Governor's Visit

Nine Past District Governors showed their support for Doug and Connie at their Home Club’s homecoming. To give some idea of the magnitude of the occasion, here are some of the past District Governors, also wearing white ribbons in support of breast cancer awareness: Rick Mendoza, John Colville, Chuck Anderson, David Moyers, Drew Frohlich, Lew Bertrand, Pat Cashin and of course of Bill Bowermaster.  That’s an impressive gathering under our roof.

The Bellflower Club helped swell our numbers – we filled fifteen tables of ten – and they gave the invocation and flag salute.  Then our own Dan Fox and Johnny Croshaw, along with Johnny’s karaoke machine, led us in one of Doug’s favorites, “Hoist up the John B sails.”  Only trouble was that the machine knew there were fifteen verses, and kept on going even we had exhausted the five printed out for us.  The chorus of “We want to go home” went on and on.  Singing together is one of our most bonding – and humbling – experiences.  Song time always ends with us breaking out in laughter and applause. 

Rio Hondo really put on the dog for Doug, serving us all at our seats instead of at a buffet.  The meal featured two entrees, slice beef filet and chicken.  Attractive table centerpieces, glass vases filled with wine corks and then topped with Halloween orange roses, were given out as prizes for the raffle tickets.

First bit of business was the induction of new members, and when Gov Doug was introduced to do the honors, every one rose in a heartfelt standing ovation.    Matt Knox, Raul Lopez, and Bill Kirkwood sponsored the three new members.

Doug then spoke to us, beginning by advising us that everything he had to say “comes from right here,” patting his jacket on the left side, “from right here.”  And then he drew out from his inside breast pocket his “notes” for his speech.   Actually, Doug didn’t need to use any notes, and did speak to us from his heart.

First Doug assured us of how proud he was to be speaking to Downey, his home club.  He stood in front of an enormous blue banner that proclaimed just that.  He thanked the past district governors who were present for their help in making him able to assume the governorship at the last minute.  Then he thanked the people he works with, including the District’s one paid assistant, Tori Hettinger, who had a beautiful smile even while wearing the most vertiginous high-heeled black boots this reporter has ever seen.  At this point balloons and a large bouquet were brought in, to this lady, to show Doug’s appreciation.

Doug began the serious portion of his address by saying he wanted to talk about those things in Rotary that he enjoys.  One major feature, which is vital to the success of any organization, is that politics have no place in Rotary.  We leave our partisan political baggage at the door, and don’t bring outside matters or problems in with us.  As he says, your political party does not matter at all.  Our meetings are an oasis.

What does count is the things Rotarians achieve.  Internationally, even as the U.S. declines as the major super power, people in all countries respect the humanitarian efforts of Rotary.  We have concerns for the health problems in third world countries, for example, and their need for access to clean water.  Our world-wide fight to eradicate polio has brought us this close to eradicating it, with only three countries to go, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria.

  Other countries still appreciate American generosity, because of the way Rotarians respect the dignity and rights of others when they come to a country to help.  District 5280’s impending trip to Columbia, which is now sold out, is an example.  We will go to observe, and to bring eye glasses and wheelchairs, and friendship. 

  Rotarians believe, Doug continued, that “blue-collar” work has its rewards far beyond the pay.  We have recently established vocational scholarships, which we give to graduating high school seniors, as well as four-year liberal arts college scholarships.  We provide the tools to help students develop their own skills.  In literacy programs we promote teaching adult literacy, as well as math and computer skills.  These are the sort of jobs that are in demand for our future.

Rotary also encourages programs of cross-training: that is, one person teaches one skill and the student reciprocates by teaching the teacher a skill.  All benefit, which is the embodiment of our fourth Rotary 4-way test: will it be beneficial to all concerned.  Downey is especially close to the Polio Plus program, since our Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Hospital has pioneered work with polio and now post-polio victims.

Our Downey Club, said Doug, is so much fun because all of our members, from long-time members Frank Hall and Angelo Cardono on down, share a friendship and camaraderie, blending work with enjoying each other.

On a personal note, Doug thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers during these trying times for him, Connie and Kelley.  When he was asked to take the District Governorship again, on such short notice, even before Connie’s health crisis, Doug said his first reaction was, “No, hell no.  Over my dead body.”  But he said that in meeting with the Downey Board that morning, past president Raul Lopez had said to him, “You know, Doug, because you took this job, one thousand more people are praying for you and Connie than if you hadn’t.”

And with that, Doug thanked us all and said he is delighted to serve as District Governor.

In closing, President Paul Velasco took over, and thanked Doug for saying “yes” one more time.  He then made a presentation to Doug and Connie of piles of presents, each thoughtfully selected and wrapped in a great cellophane stack.  Rumor has it that Doug was also presented with the Club’s Great Red Unsinkable Cardboard Boat, from the District Picnic, which he and Connie can use as a planter in their yard.  Then, it being almost Halloween, the Club was invited to help themselves to jars of gourmet candy, by filling special treat bags, each with a big orange tag printed to commemorate Doug’s visit to our Downey Club.

President Paul then topped the meeting by presenting Gov Doug with  check for $1,000 for Doug’s favorite charity, the Seal Beach (where Doug lives) Family Center.  And the Bellflower Club President, in spite of a cast on her right arm, generously handed over their check for $500, saying, “Our club isn’t as big as yours, but our heart is.”

The book for the Children’s Room of the Downey Library was signed by Doug, Connie and Kelley.

One more thing Doug might have mentioned, because this reporter is sure it is something he also appreciates and enjoys in Rotary, is the presence of women.  This date happened to be the twenty-fifth Anniversary of our Downey Club’s admitting its first women.  It was also on the occasion of the then District Governor’s visit, and this reporter was inducted, and two weeks later, Pat (then Gomez) Pratt, who also has twenty-five years’ history with this club.

The special connection here is that it was member Pat Gomez Pratt who invited Doug Baker to become a Rotarian.  This reporter remembers well the meeting when Pat said, “I’d like you to meet . . ,” and I said, “Oh Doug, we know each other.”  We were already friends who had met doing business.  “How great you’re going to be a member.”  Look how far Doug has come, thanks to a Downey Rotarian woman’s touch.