Next week County Commissioner Jane Weber will join us to tell us all about the National Heritage Foundation. Join us at noon at the country club or on Zoom!
Last Week at Rotary
Last week outgoing President Cari Yturri treated us to her swan song. While some might regard her leadership year as a year of challenges, Cari described it as a year of plenty. In every aspect of her presidency, wherever she looked she found talent, generosity, and a can-do spirit. Cari recognized various Rotarians individually and then presented certificates of appreciation to the members of her board. She has made a donation to the Rotary Foundation in each of their names.
Cari emphasized that leadership doesn't come from a single person. It takes teamwork, partnerships, and friendships. Rotary is blessed to have plenty of all three. "We have shown that we are able to adapt, pivot, and sustain," Cari said as she turned the gavel over to Megan Connors.
President Connors closed the meeting expressing what everyone felt - deep gratitude to her predecessor and the promise to carry on the traditions that make our club so strong.
Updates
The Camp Rotary Clean-up, originally scheduled for next Wednesday, has been postponed until further notice. The July campers have canceled so Camp Rotary Operations Chair John Juras would like the clean-up to be a little closer to the next scheduled camp use.
John also brought good news about the camp to last week's meeting. The Forest Service has approved their amended special use permit to allow for the creation of new paths at the camp. This will add to the outdoor experience for future campers!
Last week Fred Anderson headed up a casual celebration for this year's RYLA selectees. Since the RYLA Camp was canceled this summer, last Wednesday's event at the country club was a nice way to salute our would-be campers and to keep them engaged till next year.
Beth McFadden and other public-spirited Rotarians continued their practice of distributing food at Whittier School last Thursday. (The photo from the week before features Rotarians Heather Palermo, Leon Green III and Sheila Rice. Thanks for protecting those you serve by wearing masks, friends!)
Another Perspective on Going Forward
As the Bylaws Committee prepares to propose changes to the bylaws late next week to provide members with ample time to consider and discuss them prior to the vote on July 28, here is another perspective on the issue of wrapping up the evening membership pilot and addressing the issues that led to the pilot in the first place. It comes from long-time board member Kurt Baltrusch:
Our world is driven by change. People no longer need to have an outlet to fill their time and it is even a bigger struggle for ritual-centered groups like the Elks and Shrine that have done so much good. Our Rotary has done very well through this period. Membership levels and participation have been good. We have seen some spikes over the years, mostly when the membership committee has been very active. I don’t think expense is the issue our club faces; value is the issue. Here’s a story that illustrates my point:
In the depression, automakers, especially the luxury brands, were hit very hard. Cadillac responded early on by introducing a lower priced car, the LaSalle, which was successful. Packard responded by introducing a low cost car but still called it a Packard. Those efforts saved both Cadillac and Packard, and both dropped those models once things improved. However, Packard had cheapened the brand, and while that provided an immediate solution, it contributed to Packard's downfall in the late fifties. Are we doing the same with Rotary? Pay less, attend less but somehow be the same? I don’t know the answer to that, but that is the core of my concern about where we go from here.
Dividing the membership by meeting time has not been successful and is becoming divisive. It’s time to be one club open to all under the same terms. We should continue to focus on attracting new members, but additionally, focus more on our meetings by making them even better. I welcome help on that. But the point is, let’s focus on adding value for all members, not cutting expenses and reducing the involvement of some of them.
Kurt Baltrusch
Milestones
It's a big birthday week! Aaron Weissman celebrates a new year on Monday, Sydney Blair on Tuesday, and Barb Mullens on Friday. Happy birthday to all three of you!
