Success Through Teamwork 11/21/12

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Thanks to Lisa Schwab we were pleased to have Linda Marten of Get Help Parenting, with us at this week's meeting. We hope to see her again very soon! 

President Jim Vuchsas has reported that we have entered into a Sister Club relationship with the Rotary Club of Ajijic, in Jalisco, Mexico.  This is a club mostly composed of Americans and Canadians, English speaking, one of at least three such clubs in Mexico. This fulfills another of President Jim's goals for 2012-2013. Don Culton was instrumental in making this happen. We will continue to support the Animo Venice Interact Club's milk program and will expand our Club involvement with Ajijic. You can visit their website at www.rotaryajijic.org/. 

Just a reminder, we have one more week to collect "wish list" items towards the Midnight Mission's needs. If you have something you would like to donate please bring it to our 11/28 meeting. "Mr. Generosity," Howard Pollack, has donated 25 cases of 12 oz. bottles of water (24 bottles to a case) towards the wish list, let's not let Howard stand alone in giving! Participate! Tom Dixon found out that we need a minimum of 10 people to serve dinner, so if there are more, they are very welcome. He also noted that the time we need to be there is 5:00 PM to serve until 7:00 PM. A group dinner at LA's oldest (and one of the best) restaurant, Philippe's, is planned.    

Howard has also offered discounted cases of water to Rotarians who have the need or want to plan ahead for emergencies at $2.40 per case. Where else an you add to emergency preparation for less than a cup of coffee from Starbucks? 

President Jim proudly noted two more recent Club accomplishments. In support of the extraordinary Sarah Chapman and her non-profit, Build a Better Benin, we have made a $500 donation towards the creation of an orphanage  in Benin, Africa. Knowing Sarah, she'll stretch it a 1,000 miles! Additionally Jim noted that to ease the devastation of the East Coast hurricane, Sandy, we were able to make a $1,400 donation to the Rockaway Foundation to help where FEMA and other organizations have not been helpful or visible. Thanks to Anne Algaze we were able to identify this group as a hands on organization that will apply 100% of the funds towards rebuilding. A check was given to Anne who graciously hand delivered it to that Foundation.  

Anne will kick off our Holiday Giving Program next week in her typical creative fashion. This is always a not to be missed meeting! 

On 11/28 President Elect Tom Carson will call for nominations from the floor and announce the proposed 2013-2014 slate of Board of Directors. As proscribed in the By-Laws, the formal election will take place at the 12/12 meeting. 

Lucy Wegner remind all of the Angel City Chorale concerts on 12/1 and 12/2. Those buying tickets from her or mentioning her name if purchasing online, will allow her to meet her goal of a 50% ticket cost donation back to the Club's Teacher Mini Grant Program. That's the ultimate "twofer, " a great evenings entertainment and a helping hand to local education. Note details in the attached Angel City Chorale Story.   

If you have  a friend or associate who would like to contribute to Teacher Mini Grants but prefers to do so online via credit card they can do so at http://www.crowdrise.com/Teacher Mini Grants. As a 501c3 non-profit, this gift is tax deductible.  Gwen Vuchsas distributed a beautiful Rotary Holiday Calendar. We posted a copy on the website for those not present. 

Last Sat. Tammie Bean represented the Club at the Rotary Community Alliance meeting. It was reported that the District was establishing a local Rotocare Clinic based on the northern California model. Tammie's input was valuable and insightful! 

Thorough conversation with friends, President Jim recognized another community need. He enlisted our partners at The Argonaut, to run a free ad to call for barbers and salon  employees to donate their talents to help those who can not afford to "spruce up for the holidays." He knows that someone who feels good about the way they look will walk taller in this world and be able to "make their mark."  

After all this passage of information we got to our program of the day, David Voss, leading us in giving thanks at Thanksgiving. He called for volunteers from the audience to share their own experiences of "Rotary Moments." Several members stepped forward to offer how giving to Rotary efforts had in fact enriched their own lives. Story after story had each of us welling up more emotional tears as we relived the stories, through their telling. David caped off the experience with his own heartfelt remembrance and a video of Past District Governor Rick King giving his personal testimony of Rotary coming home to Rotarians. This was another great example of how selflessness is routinely rewarded. We go forward with no personal agenda of getting back from our work, yet we are consistently blessed with returns on our efforts. There is a divine message here, which goes to "cast your bread upon the waters," and shows that if one gives for giving sake, you shall reap great and unexpected rewards. We give because we are Rotarians, we get back because we are blessed to be Rotarians.  

Again, Happy Thanksgiving to all and thanks to the givers. 

Thanks to Don Culton for this week's photo. 

Save the Date  

November 28 Holiday Giving Program kick off, Midnight Mission wish list collection 

December 1 & 2 Angel City Chorale Performance  

December 2 Midnight Mission Food Service  

December 5 Governor Lew Bertrand's Club visit  

December 11 McBride School Holiday Party 

December 12 Board of Directors Election 

December 14 Holiday Gift Wrapping Party 

December 17 Santa Tour

December 26 No meeting, Club dark 

January 2 White Elephant Gift Exchange 

January 11 Teacher Mini Grants, food sponsored by Playa Vista (replaces 1/9 regular meeting) 

Be well.   

Yours in Rotary service,   

Tony