Success Through Teamwork 2/6//13
Dear fellow Rotarians and friends,
Energy was high with a full room for this week's meeting. We were pleased to have special guest Luis Jimenez return, joining him were Bud Jacobs former Venice Marina Rotarian and officiating installing officer District Governor Lew Bertrand. Rounding out the group was this week's speaker, Westchester Rotarian Nora MacLellan.
Since Rotarians are givers, this week we were thrilled to give the gift of Rotary. Governor Lew came back this week 
to install Rachel Sunday as our newest member. Under the classification of Insurance Services Rachel jumped into Rotary saying yes to Gwen Vuchsas when asked to participate in the Luck `O the Irish BingoFest (March 16th.) We know Rachel will bring the same enthusiasm and passion to all her Rotary involvements. Rachel's induction brings our rolls up to 43 members and still growing. Judith Ciancimino hearkened to Lew's call to just "ask" and acted as Rachel's sponsor It looks like Judith is bucking to become the Membership Director as she sponsored her second member in two weeks. On behalf of all we offer the warmest of welcomes to Rachel and big time thanks to Governor Lew for being with us two weeks in a row! Another banner year for Playa Venice!
Speaker Nora gave us an overview of the non-profit Vision to Learn. Vision provide eye exams and glasses for
youngsters in need. This year old group has already examined 5,270 kids and provided 3,688 pairs of glasses. Great work in a short period of time. Anyone interested to learn more or wanting to make a donation should go to VisionToLearn.org. President Jim Vuchsas presented our speakers'gift of a Club padfolio and as usual we donated a book to local schools in Nora's name. Our thanks to Nora for sharing.
President Jim called for brags and fines, starting with Tore Knos who updated us on his trip to Hawaii to attend the Global Peace Forum. Ideas were shared on projects locally, nationally and internationally to promote peace. Not for attending the forum, but for starting his comments with, "I was in Hawaii...," President Jim took a piece of Tore's wallet to the tune of $20. Rachel joined in to share that her daughter had just been accepted Sonoma State where she got a scholarship to study nursing. She offered up $20 to support her brag. Applying the Four Way Test, Katie Litsey fined herself, not for being in Hawaii "for work," but for not attending the Peace Forum. That $20 proves we'll get you one way or another. Clarence Griffin crept into the back of the room, doing his best David Voss impersonation, but had to stand up to acknowledge LMU's recent successful mayoral debate. That's $25 for better government.
President Jim called Bud Jacobs to the podium to present him with our signature logo pins. The pin is new this year and has been shared with Club members and dignitaries throughout the area. Jim then preceded to roll out a new meeting feature. During the first half of the year he quizzed the Club on Rotary Facts, awarding right answers with candy bars he stole from picnic baskets at Jellystone National Park. He switched gears and kicked off "Name That Member." Giving obscure facts attendees were asked to guess who he was talking about. Armando Diaz, doing his best Kreskin impersonation guessed Lisa Schwab in two clues. There is speculation that Armando has been visiting the Psychic Hotline. This is a fun new element of our meetings. Kudos to President Jim on his creativity. If you haven't filled your questionnaire for Jim please do so, he can't keep it going without ammunition.
President Jim then called Katie Katie married lady to the podium. This year we partnered with Westchester Rotary to pick contestants in the District Arts contest. Over 40 students participated to compete in speech, art, dance and music categories, with eight winners being chosen, four for each Club. Each participating student was given a certificate to honor their efforts. Several of our winners will be with us next week to share about what they did to be recognized by our Club. Photos from the local judging of the contest have been posted on the website's Homepage. Because she was the glue that held the judging together, President Jim named Katie Rotarian of the month for January. Congratulations Katie!
Governor Lew's duties weren't done yet. He rose to present President Jim a check from District in support of Teacher Mini Grants. Once again this year we had 100% member participation in Foundation giving. We were one of the 45 Clubs (out of 65) to receive a grant.
President Jim made an announcement that Sara Chapman of Build a Better Benin has returned from Benin and will be joining us again very soon so tell how our contribution was applied.
Gwen reminded the membership that BingoFest is rapidly approaching and again this year each member is asked to donate a $25 gift card to be bundled for raffle prizes. She will also be looking for sponsors for each of the 10 games we'll hold. There will be nine $100 games and a closing $500 blackout game.
Howard Pollack asked President Jim for a few moments to make a confession. After early January's White Elephant Gift
Exchange Howard stole Lucy Wegner's winnings.To make up for it he presented her with a gift beautifully wrapped in a Victoria Secret bag. As Lucy opened the gift in great excitement, she found out that like not being able to throw away a boomerang, the chicken that sings and dances the Macarena always comes back. Looks like she'll be putting the chicken on the shelf until next January.
No winner in the 50/50 card drawing this week, so $470 rolls over to next week.
Thanks to Judith Ciancimino and Gwen Vuchsas for this week's photos.
Mar 9 Trip to Camp Pendleton Memorial Garden
Mar 9 District arts, speech, music and dance contest
Mar 13 Bring a Friend to Rotary
Mar 16 Luck `O the Irish BingoFest
Mar 23 Ethics Forum
Mar 24 2nd Annual Car Rally (New date!)
Apr 6 Rotary Day of Service
Apr 26 RYLA
May 2-5 District Conference
May 11 Pancake Breakfast Fire Station 63 (New date!)
June 28 Demotion Party
Be well.
Yours in Rotary service,
Tony