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A Presidential Summit
by Bruce Greenspon
This week's meeting kicked off with Livia Hemmat-Lupercio (President Lisa Hemmat-Lupercio and her husband Levi’s daughter) leading us in the cutest possible Pledge of Allegiance. Following this, Monica Farrell-Bringleson addressed us via video from Puerto Vallarta with the thought of the day about our club being a chosen family. You see, President Lisa was Monica’s sponsor almost 20 years ago, and Monica’s “chosen sister” ever since. This is Lisa’s last meeting as President, culminating her year of service.
What does Franklin Delano Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Lisa Hemmat-Lupercio have in common? All three were Rotarians and each of them was a President. FDR, JFK and LHL, a presidential trio that's got style, smiles, and plenty of war-torn Rotary miles. Not having to be on CNN this week for the debates, Lisa welcomed everyone back to the Westdrift Hotel in a new room downstairs, which we’re calling the Rotary Bunker—perfect for plotting world peace and savoring bacon. Lisa acknowledged all the guests in attendance. It was a Lisa-palooza! All the guests were there to offer congratulations and praise to Lisa for her year of service. Lisa’s mom, Sharon Wilcox, Lisa’s mother-in-la Lora Lassley, Rick Farrell’s wife Susie, LeeAnn Robinson, Redondo Beach Rotary President; Steve DeBaets;, plus Lisa’s husband Levi. District Governor Makiko Nakasone was there to offer her support and appreciation for Lisa’s year of service but also for the friendship that she and Lisa have built over the year.
Happy Dollars: First up, Lisa reminded us that our club first began happy dollars in 2005 under Larry Johnson’s administration, when Lisa’s father Allen Hemmat introduced our club to the concept. Since then, she is proud to report, over $6,000 has been happily donated by our members. Who’s the first to add to the $6K? Step right up Bob Stephenson and his (ahem) wife Susan Adams. Bob contributed happily- ever-after dollars and reported that Susan and he took their vows in Central Park, NYC recently. Charlie Steinmetz contributed on behalf of his 3rd grandchild. Grandparenting: the ultimate happy dollars generator! Ken Deemer joined many others in contributing happy dollars on behalf of Lisa’s year of service. Mariko Nakasone offered happy dollars on behalf of Lisa, and certainly nobody would be surprised that Lisa’s mom beat the drum of appreciation for her daughter, granddaughter and her son-in-law, Levi, too. Nice job, Mom!
There is a long history of Rotary membership, turning your blue badge to a red badge. While the specific origin of this tradition isn't documented, it is widely practiced across many Rotary clubs to ensure new members are actively involved and acquainted with the club's operations, members, and service projects. Today, we presented Nancy Vrankovic and Michael Jenkins with blue badges and long round of applause! We also welcomed Jesse Jorgensen, Christina Pascucci and Mark Maruyama into our club as new members. Fresh faces, fresh enthusiasm and fresh ideas! Welcome aboard! With their introduction, David Long celebrated the 15 new members initiated into our club under Lisa’s administration. Lisa thanked Debbie Goldberg for her incredible year leading Community Service. Junior Achievement, Richstone Tutoring, Habitat for Humanity, Rise Against Hunger, P.S. I Love You, Friendship Foundation, Rotary Reads, the list goes on and on. As a club, we made a significant difference in the lives of others through our service to these organizations and more, because of Debbie’s leadership.
Rotary Cares is a program initiated by Steve DeBaets, a former member of our club, in 1996,to help make life easier for the aging homeowners in our community. Since then, over 100 houses have been upgraded, including wheelchair ramps, an ADA-compliant bathroom, and appliance installation. If there’s a will, Steve’s got the drill! This year, numerous members of our club took part in Rotary Cares and Steve was on hand to thank us and encourage us to keep it going next year.
Lisa thanked Nina Patel, this year’s Vocational Director for her many achievements, organizing the Teacher of the Year Awards. Firefighter and Police officer of the year, high school and middle school music scholarships, amongst many other service roles we completed this year. Next up, Duke Winser, Youth Director. Before Duke was involved, our Rotary Interact club wasn’t involved in Manhattan Beach Middle School. He did that. Then he set his sights on Mira Costa and today they have almost 50 members. You try convincing teenagers to attend meetings. Duke did that, but he had help, Tarek Shaer served as his deputy this year and will be taking the lead as director under President John Acker. Vinny Fazzino, our International Director, is the James Bond of Rotary. He’s shaken, not stirred, by global challenges, including orphanage construction projects in Mexico. In addition, Vinny managed the distribution of numerous grants this year in Africa, India and Mexico. Vinny started our Adventure Club this year. Shotguns plus barbecue and hang glider spotting in addition to river rafting -- just a typical Saturday if you joined Vinny on any of these outings.
Lisa thanked Jeff Serota for his leadership as Programs Director this year. Who can forget having breakfast with the CFO of the San Francisco 49ers? How about hearing from Rob Katz, Executive Chairman of Vail Resorts, or John Thorrington, Co-President and General Manager of Los Angeles Football Club? I can’t. Lisa then celebrated Kelly Stroman for her hard work running club PR this year. Who could forget the front-page article in The Beach Reporter or the article in Southbay Magazine?
Time was getting short and there was still a lot of thanks left to give. Lisa picked up the pace, and I am too. The Travels with Charlie, Wine Arounds, Dine Arounds (Jason Wallace, Chair), the first Valentine Around, round and round we go, a bottle of wine never very far, nor the comradery, friendship and fellowship of our service together.
Lisa thanked Kathleen Terry for organizing Rotary Reflections, week after week. Praise was piled high for Jan “Hallmark” Rhees for truly making us a chosen family. When someone is sick, or their spouse is ill or you have a birthday or an anniversary, you’ve likely gotten a card in the mail from Jan.
Thanks go out to Larry Johnson this year for being Sergent of Arms and for organizing Thoughts of the Day.
How about Dick Chase for organizing all the greeters at every morning meeting? Ahem, Dr. Richard Chase, USC Professor Emeritus. Did you know Dick is co-author one of the world's most widely used texts on the topic of operations and supply chain? I learned that, when I bought him lunch. You should buy him lunch too; he’ll tell you.
This meeting was drawing to a close and there were still more people to thank. It takes a village. More praise for the Mayor of our village (city) Richard Montgomery, for always offering sage advice and running the front desk of every morning meeting as secretary. She thanked Sue Vogl for editing the bulletin. Every single week there’s a meeting, there’s a newsletter, and you have Sue (plus Bob Lanahan) to thank for that. Lisa thanked Don Ennis for memorializing all of our fun in pictures, week after week. The mouse ran up the clock, we were 20 minutes past the traditional end and parting is such sweet sorrow. We’ll miss Lisa’s leadership and we’ll look forward to next week’s induction of President John Acker.
This week's meeting kicked off with Livia Hemmat-Lupercio (President Lisa Hemmat-Lupercio and her husband Levi’s daughter) leading us in the cutest possible Pledge of Allegiance. Following this, Monica Farrell-Bringleson addressed us via video from Puerto Vallarta with the thought of the day about our club being a chosen family. You see, President Lisa was Monica’s sponsor almost 20 years ago, and Monica’s “chosen sister” ever since. This is Lisa’s last meeting as President, culminating her year of service.
What does Franklin Delano Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Lisa Hemmat-Lupercio have in common? All three were Rotarians and each of them was a President. FDR, JFK and LHL, a presidential trio that's got style, smiles, and plenty of war-torn Rotary miles. Not having to be on CNN this week for the debates, Lisa welcomed everyone back to the Westdrift Hotel in a new room downstairs, which we’re calling the Rotary Bunker—perfect for plotting world peace and savoring bacon. Lisa acknowledged all the guests in attendance. It was a Lisa-palooza! All the guests were there to offer congratulations and praise to Lisa for her year of service. Lisa’s mom, Sharon Wilcox, Lisa’s mother-in-la Lora Lassley, Rick Farrell’s wife Susie, LeeAnn Robinson, Redondo Beach Rotary President; Steve DeBaets;, plus Lisa’s husband Levi. District Governor Makiko Nakasone was there to offer her support and appreciation for Lisa’s year of service but also for the friendship that she and Lisa have built over the year.
Happy Dollars: First up, Lisa reminded us that our club first began happy dollars in 2005 under Larry Johnson’s administration, when Lisa’s father Allen Hemmat introduced our club to the concept. Since then, she is proud to report, over $6,000 has been happily donated by our members. Who’s the first to add to the $6K? Step right up Bob Stephenson and his (ahem) wife Susan Adams. Bob contributed happily- ever-after dollars and reported that Susan and he took their vows in Central Park, NYC recently. Charlie Steinmetz contributed on behalf of his 3rd grandchild. Grandparenting: the ultimate happy dollars generator! Ken Deemer joined many others in contributing happy dollars on behalf of Lisa’s year of service. Mariko Nakasone offered happy dollars on behalf of Lisa, and certainly nobody would be surprised that Lisa’s mom beat the drum of appreciation for her daughter, granddaughter and her son-in-law, Levi, too. Nice job, Mom!
There is a long history of Rotary membership, turning your blue badge to a red badge. While the specific origin of this tradition isn't documented, it is widely practiced across many Rotary clubs to ensure new members are actively involved and acquainted with the club's operations, members, and service projects. Today, we presented Nancy Vrankovic and Michael Jenkins with blue badges and long round of applause! We also welcomed Jesse Jorgensen, Christina Pascucci and Mark Maruyama into our club as new members. Fresh faces, fresh enthusiasm and fresh ideas! Welcome aboard! With their introduction, David Long celebrated the 15 new members initiated into our club under Lisa’s administration. Lisa thanked Debbie Goldberg for her incredible year leading Community Service. Junior Achievement, Richstone Tutoring, Habitat for Humanity, Rise Against Hunger, P.S. I Love You, Friendship Foundation, Rotary Reads, the list goes on and on. As a club, we made a significant difference in the lives of others through our service to these organizations and more, because of Debbie’s leadership.
Rotary Cares is a program initiated by Steve DeBaets, a former member of our club, in 1996,to help make life easier for the aging homeowners in our community. Since then, over 100 houses have been upgraded, including wheelchair ramps, an ADA-compliant bathroom, and appliance installation. If there’s a will, Steve’s got the drill! This year, numerous members of our club took part in Rotary Cares and Steve was on hand to thank us and encourage us to keep it going next year.
Lisa thanked Nina Patel, this year’s Vocational Director for her many achievements, organizing the Teacher of the Year Awards. Firefighter and Police officer of the year, high school and middle school music scholarships, amongst many other service roles we completed this year. Next up, Duke Winser, Youth Director. Before Duke was involved, our Rotary Interact club wasn’t involved in Manhattan Beach Middle School. He did that. Then he set his sights on Mira Costa and today they have almost 50 members. You try convincing teenagers to attend meetings. Duke did that, but he had help, Tarek Shaer served as his deputy this year and will be taking the lead as director under President John Acker. Vinny Fazzino, our International Director, is the James Bond of Rotary. He’s shaken, not stirred, by global challenges, including orphanage construction projects in Mexico. In addition, Vinny managed the distribution of numerous grants this year in Africa, India and Mexico. Vinny started our Adventure Club this year. Shotguns plus barbecue and hang glider spotting in addition to river rafting -- just a typical Saturday if you joined Vinny on any of these outings.
Lisa thanked Jeff Serota for his leadership as Programs Director this year. Who can forget having breakfast with the CFO of the San Francisco 49ers? How about hearing from Rob Katz, Executive Chairman of Vail Resorts, or John Thorrington, Co-President and General Manager of Los Angeles Football Club? I can’t. Lisa then celebrated Kelly Stroman for her hard work running club PR this year. Who could forget the front-page article in The Beach Reporter or the article in Southbay Magazine?
Time was getting short and there was still a lot of thanks left to give. Lisa picked up the pace, and I am too. The Travels with Charlie, Wine Arounds, Dine Arounds (Jason Wallace, Chair), the first Valentine Around, round and round we go, a bottle of wine never very far, nor the comradery, friendship and fellowship of our service together.
Lisa thanked Kathleen Terry for organizing Rotary Reflections, week after week. Praise was piled high for Jan “Hallmark” Rhees for truly making us a chosen family. When someone is sick, or their spouse is ill or you have a birthday or an anniversary, you’ve likely gotten a card in the mail from Jan.
Thanks go out to Larry Johnson this year for being Sergent of Arms and for organizing Thoughts of the Day.
How about Dick Chase for organizing all the greeters at every morning meeting? Ahem, Dr. Richard Chase, USC Professor Emeritus. Did you know Dick is co-author one of the world's most widely used texts on the topic of operations and supply chain? I learned that, when I bought him lunch. You should buy him lunch too; he’ll tell you.
This meeting was drawing to a close and there were still more people to thank. It takes a village. More praise for the Mayor of our village (city) Richard Montgomery, for always offering sage advice and running the front desk of every morning meeting as secretary. She thanked Sue Vogl for editing the bulletin. Every single week there’s a meeting, there’s a newsletter, and you have Sue (plus Bob Lanahan) to thank for that. Lisa thanked Don Ennis for memorializing all of our fun in pictures, week after week. The mouse ran up the clock, we were 20 minutes past the traditional end and parting is such sweet sorrow. We’ll miss Lisa’s leadership and we’ll look forward to next week’s induction of President John Acker.