PP STEVE DAY was up next, first memorialized as having been Secretary during PP SCHERER’S term. Recovering from this unexpected accolade, PP STEVE then provided a bit of history about the VIRGINIA GANDY Foundation Gift to WVRC. The funds provided can be used within our Club, providing they pay for Paul Harris memberships, among other designations. PP DAY then gave an example of someone who could be currently paying for a Paul Harris membership, and upon application, could be materially helped toward that goal – from these VIRGINIA GANDY funds. If you are in this category, talk to PP DAY for details. He was, of course, roundly bid “Bye” upon retiring from the podium.
Various individuals were then called forward, to occupy the Head Chairs. Vice President CHRIS BRADFORD was asked who was in charge of last Sunday’s Picnic at the home of ELOISE SISKEL, and he very smartly replied, “My wife, SHARON”. Others who should be mentioned include MIKE GINTZ AND President DON, plus PP JIM DOWNIE with his wonderful keyboard. In the Premiere Games Event, the Men’s Golf was won by PP STEVE SCHERER, and the Ladies Flight was captured by ELINOR LENEHEN. And, in case there were any doubts, we learned that SEAN McMILLAN, sans his ever-present coffee mug, presents a formidable challenge in the Seed Spitting event. And speaking of SEAN, PP STEVE asked him what activities as Secretary he felt should be called to our attention. SEAN noted the upcoming District Breakfast, set for Oct. 18th, Tuesday at 0700. We have ten seats reserved – check with SEAN if you want to claim one of the ten, please. Also present in the Head Seats was PP JIM COLLINS, who disclaimed any knowledge of why he was up there. He was given hints, culminating in his guess that we were talking about the National Championship won in 1995 by the UCLA Basketball Team. This in turn led to PP STEVE’S story of the visit to WVRC by Coach Jim Harrick. It seems that the Coach was in the habit of giving a good swat on the bottom to his players when they returned to their seats, and he followed this same procedure after receiving the Speaker’s Gift from PP (at the time, President) STEVE. Afterward, they looked at each other, and agreed that that swat was better than shaking hands, any day…
PP STEVE then reviewed some of the Club Service area during his term.
JIM GREATHEAD was in charge of District Assemblies, while PP HOWARD SISKEL shepherded the Hospitality Dinners. PP MIKE NEWMAN led our Membership Campaign, and set a record by bringing in thirteen new members! PP ROY BELOSIC took care of Programs.
PP DOUG DESCH led our Rotary Foundation – and as someone in the audience pointed out, that really wasn’t a very good list to be on, since almost all of them are now dead! HARLAN LEWIS is one of the exceptions to this rule, and he covered the Yearling Breakfasts. It was claimed the YOE was in charge of the Windmill – and I would have to admit that I didn’t know I had been going on for that long. PP STEVE then asked me what else happened during his 1994 year, and I easily recalled that Joy and I were married that year – in the SISKEL’S wonderful garden. ANDY ANDERSON was District Governor that year –and it was reported that he expects to be back with us in about three weeks, which is certainly great news!
New members who came aboard in 1994-95 included SALLY BRANT, GEORGE DEA, LEE DUNAYER, LENORE MULRYAN, SHARON RHODES-WICKETT, ANN SAMSON and BOB WESSLING – and of those seven, note that THREE of them became Club Presidents! STEVE also recalled that RALPH WOODWORTH hosted us at a meeting at Chasen’s that year – it was a gala event. PP ERIC LOBERG was invited forward, which led to some repartee regarding the place of Sweatshirts in the history and culture of WVRC. At this point, STEW GILMAN, from the audience, suggested that STEVE ask what happened to PP ERIC last week. ERIC first protested that he wasn’t wearing his Sweatshirt at the time, but it was still elicited that his oldest daughter, Kristin, got married.
There followed some conflicting discussion about the possibility of a fine, and the settled amount seemed to be a hundred big ones. Somehow, this switched to selling the absent President DON the only slightly used Sweatshirt recently owned by PP STEVE. In a series of parliamentary maneuvers, the price was established at $300 – so DON will have to deal with this debt when he returns.
And speaking of DON, this week’s joke – which isn’t his:
HOW TO TELL THE SEX OF A FLY
A woman walked into the kitchen to find her husband stalking around with a fly swatter. “What are you doing?” she asked. “Hunting flies” he responded.. “Oh, killing any?” she asked. “Yep, 3 males, 2 females,” he replied. Intrigued, she asked, “How can you tell?” He responded, “3 were on a beer can, 2 were on the phone.”
Program Chair TONY MARRONE introduced our two Speakers, Bob Basile and Eddie Mack. Bob Basile is the Director of Development for the Special Olympics for Southern California. He has been in development work for seven years, and is a member of the Pasadena Rotary Club. In addition, Bob is an ordained Minister. Eddie Mack is one of the Special Olympics Champions.
Bob spoke first, asking how many of us know something about Special Olympics? Many hands were raised. He then pointed out that Special Olympics is organized by the Kennedy/Schriver families. They provide year-round sports training and competition for both children and adults who have intellectual disabilities. During this process, they improve their level of physical fitness and their motor skills, build greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. They meet people, develop friendships and social skills, and gain a life that many of them didn’t have before. All of these gains can also transfer to their parents. These advantages accrue to the athletes, their parents, and even to their caretakers. They all find a supportive network of other parents – what they really do is find a community, which can share their hopes, their dreams - and their problems.
Typically, parents were at first puzzled, and sometimes ashamed, when they found that their child had Downs Syndrome, or autism, or other intellectual or developmental problems. But discovering others out there with the same or similar problems provides a support system that is very valuable. Families learn to value the important things in life – the love, the closeness that a family can share, and the joy in seeing their loved ones achieve.
Special Olympics has over 10,000 athletes participating in Southern California alone, along with an equal number – yes, 10,000 – volunteers who can provide one-on-one support and encouragement. Their ‘territory’ stretches from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, from the desert to the sea. Bob’s purpose is to spread the word, since there are obviously many people out there who could benefit from Special Olympics, either as families, or as volunteers. All their services are provided at no charge to their athletes or their families. So they rely on sponsors, community organizations and volunteers for their funding. They have a division which trains some of their athletes to speak before groups, trains other athletes and acts as outreach – these people are called Global Messengers.
Eddie Mack jogged to the podium, and he is an engaging young man. He has been involved with Special Olympics for 17 years, and he competes in volleyball, bowling, softball and track, among other sports. He has won bronze, silver and gold medals during these competitions. Two years ago, he competed with 7,000 athletes from all over the world, in Ireland. His gold medal was in bowling, and he rolled a 151! Here is the Athletes Oath: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be firm in the intent.”
Q&A – ED GAULD – What are the details on your coming meet? It will be on Saturday, October 9th, at Long Beach State. PP HOWIE HENKES – Wasn’t Rafer Johnson involved with Special Olympics? Bob answered, “Yes Rafer founded the Southern California Chapter, and he will be at the meet on the 9th, so he is still very much involved.” Why did you leave UCLA as a playing site? Because the terrain is too challenging – Long Beach is a more even playing field. PP JOHN SINGLETON – I was involved in one of their bowling tournaments, and it was one of the most inspirational events I have ever attended. Some of the participants only managed one pin in their ten tries, but they would celebrate that one pin in wonderful ways. RAY ZICKFELD – I was involved in one of their competitions, and my job was to get tee shirts for everyone. Rosy Greer was there, and we needed to find an extra extra extra large shirt for him. What is your favorite sport – bowling. PP STEVE SCHERER asked permission to ask Bob a question – “What was it that attracted you to Special Olympics?”. I was recruited from another agency, but once I was there, the proximity to all these athletes became very meaningful to me.
You can reach Special Olympics at (310) 215-8380 – a good number to call, certainly.
President DON, in absentia, left us with this thought:
If busses stop at Bus Stations, and trains stop at Train Stations, why do companies give their employees Work Stations?
