Greater Van Nuys Rotary News (Sep 05, 2020)

Rotary Club

of Greater Van Nuys

Our weekly e- Bulletin

Weekly meeting: Thursdays at 12:00 at Lulu's Restaurant 1600 Roscoe Blvd. Van Nuys CA 91406

Welcome to our new and improve weekly Bulletin.

Volume 1 | Issue 4

Flag: Bret Ferrente

Invocation: Dave Friedman

Four Way Test: Rotarians

Guest:

Martin Cooper (Guest Speaker)

Shirin Najab

Ali Sheikh

Julian Venegas (City of San Fernando Director of recreation Services and a prospective member)

Advertisement:

District Governor's Visit

Governor Beth Hall

Our District Governor will be visiting our Club on September 17, 2020. Let us invite friends and family to join our Zoom meeting that day. This is an opportunity for prospective members to come and learn about rotary and to also ask questions and get answer from our Governor.

President Zoraida Grossman welcomed and thanked everyone for attending our meeting today.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

President Zoraida:

Reminded everyone about our BOD meeting which is slated for 1:10PM immediately after our regular meeting today.

She also gave a brief talk on the current situation with the proposed Satellite Club. Presently, there are 4 prospective members. As soon as there are 8 members, which is expected within the next 2 months, GVN Rotary will then officially induct the new members into our club.

Bret Ferrente:

Spoke about the Environmental Project he is heading in conjunction with his wife, Hale, a 6th grade teacher. He said a survey will be sent out to each member and encourage everyone to please help by responding to the survey. The survey will help people find out their own environmental footprint. He said GVNR will be fully involved in this project.

Les Grossman(PDG)

reminded members about the District membership training on Saturday, and Zoraida will send out the link to whoever is interested in attending the zoom seminar.

Also, October is Polio Plus Eradication Month. Governor Beth has asked for $100.00 donation by each member to the Rotary Foundation for Polio Plus. PDG Les Grossman is requesting everyone to please donate whatever they can.

He also informed the club that Barbara has donated $1,000.00 to the Rotary Foundation in the name of Bob Quinn. He said Barbara is healthier now after following Bob Quinn article regarding an ancient grain that he grows.

Catherine Ibrahim:

Announced that there are now only two countries that are still reporting cases of polio. Africa is now polio free as Nigeria has been declared free of the polio virus. Kudos to Rotary and the WHO.

Carolyn Urquidez:

As previously announced Kidneys Quest Foundation is seeking assistance in assembling 600 backpacks to be distributed to kidney patients December through March. There is no special recognized organization for kidney patients like there is for diabetes, for example. So they are looking for volunteers and sponsors.

Dave Friedman was called upon to introduce our guest speaker:

Martin Cooper is president of his own Marketing and Public Relations Firm. He studied at Oxford, teaches at UCLA, and has written two books. He has also received a number of honors for his business and philanthropic activities.

Guest Speaker- Martin Cooper

Marty said on the 25th anniversary of his business, he decided to create the "Cooper Reading Challenge." It involves kids in the Boys & Girls Club and providing each child $25.00 to purchase a book at Barnes & Noble. They are of the age of 6 to 18 years. The children are taken to the book store and are able to select a book of their choice. They are taken in two groups, one consisting of middle school students and the other high school students. 200 children participates. The Boys & Girls Club in this endeavor have one main clubhouse near Sherman Way and Canoga in Canoga Park. Eight school campuses are involved in this program.

According to Martin, they are not set up to accept donated books. It takes a lot of support to run their program and a lot of work is involved in getting permission from parents. Transportation and supervision being just a few of the things his support staff do. He is looking for donations to the cause and for corporate and other sponsors. He is hopeful that our GVN Rotary Club will donate to this cause/activity. Barnes & Nobles gives them 20% credit which helps with paying the taxes on the books.

Kris Fuess asked if one can donate in someone's honor and Marty said yes. Zoraida volunteered a $250.00 donation in honor of her recently deceased friend.

Judy Joke: Was presented by Wynne Ritch.

Happy Bucks:

Thanks to everyone who contributed.

Four Way Test

The Four Way Test of the things we think, say or do;

1. Is it the truth

2. Is it fair to all concerned

3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships

4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned