What a great May this has been. We started out working hard on our Mother's Day Fundraiser and had great success for this first time event. Thanks to Carolyne and the Committee for all their hard work!
We had interviews with El Segundo High School seniors and chose 3 winners to receive scholarships. Then on May 20th we had our first in person meeting at the Upshift Brewery. Scott Mitnick, City Manager and Barbara Voss, Deputy Director spoke to the group. We are so technology savvy that we had the meeting live streamed on zoom. Thanks Ed Su for setting that all up. It was so fun to see everyone after 14 months of zoom meetings. To finish up the month we will be providing 48 Veterans housed in a nearby apartment with Memorial Day food bags of hot dogs, buns, chips and homemade cookies. Also with generous member contributions we are able to buy a BBQ for the apartment complex.
I'm a little sad that my year as President is ending but I am happy we are having a Demotion Party. I want to see you all on June 18th!
~ FEATURED SPEAKER ~ Dr. Lejeune Lockett, DM, MSPH, Director of the Office of International Affairs at Charles R. Drew University School of Medicine and Science and Assistant Professor. She holds a BA from the University of California Davis, a Master’s in Public Health from UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health, and a Doctorate in Management from University of Phoenix. She is fluent in 4 languages, English, Spanish, Portuguese and French. During her career she managed health resources in Zambia through the Peace Corps and has worked with non-profits in international health education. Dr. Lockett discussed the role of the Office of International Affairs at Charles R. Drew University School of Medicine and Science. She also provide information on the challenges of vaccine hesitancy globally and the status of the pandemic in communities of India and South Africa. She also provided an example of how Charles R. Drew is supporting Rise Up! House in Zambia, a community for young girls impacted by HIV.
Thank you to everyone for your support and participation in this year's Mother's Day Fundraiser! The event was a success and we raised money for charitable causes supported by our club and Rotary International. Congratulations to our raffle winners! Elyse Beardsley won the Facial Gift Package from Orange Twist, and Chris Liguori won the Jewelry Source Gift Bag. Special thank you to our sponsors, our committee, and to those who helped with assembly and delivery.
Dr. Melissa Moore joined the El Segundo Unified School District as superintendent in July 2014. She previously served as the assistant superintendent of human resources for the Yucaipa-Calimesa Unified School District. She has a background in employee-employer relations, community and educational foundations and student instruction, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) World School program that was implemented at El Segundo Middle School in 2014.
Dr. Moore began her educational career as a teacher in the Glendale Unified School District where she taught elementary grades with significant experience in English Language development. After Glendale, she moved to Yucaipa-Calimesa for more than 20 years where she was employed as a teacher, assistant principal, elementary and middle school principal before moving into district administration.
In 2018, Dr. Moore was selected Superintendent of the Year (Region 14) by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). According to the District’s administrators and members of the Board of Education (BOE) in her nomination application, “ESUSD has improved in every area under Dr. Moore’s leadership. She has continually strived to understand the values of students, parents, staff, community and the BOE.” Moore is known for challenging ESUSD leaders and educators to examine District practices and ask the tough questions about access and equity for all students.
During her tenure as ESUSD’s superintendent, the district successfully passed a $92M General Obligation Bond Measure to improve school facilities and technology in 2018; and in 2017, established a legacy or endowment fund with $16M of proceeds from the sale of the Imperial Street School property that will provide ongoing annual revenue for technology infrastructure, deferred maintenance and capital outlay projects.
Under her guidance, ESUSD has adopted a new Graduate Profile; implemented Project Lead the Way/STEM curriculum for K-12; facilitated a partnership with the Cotsen Foundation and Loyola Marymount University for a peer coaching model to support CGI; implemented a 1:1 technology initiative for grades 4-12; and achieved the highest graduation rate in the region at 98.9 percent. ESUSD was selected as a member of the League of Innovative Schools in 2016, and has been recognized with more than 20 awards from outside agencies in the last five years.
She earned her doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in reading and language arts from California State University, Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from the University of Redlands.
Dr. Moore was one of 15 superintendents selected to attend a summit in Texas to provide feedback on educational innovation, and was awarded a Leading Educator Scholarship to Arizona State University’s Global Silicon Valley Summit. She has been recognized for her leadership and community involvement through the 8th Congressional District Woman of Distinction Award, City of Yucaipa City Council Certificate of Commendation, USC Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group Merit Scholarship Award, and the California Human Resources Administrator of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.
~ FEATURED SPEAKER ~ Brad Steinberg, Co-President of PWS - The Laundry Company. Brad discussed how to build a real estate portfolio through owning laundromats (or other owner/user businesses). PWS - The Laundry Company is the nation's largest distributor of commercial laundry equipment and laundry replacement parts. PWS is also a broker of existing laundromats and have built over 3,000 new laundries. Corporate headquarters are located in the City of South Gate, with satellite offices in South San Francisco and San Diego. Brad has been responsible for leading the organization since 2007. In March 2021, PWS completed the sale of the business to our manufacturer, Alliance Laundry Systems.
In the second half of the meeting, we heard from Jessica Daugherty who is working on a proposal for the El Segundo Greenway project along Aviation Blvd.
Meeting 5/20/21
This week we held our first in person meeting at Upshift Brewery in over a year! ~ FEATURED SPEAKER ~ El Segundo City Manager, Scott Mitnick, and Barbara Voss, Deputy City Manager. The City Manager's Office is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the overall City organization. Scott Mitnick serves as the organization's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of all City departments, department heads and employees. In this role, he is responsible for implementing City Council direction and policies. Barbara Voss assists in administering City operations across the organization. She directs all activities related to economic development and leads the communications, outreach and community engagement program for the City.
In many Rotary Clubs throughout the world, wives of male members are affectionately called “Rotary Anns.” This designation was never one of disparagement, but rather grew out of an interesting historical occasion.
In 1914 San Francisco Rotarians boarded a special train to attend the Rotary convention being held in Houston. In those days few wives attended Rotary events, and until the train stopped in Los Angeles, the only woman aboard was the wife of Rotarian Bru Brunnier. As the train picked up additional convention-bound delegates, Mrs. Ann Brunnier was introduced as the Rotarian’s Ann. This title soon became “Rotary Ann.” Since the clubs of the West were inviting the Rotarians to hold their next convention in San Francisco, a number of songs and stunts were organized which would be performed in Houston. One of the Rotarians wrote a “Rotary Ann” chant. On the train’s arrival at the Houston depot, a delegation greeted the West Coast Rotarians. One of the greeters was Guy Gundaker of Philadelphia, whose wife was also named Ann. During the rousing demonstration, someone started the Rotary Ann chant. The two petite ladies, Ann Brunnier and Ann Gundaker, were hoisted to the men’s shoulders and paraded about the hall. The group loved the title given to the two women named Ann. Immediately the same term of endearment was used for all of the wives in attendance, and the name “Rotary Ann” was here to stay.
Guy Gundaker became President of Rotary International in 1923 and Bru Brunnier was elected President in 1952. Thus, each of the two original “Rotary Ann”s became the “First Lady of Rotary International.”
Very few clubs have “Rotary Ann”s now, but many have Partners Organizations; some are stilled called “Inner Wheel.” The words “Rotary Ann” can be heard on rare occasions, and now you know where they came from.
I am Tom Forsythe, an El Segundo Rotarian member since 2008 and Past President of our Club. I was President in 2012-2013; it was one of the most satisfying endeavors of my life. I joined Rotary in 2008 when I moved my financial services/insurance practice to El Segundo. When I joined the club, the meetings were held in a conference room in the old Hacienda Hotel. When I found the room and entered the first person I met was Gary Wilson. Unbeknownst to me; Gary sat nearest the entrance to welcome visitors to the Club. Gary welcomed me and we talked that day like old friends. I met the other Rotarians and much like Gary they were all friendly and welcoming.
I knew then that I had made the right choice to join this club. My first community service projects were Movie in the Park and the Fire Poster Safety Awareness Campaign for 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders. I became involved in the club and learned how our tiny Rotary Club was doing good throughout El Segundo, the South Bay and Internationally. I passionately believe that you get out of the club what you put in. The more involved you become, the more you will understand the inner workings of our club, and all the good that we do.
Do not wait until someone asks you to join a committee or help with a project. Speak with the President tell them you are interested in becoming more involved and you will be amazed at how much you will learn and grow. Although we have been limited in activities this past year because of the pandemic; I think with Val’s leadership and strong support team the El Segundo Rotary Club has stepped up and provided essential services to the community of El Segundo. When I meet people for the first time from El Segundo; one of the first things I mention is that I am a member of the El Segundo Rotary Club. Many times, these people will ask, “What is the El Segundo Rotary Club” I proudly tell them about our club and invite them to come to a meeting to see what we do. I’m proud of our Club and I want as many people as possible in El Segundo to know about it.
Finally, while I joined Rotary to give back to the community, I have also established friendships that will last me the rest of my life. If I am ever in need of a favor or someone just to listen to me vent, I can always count of a fellow Rotary member to be there.
I look forward to the day when we can start having in person meetings again and say hello to those people I haven’t’ seen in over a year. AS many of you know; I’m from Tennessee so when I see you, I probably will want to give you a hug. Gary, I’m looking at you.
May is Youth Service Month when Clubs, around the world focus on youth services, Rotaract, Interact, RYLA, Youth Exchange.
Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club comprised of 14-18 year olds. Interact gives young people the opportunity to take part in fun, meaningful service projects. Along the way, Interactors develop their leadership skills and initiative while meeting new friends. Members exchange ideas, opinions and plans with other talented, energetic people, in an atmosphere free from negative pressures and distraction. Interact strives to promote student leadership, local volunteer service, and to make members aware of the many global and world issues that effect people everyday.
Rotaract is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young people ages 18-30. Rotaract clubs are usually community or university-based and are sponsored by a local Rotary club, making them true “partners in service” and key members of the Rotary family. Young adults augment their knowledge and skill and also address the physical and social needs of their communities while promoting international understanding and peace through a framework of friendship and service. Rotaractors also often spearhead the formation of Interact clubs and participate in RYLA. Rotaract is one of the fastest-growing programs of Rotary service with more than 9,500 Rotaract Clubs with 291,000 members in 177 countries. Rotaractors follow the motto “fellowship through service”.
Each year thousands of young people take part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) programs worldwide. Young people are chosen for their leadership potential to attend a seminar, camp or workshop to discuss leadership skills and to learn those skills through practice. RYLA aims to:
• Demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for youth;
• Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders;
• Encourage leadership of youth by youth; and
• Recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities.
Started in Queensland, Australia in 1959 and officially adopted by Rotary International in 1971, the RYLA program enables young people to debate issues of professional responsibility and human relations, improve leadership and communication skills, learn about businesses or institutions and meet Rotarians, while having fun and making friends. For participants, RYLA provides the opportunity to refine skills and explore pertinent topics with peers and elders; for Rotarians, RYLA offers the chance to help develop leaders, share valuable expertise and bridge the gap between generations. RYLA can help lead to the strengthening and formation of Interact and Rotaract clubs and can be used as a recruiting tool for youth exchange.
Rotary Youth Exchange is an excellent and inexpensive way for high school age students to travel and study in a foreign country. Youth exchange gives the participant the opportunity to improve their language skills and school and family experiences will teach them the culture of their host country. They also act as ambassadors for their home country. Each year the Rotary Districts that are part of CSRYE send approximately 300 young people to other countries and accept 300 young people from other countries in return.Accepting a youth exchange student into your club, community and household can be a very rewarding experience. It’s an opportunity for you, your family and your fellow Rotarians to learn about a different culture and also help a young person understand your culture. The goal of Rotary Youth Exchange is to promote the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace at the person to person level.
Tell us what you think! We want to hear from you. Let us know if you have any suggestions or ideas; please email us at info@elsegundorotary.org. Thank you for your support.
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