District Governor Greg O'Brien and his lovely wife Caroline came to visit, exchange ideas and news.
It was interesting hearing of the brave man that founded "The Four-Way Test."
Herb Taylor left a well paying job in 1932 during the Depression's doldrumsto help revive the near bankrupt Club Aluminum of Chicago as it's President. He decided to craft a short measuring stick of ethics for his staff to use. Starting out as "The Seven-Way Test," he whittled it down to "The Four-Way Test."
And so, “The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do” was born:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all Concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Profound in its simplicity, the Test became the basis for decisions large and small at Club Aluminum.
Herb Taylor transferred the copyright to Rotary International when he served as R.I. president in 1954-55, during the organization’s golden anniversary.
Quoting Darrell Thompson, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Morro Bay, California.
"The Four-Way Test is international, transcending national boundaries and language barriers. It knows no politics, dogma or creed. More than a code of ethics, it has all the ingredients for a successful life in every way. It can and will work in today’s society.
Eloquently simple, stunning in its power, undeniable in its results, The Four-Way Test offers a fresh and positive vision in the midst of a world full of tension, confusion and uncertainty."
End Quote
Greg also told us of the new Speaker's Bureau on the District's Home Page for clubs to use and contribute to.
We gave Greg our check for the Foundation and baskets for the Foundation Auction. Connie then gave Greg and Caroline beautiful personal gifts.
They had the room set up for us and welcomed us wholeheartedly.
President - Dean Mouren-Laurens pinned incoming President - John Berg while PDG - John Colville presided over the meeting.
Then Dean brought up the three guests of honor. These three men spent from 20 to 40 years in prison for murder. After the State deemed them rehabilitated and fit to re-enter society, Dean gave them a job at his manufacturing company. They seem to be determined to make their own way and look only forward while helping others get to where they are.
Jon Matson giving our fourth Scholarship Recipient her $1000.00 check.
We had an Honorary President this week. Jean Michael, Dr. Mike Michael's wife and ardent supporter of Our Club, lead us with rhythmic perfection.
Our fourth Scholarship Recipient told us of her accolades and accomplishments. She related her plans and aspirations. Sounds like we made a great choice!
Jean then, through rhyming verse, brought up our Special Speaker, Cindy Rabanera. Cindy is Dr. Rogelio Rabanera's wife and also Our Club's long time supporter. She took us on a step by step experience with the Rotary International Convention and Trip in South Korea. Thank You Cindy for your wealth of knowledge and razor sharp memory. You brought us a wonderful glimpse of the experience.
515 Students Screened, 93 Examined, 89 Prescribed Glasses.
Yup! Albert Baxter is our third Title 1 School in Bellflower. We empowered that many more kids today. I wish I could say we were "Rotarians At Work," I can not; We were Rotarians getting to smile and feel like a million bucks! We need to plow through the remaining Title 1 Schools in Bellflower. With everyone's support and community involvement, we can speed this GREAT Program along!
They were joined by three of four Scholarship Recipients.
Sure was great to have two of our three RYLA camp attendees visit us today. Angel and Isabelle shared some of their great range of emotions. They are besties and when Angel called, she was so worried they might not be rooming together. I had to tell her that was part of the awaking process to new ideas from other campers. They shared what fast friends they became with new future leaders (some they text or talk to every day). They learned "The 4 C's of Leadership: Compassion, Cooperation, Communication, and Creativity. Some go back to share their experiences with others as counselors.
Jon Matson brought three of four scholarship recipients to receive checks and tell us about what they have done and their future plans. Next week we will meet our forth award winner.
Here we are at our THIRD school pre-screening for Vision To Learn.
We came to Baxter Elementary School today to pre-screen students.
Class by class we checked 291 students, hoping to give them a better chance to succeed. Nine were absent, 84 will be referred on to Vision To Learn. Caring Connection Case Worker, Armida Luevano,
will be combining our results with the result from the state mandated screenings and sending all that 'failed' a consent forms home to be signed by a parent/guardian. There were students that never had glasses, had glasses but they were broken, have older glasses and will have the opportunity to get a back-up pair! What a gift. One student has had the same glasses since he was 5 and he is now 9! Don't think he has been back to a doctor! New glasses will be a great improvement for him! Rotary and Vision To Learn - together, giving kids the chance to succeed.
Thank you to our GREAT Volunteer liaison to VTL, Nora MacLellan.
Rotary Club of Bellflower cares enough to give our very best to our children's future.
Today is St. Patrick's Day Meeting with Doug Easer.
You couldn't miss Dr. Mike or Jean Michael today.
Not to mention Dave in his Kilt.
We were lucky to have Doug update us on the state of affairs in Taiwan. He has a wonderful insight due in part to his lovely wife, Shu-Chi.
China regards Taiwan as a rebel region that must be reunited with the mainland - by force if necessary.
China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, when the defeated Nationalist government fled to the island as the Communists, under Mao Zedong, swept to power.
China insists that nations cannot have official relations with both China and Taiwan, with the result that Taiwan has formal diplomatic ties with only a few countries. The US is Taiwan's most important friend and protector.
Despite its diplomatic isolation, Taiwan has become one of Asia's big traders. It is considered to have achieved an economic miracle, becoming one of the world's top producers of computer technology.
Sixty-eight students at Bellflower Unified's Ramona Elementary School were given free glasses today.
This journey started last year when we partnered with Vision to Learn to provide all the exams and glasses the kids needed at the largest Title-1 school (Washington Elementary).
Well, today was the day, 68 smiling, laughing, ecstatic, wonderful kids got their much needed glasses at Ramona. They can now perform better in school and in other aspects of their life thanks to Rotary Club of Bellflower bringing Vision to Learn to another Bellflower School.
Ramona Elementary was next on the list that the seven title one schools in Bellflower have a great need for eye care.
What a wonderful journey it has been. With every-ones support we will to continue on to the other schools.
Shoes for underprivileged Bellflower Unified Students.
Case workers from Caring Connections selected children in need to participate in our "Payless Shoe Shopping Event." Encounter Church provided bus transportation for the children to and from the store.
Sixty-eight underprivileged Bellflower Unified Students were provided shoes and socks thanks to the Rotary Club of Bellflower. Our members helped the students shop for their new shoes and socks.
They finished up with milk, juice, and snacks. Then back on the bus for a final picture.
Don't we just love helping Bellflower Kids succeed!?!
We wanted you all to have a good time on our way out.
We welcomed a Visiting Rotarian, John Cabrera from Gaithersberg, Maryland. John brought his son, John Philip II who has never been to California. I think they enjoyed themselves.
We let the FUN begin...
It's been a GREAT Year! Thank You All !!!
Now let's get behind YOUR Club and Connie and make 2015-16 the BEST year EVER!!!
*Remember Our NEW Meeting Spot is Rosewood's Restaurant*
Well, today was the day, 103 smiling, laughing, ecstatic, wonderful kids got their much needed glasses.
They can now perform better in school and in other aspects of their life thanks to Rotary Club of Bellflower bringing Vision to Learn to Bellflower.
This journey started last year when I saw a need at a Caring Connections Meeting. Several eye exams and glasses were offered by another service organization if any counselors needed them. All of the counselors raised their hands. I stayed after and talked to them. It turns out that the seven title one schools in Bellflower have a great need for eye care.
Upon exploring the problem further, I found that Rotary has a program called Vision to Learn. We explored this and found out that they could bring their service to our city if we could raise the funds. We picked the largest Title One School (Washington Elementary), did the pre-screening, had 140 kids for Vision to Learn to screen. They found 103 kids in need of glasses.
One girl exclaimed, "I can see, I can see!" Another said, "Now my eyes won't hurt."
What a wonderful journey it has been. Just a start though, with the communities help, we hope to continue with the other Title 1 schools in Bellflower.
More than 140 Bellflower Unified Students Received Free Eye Exams Through The Rotary Club of Bellflower.
The Rotary Club of Bellflower saw the need for vision care in our low-income communities and began to address it. With our Partners, Vision to Learn (a nonprofit organization providing vision services to children in low-income communities) and Caring Connections (a nonprofit dedicated to helping meet the needs of children and families in the BUSD), we selected the largest Title 1 school in the Bellflower Unified School District (Washington Elementary). We jointly pre-screened the children. Our Club then donated the money to bring VTL to Bellflower.
During the Week of March 30th, 2015, One of Vision to Learn's Mobil Labs and staff came to Washington. They examined 146 children and prescribed to 103 kids! That is over 100 children whose lives are going to be forever changed!
Join Rotary Club of Bellflower...Be A Part of 1.2 million Folks Changing Lives Into Tomorrow!!!
Couldn't show all the folks we shared Our GREAT "Day of Service"
with at Bel Tooren Villa Convalescent Hospital in Bellflower.
Our Day of Service went wonderfully at Bel Tooren. We bought oils, puzzle books & pens, lap blankets, luminaries, nonslip socks, cologne & perfume, yes...even a Cowboy Hat, used as prizes and gifts for about twenty folks. We played games, talked, and listened. Their Care Nurse, Edna said they never had so much fun or had prizes given at game time before. It finally came time for them to go. We gave them gifts they could use and said so-long for now. I can't express the joy we had giving of ourselves to others today.We will be back to fulfill some special requests and get to know these folks even better.
And so our year begins!
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