Rotary Club of Rancho Bernardo
February 11, 2021 Meeting Notes by Sandie Dewane
President Alex Robertson called our evening Zoom meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Vice President John Goodrich led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Johanna Mullin gave the Inspirational Message. Greeter Bill Brehm introduced two visiting Rotarians from the Downtown Breakfast Rotary Club, Nancy Vaughan and President Kimberly Stewart, along with one guest, Fiona King from North County Interfaith. Joel Doss warmly welcomed everyone in song.
President Alex then turned the program over to Russ Haskell, Coordinator of the 4 Way Test Speech Contest. Russ welcomed the contestants and thanked the speech coaches and teachers at Rancho Bernardo and Del Norte High Schools. He explained the purpose of the Speech contest was to help the students hone their presentation skills. Their presentations will be judged on Organization and Content; Delivery and Presentation; Application of the 4-Way Test; Effectiveness of Overall Effort and length (5-7 minutes). The students’ names will be announced after the presentations. Throughout the meeting, Russ introduced Speakers 1-4.
The following agenda items took place in between the speeches:
Alan Turner had the pleasure of presenting a special Foundation grant in the amount of $4,000 to Fiona King, Communication & Development Director at North County Interfaith. The grant began with donations from Bill Brehm, John Mullin & Alan totaling $1,000 and was matched by the Club Foundation, along with an additional $2,000 donation from the Foundation. Fiona thanked our Club for its continuing support which helps serve 20,000 people annually. She gave an example of being at Starbucks the day before our meeting. Upon seeing her name badge, the manager told Fiona how NCI helped her get back on her feet when she needed a place to stay, food, clothing and mentoring. She started at Starbucks as a barista six months ago and has since been promoted to Manager!
President Alex thanked the following volunteers: Zoom Set-up Mike Fuqua, Newsletter Editor Bill Angus and Scribe Sandie Dewane. Arilla St. Laurent gave the Family of Rotary Report and said that Doug Dawson is recovering from a fall and Mike Stelman is feeling better after being ill. Our Illustrious Fine Master John O’Neill, was welcomed with the usual boos and jeers before he asked for and received Happy Bucks. Cathy Glover announced that Sees candy for spring can be ordered from 2/22-3/19.
At some point during the meeting, President Alex lost his audio and Vice President John Goodrich stepped in. Jim Hyldahl quipped that he would need to sell more salmon so Alex can get new equipment!
While the judges were deliberating in a virtual breakout room, Mike Fuqua introduced the students in the order of their presentations: Speaker #1 Gaurish Gaur, Junior at Del Norte High School; Speaker #2 Katelyn Winkleblech, Sophomore at RB High School; Speaker #3 Nikki Hekmat, Freshman at Del Norte High School; Speaker #4 Jamiie Han, Senior at RB High School.
John Goodrich informed the students about RYLA, Interact (High School students) and Rotaract (College Students). Mike Fuqua mentioned to Jamiie that as a senior with plans for college, scholarships are available through Rotary and the deadline to apply is 3/1/21.
Russ Haskell and the judges returned to the meeting. Russ thanked the judges: Sonny Googins, Michael Ortiz and Sandie Dewane for the difficult decisions they had to make. The students were all amazing and their topics unique and most interesting. 1st Place – Jamiie Han, $150; 2nd Place – Gaurish Gaur $75; Co-Runners Up – Nikki Hekmat and Katelyn Winkleblech, $50 each.
Congratulations and thanks to the talented students and to Russ Haskell for his leadership and coordination in providing this program!
Our next meeting is on Thursday, February 18 at 11:00 a.m. The program will be presented by Monee Gardner, Executive Director of Savvy Giving by Design.
The meeting was adjourned by John Goodrich.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandie Dewane
