Chris 'Tarzan' Clemens grew up in rural Indiana, graduated with a business degree, moved to California, became the youngest President of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara, and in 2012 quit his job to hike the Appalachian Trail.
Upon returning to Santa Barbara he decided that he didn’t want to go back to being ‘normal’, so he moved into his car, built a freelance marketing income, and set out in 2015 to travel the world as a homeless digital nomad. By challenging himself in a non-traditional lifestyle and repeatedly stepping outside of his comfort zone, he has created an AntiComfortable lifestyle, embracing the chaos, seeking discomfort and having incredible adventures along the way.
Chris joins us from a small island in Thailand where he has been living and waiting out the global pandemic since early 2020.
UPCOMING SPARK EVENT - TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 12:30 PM
INCLUSION IN ACTION - HUMAN UNDERSTANDING IN MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION
Dr. Sylvia Whitlock is a Rotarian, history maker, UN Global Citizen and all round Humanitarian. In 1982, while an Elementary School Principal in Duarte, CA, she was invited to join the history-making Ex-Rotary Club of Duarte. Dr. Whitlock became President of that club in 1987, the year the United States Supreme Court ruled that the club be reinstated, thus making her the first woman in Rotary International to head a club as President.
Sylvia's favorite club projects, while in Duarte, have included sinking water wells in Nigeria, setting up an AIDS Center in Jamaica, supporting an orphanage in Mexico, and raising almost $90,000 for Education for Girls in India. 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. Sylvia considers Rotary to be the best vehicle she knows for humanitarian ventures in service to mankind.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
ROTARY GROUP 8 CAMP WHITTIER WORK DAY
A large contingent of Group 8 Rotarians traveled to Camp Whittier on Saturday, April 10th, to spruce up the camp in preparation for group use as soon as the County Health Department drops restrictions. A formal ceremony opening Rotary Hill and dedicating the Sunrise cabin took place at noontime. Special recognition was given to club member, Tom Heath, for his dedication and support to the camp.
Scott and Chris shooting the breeze Photo by Tina Ballue
Installing the bunk beds Photo by Tina Ballue
Dedicating Rotary Hill Photo by Tina Ballue
Dedicating Sunrise Cabin Photo by Tina Ballue
Enjoying lunch Photo by Oscar Zavala
Connard and Gary getting to know a new friend Photo by Tina Ballue
ANOTHER WORK PROJECT OPPORTUNITY - TEAM ROTARY 4/23/21
Opportunities for having a TEAM ROTARY activity are few and far between in this pandemic environment. BUT we've got a good one coming up.
In conjunction with Earth Day, join Explore Ecology at East Beach (meet at 1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd.) for a socially distanced cleanup on Friday, April 23rd, from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Kick off your weekend, enjoy the sunshine, and be part of the solution to ocean pollution by picking up litter before it becomes marine debris.
Come early to get your free Explore Ecology Cleanup Kit while supplies last - perfect for Earth Day and future cleanups. Each kit includes a bucket with cleanup instructions, reusable gloves, hand sanitizer, and instructions on how to use the Clean Swell app to record the litter your find.
Please wear your mask so that this is a safe cleanup for all.
Wear any Rotary apparel you may have to promote our club. Don't be shy in striking up a conversation with someone about Rotary.
JOIN THE CLUB'S HAPPY HOUR HOBBY EDITION ON THURSDAY, APRIL 22
COMMUNITY SERVICE GRANT FOR JUMP ROPES
The Community Service Committee considered a request received from the Santa Barbara Education Foundation for funds to provide jump ropes for children in the 7th to 12th grades who had been impacted by the pandemic and needed an outlet for their energy while school was out. The committee allocated $500 for this project. The jump ropes were distributed to the children when their families came to pick up food supplies.
Photos supplied by the Santa Barbara Education Foundation
DICTIONARY PROJECT FULL STEAM AHEAD
Dennis Johns put club members to work last week sticking speaker acknowledgement labels and Rotary symbols onto dictionaries that will be supplied to Santa Barbara 3rd graders shortly. Thank you, Dennis, for keeping this project on track despite the pandemic. Club members will not be able to enter the classrooms this year, as we usually do, to help distribute the dictionaries for COVID safety reasons.
Connard sticking the speaker acknowledgement label into dictionary
Janet preparing to stick a Rotary symbol onto the front of a dictionary
DISTRICT 5240 ROTARY FOUNDATION VIRTUAL CELEBRATION 5/7/21
Registration is now open and FREE for our 2021 District 5240 Rotary Foundation Donor Recognition & Celebration, which will be virtual on Friday May 7, 2021, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm PDT.
We will be recognizing individuals and clubs who have achieved certain levels of giving to The Rotary Foundation since our last Foundation event in January 2020. Recognitions include: Major Donors, Paul Harris Society, Bequest Society, Triple Crown Donors, Polio Plus Society, and $52.40 Challenge clubs. Our very special Keynote Speaker will be Paul Henrys, CFO of Feeding America.
This year’s event will connect you, virtually, with members around the world. It will open new opportunities to learn and to engage with the family of Rotary, near and far. Together, we’ll inspire action, strengthen our commitments, work on our challenges, and celebrate our successes.
Registration is now open at a special rate of $49 through May 7th. After that, the registration fee is $65. Register at: https://convention.rotary.org/en
You can also join early at a preconvention for intercountry committees, Rotaract, and Rotary Youth Exchange officers, 10-11 June. Each preconvention costs an additional $20.
The 2021 Virtual Rotary Convention and preconvention events are open to all Rotary members and participants. Both the convention and preconvention fees include access to the virtual House of Friendship.
CLUB MEETING NOTES 3/17/21
Pay & Tell: Eric started the social meeting time at 7:00 a.m. Kirk Greene mentioned their apartment in Seattle is on 15th floor and the building sways in wind. Someone needed to “Unmute”, and Bill Abel suggested that is a different type of Alaskan Sled Dog, like a Malamute. Dennis said he has 27 boxes of dictionaries. He will be delivering them to various members so that we can adhere the labels prior to distribution to the schools. Michelle said she was up late the night before, explaining why her video was off. Oscar said he needed to leave the meeting early to take his wife for her 2nd cataract surgery. Scott Burns mentioned that Doug Katsev, an ophthalmologist, was a member of our Rotary Club at one time. Kathy congratulated Oscar for success on the International grant. Oscar said Janet Napier had helped a lot. He said, "Rotary is a process." Oscar described the project in Nicaragua that will provide 4 x 5 ft. tanks in which tilapia fish will be grown; the water is filtered and the filtering process allows for vegetables to be grown. The families can eat and sell the fish and the vegetables.
Guest Angelique Davis mentioned that she was involved in the Santa Barbara Courthouse Legacy Program. She works at Invoca and is active on the SB Fiesta Board. Diana Washburn was featured in an article in SB News Press – as a Courthouse Docent. Diana’s dog Oliver even got his photo in the paper. There was discussion about going back to the SB Club for Sunrise Rotary Club meetings. The “hybrid” concept is being considered. The buffet may need to change to plated meals which will affect pricing. Currently some of our meeting speakers are not located locally. And members, such as Jim Ruh, may want to attend but from remote locations. Kathy Scroggs said the Youth Exchange program is considering going “virtual”. Pay & Tell notes taken by Sandra O'Meara.
Call to Order: President Eric called the meeting formally to order at 7:33 a.m. Liz Smith led the pledge, Michelle Seagraves gave the invocation and Joe Weiland provided the raffle that was won by Scott Burns.
Guests: Angelique Davis, George Abbott, speaker.
Announcements: Eric reported that Diana Washburn appears on the front of the Life section of today’s News-Press newspaper because of her volunteer work as a Courthouse docent. He reminded members of the Camp Whittier workday this Saturday, April 10, when there will also be a photo op. at noontime. Approximately 50 Rotarians from Group 8 have signed up. Chris Baxter reminded people to bring gloves, water, and wear long sleeves and closed-toed shoes. Eric also mentioned that the District Assembly will be held on April 17.
Committee Reports:
Club Service: Judith thanked those members who had duties today. Diana W. said there will be a Zoom happy hour on Thursday, April 22, at 5:30 p.m. when members will have the opportunity to share their hobbies: show and tell. Bring a friend.
Community Service: Dennis reported that the dictionaries have arrived. He will be distributing the boxes next week when the Rotary stickers arrive. We will not be able to enter the classrooms to distribute the dictionaries so will just drop them off. Diana Cecala, with help from Dennis and Scott Johnson, wrote a District Grant for a computer system for La Casa de la Raza, to incorporate 4 work stations, a printer and back-up system. The system may not be purchased before July 1. Luz Maria thanked members for their donations to The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund that will contribute towards this District Grant project.
Public Image: Karen has posted the article about Diana W. to the club’s Facebook page.
Membership: the committee will be meeting next Tuesday at noon. Let Hannah know if you wish to attend.
Vocational Service: Scott Burns announced that Sylvia Whitlock will be the presenter at the Spark event on Tuesday, April 20th, at 12:30 p.m. She will be speaking on multicultural education in California and its failures.
International Service: The Rotary Foundation has approved the Global Grant for the aquaponics project in Nicaragua.
Program: Kirk Greene introduced speaker George Abbott, the Senior V.P. at Lighthouse for the Blind in Seattle. Kirk has served on the Board of Trustees and the Investment Committee for the organization for many years. George shared a video showing the impressive work of the organization that provides good jobs for people who are blind, blind/deaf or blind with other disabilities, partnering with local businesses, such as Boeing, with whom they have the silver status designation.
George Abbott Photo by Janet Napier
The Seattle organization was founded in 1918, initially making products, such as brooms, then going door to door in the evenings selling them. Now it is a multi-million dollar business and they hold huge government contracts. Their core capabilities are aerospace products, business office products, military/ defense products, base supply centers and contract management services. They employ 470 people, 260 of whom are blind, blind/deaf, or blind with other disabilities.
While manufacturing is their bread and butter, they do so much more, such as low vision rehabilitation services: independent living and safe travel, low vision clinic and store, and education and resources.
The organization was impacted by the coronavirus and, while much has more recently improved, they still have some supply-chain issues. They did receive PPP.
If anyone is in Seattle after the pandemic, they are welcome to tour the Lighthouse for the Blind facility.
Adjournment: Eric adjourned the meeting at 8:32 a.m.
WHAT IS ROTARY?
We're a leadership organization of local business, professional and civic leaders.
We meet regularly, get to know each other, form friendships and, through that, we're able to get things done in our community and in the world.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a weekly newsletter of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise. Please submit questions, comments, corrections, submissions, or photos to Janet Napier at janetnapier@cox.net. Deadline for submissions is every Friday for the next week's issue.
Support our club foundation when shopping at Amazon.
Support our club foundation when shopping at Ralphs.
Please add mailservice@clubrunner.com to your safe sender list or address book.
To unsubscribe from future e-mails, click here.
To forward this email to your friends, click here.
To view our privacy policy, click here.
ClubRunner
905.829.5299
102-2060 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, ON, L6H 5R7
