PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
As more and more businesses, government entities and other organizations are requiring vaccination or proof of negative Covid tests, we have also started this requirement beginning with our next live meeting at the Hilton on August 20th. This was decided in a special Board of Directors meeting on August 6th where we unanimously voted to begin requiring proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test within 72 hours of an indoor meeting or event.
We also require mask wearing when not actively eating or drinking. This will apply to all indoor Rotary meetings or events until the LA County Health Department no longer recommends indoor mask wearing. As Rotarians we need to acknowledge that many fellow members are very concerned about the safety of our meetings. Many are not attending because of Covid risks. I’m sure we want all of our members to feel safe and welcome and to know that their fellow Rotarians care enough about them to put up with this (hopefully short term) inconvenience.
There will be checks of vaccination status at the entry to meetings and indoor events. We will have Quick Tests available for purchase but it will be easier for all if you email proof of vaccination to admin@rotaryclubofsantamonica.org in advance. We will then record your status for all future meetings and events.
Serve to Change Lives Our goal is 1000 total club service hours on Rotary projects this year. Keep track of your time and send your total hours to Lauren Akmaeva who is tracking service hours at: RSVP@rotaryclubofsantamonica.org
Yours in Rotary
Bill Powell
President, Rotary Club of Santa Monica
RECENT GRANTS:
$15000 grant to Wise and Healthy Aging to fund a new security system
$500 to The Rotary Foundation as a gift showing our appreciation to District Governor Guity
$5000 grant to the Santa Monica Chamber Foundation to support Santa Monica Small Business Recovery Grants to our small business community
$2000 grant to Mending Kids to support free outpatient surgeries for children
$5000 grant to the Happy School Global Grant providing computers, sanitation and water to rural schools in India
The Santa Monica Rotary Club Foundation Has earned a Platinum Rating from Guidestar
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nora Bohn announced the August 28th Taco Party at Kelly Gulch, complete with Bill Powell’s World Famous El Presidente Margaritas!
Larry Maher and Alan Glick announced our upcoming trip to Santa Cruz island on September 18th. The adventure starts at 7am and we arrive back at 5pm.
RSVP NOW for either event to Lauren at RSVP@rotaryclubofsantamonica.org
CHECK OUR WEBSITE OR WEEKLY THURSDAY UPDATE FOR INFORMATION ON ALL EVENTS
Rotary Tip:
Make sure to download the ClubRunner App on your cell phones. The App provides instant access to photo directory, contact information and directions to home and business. Search for Clubrunner in the App Store.
THANK YOU to everyone who helped at last Friday’s meeting:
- Thanks to Donna Hackney and Gary Ogdenfor serving as Greeters.
- Thanks to Tom Larmore for our Music.
- Thanks to Charlie Follette for organizing Craft Talks and introducing our speakers.
- Thanks to Ann Greenspun for the invocation.
- Thanks to Daniel Bennett for virtually introducing our virtual guests.
- Thanks to Ken Waltzer for serving as Zoom Host.
LAST FRIDAY’S PROGRAM:
Craft Talks by new members Lauren Akmaeva and Renuka Desai kept everyone riveted during last Friday’s program as they spoke of their exciting lives.
THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM Our August 20th meeting is LIVE at the HILTON. Our speaker will be:
Dr. Clayton Dube – For the past 15 years, Clayton Dube has served as Executive Director of the US-China Institute (USCI) at the University of Southern California. USCI focuses on the multidimensional and evolving US-China relationship and on changes in China with the potential to affect that relationship. He has spoken to our club in the past and we always get requests to invite him back. Next week his topic will be “Pandemic Host: An Updated View of the US-China Relationship”