Our speaker tonight was Stan Nowak, a Marketing Director for AeroVironment. Based in California, AeroVironment is a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems, tactical missile systems and electric vehicle charging and test systems, and serves militaries and government agencies in the U.S. and more than 35 allied nations, as well as businesses and consumers. Stan gave a quick motivational talk about his career in marketing and how he ended up at AeroVironment.

Our speaker tonight, Fernan Diamse is a U.S. Navy Veteran of 14 years. He served as a hospital corpsman with the fleet marine force in various parts of the United States and in South East Asia. He is a volunteer and currently serves as the Veteran Engagement Director for Team RWB (Team Red, White & Blue). Team RWB's mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Fernan spoke passionately about how his organization helps veterans get reacclimated into society after serving for a number of years. He mentioned that being in the field for 14 years (with some vets serving for 20-30 years), was almost like prison, in the sense that he was out of touch with society. Finding this organization has helped him dramatically and he is returning the favor by helping others. He went on to explain all sorts of different activities Team RWB puts on: social events, fundraisers, racing (both virtual and physical), bike riding, kick-boxing and much more. A touching moment happened when one of our own veterans, Chuck, stood up and thanked Fernan for his services. Chuck mentioned the difference between him coming home from serving without organizations like Team RWB and his son coming home from serving with organizations like Team RWB was drastically better.

 

Fernan mentioned that becoming a member of Team RWB is free for both Veterans and civilians. For more information visit their website: www.TeamRWB.org

 

Top marks for getting Red, White & Blue shirts in the photo!

As the new year begins, we like to break the ice with the new president and have a little fun at their expense. Instead of our traditional meeting for Joe, we planned to meet on the balcony of our normal meeting place. Joe is a contractor by trait, so we made a construction zone for him to conduct his meeting. Out on the balcony, we could be as loud and obnoxious as possible with our own power tools, drills, saws, hammers, music, and hamburgers. Our speaker "forgot to show up" and instead we created uniquely designed Rotary Wheels. Wheels that will haunt Joe for the rest of his term. Joe's task during the meeting (because he couldn't get through his agenda) was to take the lead in his pink apron and tool belt. He had to show us how to make these VERY creative wheels and add his personal touch with supplied, glitter, paint, glue, rhinestones, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, fuzzy balls, and pretty much anything else we could find at the time. Great first meeting Joe!

 

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