoza

D espite the dramatic drop in polio cases in the last year, the threat of continued transmission due to fund-ing and immunization gaps has driven to the launch the Global Polio Emergency Action Plan 2012-13. The plan aims to boost vaccination coverage in the three remaining polio-endemic countries—Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan—levels to stop polio transmission. India, long regarded as the nation facing the greatest challenges to eradication, was removed from the list of polio-endemic countries by the World Health Organization in February. Outbreaks in previously polio-free countries were nearly all stopped. During that same time span, however, polio outbreaks in China and West Africa due to importation from Pakistan and Nigeria, respectively, have highlighted the continued threat of resurgence. Failure to eradicate the disease could lead within a decade to paralysis of as many as 200,000 children per year worldwide. “Polio eradication is at a tipping point between success and failure,” says Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO. “We are in emergency mode to tip it towards success -- working faster and better, focusing on the areas where children are most vulnerable.” “We know polio can be eradicated, and our success in India proves it,” says Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee. “It is now a question of political and societal will.”

“All our efforts are at risk until all children are fully immunized against polio and that means fully funding the global eradication effort and reaching the children we have not yet reached,” says UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. Full implementation of the emergency action plan is hindered by a funding gap of nearly $1 billion through 2013. “We are all responsible for creating a polio-free world while we still can,” says Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “Achieving this goal is a critical step in protecting all children from vaccine-preventable diseases.” The emergency measures are generally reserved for responding to global health emergencies, such as the H1N1 pandemic and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. A massive surge will generated in technical capacity, real-time tracking of program performance and immediate implementation of corrective action plans as necessary. The Rotary Foundation Trustees reaffirmed that polio eradication is the Foundation’s urgent priority. Rotary senior leaders have launched a series of one-on-one meetings with the heads of state of the polio-endemic countries. From rotary.org.

Any Rotarian who has the opportunity to participate in a National Immunization Day have stories of how moving the experience was. Culver City Rotarian Kathy Haworth gives the precious drops to a crying child. Others from Culver City were proud to be there. Stories of such days have been shared by PDG Vicki Radel, Larry Bender, PDG Pat Cashin and many others.

Culver City Rotarians were in India to visit several Matching Grants. “In three months the Neo-natal unit has helped improve health for more than 370 babies,” writes PDG Rick Mendoza. District Foundation Chair Rick wants Rotarians to see that grants are appreciated and .signs, banners, plaques proudly display Rotary, the participating clubs and The Rotary Foundation.

Wilshire Club Gives a Bigger Welcome to Visitors Than Other Clubs

Senior Assistant Governor Communications Marc Leeka

R otarians who visit Los Angeles do make-ups at the Wilshire Club more often than any other club in the area. Recent visitors have come from Districts 5240 and 5260, Alaska, Virginia, Tunisia and Ethiopia. The club has also welcomed non-Rotarians interested in learning more about the organization; two visitors with no prior connection to the members have walked in and joined the club this year. All Rotary Clubs promise fellowship and friendliness but the Wilshire Club does a better job than the others. Where the majority of clubs limit their welcome to a meeting time and street address, the Wilshire Club's website features a prominent "VISITORS Please Click Here" link to useful information: details on expense and location of parking, where to enter to find the meeting, lunch cost and credit card payment option, languages spoken, meeting attire and public transportation options. President Kyle Pierce attributes Wilshire's success in attracting make-ups and new members to "lowering the threshold for visitors to walk in our door." "I've been a visitor at clubs in other countries and I always worry if someone will speak English or if I have enough foreign currency to pay for the meal," Kyle said. "I don't want to be embarrassed by going to the wrong place or not knowing the dress code. We simply make it less likely something will go wrong and the visitor will be frustrated and turn away." Does your club welcome visitors with the same degree of thoroughness as you might welcome a guest to your home? President Kyle says her club invested 60 minutes into the detailed instructions and the rewards keep arriving unannounced. Potential members will first look at your website. Every visitor tells Kyle they came to Wilshire "because you made it easy and your website was more inviting than the other clubs."

Rowena Ake, Westchester

1987

Carmela Raack Culver City

1987

Lorine Parks Downey

1988

Elyse Beardsley El Segundo

1988

Sheri Polak Woodland Hills

1989

T he men of the Rotary Club of Duarte invited women in 1977 to join Rotary to increase their membership. The California Superior Court ruled against the RI Board to exclude women. In 1986. The Rotary Club of Santa Monica invited Esther Johnson to become a club member sponsored by at least 10 Past Presidents. Also in 1986, Seattle International Rotary admitted 15 women members. May 4, 1987, the Supreme Court in an unanimous decision ruled Rotary could not discriminate against members because of gender. Duarte Club President Dr. Sylvia Whitlock became the first woman Rotary president in 1987-88 The RI Council of Legislation voted 1989to admit women into Rotary worldwide. AT the recent Women in Rotary luncheon, the women of the early years were acknowledged. Read the included historical commentaries in the event program. Thank you Rotarians—men and women!.

Esther Johnson Santa Monica

1986

25th Anniversary of Women in Rotary

The Marine returns home to his family for a month long visit, and soon after, is deployed to the foreign and dangerous frontier of the enemy. Each day is a miracle of survival. Why on this day though? Why this young Marine? Out of nowhere, and sudden, there is a tremendous explosion. His body is torn. Members of the family touch the casket. The emotions are overwhelming and painful. Soon the carriage with casket is placed in a hearse and driven away. The fami-ly remains on the tarmac in profound grief. There is no place nearby where they can gather to mourn peace-fully. Such is the reality at this time, but not for long. The Rotary Club of Camp Pendleton, a newly formed club, has adopted a particular Community Service pro-ject. The club will lead efforts to create a Memorial Garden on base. The Memorial Garden will be a peace-ful and dignified place where families of fallen soldiers can gather during this initial period of grief. Design plans are complete and fundraising has begun. Since 1775 when Minutemen made “the shot heard around the world”, members of our Armed Forces have served as sentry and defender of American ideals. The young men and women who serve come from our communities. Your club can embark on a service pro-ject that benefits members of the Armed Forces. Your club can join and support the Rotary Club of Camp Pendleton and make the Memorial Garden a reality. As Independence Day approaches we are reminded of the sacrifice made for our freedoms. The Marines have a motto: Semper Fi (Always Faithful). It signifies the dedication and loyalty that individual Marines have for “Corps and Country”. Let us in return, embrace the men and women of our Armed Forces, and practice that Rotary spirit: Service Above Self.

For information about the November visit to Camp Pendleton and to participate in the Memorial Garden, contact Cara Rice or Marie Fremd.

The Few, the Brave Sr Assistant Governor Community Service Joe Vasquez He comes home. The Marine air transport touches down on the runway at Camp Pendleton and is directed quickly to a special area of the tarmac. It has been a long flight from Afghanistan, with a brief layover in Germany for refueling. A family waits. The huge rear door opens and four young Marines dressed in full color, proceed quietly in synchronized step up the ramp. An amber color light fills the sky even though the sun has slipped the horizon. A warm dim light emanates from the interior of the cargo hold. Shadows moving inside the cargo hold can be seen. A short command is heard. The four young Marines emerge carrying the casket draped with the American flag down the ramp. Even time has slowed down out of respect. The casket is set to rest on a carriage. The family approaches. Only 2 ½ years earlier the young soldier from a small town in the Midwest arrived Camp Pendleton. He marveled at the immensity of the ocean. Following basic training the young Marine entered artillery school. It came time. His artillery unit is ordered to report to the remote highlands of Afghanistan

Always a Marie are Larry Bender, Chuck Anderson, Leandro Carde and Joel Forman with Governor Brad.

Thank You Rotary for Providing 28 Zentner-Rotary Scholarships

Bellflower Carson-Gardena-Dominguez

Culver City Hollywood

LAX/Lennox Pacific Palisades

Paramount Redondo Beach

San Pedro Rio Hondo-Vernon

Westchester

Interact District5280 Bender-Zentner-Rotary Scholarship

District 5280 also annually provides the

Patricia Kim Interact Scholarship and the

Meredith Olson Rotaract Scholarship

Concert for End Polio Now with Itzhak Perlman

T he Philharmonic Society is donating a portion of the recital ticket sales to The Rotary Foundation Polio Plus. Each Rotarian purchasing a ticket will have a portion credited to their Foundation Account. Tickets may be purchased only through the Philharmonic Society.

Important information regarding ticket purchase:

1. 750 Tickets are available for Rotarians

2. When purchasing tickets a Rotarian must give their Rotary ID# to the Orange County Philharmonic Society. Your Rotary ID number is on your mailing label on the Rotarian Magazine you receive each month above your name or you may obtain it from your Club Foundation Chair.

3. Tickets may only be purchased by phone calling 949 -553-2422 or in person at the box office: 2082 Business Center Drive, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92612. Hours Monday - Friday 9 AM - 6 PM

5. Rotarians may purchase tickets from May 14th to July 31st subject to availability and seat location.

6. The intent of the above procedure is to manage ticket sales in a fair and equitable manner.

Join with District 5320 for this special event. to help End Polio Now. District Governor 2012-13 Lew Bertrand

Things to Come

Group Study Exchange to District 2620 Japan

T he Team Leader must be a knowledgeable Rotari-an from a Club in District 5280 as configured July 1, 2012.

GSE Team members have to meet the following qualifications:

Must be between the ages of 25-40

Has worked in a chosen field for at least two years

Cannot be a Rotarian or a Rotary family member

Work or live within District 5280, including the new merging valley club area Funded by The Rotary Foundation and District 5280 the four weeks of professional and cultural exchanges will be October 23, 2012—November 20, 2012 . For more information, please contact Makiko Nakasone at 818-523-2866 or Pete Pettler at 310-543-1616 or email: district5280gse@gmail.com.

District 5280 Annual Interact Aloha Dinner

Sunday, June 10, 5:30—8 pm Hacienda Hotel

525 S. Sepulveda Blvd., El Segundo.

The cost to attend is $20. For more information or to RSVP

contact Jeremy Brown.

Rotaract5280—Ciao Dinner and Awards

Wednesday, June 13 7:00—9:00 pm

El Torito Mexican Restaurant 3360 Ocean Park Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA 90405 The cost is $20 Click to

RSVP

The NEW 5280 Rotary District

Seventeen Paramount High School seniors shared $11,500 in Scholarships. John Boogaard spear headed the project and Gary Endo made sure the annual luncheon came off without a hitch. Paramount Rotarians sponsor academic and vocational scholarships. Other clubs such as Santa Monica provide annual scholarships named for honored members Los Angeles 5 is incredibly generous with a very large number of annual scholarship. Congratulations to all clubs with a scholarship program!

Counselors at RYLA have a great time! They develop close friendships, learn leadership and team skills and come back to RYLA year after year. Meetings are held every month to plan and organize this great weekend. Applications are due to Co-Chairs Joe Harding and Elyse Beardsley. Rotarians welcome !

There have been five Presidents’ Dinner this year. The evenings are educational, social and all different. Senior Assistant Governor Special Events Don Reeves said, “Nearly 100 attended the western style dinner and tour of the Banning House. RI Director Ken Boyd was the special guest speaker.” At the first dinner clubs were presented with their District Simplified Grant checks. Each of the clubs planned a special program in their community.

Editor’s Choice

A s the District Newsletter Editor I have participated through the computer with a number of district and club activities. That may sound strange but it has been a valuable experience reading comments about events from district leaders, looking over club websites and Facebook (will I ever learn to only look at it!) and especially reading club newsletters and announcements. I am going to miss this part of my duties and learning what clubs are accomplishing and succeeding in doing for the world, their communities for each other as friends and Rotarians. Rather than put together a brief overview of the year, I am writing some of my favorites from the year. Some of you will agree and others will know about activities that are not included. What is so very impressive is how very much is accomplished each Rotary year by so many in the district Rotary clubs. Thank you for sharing in a successful year. Carmela Raack District Newsletter Editor 2011-12

Favorite Event in the Rain: The Rotary day of Service was clubs working together to help at several projects in the community. Big smiles and warm hearts were shared by all . Favorite Get together: San Diego was the place to be for the District Conference . It was special! There was lots of recognition and appreciation for efforts by so very many. Hospitality Night was a major hit! Favorite Blog: GSE helped us share the daily activities of the team’s trip to India. Treated like royalty they enjoyed festivals, weddings, temples, food traditions and local customs. They visited numerous Rotary projects completed with Matching Grants—schools for children with polio, clinics, and more A great trip for strangers who became a family team with this Rotary experience..

Favorite At a Boy: Transformers were honored in each club by Governor Brad for dedicated service and support of their own clubs. Rotarians wear their pins with pride. Favorite Crowd: How Rotarians, fami-lies and children en-joyed the circus! And The very special performance by Gov-ernor Brad on the trapeze. The 27th Paul Harris Foundation Celebration was the first that was an interactive event. We enjoyed Rotarian of the Year Warren Bobrow in all his bells

Favorite Big Fundraiser: The drawing tickets and

auctions for the Foundation Celebration raised a

record $200,000. Having fun while raising funds for

The Rotary foundation. That’s the way to do it.

Favorite Governor’s Gift: Beverly Hills, the Home Club

of the Governor, honored Governor Brad by every

member increasing their contribution to The Rotary

Foundation! Over 150 members pinned each other

with their new advancement pins. Very impressive!

President Brooke Knapp told the meeting, “This was a

first with The Rotary Foundation.” Coordinating the

paperwork, monies and foundation points was an

incredible undertaking. Congratulations to Beverly

Hills Rotary and Governor Brad.

Editor’s Choice Continued

Favorite Weekend with 130 Friends: The trip to Puerto Rico a was as much social as it was for service. Friendships and stories of the strip will be shared for many years. Great job Chair John Ramey.

Favorite Meeting or Event Name: Schmooze and Nibble the Palos Verdes Peninsula quarterly night meeting ….More clubs have added night meetings: Torrance has mixers, Beverly Hills has had several Young Professional Mixers, Los Angeles 5 gets togeth-er for cocktails or wine and networking, Palos Verdes Sunset meets at night but has special meetings to share their projects with a mixer meeting. Culver City invited the other service organizations for a mixer then all decided to do the Relay for Life wearing shirts with their logos. Newly merged Hawthorne and LAX/Lennox alternate day meetings and evening meetings. Favorite Project Name: HOVOOTM the name for each month’s hands on project of community clean-up, collecting clothes, etc. by Palos Verdes Peninsula. It does get your attention! Favorite Youth Program: Any time a group of Rotarians work together with Rotaractors and Interactors. The Fiesta sponsored by Rio-Hondo

Vernon and South Gate was a free dinner to nearly 100. The Interactors shared information about their projects and inducted new officers. Great program! Downey Rotary sponsored the Interact District Bowl-ing for Polio. There was a wonderful turnout!

Favorite Boat: It’s a tie! Westchester has been pink all year….even the men wear pink. And the women built the boat! The other boat was the San Pedro Iowa. The well known ship will be open in the harbor to tour starting July 7. Nice connection. Playa-Venice and their boat the Gail Force, named after President Gail Goldstein, won the race. Clever name Favorite Event in the Sun: The District Picnic , chaired by Wendy Clifford, was enjoyed by more than 600. The giant potluck is an international food fair including the delicious Koreatown Rotary BBQ. Favorite End Polio Fundraiser: El Segundo President Melissa Albers prepared a spaghetti dinner for a crowd. In addition to members and families there were community friends learning about polio and what we are doing about it.

Favorite Project: There were countless projects that could fill this newsletter. The best are projects that are when two or more clubs join together to multiply their efforts and their monies. One especially helpful is the Los Angeles 5 orphanage (22) and water projects in Myanmar. Became a partner!

Thank you

Governor Brad

It has been a Great Year!