Meeting:
Invocation was prayerfully brought to us by Former Mayor Harvey Hall, the Flag Salute was led by Jason Cater and our song was conducted by Jay Rosenlieb. Jay gave a bit of history of Irving Berlin’s 20 year journey from composing and eventual publishing of God Bless America. Jay read the refrain to this great song, which is seldom sung:
"While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.”
The first order of business on this day in January of the
Rotary Club of Bakersfield was to record the
Members singing
Happy Birthday to one of our own…
Congressman and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy…Happy Birthday
Congressman McCarthy.
President Morton reminded the
Members that Tuesday, February 7
th at 7:00PM is the upcoming
Rotary Night at the Condors. Please get your tickets. All of the information regarding the Condor’s
Rotary Night is on the
Club’s website.
Sergeant at Arms Jeff Gutierrez introduced our Visiting Rotarians and Guests.
Member Information Announcements:
Justin Leland reminded the Club of the Waterman Foundation application process for this year. Today is the first day Members can apply and all applications must be into the Foundation Committee by February 23, 2017
Special Awards or Recognitions
President Morton asked David Plivelich to stand and be $RECOGNIZED$ for the informative MARCOM Group Newsletter that he receives at both of his e-addresses. Thank You David!
The Program:
President Morton introduced Club Member Morgan Clayton, the Founder of the Leaders In Life (LIL) Youth Conference. Mr. Clayton is the President and Founder of Tel Tec Security Systems headquartered in Bakersfield. Mr. Clayton is a dedicated community builder and he is on numerous civic, social, governmental and business Executive Boards and Committees, and he has received a multitude of awards for his contributions. Mr. Clayton has been a Member of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield since 1992, and whether he is present or not he has made an everlasting imprint on the Club’s legacy.
Mr. Clayton gave a brief history of the
LIL organization and its vision.
George Martin introduced Mr. Clayton to
Retired Four Star General Colin Powell before General Powell spoke at a
Bakersfield Business Conference. During that the meeting General Powell inspired him to put together the Leaders In Life Youth Conference…for Teens by Teens.
Mr. Clayton introduced Bakersfield City Council Member Andre Gonzales who told of his experiences and the affect the first LIL Conference in 1999 had on his life. As a result he began to look at his community from a different point of view and after college returned to his home town to “make a difference”.
Mr. Clayton introduced this year’s planning committee:
Julianna Morton, Bakersfield Christian High School, talked about how important the Conference Planning Committee’s role was to ensuring a quality conference. The first Conference Planning Committee started in 1998 to plan the inaugural 1999 Leaders In Life Youth Conference to secure quality speakers and plan appropriate breakout sessions. This year’s Planning Committee Members have worked hard and dedicated themselves to execute an excellent conference.
Christian Bradford, Ridgeview High School, explained that the LIL conferences goal is to show students that they are not LIMILED by their circumstances, and that is what the Planning Committee looks for in the message of the national speakers and interactive workshops they put together.
Caroline Morton, Bakersfield Christian High School, told us about being a first year member of the committee and how she has grown personally as a result of her direct involvement. (Caroline was sitting at our table and she spoke to each one of us and carried on excellent conversations with ALL of the Members at our table). This year’s conference Can You Hear Our Rising Voices is going to help students understand they have a voice and they can be heard.
Evan Whitlock, Frontier High School, gave examples of the leadership skills that he has developed and how he has been able to share with other students and encourage them in their development.
Martina Kurcinack, Highland High School, is a student from Serbia. Her Bakersfield family encouraged her to check out LIL and after the first meeting Martina said, “I Got IT!” She talked about the many things that she has learned and wants to share from her past with her American friends as well as what she will take back to Serbia.
Jessica Stump, Bakersfield Christian High School, told us of the value of learning how to network and develop the confidence to speak in public and how this has changed her life.
AND…..all the while each member of the Planning Committee spoke the LIL Social Marketing Coordinator Isaak Nsuangani was making a visual recording of video and snapshots of the students and Rotarians while hardly being noticed. BTW…. Julianna and Caroline are President Dave Morton’s daughters.
Mr. Clayton wrapped up the program by proudly stating with young people like this our future leaders will be well prepared. He presented the LIL Planning Committee a check for $5,000 in the name of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield.
President Dave Morton thanked Morgan Clayton, Daryl Theisen and the young women and men of the Leaders In Life Planning Committee for an inspiring program. President Dave announced that the Rotary Club of Bakersfield was adding $2,000 to Mr. Clayton’s donation for a total of $7,000 and adjourned the meeting.