Call to order: Amanda Frank
Invocation: Lee Meyer
Flag Salute: Kevin Burton
National Anthem: Beautiful rendition from the young Lauren Kaff from the Boys and Girls Club
Introductions: Ron Nelms
District Announcements:
Jacque Jans, District Chief of Staff- West, announced the following:
All club Day of Service, April 6th. Stay tuned for details.
Meal Packaging Service Project, May 4
First Annual Roterac Retreat, June 8th
First ever District Social- Dodgers vs Giants, June 20th
District awards dinner & Stepdown of Sandi Schwartz, June 29th
Program:
Sylvia Whitlock
The first female president of a rotary club in history.
In 1978, the Rotary Club of Duarte violated the constitution of Rotary International by admitting women as members, Sylvia Whitlock being the first. As a result of this bold action, the club's membership in Rotary International was terminated.
The club didn't really care and changed their name to Ex-Rotary of Duarte. A lawyer in their club researched it and thought they had a good chance to overrule the ruling. From 1983-86, the Duarte Club fought the ruling all the way to the Supreme Court where they prevailed. On 4 May 1987 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Rotary clubs may not exclude women from membership on the basis of gender.
Later that year, Sylvia Whitlock became the first female club president in Rotary history. Sylvia considers Rotary to be the best vehicle she knows for humanitarian ventures in service to mankind. Some favorite club projects, while in Duarte, have included sinking water wells in Nigeria, setting up an AIDS Center in Jamaica and supporting an orphanage in Mexico. She continues to be inspired by the many Rotarians who have taken the organization to the edge of tomorrow and is committed to using the opportunity she has been given to further the cause of Rotary, in her community, in her country, and in the world.
Guests:
Ken Keller guest of Jon Van Boeing
Kari Heilman guest of Mike Chertok
Stillian Kirov guest of Mike Chertok
Jerene Battisti guest of Garro Ellis