Visiting Rotarians – 5240 District Governor, Marta Brown (guest speaker). Jan Phillips, leader of Rotary Club Group 8. BengaminGulin, Incoming President, Rotaract Club Wien-Graben, Austria.
Visiting Guest– Margarita Miguel manger of Abbott Cleaners and guest of Cathy Calabro.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Lisa Gosdchan visited the Rotary Club of Catalina Island. The President invited our club to participate in a visit to Catalina Island. Might be a good outing for our Club.
Donna Eyman reported that we have our 4 RYLA candidates. If you have any back-up candidates, please submit to her, they will be first on the list for next year.
Gil Garcia thanked Joe Dobbs for working on the Holiday Party to make it a success, especially because it was moved from December to January due to the rainstorm.
MEGA BUCKS
Cathy Calabro pledged a Mega Buck because as a Mary Kay Independent Sales Director earned the use of a Chevy Equinox for 2024, this is the 17th year she has reached this status. She is still working on earning the use of the iconic Pink Cadillac.
Donna Eyman pledged a Mega Buck in honor of Dr. Steve Young’s upcoming birthday . . . the club sang Happy Birthday!
OPPORTUNITY DRAWING
Jacqueline Duran had the winning ticket to pick the “red” marble for the pot of money . . . unfortunately she picked a “white” marble. GOOD LUCK next time.
Mike Bergquist had the winning ticket for THE BERRY MAN fruit basket. He gave it to Lisa Gosdchan who will give it to one of her CADA client.
BENJAMIN GULIN
Benjamin is from Austria and is attending UCSB in an Enginering Master's Program. He will be returning in March to his motherland Austria where he is the incoming President of the Rotaract Club in Wien-Graben, Austria.
Pictured is President Gil Garcia and Benjamin traded Rotary Flags.
Marta joined Lancaster Sunrise Rotary in 2005 serving two terms as Club president, receiving co-President of the year for District 5260 during her first term. She has served five years as Assistant District Governor, was a multi-year District Trainor and Group Study Exchange (GSE) member, staff member and Director. In 2015 Marta moved to Ventura County and joined the Oxnard Rotary Club, in District 5240. Prior to being chosen as District Governor Designate in 2021, she served the District as the PRLS (Practical Rotary Leadership Seminars) Director for two years and as District Trainer for three years.
Marta is a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Paul Harris Society Member, Major Donor and achieved PRLS and Master PRLS Graduate in 2006.
Marta is Co-Founder and CEO of Smart Coast California and has had a long and successful career in housing and community development in California and Nevada. She accepted this position in February 2023, following eight years as the Government Affairs Director for Ventura County Coastal Association of REALTORS®.
Smart Coast California supports property rights in coastal communities and in 2022 she received the California Association of REALTORS President's Award for leadership for this work. She’s earned the National Association of REALTORS’ Realtor Association Certified Executive (RCE) designation, exemplifying a goal-oriented association executive with drive, experience, and commitment to professional growth. She was one of only 510 association executives nationwide and just 38 in California who held the designation when she received it.
Marta resides in Ventura, California with her husband Forrest, and they have a daughter, MacKenzie living in Colorado.
Governor Brown started her talk with a brief remark:
As we usher in a new year, let's embrace the spirit of creating hope in the world. May our collective efforts continue to make a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. Your dedication and service have the power to bring joy and optimism to communities near and far.
Let's have fun along this incredible journey of service! As we work together to make a difference, let laughter and camaraderie be our constant companions. The bonds we share within our Rotary family are not only meaningful but also the foundation for the positive change we strive to achieve.
Here's to a year filled with hope, joy, and the fulfillment that comes from making a difference. Together, we can create a world where kindness prevails, and our shared commitment to service lights up the lives of those in need.
She shared many Rotary facts with our group, one was Rotary District 5240 consists of almost 3,000 members in 69 Rotary Clubs. The District spans four counties in Central California - San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, and Kern County – as well as a Chapter Club based in Guatemala, a Next Gen Club in Westlake Village, and the international-focused Rotary E-Club of One World District 5240. Our clubs are active in all aspects of Rotary, including community and international service, youth programs, and fellowship activities.
The following chart is ROTARY'S AREAS OF FOCUS. She suggest we evaluate each of our projects and make sure it fits into one of these Rotary areas of focus.
Group photo with Governor Brown
President Gil gives Adams School book to Governor Brown to sign for library.
A potential fundraiser was introducted by Governor Brown. Selling roasted coffee. President Gil actually met Simi Valley Rotary President Rocky who started this fundraiser.
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WELLNESS CORNER
Let's pray Father Larry has a speedy recovery afte his operation on a sciatic nerve.
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