Rotary August 2 2022 Spotlight on Jocularity, and new DG Olivia
LISTENING TO THE Announcements and the Fine Master, it was easy to see why visitors like our club so much.
We may not be the largest, nor raise the most money, but we do have jocularity, that quality that Paul Harris prized so much. That easy laughter that comes from being comfortable with each other. Nothing is as contagious as good humor.
How else could President Mel Sanchez gotten everyone into such a jolly mood that we opened up and donated spontaneously to her back back drive? Tom Hutchinson started it off with $100 and that sum for a backpack filled and stocked with back to school supplies, caught on and rolled around the room. As Mel has said to us in a follow-up email, “Thank you to everyone that generously donated to the backpack drive at our last meeting. We have AMAZING Rotarians!”
Laughter might be the only contagious thing that you actually want to catch.
New DG Olivia Patterson-Ryans will be coming to visit in two more weeks. Here’s a Q&A Interview I wrote for the District Newsletter in January of this year.
What drew you to Rotary? Was it an idea, or a person?
I was a member of the Inglewood chamber of commerce and made comment to a friend about wanting to do more for the community. She explained that the chamber’s main purpose was to serve business owners and be their liaison to the city. She invited me to a club meeting and said I would enjoy the people and they do great service in the community. That was in 2003 and I’ve been a member of the Rotary Club of Inglewood ever since.
What advice would you give a new Rotarian?
Enjoy your club members and club activities. Get involved with the district activities and expand your reach by introducing a passion of yours to your club and lead them in a project.
What has been your favorite Rotary project to do?
There are so many. I love Vision to Learn and experiencing the response from children seeing clearly for the first time. I am humbled by our club’s feed the homeless program and witnessing the desperate living conditions of our fellow men and women.
Our humanitarian trips to other parts of the world are my most favorite. The lack of basic needs in other countries reminds me of how blessed we are to live in a wealthy country and having assess to goods and services. USA is not perfect, we are still figuring it out, and at the same time, we spread hope to the world.
What inspires you?
People who succeed against the odds. The inquisitive mind of a young child.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
To heal with a touch
Where could we find you when you are relaxing?
These days, it’s on my patio, in the jacuzzi or being pampered (nails, hair or massage).
Anything you’d like to add, that I didn’t ask?
There are many ways to be of service to others without joining a club. A membership organization such as Rotary is unique, as it offers an opportunity to do service and…fellowship, life friendships, personal development and growth and business opportunities by networking with people of integrity.
