The President then called on Andy Duchan to give an update on the arrangements for our Poker Tournament slated for November 8^th.

Andy then requested that Volunteers would be needed on the day of the tournament to help out.  He said he’s made preparation to bring in Professional Dealers, Security would also be provided as well as a professional caterer.  He distributed flyers to all members and requested Catherine to put up a PDF copy on our website.

 

Mac Tapper introduced our guest speaker for the day. Jeffrey J. Hagen (Attorney at

Law).

His speech was centered mainly on PESA” Teen Court Project for Justice” a non-profit organization focus on helping troubled youths in our schools.  He said through the PESA’s projects: Students are provided opportunities to learn about their community through FIELD TRIPS funded by PESA where they meet elected officials, judicial officers, lawyers and other community representatives.  Also, Students learn about Fairness & Justice as Teen Court Members, through discussions about the Teen Court cases during Teen Court Club sessions, students obtain the skills that allow them to obtain the necessary information to make better-informed decisions.  He went further to say that PESA is able to turn the lives around of many “at risk” students so they can become productive members of our community through this project.  He ended his speech by asking for volunteers to help out with the project.  Any interested should contact him.  Please visit PESA’s website at www.pesaforbetterschools.org to learn more.

 

Our meeting ended at 1:25 PM

 

GVNR Bulletin – 2-19-15

 

Flag: Judy Coates             Invocation: Barbara Pampalone                 America, the Beautiful: Judy Coates

 

Guest of the Club: Lisa Kaye is visiting for the first time this Rotary Club; she has recently retired from teaching elementary and Middle School kids.

Guests: Bill Parks was with the Rotarian guest table.  President Elect Jeffrey Stern of the Woodland hills Club has come with Dana Sherman who is working on the Fleet Street Project that our club has helped with.  Lee Stacy is a member of Burbank Sunrise Rotary Club and visiting today in his role as the District Grant Chair.  Mike introduced Melissa who has come to represent Diana Sanchez often from the Airport.  She has reached the end of this internship so this is her farewell.

 

Wynne reported a good board meeting.  They discussed the plans for the April 25^th track meet.  Also they heard a report on the International Project in Guatemala.  Wynne passed out invitations to be given or sent to people who we think should attend our big April 2^nd Service Above Self fund-raiser.  The board meeting next month will be held at Lulu’s Restaurant about 1 mile from here, and there will be a meeting of the board after this meeting to discuss the meeting venue.

Next year the district will have several projects in Panama, and that is where the District International Project money will go.  Talk with Marie, Les and Zoriada about what projects were carried out in Guatemala this last month.

In March the District has a picnic at Griffith Park to raise funds for Polio.  Rich announced that our pig has collected $1,300.00 over the last months and that money will be sent to the district as a contribution from our club.

Bill apologized for leaving early and gave the club $5.00 very sad dollars, but a congressman was visiting his school.

Melissa pointed out that Mike Quiroga had received the Business of the Year Award from the Encino Chamber of Commerce, and we all give Mike our congratulations!

 

Lee Stacy invited us to visit the Burbank Sunrise club with its 23 members, most of whom are always present.  He is in charge of grants and donations the The Rotary Foundation (TRF).  He pointed out that donations to TRF service global projects and ½ of our donations are returned in 3 years to the district that now provides about $90,000.00 for Community Grants and had Vocational Scholarships of about $35,000.00.  Every club is offered a chance for $2,000.00 in grants, but many clubs do not apply.

In order to apply for District Grants, two people in the club have to take a course in March that is offered on-line, and get an MOU (Memo of Understanding.)  The Woodland Hills Club had suggested the Fleet Street Project, and Malibu Rotary and Great Van Nuys Rotary became their partners.  Actually our club had to only send about $250.00 to the district to get the grant funded, and the grant money is a check for $2,750.00.  That money will go with the funds from the other clubs to the Fleet Street Project.

Dana explained that the Rotary funds pay about half of the Fleet Street Project.  The project includes working with the boys at Pacific Boys Lodge to provide training in fixing bikes.  The boys at the lodge are all on probation and usually have only about a 3^rd grade reading level.  Once the donated bikes are fixed they are given to women’s shelters, to children at Children’s Hospital and Kaiser Hospitals, kids in foster care and many other charities.  About 500 bikes went to underprivileged last year.

They have worked with Ghost Bikes to increase bicycle awareness.  They had 4 community events in January and a bike repair day is scheduled for Saturday, March 14^th at the Van Nuys Police Station (Delano Street, near the courthouse).  Our members are urged to volunteer and attend to help with crowd control.  They will repair bikes, but also have bikes to be given to needy youth and adults.  Between 10 &2 volunteers need to get the names and addresses and phone numbers of the people bringing bikes and tell them where to wait.  They may be receiving donated bikes.

The mayor’s office Gang Education group (GRID) supports this as an activity to get kids out of gangs.  Last year USC gave 250 bikes, and the Girl Scouts donated 30.  Many organizations working together make this project work.  Rotary grant money will go mostly for parts.

Dana signed the book that will be donated to Casa Esperanza in his name.

RAFFLE:

Judy had collected $65.00 and Mike won the raffle this week.