Dec 1 2015 - Rotary Forum
Posted by Dick Dannells
Program December 1, 2015: Kathy Orton “CASA”
By Dick Dannells
Pres. Joel opened the meeting at 12:36 PM by auctioning off the fine-free badge to Greg Steinberger for $40.
FINES:
Frank Montesinos was assessed a $30 spin-the-wheel fine by Pres. Joel for not even attempting to introduce a guest at his table. He also fined John Murphy $60 for spilling the beans about Pres. Joel’s purchase of new lighting for our meeting veniue. The amount of the fine was calculated based on what Pres. Joel was expecting to derive from fining those who did not recognize the new lights. Mike Kee was fined $35 for his bald headed humor. This was preceded by an exchange between Pres. Joel and Greg Steinberger concerning bald headedness and Pres. Joel’s attempt to fine members $5 who had a full head of hair. However, this took place before the fine-free badge auction had taken place so all these fines were rescinded. $10 Happy Bucks were donated by Lee Ann Liscomb for her 2016 Honda Pilot. Greg Steinberger donated $50 Happy Bucks for all of the volunteers that showed up to help during the Arroyo Grande Christmas Parade last Sunday. Linda Osty donated $10 Happy Bucks for her new dog. Jim Lewis and Michael Boyer donated the same amount for last Saturday’s victory of USC over UCLA.
announcements:
Linda Osty made her weekly report on the December 12 showing of “The Miracle On 34th St.” with the help of Santa Claus also known as Jim Lewis. Sharon Ellis reminded everyone of the holiday party at the Edwards barn on Wednesday, December 16. Michael Boyer presented a table of colorful bags made by the women of Uganda for sale at $15. John Traversaro announced a Pinot for Polio meeting will be held next Wednesday at 1:35 PM. Terry Fibich was recognized for his 19 years with the Club.
PROGRAM: Kathy Orton “CASA”
Ashley Boyer introduced Kathy, who is the director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a non-profit organization. Kathy began by stating that chances are if you see kids milling around the streets of San Luis Obispo there probably foster care kids. As the name implies, abused children, ranging from less than 1 to 18, appointed by a judge, are placed under the supervision of the CASA staff and volunteers. Presently there are 550 children in this program with 30% coming from San Luis Obispo County. Each volunteer takes one of the children, does an investigation and then meets with the child for about 1 ½ hours per week to establish a mentor-friend relationship. Rudy Bachmann, a volunteer, came to the podium to speak of his experiences with a teenager that he has mentored for the last year and a half. During that time, he has seen a tremendous progress his visits have made. They usually have lunch or go on an outing such fishing. The important part of every meeting is to just listen to his friend. Kathy closed by passing out tags containing the name of a child and the gift the CASA child would like to receive for Christmas. All of the tags that she brought were taken by the club members with instructions to purchase the designated gift and bring it back to the club next week for distribution by CASA.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY BY PAUL JONES:
“The smallest deed is bigger than the greatest intention.”
Program December 1, 2015: Kathy Orton “CASA”
By Dick Dannells
Pres. Joel opened the meeting at 12:36 PM by auctioning off the fine-free badge to Greg Steinberger for $40.
FINES:
Frank Montesinos was assessed a $30 spin-the-wheel fine by Pres. Joel for not even attempting to introduce a guest at his table. He also fined John Murphy $60 for spilling the beans about Pres. Joel’s purchase of new lighting for our meeting veniue. The amount of the fine was calculated based on what Pres. Joel was expecting to derive from fining those who did not recognize the new lights. Mike Kee was fined $35 for his bald headed humor. This was preceded by an exchange between Pres. Joel and Greg Steinberger concerning bald headedness and Pres. Joel’s attempt to fine members $5 who had a full head of hair. However, this took place before the fine-free badge auction had taken place so all these fines were rescinded. $10 Happy Bucks were donated by Lee Ann Liscomb for her 2016 Honda Pilot. Greg Steinberger donated $50 Happy Bucks for all of the volunteers that showed up to help during the Arroyo Grande Christmas Parade last Sunday. Linda Osty donated $10 Happy Bucks for her new dog. Jim Lewis and Michael Boyer donated the same amount for last Saturday’s victory of USC over UCLA.
announcements:
Linda Osty made her weekly report on the December 12 showing of “The Miracle On 34th St.” with the help of Santa Claus also known as Jim Lewis. Sharon Ellis reminded everyone of the holiday party at the Edwards barn on Wednesday, December 16. Michael Boyer presented a table of colorful bags made by the women of Uganda for sale at $15. John Traversaro announced a Pinot for Polio meeting will be held next Wednesday at 1:35 PM. Terry Fibich was recognized for his 19 years with the Club.
PROGRAM: Kathy Orton “CASA”
Ashley Boyer introduced Kathy, who is the director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a non-profit organization. Kathy began by stating that chances are if you see kids milling around the streets of San Luis Obispo there probably foster care kids. As the name implies, abused children, ranging from less than 1 to 18, appointed by a judge, are placed under the supervision of the CASA staff and volunteers. Presently there are 550 children in this program with 30% coming from San Luis Obispo County. Each volunteer takes one of the children, does an investigation and then meets with the child for about 1 ½ hours per week to establish a mentor-friend relationship. Rudy Bachmann, a volunteer, came to the podium to speak of his experiences with a teenager that he has mentored for the last year and a half. During that time, he has seen a tremendous progress his visits have made. They usually have lunch or go on an outing such fishing. The important part of every meeting is to just listen to his friend. Kathy closed by passing out tags containing the name of a child and the gift the CASA child would like to receive for Christmas. All of the tags that she brought were taken by the club members with instructions to purchase the designated gift and bring it back to the club next week for distribution by CASA.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY BY PAUL JONES:
“The smallest deed is bigger than the greatest intention.”