Meet our New District Governor - Jack McClanahan
Our meeting was called to order by President David. We had the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the prayer and we sang "America", led by John W. Ken C. told a joke and Art introduced guests including the Assistant District Governor from Cambria and the Governor from Ojai. Another visitor was Dan Andrus, the Principal of Morro Bay High School who I understand will be one of us VERY soon.
Andrea K. shared what Rotary means to her. About a year and a half ago she attended a Rotary Peace Conference at the Carter Center. The discussion centered around how to make political and economic changes in the Sudan. She was very impressed with the things Rotary is able to do with the financial and physical support of its members.
Master PRLS .......Dan C. went to this meeting and said it was great. Don H. said Master PRLS 4 will be held on Saturday August 17th.
Bruce H. and Sarah K. reported on the fishing trip.... Those in attendance caught their limit and had all had a great time........Nancy G. caught the biggest fish. Sarah said there are still 3 spots available on the placemat. We need total participation in the Fish Fry event ......PLEASE sell dinner tickets and buy and sell raffle tickets.
Amy C. reminded us that the Police Dept is holding their Police Night Out from 5:00 - 7:00 tonight. Hot dogs for all!!
Carol will need 100 volunteers for the Margarita Festival. Rotary will receive 10% of proceeds of the beer booth.
Governor Jack McClanahan was our speaker. He recounted how Paul Harris had moved to Chicago and was looking to make new friends. Those relationships started as friendships, which led to having meetings which ultimately organized into Rotary including projects to help the community, with the idea that members should bring someone into Rotary who they can work with.
In 1987 Jack and his wife went to the Rotary Convention in Munich. A workshop put on by the Rotary Club of Duarte allowed the first women join their group. The club was then expelled from Rotary. The case was taken to the Supreme Court and it ruled against Rotary after which there was a large influx of women with new ideas making the clubs stronger and added energy to the programs. The Ojai Club lost one man because of the decision to include women, but he has since come back and I'm sure realizes the value of including everyone in Rotary Clubs.
Worldwide Rotary membership is 17-18% women, USA female membership is 25%, and our clubs here on the Central Coast have 30% female membership. Today many people have home businesses. Not a business title. But they still represent the same goals in the community. Jack believes we should focus on getting more female members.
When it became the goal of the Rotary Clubs to eradicate polio, it was believed it would take $120 million dollars to buy enough vaccine to reach this goal. The clubs have actually raised $240 million. It was thought Polio had been eradicated, but there has been a reported outbreak in Somalia and Pakistan which needs to be isolated and contained. It is now believed Polio will be completely eradicated by 2014.
Bill Gates has given $475 million toward Polio eradication. In addition to that, he will give another $70 million if Rotary can give $35 million. The goal for this district to give is 1% or $350,000.