Read Alana Stein’s report: The small Club€¦ · District 5240 - Rotarians in Motion 1 Issue 2010-06 December 2010 - Family Month Editor Brad Henderson [email protected]

Read Alana Stein’s report: The small Club that is doing BIG things - Rotary Club of Inyokern

We're not sure if other Rotary Clubs in District 5240 have Official Poets but we do - Pauline Braswell, Official Poet of the Rotary Club of Kern River Valley. Pauline became 85 yrs. young on July 24, 2010. Read more about Pauline in Susan Barr's excellent article from the Kern Valley Sun, “Pauline Braswell: Woman of Many Talents”

Partnership with Village People

District 5240, in partnership with the district Rotary Clubs of Simi Sunrise, Camarillo, Westlake Village, Westlake Village Sunrise, Newbury Park, Simi Valley, with Park City Sunrise (Utah), and Rotary Clubs of Choluteca and Tegucigalpa (Honduras) – each are investing in at least 3-years and up to a 6-year commitment addressing the issue of poverty in Honduras. Rotary services are being provided under the Adopt-A-Village program of the Inter Country Committee between District 5240 and Honduras.

Read about the personal account for this project as it projects, “Bringing Jobs to El Marillal, Honduras.”

Master PRLS is in full swing in Santa Maria . . . Ventura County just completed Basic PRLS, soon to start MPRLS on December 11, 2010.

We are hosting a few Rotarians from other Districts, honing their leadership skills with our MPRLS leadership.

“Potential Rotary Leadership Seminars” (PRLS) Classes start in the east part of the District with Basic PRLS January 29, 2011

This PRLS program offers practical training in professional circumstances that can benefit anyone on both a personal and professional level.

PRLS & Master PRLS classes come once a year to the District’s northern area (SLO & Santa Barbara Counties), southern area (Ventura County), and eastern area (Kern County) parts of our vast District . . .

The program's blend of curricular theory and practical application skills helps prepare business leaders for success in any commanding role.

(see Traveling Miles to Reach Success)

1District 5240 - Rotarians in Motion

Issue 2010-06 December 2010 - Family Month

Editor B r a d H e n d e r s o n

[email protected]

Publisher W a y n e S n y d e r

[email protected]

Communications Committee V i c k i A r n d t

Te r r y B e c k e t tA n d y L u p a n o w

D a v i d S a i n t - A m a n dW a l t S t e p h e n s

B r e n d a C r e s s e yB r a d H e n d e r s o n

W a y n e S n y d e r

District Governor D e e p a W i l l i n g h a m

District Governor-Elect W a d e N o m u r a

District Governor Nominee Elect F r a n k O r t i z

District 5240 Websitew w w . r o t a r y d i s t r i c t 5 2 4 0 . o r g

Website CommitteeTe r r y B e c k e t t ( C h a i r )

W a l t S t e p h e n sW a y n e S n y d e r

Editor’s/Publisher’sCorner

Article SubmiSSion criteriA

• Articlesmustbeoriginalandnotpublishedelsewhere.• ArticlesshoulddealwithRotarysubjectsonly.• Articlesshouldbee-mailedinMicrosoftWordformatonly;appropriatepicturesareencouraged.

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• Authorsacceptthattheirarticlesmaybeedited.• Theauthor’sname,contactinformationandRotaryClubmembershipshouldbeapparent.

• AllsubmissionsshouldbesenttoBradHenderson

I can hardly believe it... another year, gone. Where did it go? For me, the year has flown by. As we leave November behind and enter the holiday

season, we have much to celebrate.The only constant seems to be change. Many are

continuing to feel the effects of a poor economy and need help. Several are

hanging on by the smallest of margins. But, we still have a never-ending will

to be of service and help others. Simply amazing!

Rotary plays a large role in my family. I have been a Rotarian for

over 6½ years, my wife is a former Rotarian and my kids are both in Interact. Rotary, in one

form or another, has a positive impact on our daily lives. Giving back and being a part of the Rotary community gives us all a satisfaction that I do not believe we could get anywhere else.

We love this time of year. We spend time with family that are normally too busy to take time off of work. It seems we all have a common goal and celebrate not only

t h i s time of year, but a more basic celebration of life and family. I am a very lucky man.

I have had the honor for the past 3 years of publishing this bulletin/newsletter/eZine. I have read many inspiring stories

and heartfelt sentiment about Rotary in our district as well as International. I read about great Rotarians who accomplish incredible things. It is a constant reminder that, within Rotary, great things are possible.

From my family to yours—I hope you have the happiest and most joyous of holidays. I wish you success and prosperity in the coming year and may all your wishes be granted!

mailto:bradh%40bfgc-ibigroup.com?subject=District%205240%20Magazine

mailto:bradh%40bfgc-ibigroup.com?subject=District%205240%20Magazine

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2 District 5240 - Rotarians in Motion

December 2010 - Family Month Issue 2010-06

Deepa’s Message

(Continued on Page 3)

My dear Rotarian Colleagues:

December is Family Month. In our clubs, we have celebrated each others’ birthdays or anniversaries,

we have happily paid fines for the privilege of “bragging” about our children’s achievements and we have teased each other and laughed with each other when age has gotten the best of us. We have also grieved together when one among us has been taken unexpectedly through an untimely death, we have banded together when disaster or illness has struck our close or distant friends, we have shared fellowship with those in our clubs as well as

those in our local and world communities, we have been proud when one of our children has traveled to a distant hostile land in the discharge of his/her duty, and we have rejoiced when one of us has successfully beaten all odds against cancer or heart attack or brain tumor! We have been proud to offer a myriad of programs that help our elderly, augment our local NGOs’ effort to serve our communities, provide educational and financial assistance to our youth, provide holiday

celebrations in our communities, and we have been proud to spread the Rotary message as a beacon of hope to bring peace in the world. Yes my friends, our Families of Rotary are well and kicking in our clubs and I am proud!

I am proud also that, in addition to our own Families of Rotary, we have embraced many global families, in every corner of the planet. We have opened our hearts and offered our resources to embrace those who are less fortunate than us. This year alone we would be continuing our work in the Philippines, in Mexico, in India, in Honduras, in Nicaragua, in Niger, in Uganda, in S. Korea, in Sri Lanka, in Afghanistan, in Columbia, in Brazil…just to name a few! I, as the President of PACE Universal, am again planning on sending some of our high school kids to India to learn first-hand the meaning of extreme poverty, PDG Anil and I are planning on traveling with many of you (and some of our Rotaractors) to India for National Polio Immunization Day in February, Past President Bruce Howard is planning on taking a group to Nigeria for similar Polio eradication work, we have welcomed 14 Youth Exchange

“To put the world right in order,We must first put the nation in order;

To put the nation in order, We must first put the family in order;

To put the family in order, We must first cultivate our own personal life;

We must first set our hearts right.”

~Confucius



Students from every corner of the planet into our homes and our communities, we will be sending three young adults to universities abroad as Ambassadorial Scholars and we would have done innumerable matching grants to improve the lives of human families across the planet, many of whom we would never meet in our life time!

I am proud also that, in spite of some great loses of some of our loved ones, most of us have survived and have thrived with our families and health intact. We are grateful and we can express our gratefulness by opening our hearts and pocketbooks to keep up the good work of the Family of Rotary. December is a month for “giving”. As you consider your holiday giving…please consider giving to the Annual Program Fund of The Rotary Foundation (TRF). This giving allows us, Rotarians, to continue the good work I have outlined above. Only if we all understand and participate in this vital program of The Rotary Foundation can we make sure to achieve its mission...“To Enable Rotarians to Advance World Understanding, Goodwill and Peace Through…the Improvement of Health, the Support of Education, and the Alleviation of Poverty.”

Finally, I am grateful to each one of you for welcoming me in your Family of Rotary and for giving my family and me the courage to face the health crisis that I faced in May of this year. Please accept my love and best wishes and may your time with your families be joyous during this holiday season!

Yes, Rotary has taught us well…we have learned to whole-heartedly embrace Will and Ariel Durants’ notion, “The family is the nucleus of civilization.”

Deepa’s Message(Continued from Page 2)

This is a report f rom the Inyokern club President, Alana Stein, to share just a few club

activities worthy of praise:

Summer Challenge: During the blazing hot summer in Ridgecrest they held the Indian Wells Valley Summer Talent Challenge, packing the Ridgecrest USO building with a very high quality show, fabulous backdrops and talented adults and teens – selling entertainment to bring in over $1100.00 in ticket sales, that was donated to the Elementary School of Inyokern, for field trips, etc.

Guatemala Night at the Museum: From their 3 trips to Guatemala this past year, they collected gifts for a bevy of Silent Auction baskets and optional prizes gifted from voluntary donations [it’s not a raffle]. In addition, Artwork was sold from the children of an Art Class given at the Margarita Down Syndrome School, Guatemala City, last June. Finally, a very special coffee treat was served from a Guatemalan Rotarian’s plantation with complimentary deserts.

Eradicate Polio Awareness: The Club invited Jim Lewis to bring in the iron lung as a demonstration, while the club held a “Hula Hooping for Polio” event over a two day period for 200 children, each donating a dollar just to hoop for Polio. Many people were made aware that polio is still an active problem!

Start of an Interact Club: Martha Watkins is a proud mom and Interact Club liaison at their local High School “new” Interact Club, and also serves as the President Elect, Inyokern Rotary Club. They are planning a Fashion Show, as generating seed money for special activities of the Interact Club

this year.

Casa Bernabe Orphanage: Second generation Rotarian and new member, Tonya Wicker, teaches Spanish and English at a local Middle school. She spent her very first meeting, as a Rotarian, visiting the Rotary Club Ermita, District 4250 in Guatemala City -- assisting in writing a grant for a very special water project they are doing in Guatemala. She took her two children to the orphanage this summer, while she taught there at the Casa Bernabe orphanage. Her husband was also able to take off and go for several weeks; culminating in recruiting her husband Eric, as a new member of the Inyokern Club. Eric helped with construction of a new clinic on the orphanage grounds during his visit to Guatemala. His day job is in Cardiac Rehab at our local hospital.

Rotarian Couples: On November 8th, new members Netty and Michael Miller were inducted, spending their first week as members going on a fact finding trip to Mexico, led by Dennis White (Rotary Club of Cambria) and Tim Trijillo (Rotary Club of Tehachapi). “Get them out there and find their passions,” says Alana.

Vocational Service: Rotarian member Donna Daley opened her Gift Shop, filled with unique gift items, for an after-meeting excursion, giving 20% rebates of the sales back to the Inyokern Club.

Veterans Day Cookout. Two Club members, Gail-Marie Petty and Sam Schoendals purchased enough food for several thousands people and gave it all to a Veterans’ Day Cookout in honor of our service men and women.

The Small Club that is doing Big Things



Now that our D9810 Group Study Exchange Team has finished their exchange with

your District, I would like to thank you on behalf of my GSE Committee for looking after them so well while in California.

From all accounts they have had some great Rotary Club days with your Rotarians as well as lovely Home hosts. I am sorry that we had some misunderstandings about Vocational days early in the exchange but glad that everything got back on track with them all. I am sure that our team have made some important contacts with all of their varied vocations, as well as made lifelong friends with many of the Rotarians and their families. I am looking forward to hearing of their wonderful experiences when the team all returns to Melbourne in mid November.

My GSE Committee has our plans for the Special Focus on Water and Wildfire well in hand for your teams’ arrival. We have our Home Hosts in place as well as Club Days with the Rotary Clubs of our District. We have made arrangements with our Country Fire Authority, Weather Bureau as well as several Water Resource Authorities to visit these places with your team.

We have a four week exchange in place with Host families starting from Saturday March 12th. From your expected arrival date we have allowed for the weekend of March 26th-27th for your team to have free time over this 4 week period, we have arrangements in hand for them to spend time at a lovely coastal town out of Melbourne for this weekend. Each of your Team

members will have Four Host families, as we move the team every Saturday, this allows them to spend time in all parts of our Rotary District - from The Bay to the Hills.

During recent GSE exchanges in our District we have arranged for teams to give their Team Presentation at a welcome dinner involving combined Cluster Rotary Clubs we have four of these planned for you Team there is approximately 100 to 150 Rotarians and their partners at these evenings.

Giving presentations this way we have found that the Team is able to spend some down time with their Host families, and it cuts out really late evening meetings for the team members. Although they may have the opportunity to give a presentation to some of our Rotary clubs as well as the cluster groups, these will all be in place before your team arrives.

May I suggest that your Team comes with a different presentation for our District Conference in Adelaide from the one that they will give to the club/clusters evenings, so they will need a presentation for the conference of about 30 minutes, and for the Cluster meeting about the same amount of time.

At our District Conference there will be well over 900 Rotarians and their partners present.

The D5240 and D9810 GSE teams will leave for our district Conference in Adelaide on Thursday morning, April 7th of and return to Melbourne after our District Conference on Sunday April 10th, we have the departure date for your team from our district as Monday April 11th.

We can guarantee that your GSE Team

will have a wonderful four weeks in our Rotary D9810, just like our Team did in your district, and we look forward to especially focusing on Water and Wildfire with the team that you select with this special focus.

I will be able to email the completed program well before your Team leaves California, and I would appreciate if you could let me know the makeup of your Team as soon as you have them selected so that we can put into place their Vocational Days.

Please email me if you have any further queries about what I have outline above for your Team.

On January 29, 2011, District 5240 will be presenting a symposium designed to address the issues of extreme poverty and the role Rotarians can play in raising the hope and living standards of individuals and families who are in this desperate situation.

Rotary International’s Future Vision is coming to our District in 2013 and will be the foundation for a day of inspiring speakers, club project presentations, information sharing, live music, workshops covering the six areas focus, great fellowship and much more. Clubs are encouraged to bring members of Interact and Rotaract clubs they sponsor.

The Santa Maria Fair Park will be the setting of the event which will take place from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Members will be covered under their club’s participation fee which is based on club size. Much more information on the conference as well as accommodations and registration forms are on the District website.

Group Study Exchange between Rotary Districts 9810 & 5240By Kay Gordon, Chairperson D9810 GSE

Dear DG Deepa and GSE Chairperson Colin,

Symposium to Eliminate Poverty Sustainably, by Loretta Butts, Foundation Committee



I just recently learned that a Rotarian from Foster City, CA was in the middle of taking the series of PRLS

and MPRLS classes in Santa Maria. I asked him to share with me what inspired him to make the journey from Foster City to Santa Maria to participate in PRLS leadership training?

Bob Pope said “The reason I started and then continued to make the big trip down south, as well as the hotel bills, were for the incredible value I am receiving from your classes. The best so far for me has been the public speaking classes. You have a lot of talent there! I am hoping that I can help bring back Master PRLS to our district. I go to several clubs anyway and have been giving positive feedback. I think the Basic PRLS series in our district seems to be a success. I am not sure how long it will take for the Master PRLS to take hold up here. However, the price and the material are invaluable for any Rotarian and Business Leader!” Bob Pope, PMP, Foster City, CA 94404

District 5150 Governor, Bill Koefoed, has a quest to bring Leadership Training to his district during his tenure. Since Rotary is so much about sharing, our District 5240 has exemplified this by training other districts in this venture. Betsy Koefoed (spouse of Bill) has been charged with developing a similar program in the Bay Area of Rotary International. She has become their District 5150 PRLS Director.

Betsy has conveyed her enthusiasm by sharing this commentary, “We looked at my different programs and thought PRLS was solid and certainly credible because

you had been providing it to your district for 18 years. I contacted David Gore, who drove all the way up to the San Francisco Bay Area to launch us into our first Basic PRLS class on May 1. He trained our faculty and inspired us with his wit and enthusiasm for the content of Basic PRLS.

He also held forth that ‘this is just the tip of the iceberg’ and told us about the Master PRLS program you offer.”

“Three of us, Michael Ford, Bob Pope and myself, have trekked down to Santa Maria once a month to experience Master PRLS - so we can bring it back to add to the PRLS curriculum in District 5150. This last Friday night the traffic was bad driving down to Santa Maria and it took Bob and me 5 ½ hours. Well, since we were in the prepared speech section - Master PRLS 2 - we ‘practiced" our speeches over and over. Mike Ford had a commitment at home Friday night, so he got up

at 3:30 AM Saturday morning and drove down for the class.”

“ We h a v e b e e n welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm at each and every class. Next month, Dec. 4 will be our last class. We are looking forward to "graduating" but will always remember and be grateful to District 5240 for guiding and coaching us so we could start the journey of providing this great training to our Rotarians. It is truly ‘beneficial to all concerned.’” Thank you District 5240!!

PRLS (pronounced “pearls”) training is comprised of 6 classes: Basic PRLS (1 day) and the Master PRLS series of five (5) classes (on separate single days). There is graduation

and a special PRLS pin at the end of Basic PRLS, and graduation again and a special pin hanger (that says Master) at the end of the Master PRLS series.

Classes extend from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, with registration and continental breakfast at 8:00 AM, and lunch.

PRLS is not just for Rotarians, but for our friends and family members as well. You don’t even need to aspire to be a Rotary Club President to use the skills and tools you learn in PRLS. This

Training will benefit both your professional and personal life as well.

In Basic PRLS we’ll talk about Leadership, Public Relations & Communications, Leading a Successful Meeting, Public Speaking, and a wonderful history of Rotary that you won’t learn about anywhere else.

The Master PRLS series includes: two full days of Public Speaking…learn the secrets to overcoming your fears, and becoming an outstanding public speaker; a single day of Facilitation Skills; a day of Situational Leadership (by the renowned Ken Blanchard); and a single day of Business Planning & Project Management.

For a registration form, go to www.RotaryDistrict5240.org and click on Links, or go to http://www.prs.org to access the PRLS website directly. The cost of each session is $50, and many clubs will reimburse that cost to Rotarians (ask your Club President if your club reimburses members for the cost of PRLS).

The rate for Rotary spouses and family members, Rotaract and Interact members and Rotary Youth Exchange Students is $25

per person.For more information, contact:

Kim Woods, PRLS Chair - [email protected] Tony Huff, PRLS Registrar - [email protected]

T r a v e l i n g M i l e s t o R e a c h S u c c e s sPRLS Corner... news from your leadership coach, Kim Woods

Bob PopeRotary Club of

Foster City

Betsy Koefoed, D5150 PRLS Director



Heartwarming Holiday Story

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help

drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would b e b r o a d e n e d a n d e n l i v e n e d by all the activity and color of the world outside.

T h e w i n d o w o v e r l o o k e d a park wi th a love ly l ake . Ducks and swans p layed on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described a l l th i s in exqui s i t e deta i l , the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window, described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn’t hear the band - he could see it. In his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks pas sed . . .

One morn ing , the day nur s e arr ived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his s leep. She was saddened and called the hospi ta l a t tendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painful ly, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”

Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Ring out the old, ring in the new; Ring, happy bells, across the snow;

The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.

- Lord Tennyson, 1850





Celebrate The Rotary Foundation gala for the 2nd time in our District 5240 history, when we will be honored by the presence of the Rotary International President, Ray Klinginsmith.

RI President Ray will serve as our Keynote Speaker at the Annual Rotary Foundation Gala in Mardi Gras style. Enjoy an intimate Meet and Greet Reception, have fun participating in the Second Line Parade for the grand opening. You’ll experience great entertainment and a delicious dinner and program.

Please join us to thank our many Rotary Foundation Donors on Tuesday, January 4th at the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley Marriott in Buellton (Rotary Room rate is only $99 per night). The local Rotary clubs to the Buellton area will host this event and on line registration is available on a first come-first served basis, as we’re limited to about 320 tickets.

We encourage clubs to reserve a table for 10 early and once that table has valid registrations the table will be confirmed.

There are several choices this year for all our Rotarians. Meet and Greet: $20 (free drink and hors d’oeuvres); Dinner only: $60; All inclusive package: $75.00

Important Foundation Donor Note: RI President Ray would be honored to recognize all donors who achieved new or next level Major Donor, Bequest Society or Benefactor status in the past year and half. If you or other members, of your club have made or are interested in making this commitment please let me know as soon as possible. Governor Deepa particularly wants the newer members of your clubs or your club sponsored Rotaractors, who have recently become PHFs, recognized at this event. If your club can sponsor their attendance, that will be an added bonus.

Dress for the evening: International dress, dressy evening, your best Western Gear or Mardi Gras Garb in honor of RI President Ray!

Event Policy: This will be a sellout event and therefore no walk-ins registrations will be accepted at the door and no refunds after December 28th On-line registration closes on December 28th so please telephone or email Registrar Steve Berg at: [email protected] (805-688-9484) to determine if there are any available tickets. Go online to Events – District, on the District Web Page and scroll to District TRF Gala on January 4th to register on line.

Rotary Foundation Mardi Gras



Some people just have a way with words and Pauline Braswell is certainly one of them. From her early days as a child down on the Delta in Mississippi, to the

three years in Los Angeles spent raising her two baby boys alone while her husband served in WWII, and ultimately to her retirement in the Kern River Valley, times of exceptional happiness or sadness have moved her to put pen to paper to create something beautiful. And Braswell has certainly experienced many instances of both during her almost 85 years [Born July 24, 1925].

Reflecting on her life, Braswell says that certain moments definitely stand out: being a c c ep t ed a s a D a u g h t e r o f the Amer i can R e v o l u t i o n , hiking up Mt. Whitney beside her son Troy Jr, kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland, a surprise trip on the Goodyear blimp, the view from the top of Teotihuacan Pyramid outside Mexico City and the countless happy faces of children she entertained for 20 years as her alter ego "Geralda - the Sweet Clown."

Braswell is a member of the Kern River Valley Poets and Writers Club which encourages literary appreciation in the valley and inspires its members to become better writers. The club publishes a yearly anthology of their work and also maintains a website (www.poetsandwriters.kern-river-valley.com) which showcases different poets and writers work each month. Pennay Johnson, the club's current president was happy to extol Braswell's virtues, both as a poet and as an individual.

"Pauline is a very lovely and personable lady. She has written about what she has experienced in her life," Johnson stated, "She is also an exceptionally good reader of her poetry."

Braswell's poems are showcased on her website www.paulinebraswell.com which features a collection of her work entitled "Poems From The Heart." "Footprints for Children" explores the poignant relationship between a parent and a young child, while "The Challenger Spaceship," penned only hours after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986, captures Braswell's emotional reaction to the tragedy. On a more light-hearted note, "Flossie-The floosie flamingo" is a tribute to the local Rotary Club's

colorful mascot. One of the greatest surprises of

Braswell's literary life came years ago when she received a large book in the mail titled "America at the Millennium: The best poems and poets of the 20th century." In it, was the following poem. It had been selected from the International Library of Poetry, where she has copyrighted her poems.

Braswell has sent copies of her poem "Our Constitution - A Document of Vision" to several of our nation's presidents. She has received kind

letters from them all, including the most recent from President Obama.

Today, Braswell continues to stay very busy. She volunteers as a Pink Lady at the hospital Thrift Shop working the cash register, she remains a member of the Rotary Club of the Kern River Valley, the Hospital Foundation and of course, the Kern River Valley Poets and Writers Club.

Although life can sometimes be lonely without Troy, her beloved husband of 63 years, and her daughter Linda, both of whom she lost in the past few years, her outlook remains upbeat. "I have had a wonderful life," Braswell stated, "There have been sad times that have been hard to get through, but you just go on."

Pauline Braswell: Woman of Many TalentsKern Valley Sun - January 20, 2010

Susan Barr, Kern Valley Sun

Christa & The Challenger Spaceship You gave us excitement, an Astronaut elite.

Surpassed mundane lives, and earth-bound feet. Your moment of glory, vapor trails in the air

Filled us with elation, and sudden despair. Oh! to change that moment, erase the time and scene

Of gentle tracing vapors, into a sea of green, Give back to you the glory, your children, time in space

Your dedication to our future, mankind, the human race. Your legacy is etched in time, the future now is clear

Our nation must continue and conquer human fear. Your joy of great adventure, the challenge of your dreams

Have placed a torch in heaven ...guiding Astronaut Teams.



I’ll admit it - I’m not a fan of leftovers (Yuck!). Even if last Thanksgiving’s meal was delicious, the next day - it’s dead to me. I’m talking casseroles, hams, turkeys, Waldorf salads, and even cheese cake. I rarely enjoy a meal the second time around. I realize

that this isn’t necessarily practical. It’s hard to prepare a meal with laser-like precision. And who can walk out of the Steakhouse empty handed? [Other than my friend, Anil Garg, the vegetarian.] Nope; I don’t know what it is, but I can’t learn to love leftovers.

Maybe it’s because I feel that too many times we serve up leftovers in our personal and professional lives (silver-foil swan optional). Most of us are extremely busy, trying to manage an ever-expanding array of tasks, projects, commitments, and activities. We expend copious amounts of energy along the way, draining our tanks. By the time we collapse in the evening, we’re beat – thank you very much.

Here’s where the problem sets in: Despite our best efforts, there are still important people in our lives that are only getting what we’ve got left over. We serve up leftovers to our loved ones, our friends, and our communities. We prioritize those things that scream the loudest for our immediate attention, and we’re shocked at how little time is left for the more meaningful areas of our lives. When we’re pressed this way, out come the leftovers (and without the cranberry relish).

Why is “Family” a focus of Rotary?Rotary was built upon friendships.

Sometimes our definition of family is limiting. We only look at our immediate blood relatives. To be sure those are the most important, but I can personally tell you that Rotary can also be included in the definition of family. As I celebrate the holidays, I take great joy in my family, my siblings, and their children. In addition, I feel blessed for the friends I have in my community life – my extended family.

But I equally give thanks just as much for each and every Rotarian I have met along the way. My message to you is

simple: hug everyone who will permit it; accept the friendship where you find it; give thanks for everyone you know; and always count your blessings. (Serve me up some of that left-over guilt).

Who is our Rotary Family? This is obvious; every Rotarian is

part of the Rotary family; including the immediate spouse and children of our members. These are the ones you see around the table of bountiful baked banquets. But beyond this, the Rotary family also includes Rotarian friends around town, in nearby burgs and far off places who we work and fraternize with; our Club and Rotary Foundation charitable fellows; and all of the countless volunteers who are part of our respective community programs, vocational programs, and club fellowship programs, here and around the world.

Why does the Family of Rotary matter? Because Rotary is about community;

the community we live in, the worldwide community and the community of Rotarians. When we share in community, your problems become my problems and your joys - my joys. Therefore, Rotary families matter to Rotary, to the family of Rotarians and the Rotarian’s family. If we are to live out the Rotary ideal, to create a better world, we must start with the family. We need to care for all the members of our Rotary family, because without each other there is no community.

With little creativity and a few ingredients

you can easily convert your leftovers into a dessert for happiness or a reward to friendships, much to the delight of your Rotary Family.

How much time do you spend engaging in common outside activities such as work, school, exercise, time with the family, going to movies, having lunch with Oprah, engaging clients or vendors, planning for the future, volunteering your time, and the like?

Here’s the million dollar question: Are you treating your important personal encounters as main courses or as leftovers?

Reach out to key contacts (monthly). Don’t buy into the “self-made myth”. No one who has accomplished anything worthwhile in life has done so entirely on one’s own. Stay in regular contact with family, friends, co-workers, and community leaders who want to see you succeed. You can take pride in the fact that you’re willing to ask for their help and are prepared to offer your help in return.

If you can increase your awareness of the leftovers in your life, you can ensure that you’re giving the most important things in life - the people that matter most to you - the attention they deserve. With this type of improved awareness over time, you’ll be able to serve up the best you have to offer; and without the cranberry relish. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to clean out my fridge. (Wish me luck).

Brad HendersonRotary Club of Bakersfield South

Leftovers, Again?



We went back to the village today. The village of El Marillal is 2.5 hours from the capital of Honduras, called Tegucigalpa. It was interesting

because the villagers were introduced to microcredit loans today. I watched as the women asked questions about the possibilities. It was so profound for me.

The women told us yesterday that they wanted to start a bakery. It looks like that may happen because of Rotary. We were able to walk through the village and see the water well put in by Rotary and the site of the medical clinic that out club funded. I also used the new latrines provided by Rotary. It was really cute because the women wanted to make sure the latrine was clean before any of us used it.

They (women) also prepared lunch for us - chicken, rice and potatoes. Based upon the primitive nature of their conditions, I was blown away by the quality of the meal.

I like Honduras. The people are so wonderful and friendly. We have met some dedicated Rotarians who give so much. I never cease to be impressed by the caliber of Rotarians in the developing world. They are hopeful and committed and thoughtful. I guess those in the US are too but our circumstances are not so tenuous.

The Marriott is right next to the presidential palace. While we are having cocktails on the back patio, the presidential helicopter will fly in just over our heads. There is very little distance between us and the palace. It seems a bit strange.

There was a coup here a couple of years ago which people refer to as “the thing.” They don’t speak of it as a coup. I think there is some fear of speaking their minds. We have been clearly Instructed not to walk around alone, particularly the women. Gangs

are common and young men carry guns. I don’t feel unsafe in any way but I don’t Intend to rock the boat. I never felt unsafe in India but Central America is a different story. There has been so much political unrest. But the people are philosophical and proud of their country. Family is important here and guides society.

Tonight we came back to the hotel for our evening cocktails as usual. I invited our van driver, Cesar, to join us. I asked him what he thought about the work we are doing in the village. He said he thought it was wonderful because there are many religious groups that come into town and do a single project and they leave. He said that

while those projects are helpful, they are not going to take people out of poverty. But what we are doing to create jobs and bring education to the villagers was truly amazing. He said that will change their lives.

I think of my home and how grateful I am to be a Rotarian and have the opportunity to partner with people a world or neighborhood apart and give to others. It is truly remarkable. We are so blessed. I am blessed to have much love in my life.

Bringing Jobs to El Marillal, Honduras

Editor’s Note: Vicki Eagleson Arndt is District Governor Deepa’s Chief Operating Officer for her respective 2010-2011 term of service. She is a member of the RC Thousand Oaks and Club Past President in 2007-08. She is traveling to the village of El Marillal to unify the District’s relationship with the Rotary Club of Choluteca.

District 5240, with the partnership of the district Rotary Clubs of Simi Sunrise, Camarillo, Westlake Village, Westlake Village Sunrise, Newbury Park, Simi Valley, with Park City Sunrise (Utah), and Rotary Clubs of Choluteca and Tegucigalpa (Honduras) – each investing in at least 3-years and up to a 6-year commitment addressing the issue of poverty in Honduras. Rotary services are being provided under the Adopt-A-Village program of the Inter Country Committee between D-5240 and Honduras.

The village of El Marillal was selected to be a demonstration site for the “Adopt a Village” program in an effort to work with the villagers for a period of up to 6 years to help the villagers raise themselves out of extreme poverty.

Vicki Eagleson ArndtPast President,

Rotary Club of Thousand OaksChief Operating Officer 2010-11





Documents

Read Alana Stein’s report: The small Club€¦ · District 5240 - Rotarians in Motion 1 Issue 2010-06 December 2010 - Family Month Editor Brad Henderson [email protected]