Program: District Governor John Weiss, Morro Bay Rotary Club
John started his talk by asking why we joined Rotary and why we stay
Answers:
- Was asked to join
- Was given a Paul Harris award
- Boss wanted him to join,
- Was tired of being called a Rotary Ann.
Rotary International surveyed 53,000 Rotarians and asked the same question and most cited answers were Friendship and Service.
John reviewed four objects of Rotary:
FIRST: The Development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.
SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society.
THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life.
FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
As part of the program he asked us to give him information on our clubs following activities:
He recognized Gil Garcia with a Paul Harris award for his time and leadership to the Sister Cities program. In his absence Marti accepted his award and spoke about the program.
Joe Lanza was acknowledged for his work with the water well projects in Kenya.
Donna Eyman for the poinsettia’s program whose proceeds are used for Scholarship grants.
Tom Jacobs – Adams School program 25 year relationship.
Blas Garza talked about the RYLA program and the process used for selection of the students. We ask the students to come to the club and related their experience with us as a program. Ours is the only club giving out four scholarships every year.
John then talked about how is RYLA is one of the better programs Rotary does. 250 students attend every year. It is life changing for many of the students. He encouraged us to go to the closing ceremony to see the impact this program has on our high school students.
Mike Begquist reviewed how our Club Foundation Operates. We award 20-30 thousand dollars a year in grants. John reported that most clubs (75%) have a foundation.
He spent time talking about the value of Interact Clubs and how they fit with the fourth object and Rotary. He related how he interviewed students at a local high school and how they were willing to talk about their passions.
Upcoming District Events:
Foundation Gala: May 4th in Santa Maria
Interact District Conference: Feb 24th Sessions will be on leadership, Pearls training, human trafficking
Emerging Leaders Symposium: Third Saturday in May in San Luis Obispo
John reminded us about the monthly Poll question from the district. He encouraged us to participate in it as it is designed to give information to your club president and board.