WEEKLY BULLETIN • FEBRUARY 12, 2026
Thanks to his week's correspondent:
Toni Harper

 

Greeter: Toni Harper  

Flag Salute: Bill Lever

Song: Jerry Fliger

Prayer: Amy Travis

Roving Mic: Mike Willis

 

Guests:

Juan Bustamante hosted Revy Martinez

Andre Gonzalez hosted Christian Mendez

Good News: 

Jorge Barrientos ads during the Superbowl were unfortunately played in the 3rd quarter and we could tell he was disappointed.  Maybe next year they will make it into the first half!  We are still proud of you, Jorge!

John Schuler saw Mike McCoy and said he looked great! We look forward to seeing Mike return to Rotary.  The Club did send him an Edible Arrangement (fresh fruit!) as a get-well gesture!

March 10 will be the Bakersfield Leadership and Ethics Conference. Kat Cowles presented and 8 dedicated Rotarians raised their hands to be a part.  Way to go!

When a slide deck starts like this, you know you're in for a dynamic presentation.

Program: 

Coach Ryan and the KCXC Elite program are dedicated to fostering athletic and personal growth, operating under the principle of "Making Dreams Come True with Teamwork." The program's mission is to offer young athletes, including those from diverse economic backgrounds, opportunities for national-level athletic competition. This experience is designed to be a comprehensive journey, emphasizing character development, teamwork, and a sense of community, rather than solely focusing on the outcome of an event. Coach Ryan and his wife Stacy aim to model these values, contributing to an environment where athletes can develop not only physically but also in terms of character and sportsmanship.

A key component supporting the KCXC Elite's endeavors is its scholarship program, established by Coach Ryan and an advisory committee in 2012. This initiative provides financial assistance for travel expenses, helping eligible athletes and their families participate in national AAU and USATF events. Funding is sourced from various community contributions, including businesses, grants, and individual donors, with an annual average of around $120,000-$140,000. These funds are managed through an advisory committee and often involve fundraising efforts by the athletes themselves, aiming to support broad participation and the program's long-term viability.

The KCXC Elite program has seen considerable success over its history, with hundreds of athletes participating in National Championship events. The organization has accumulated a notable number of AAU and USATF National Medals. Past achievements include teams attaining All-American status in relays, strong placements in Cross Country age-group divisions, and winning National Championships. Coach Ryan often references specific team successes as examples of how a collective team spirit and a collaborative approach can lead to significant accomplishments. He expresses appreciation for the support from everyone involved, recognizing that these contributions are vital to the program's ability to provide these opportunities to young athletes.

OK, his slides were a bit dense, but Coach Ryan has a heart of gold!

Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Jason Cater
February 2
 
Bill Lever
February 5
 
Michael Zulfa
February 5
 
Jon Sampson
February 6
 
Samy Abiaoui
February 7
 
David Denison
February 9
 
Kamal Bhakta
February 10
 
Stan Eschner
February 22
 
Jarrell Epp
February 24
 
Shawn Kennemer
February 26
 
Spouse/Partner Birthdays
Julissa Bhakta
February 15
 
Curt Swartley
February 28
 
Anniversaries
Jerene Battisti
Jerry Battisti
February 12
 
Michael McCoy
Susan McCoy
February 13
 
Join Date
Andy Barkate
February 1, 1996
30 years
 
Amy Travis
February 7, 2023
3 years
 
Ben Laverty
February 7, 2023
3 years
 
Harry "Doc" Ervin
February 8, 2017
9 years
 
Michael Zulfa
February 8, 2024
2 years
 
Steven Rodrigue
February 8, 2024
2 years
 
Cathy Abernathy
February 19, 2004
22 years
 
Clinton Trimmer
February 24, 2022
4 years
 
S. Aaron Hegde
February 24, 2022
4 years
 
Vernon Harper
February 24, 2022
4 years
 
Ken Secor
February 28, 1963
63 years
 

Area Meetings

Tuesday @ noon
Bakersfield North

at the Petroleum Club

Wednesday @ noon
Bakersfield West
at the Stockdale Country Club

Wednesday @ 6:45 am
Bakersfield Breakfast

at the Petroleum Club

Wednesday @ 6 pm
Bakersfield Twilight

at The Hungry Hunter

Bakersfield  Downtown
at the Museum of Art

Friday @ noon
Bakersfield East

at Bakersfield Museum of Art

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Upcoming Events
KCSOS: Mike Cushine
Feb 19, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
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R.I. President

Gordan McNally 
Rotary Club of South Queensferry, England

District 5240 Governor

Marta Golding Brown
Rotary Club of Oxnard

Bulletin Editor
Mike "Willieboy" Willis

Rotary Office

P.O. Box 1628, Bakersfield, CA 93302 • (661) 325-0696 • FAX: (661) 322-2311

staff@bakersfield-rotary.com   |   www.bakersfield-rotary.com