The Generators June 2011

5280 Monthly District Newsletter • June 2011

The Generators

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 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.



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.



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


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.


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.


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.”


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.


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.

Documents

The Generators June 2011