This week- I used the AI feature that comes with my transcription program I use (CraftNote).

It sucks pretty bad. My prompt included having the newsletter format have a casual, conversational tone. But if I were conversing with this person, I would check out 5 minutes into the chat. Only your most annoying acquaintance talks like this. So without further adieu, notes from last week's program with comments/edits in parentheses.

(AI bot failed to note the volunteer invocation person, flag salute person, etc.)

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First off, that much-anticipated margarita party at Dr. Shambaugh’s place has been postponed for a bit, but don't worry, it's definitely still on! They had a little scheduling conflict (President Jeff failed to make any plans for food, entertainment, sign ups, etc.), but we'll find a new date soon. This fun gathering will also feature a fundraising auction for Waterman, and get this, there's even a humorous 5K run called "run with Doug and Jim" happening on the town's bike path (There will be no running). Imagine that early morning energy, and yes, margaritas are optional!

Mark your calendars for April 23rd for the all-club meeting at CTECH. We're thrilled to have Chris Kelly, the President of Hard Rock Cafe, Casino, and Hotel, as our guest speaker. We'll need a headcount for catering, so keep an eye out for that. (Note to President Jeff- make a signup sheet)

We've got a few off-site meetings coming up as well. This week, we'll be at Temblor Brewing, and word has it Dan Betz might bring some humor to the gathering. Then, on April 30th, We'll be back at Temblor with speaker Bill Kaiser  and his presentation on cybersecurity. And finally, on May 7th, we'll be meeting at the Steam Yard, not far from Larry Wright Pass (I don't know what the Larry Wright Pass is, so here is corrected location: The STEAM Yard, 2020 K Street.

(Ashley Vorhees announcement)April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, also save the date for the Casa Dolby (CASA's Derby Party)  on May 2nd – tickets and tables are available now.

For those who love a good challenge, the Rotary Trivia Championship, hosted by the Twilight Club, is set for May 1st at the Boys and Girls Club (Westside) from 6–8 PM. Teams of up to four can enter for $100, and they promise some truly unique questions. There's a trophy up for grabs, and our Downtown Rotary team is keen to bring it home!

The Twilight Club is also running an E-Bike Raffle Fundraiser. You could win one of two fantastic e-bikes (his and hers) complete with helmets from Action Sports. Tickets are $50 each, with a maximum of two per person and only 400 tickets total, so grab yours fast! All proceeds go directly to the club.

And for a fun evening out, the Kern County Museum invites everyone to their "Get Lit" event on May Day. Head over to the neon courtyard for an evening of neon lights, music, dancing, and delicious food, all sponsored by Stinson's and Joe Hay.

Program:

A huge highlight (of the meeting?) was Lizette Gomez, founder of Cazador Staffing and the 2026 Chair of the Bakersfield Women's Business Conference (BWBC), who gave an incredibly inspiring presentation. This conference is a massive event, the largest in Kern County, drawing over 1,300 attendees annually on the fourth Thursday of April. It's always held after April 15th in honor of Lou, an organizer’s husband (This doesn't sound correct; sometimes AI makes stuff up). This year's theme is "Awaken Your Magic," and it’s all about leadership, mentorship, training, and support for women and allies. (More info at their website)

The conference boasts some fantastic programs, like the ROSE Mentor Program, which guides high school girls through field trips, etiquette training, and networking. This year, seven tables are sponsored specifically for ROSE participants to attend the conference. Then there's the Power Pitch Competition, which saw 46 local women apply this year! Three finalists will present live for cash prizes. Last year, 22 applicants led to five finalists, ten hours of coaching, and a $10,000 prize shared among three winners, including Deanna from "B-Belly Strong" and Lena from "Shark Career Board." Finalists even get a commercial shown to the entire audience, giving them incredible visibility.

The conference also supports workforce development through ETR (Employers Training Resource), offering mock interviews and connections with employers. It's all organized by an incredible all-women leadership board, a diverse and experienced team, with over 28 unpaid workshop speakers, some even coming from as far as the UK!

This year's keynote speaker is Sofiana Rosso, the founder of *Nasty Gal*, famously known as the "original girl boss." She built a multimillion-dollar business on eBay, nearly reaching a billion in revenue, but unfortunately lost it due to poor decisions and misplaced trust. Now, she's a coach and author, teaching financial diversification and entrepreneurial resilience. Her story is truly powerful.

It takes a lot to make this happen, requiring $440,000 annually, all raised from scratch each year. Every single dollar supports speaker fees, Power Pitch awards, the ROSE program, and operations – absolutely no profit is taken. Over 85 volunteers contribute across two days to make it all possible. Valley Strong Credit Union is the premier sponsor, with additional support from Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and Current Health Systems. If you'd like to contribute, sponsorships and donations can be made via bakersfieldwoman.org or through QR codes.

Lizette shared her personal journey, from part-time work with no formal education to becoming a business owner and co-chair of the conference. She was profoundly inspired by seeing Norma Rojas-Moras, a leader who looked and spoke like her, on stage, which helped her overcome personal challenges like ADHD, dyslexia, and cultural barriers. Attending the conference even led her to join Rotary and realize her leadership potential. The impact is long-lasting, with alumni like a former ROSE mentee crediting the program for her personal growth and desire to give back.

This event is open to women and allies alike, and men are definitely encouraged to attend! Organizations are urged to send their teams, staff, or young women for inspiration and networking. Volunteer applications are also open online. Community belief and investment are crucial to sustain 36 years of impact and continue empowering women leaders.

We're so grateful for Lizette Gomez’s inspiring presentation!