Goood Morrrrning Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary and Happy New Year’s 2021! It is great to be back even though it was through ZOOM. I could not be happier to be a Rotarian and your friend. I will have to admit, arriving at the Yard House for our meeting was wishful thinking. Maybe, at the last minute I hoped they would allow us to meet there, but alas, they did not. So, I found myself all alone in the parking lot taking copious notes of the morning’s meeting. Uh, did you know that parking spaces are 7.5 feet wide…
President David Sp
alinger welcomed one and all by calling a toast for a successful Breakfast Rotary 2021, and a return to in-person meetings to enable us to prosper in the fine work our club produces. Well President Dave, I hope you are right. We stand and raise our glasses to this toast. Dr. Joe Nunez led the membership in our Invocation. Dr. Joe asked for blessings to those we serve and to all of us in a year of challenges. He reminded us of our Rotary motto, “Service Above Self”. Our honest to goodness flag came to us virtually thorough Heath Niemeyer. Heath led us this morning in America’s Pledge of Allegiance.
alinger welcomed one and all by calling a toast for a successful Breakfast Rotary 2021, and a return to in-person meetings to enable us to prosper in the fine work our club produces. Well President Dave, I hope you are right. We stand and raise our glasses to this toast. Dr. Joe Nunez led the membership in our Invocation. Dr. Joe asked for blessings to those we serve and to all of us in a year of challenges. He reminded us of our Rotary motto, “Service Above Self”. Our honest to goodness flag came to us virtually thorough Heath Niemeyer. Heath led us this morning in America’s Pledge of Allegiance.Past President Ron Nelms told us there were no visiting Rotarians or guests. Well, c’mon Ron, ya gotta look, you’re a surveyor for crimony-sakes and you’re supposed to be able to find things. Get back with us Ron and let us know how you’re doing finding visiting Rotarians.
Pistol Pete Leveroni gave us the low-down on our morning’s speaker. Pete says, Donna Schwartz of Matrix Entrepreneur Academy is a former business owner, former instructor of competitive dance for jr. high and high schoolers, and holds a number of other of qualifications which make her perfectly suited to preside over the academy. On a note, I know Donna and she is a friend of mine. The vision and plans for the academy began many years 
ago. Donna would tell us that she had a dream of creating a school - a herculean task. Well, if you know Donna like I do she doesn’t let obstacles stand in her way. Congratulations and welcome to Breakfast Rotary.
ago. Donna would tell us that she had a dream of creating a school - a herculean task. Well, if you know Donna like I do she doesn’t let obstacles stand in her way. Congratulations and welcome to Breakfast Rotary.The academy’s main focus is children, particularly those children who express an interest in entrepreneurship. Donna tells us through helping others it can build lives. The acade
my’s tenets to Innovate, Create and Transform students move toward success. The academy’s student audience is comprised of jr. high and high school boys and girls who are thinkers, doers, leaders and good-natured risk takers. The academy is searching for children with these types of talents and interests to join the program. Donna and her skilled educational staff and advisors find that academy students benefit because they are exposed to a learning environment where they are “allowed” to make things happen. To clarify, the academy is not a substitute for a student’s regular public, private or home school curriculum, it is a valued compliment.
my’s tenets to Innovate, Create and Transform students move toward success. The academy’s student audience is comprised of jr. high and high school boys and girls who are thinkers, doers, leaders and good-natured risk takers. The academy is searching for children with these types of talents and interests to join the program. Donna and her skilled educational staff and advisors find that academy students benefit because they are exposed to a learning environment where they are “allowed” to make things happen. To clarify, the academy is not a substitute for a student’s regular public, private or home school curriculum, it is a valued compliment. As most adults know, to be successful in business there is little room for miscalculation. A businessperson who operates a business without adequate preparation is preparing to fail. Academy students with the knack to test their knowledge learn how to apply critical thinking to practical situations. Donna told us that the academy is one-of-a-kind in the southern valley. The next closest school of this type for children is in Fresno. Credentialed academy teachers introduce students to a structured curriculum that enables students to increase their understanding of what it takes to become successful not only professionally, but personally as well. Core areas of study include finance, sales, marketing, and performing arts. Aside from the offerings during the regular school year, Donna said there are workshops for students to fine-tune skills they have learned or explore other interests.
Donna understands children and the challenges they face if they yearn to become successful. This is why she has carefully selected teachers with backgrounds that include finance, management, wellness, performing arts, and crafts to instruct the academy students. As an approved vendor for local charter schools, the academy provides classes at various times in the morning, afternoon, and after-school. Prior to COVID Donna said classes were held at Upstart Village, 201 New Stine Rd. Given the current health concerns, academy classes are on-line for students.
Of course, with any form of service such as the academy there is a cost for students to participate. I actually find the cost was fairly priced compared to other forms of advanced training students receive these days, i.e., cheerleading, travel sports, competitive band etc. Given the level of education the students receive and the future doors the lessons will enable them to open I consider the academy a bargain. I was even glad to see that scholarships are available too!
In closing, Donna encouraged us to visit the academy’s website at www.MatrixEntrepreneurAcademy.org
She said the academy graciously accepts donations as they are a 501.3c non-profit. They are also seeking mentors interested in sharing their own special business talents with the students. BBRC would like to thank you Donna for presenting to us this morning and for unselfishly dedicating yourself to others. Humm, sounds a little like what we do in Rotary.
**Vocational Moment**
Preside
nt Dave said this is Rotary Vocational Service month. David Lari of JP Morgan Chase Commercial Banking was more than happy to be our mornings vocational speaker. The Beacon clue for the week is … name the bank that David works for. David spoke with enthusiasm as he discussed his role of providing first-rate banking services and financial solutions for his clients. David said there are a number of critical financial tools his clients use to stay on top of business. He described tools such as treasury solutions, and automated transactional options to ease the burdens associated with buying and selling assets. He said he enjoys educating his business clients how to fully utilize the bank’s national lending tools. Ultimately, he finds his clients are rewarded by reducing the burdens of the banking side of their business so they can focus on the more enjoyable parts. David warned us that in several business platforms it is not safe to mail checks for payment to clients/vendors due to security concerns. He said the same goes for ads many of us see that appear on our computers. Many of these ads could be attempts by criminals to obtain your personal data for identity theft. David came well prepared, I think his clients are, how about you? Thanks David.
nt Dave said this is Rotary Vocational Service month. David Lari of JP Morgan Chase Commercial Banking was more than happy to be our mornings vocational speaker. The Beacon clue for the week is … name the bank that David works for. David spoke with enthusiasm as he discussed his role of providing first-rate banking services and financial solutions for his clients. David said there are a number of critical financial tools his clients use to stay on top of business. He described tools such as treasury solutions, and automated transactional options to ease the burdens associated with buying and selling assets. He said he enjoys educating his business clients how to fully utilize the bank’s national lending tools. Ultimately, he finds his clients are rewarded by reducing the burdens of the banking side of their business so they can focus on the more enjoyable parts. David warned us that in several business platforms it is not safe to mail checks for payment to clients/vendors due to security concerns. He said the same goes for ads many of us see that appear on our computers. Many of these ads could be attempts by criminals to obtain your personal data for identity theft. David came well prepared, I think his clients are, how about you? Thanks David.**Announcements**
Celebrating his BBRC anniversary is Past President Jerry Starr. I could write a whole page, or two or three about this guy. As a charter BBRC member, Jerry has been with us through thick and thin. The man has seen it all. Jerry, we acknowledge you in 42 years of Rotary service. We are there for you too. Thanks friend!
Jerry was in Rotary before Past President Mike O’Doherty married Brenda 40 years ago. Congrats Mike! He told us it was a secret where he and Brenda are celebrating. Mike said, “it feels just like yesterday when we were married”. I’ll bet Brenda will say exactly the same.
You would think The Prez would start the new year going it just a little easy on The Beacon clue. Especially after not having a meeting for 3 weeks. Nope, not this President. With vicious pursuit, The Prez lurched out at Past President Denise Haynes who said she has had too many weeks and too many bottles of wine since her last Beacon reading. $10 please! The Prez went through the list, Mindi Wilmot, David Lari, Carol Smith, and Mary Jo Pasek all stumbled and fell on the sword. Yet, Mindy shook herself off and presented the answer which was BBRC formed in December, but we celebrate our own Charter Night in February. February marks the month Rotary actually originally came to be. By the way planning for Charter Night, or some possible form is underway.
Past President Denise Haynes is also proud to announce the United Way book drive has drawn a lot of interest from club members. Nineteen books have selected by member vote to donate to children through the United Way. This is a fine service project Denise and we commend you on your commitment. She said there will be a packing of the books purchased by our Breakfast Rotary Foundation on January 21, Thursday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at United Way. If you can help pack at the United Way please see or contact Denise.
**Happy Spots**
Man-O-Man there were a lot of Happy Spots this morning. Bet Mike O’Doherty regrets saying that he would pay $5 for every stripe within the design of the shirts MJ and husband Tom were wearing as seen on Zoom. The had 17 stripes total. Hey someone do the math please. Teresa Ramos was $10 happy celebrating a 1-year work anniversary. Mindy was $21 happy as her high school senior son has been inducted into the High School National Honor Society. Past President Kay Pitts was happy to donate $5 in recognition of Jerry Starr’s contribution to our history that is on our website (Club History to 2020 | Rotary Club of Bakersfield Breakfast (bbrc.org)) , I very much like having our history available by the way. Finally, Re-Newed member Carol Smith took a holiday trip to Boston to spend time with her son and saw falling snow. President Dave is benefiting as he is seeing a lot of falling greenbacks this morning.
Happy Rotary New Year to one and All!
By: Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer