Pre-meeting chatter was enjoyed while one by one member and guest joined in, including District Governor Steven Weitzen and Rotaract members awaiting the official start of the meeting. We relived Charley Crew's 'fish story' when a member admired Vern's Blue Heron painting in his home background. Charley had a fish pond in his back yard in Texas with lovely gold fish. One afternoon the fish became a luxurious lunch for a beautiful Heron. We discussed fibromyalgia, now able to be treated-and not long ago a mystery disease. Dave Brook's service dog, Elton, will be with him for about two months after which he will go to be further trained by jailed prisoners, a long-time rehab program. Our guest from Istanbul, Zeynap, stirred memories of members' visits to Turkey. Johanna Mullin greeted all as members joined Zoom. Another guest, Sangeeta from India discovered that RB members have visited India and done work there and she sought out Rotary clubs to see how they worked in America.
President Alex called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. followed by Dan Barrio leading the pledge with a notable quote that warned "Freedom is never more than one generation away' and it is our responsibility to pass it on to the next! Joe Leventhal took his inspiration from an Asian Colonel Kim who served in WWII Battle of Enzio, '43, who refused to be transferred to an all Asian troop-saying we're all Americans, they are Americans, and we're fighting for America." Joel Doss crooned the Welcome Song , assisted by Mom Mary Beth, who shortly was inducted as a member by Governor Weitzen. She will be known as " Mary Beth' versus, Joel's Mother !
President-Elect Athenea announced her Board: Alex as her Co-President. Dave King, Vice-President, Jeanne Hawkins, Secretary, Pat Chaffee, Treasurer, Sgt. at Arms, Bill Brehm, Mike Fuqua, Dave Brooks, Doug Dawson and Jim Reid. Governor Steve thanked RB for our work with the Sunrise Club in Food Distribution and Pres. Alex thanked Steve for his help with Trafficking. President Alex thanked volunteers: Greeter, Johanna Mullin, Dave Brooks, Zoom Set-Up; Scribe, Sonny Googins and Newsletter, Bill Angus. Jan Goldsmith introduced our speaker, The Honorable Shirley Weber, CA Secretary of State. Her Comments to follow.
Announcements: Dan Barrios announced that we've met the 100% goal of 'Every Rotarian, Every Year' contributing to the Foundation. Dan is retiring after 5 years and Bob Vaughn is taking his place. Thank you Dan, for your years of service! Next meeting is June 10 at 5:30. Speaker: Reggie Branch, Voices of Children. June 8-Padre's Ballgame, June 26, Seven Oaks Clean up Day-7:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. June 28, Governors Dinner-Del Mar Hilton. The demotion meeting is June 25.
In the future, the evening meeting will be the first Thursday of the month. The July 1st meeting will be at the Bernardo Heights Country Club, and will begin President Athenea's presidency.
SPEAKER: Dr. Shirley Weber, California Sec. of State.
With voting rights legislation so prominent in the states, Sec Weber revealed that her share cropper Dad never got to vote until they came to California when she was three years old. Her career advanced as she earned her Bachelors, Masters and Phd, taught at SDSU, and served in the CA General Assembly. She lived through race riots in Hope, Arkansas. The family focus was on education. Her mother was a poll worker when it was hard to vote...and in fact her home became a place to vote! She's proud that her responsibility now is to get people to vote and ensure correct elections. CA felons were unaware that they were able to vote in California and now 40,000 more people vote who thought they couldn't. There is a need to correct bad information about 'the stolen presidential election' called "The Big Lie", face the 300 bills in the US restricting voting and an environment where Registrars are being physically and verbally attacked. To solve some California issues she noted the combination of education and economic structure (getting people jobs) are two equally important challenges for the underserved population. Terry Heck presented our book award.
President Alex rang the adjournment bell at 12:30.
Sonny Googins, Scribe.
