Rotary Club of Downey's Legacy Lives On

Doug reminded us that when Paul Harris, as a lonely new attorney in Chicago, and his three friends first got together, it was for the stated purpose of “jocularity.”  Having fun together.  In that, this club has always done it right. 

Then service became Rotary’s purpose, and as a result of those early efforts, a toilet.  Yes, as the Chicago group turned toward service, the first public toilets, or comfort stations, in Chicago, was their first, and successful, project.   

Past President Raul Lopez, a member of the membership committee began the proceedings by saying how proud he is to be a member of this club, which saw the birth, and childhood of his son Alex.  Raul used to bring Alex and have the little tyke stand up on his chair so everyone could see him.

Then Rich Strayer told how Rotary benefits us by getting to know each other.  For example, when Shirley Johnson spoke on a Tuesday about the chalk art event for her non-profit group to aid abused children, Rich offered some used office furniture he happened to have, and by that Friday Shirley’s associate had picked it all up and had a nicely furnished office. 

Rich issued a challenge: if you enjoy Rotary, then share Rotary with friends.  When you have finished reading your monthly Rotarian magazine, take it and leave it in an office where reading material is offered to waiting clients, like a doctor’s or a dentist’s office.

And, this reporter adds, wear your Rotary pin, not just on meeting days, and especially when you are travelling. You may find other Rotarians, or they may find you.  You may be given a chance to tell someone what we do.  Prospective members can come out of such encounters.

Diane Davis then introduced Doug Baker by first listing all the things “we all know” about him.  Doug is a “modest guy,” kind hearted and generous.  He grew up in Downey, is married to the beautiful Connie, and has sweet Kelly as a daughter; he plays tennis three or four times weekly, and gave up one of those times to be with us today.  He started his own  financial advisor practice, Meridian Capital Management, Inc., has a collection of over 600 bottles of wine, and is an ordained minister, specializing in marrying Rotarians.

  But did you know, Diane continued, that during an earlier period in his life he suffered a depression so deep that for months at a time he would not leave his apartment.  Then he met Connie, and thanks to her, Doug was saved.  So we all owe a debt of gratitude to Connie.

  Doug took the podium and drew applause by saying his speech was going to be shorter than Diane’s introduction.  In a time of declining membership in U.S. Rotary clubs, he said, our club did not panic and lower our standards, just to satisfy a numbers game.  We keep membership for those who, as Angelo Cardono says, have been Rotarians all along, they just didn’t know it.

  To be asked to join Rotary is a highlight in any professional career.  And you have to be invited.  You cannot just introduce yourself and say you would like to join.  You have to be selected and then a sort of mutual courtship ensues.

 After being proposed for membership and coming to several club meetings, the prospective member is invited to a “Fireside Chat.”  This is a special  phrase, which means the candidate meets with the nominating committee, for breakfast, say, and is instructed as to what the financial obligations and service expectations are, including attendance at meetings.  This is the chance for the candidate to ask about anything s/he has wondered about, about Rotary.

  After this, the candidate’s name is published several times in the official newsletter the HubBub, so the entire membership can be made aware of the prospective new member.

  If any member in good standing objects to a candidate, that eliminates that candidacy.  To object to a new member, the objector must have good reason, but this is kept confidential.

  So it’s a big deal to come through the process with both sides still wanting each other.  Not everyone gets to flip pancakes at the YMCA breakfast, or pick up trash on a Downey street, or wield a paintbrush and help paint the cavernous assembly line work room at the Arc:  only full-blood Rotarians!

  These are the members we inducted:

Mario Osorio - VP Financial Partners Credit Union

Roberto Salinas - U.S. Fire Protection 

Dr. John Garcia - Superintendent -

Downey Unified School District

Juliana Peterson - Restaurateur - RJ Southern Home Cooking

John Zander - Downey Beat

The entire Room stood as a gesture of fellowship for the new members.  They were each given one minute to sum up their life’s work and express how they felt at this moment.  Most offered to do whatever they were asked, and help in any way that he or she can.

Raul concluded by saying he had promised the same things when Angelo sponsored him as a new member, back when Raul’s hair was still dark brown. “I am happy to do anything I can, for my community and my friends.”

 Defining what it means to be a member of the Downey Club requires walking a fine line between sentimentality and over-formality.  As one member said, we have a flavor.  And when you look around, you see a variety of ages, genders, occupations, special skills, and backgrounds.  These give us flavor, but none of that explains the way visitors and speakers, when they come to our club, tell us we are special.  This reporter has made up at enough other clubs to agree.  We are special. 

  We know each other well enough to kid, to console, to congratulate.  We have seen each other’s new babies, and see those babies get married (Alex Lopez

and Rob Fox, and Lauren Fox-Torres too).  We commiserate on divorces, job changes, use each other’s services, and buy their products.  Members move away, we go to funerals and also to office warmings.  We meet for lunch at Rio Hondo Event Center, but also go to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Columbia Space Center, Downey Regional Medical Center (soon to be PIH-Downey), walk together for Arc at Stonewood no matter what the weather, help Arc clients fish at Wilderness Park, offer pancakes and sausages at Warren High School’s inner courtyard for the benefit of the Downey Family YMCA.   That’s us, all over Downey.

We are the Rotary Club of Downey, some where between sharing caring neighbors, and family, and our time together is special.  Leave your baggage on the doorstep and come right in.  At your peril, though, I warn you.  Those fine masters have no mercy.   They keep us honest.   And laughing.